Forum Discussion

cbrownth's avatar
cbrownth
Explorer
Nov 26, 2018

Towing with a Suburban

Been towing a 4500# travel trailer with 07 2500 Suburban 6.0 w/3.73 rear gears. I want to replace TT with new one weighing about 6300# dry, 1200# less then my towing limit. Current set-up pulls ok in the PA mountains but I have concerns with the additional 1800#. Does anyone have experience with a this set-up?
  • I towed a 7200# GVWR trailer with a 2004 3/4 ton Suburban with the 6L/4A/3.73 and I would say it did fine. In the mountains of Pennsylvania I am sure it would spend more time in second gear. The 1000# tongue weight limit on your receiver might be a bigger concern. My tongue weight ranged from 800# to 1200# depending where we were going and for how long.
  • wnjj wrote:
    SidecarFlip wrote:
    We have an 08 LTZ with the 350 vortec and I won't pull anything with it. Gas mileage is bad enough as it is. It's a pig, a comfortable pig pig.


    Maybe because someone put an outdated engine in it? There was no '08 350.

    It’s a unicorn. He’s also said it was a Suburban Denali in the past.

    OP, I’d say your 2500 would be adequate for the trailer you are considering. As others said, let the engine rev.

    The 2500 Burb isn’t perfect, but it is likely one of the best SUVs to use as a towing vehicle.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    SidecarFlip wrote:
    We have an 08 LTZ with the 350 vortec and I won't pull anything with it. Gas mileage is bad enough as it is. It's a pig, a comfortable pig pig.


    Maybe because someone put an outdated engine in it? There was no '08 350.
  • It's a 2500 Sub, not your average grocery getter.
    Sidecar, how did you end up with an '08 Sub with a 350? They quit using those back in about 2000. If it's a 1500 it has a 5.3, if it's a 2500 it has a 6.0.
    OP, I have a '09 2500 Suburban. I use it to tow my boat. I haven't weighed the boat on the trailer; the boat lists a dry weight of 4,100 + 75 gallons of gas = 4,625. Adding the trailer and all the gear in the boat I must be around 6,000 to 6,500.
    I have no issues at all towing this trailer with 7 people and gear in the Suburban. I can go over the mountains of VA at the posted speed limit with ease. I have power to spare.
    My '09 does have a 6 speed where you have only a 4 speed so I probably have an advantage there. I wouldn't be concerned with another 1,000 or so pounds behind me. Granted, a boat tows much easier than a TT but as for weight, I don't see it being a problem.
  • Ok this is a 2500 series suburban. I bought one because I want to upgrade my trailer as well and I have 3 growing boys. My current trailer is about 5000 loaded and pulls very nice. I would have no issue bumping up to what the OP is talking about. My 09 has a max tow rating or 9600lbs same 6.0, 3.73 gears and a 6 speed trans
    To the OP, what are you specifically concerned about? Power? Stability? Fuel consumption? Don't be afraid to let the engine get up in RPM. That is where the power is. only thing is to watch hitch weight on the factory receiver. Limit is 1000 lbs
  • Usually payload is the killer not gross weight. You need to find the max tow weight/payload and make sure you do not exceed that. We towed all over the west with a older Burb but that was pulling a 20 ft popup. Personally I would not pull a TT. We burned out the rear differential too doing that, in a good deal because of my flatlander driving down Pikes Peak but still that's greatly to be avoided. Seemed like we were doing an annual brake job too.
  • My TT limit on my Tahoe is 6000 despite Chevy’s 8500 rating.
  • Just a guess but, at @6500 lbs dry, you would be around 7500 lbs with gear loaded. Not full tanks, but gear loaded.
    It doesn't sound even remotely comfortable to me. If I had to fight my tow vehicle, I would either change my rigs or quit camping, so not an option for me.
    There is "it can do it", and then there is "tows comfortably", 2 totally different things. YMMV
  • We have an 08 LTZ with the 350 vortec and I won't pull anything with it. Gas mileage is bad enough as it is. It's a pig, a comfortable pig pig.