Forum Discussion

ernpend's avatar
ernpend
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016

TV upgrades

Hi everyone. First post so be gentle :) Outside of a bigger TV, what kind of upgrades have you added (or would suggest) to improve your towing experience/safety/comfort? WD hitch w/sway control and bigger brakes are assumed but what else? Add a leaf spring, bigger transmission cooler, transmission swap, engine oil cooler, better tires, beefier rear axle?

I'm probably at least a year away from a TT purchase (wife's in nursing school and we have virtually no time to get away) but in the meantime I'm wondering what I can do/add to my TV to make it the best TV it can be (i.e. excuses for time in the garage, lol). I've full-timed in an older Class C for two years in the past but that was before the wife & kids :) & think a TT is the way to go for our foreseeable future.

For reference, my current/potential TV is a 2003 Suburban 1500 LT 4x4 5.3L with 3.73 rear end & tow pkg. Lots of miles but mechanically sound & in good condition. We're more apt to buy a TT to match its capabilities than a new TV. We're in the Blue Ridge mtns and while most trips will be within 250 mi, there may be an East Coast trip every other year to anywhere from Orlando to Bangor. We're likely not heading to Alaska anytime soon (though maybe Wyoming someday...?). TT yet to be determined but something under 25', able to sleep 5, and not a hybrid or popup. We like the Outback Terrain 210TRS layout but that would put me closer to max payload than I'd ideally like.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Mar 28, 2016
    There is absolutely nothing you can do that will improve your burbs towing capacity. 1500 Suburbans are usually already at maximum capacity just with a family on board.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2016
    We had a '02 Chevy 1500 Suburban. It towed our pop-up just fine, but when we got our first TT, it took no time at all to destroy the transmission (I'm talking less than 3 months). We had the transmission replaced with a rebuilt transmission, but it never drove the same again. We ended up trading for a 3500 duly.

    Click on my "profile" to the left and you'll see a photo of it. There is nothing you can do to improve the towing capacity. If you are looking future bound, start considering NOW for a 2500, or a 3500 while your current Suburban may still have some resale value (if any at all now).
  • jake2250's avatar
    jake2250
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2016
    Look at pop ups,, they are about the safest thing you can tow that would be comfortable for 5 people. Anything bigger than a 19' trailer will put you way over your max,, Gotta look at the sticker on your door for Maximum Payload, Just the five people will put you close. Planning a long trip will mean coolers, food,drink,camping gear. We had a PUP with our half ton 4x4 super crew and could safely haul our three kids with a friend or two plus dog, coolers,camp equipment and games and firewood. Ours slept 8, it was cozy but worked..
    Most 20' and smaller TT's only sleep four maybe, but a well equipped PUP with a deck for storage or bikes might the ticket for a half ton..
    Good luck and enjoy!!
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2016
    There's lots you can do to improve "towing experience/safety/comfort".
    What tires are on this rig? If they are P passenger car tires get some good LT tires, load range D or E. Do you have a transmission temperature gauge? That would be a great addition if you don't have one already.
    Is the hitch the OEM unit with the round tube? These were known to have some problems with cracks at the welds. A good aftermarket hitch would be a great idea.
    You'll need an electric trailer brake controller. Don't get a timer based control. Get one that is momentum based, the braking action is much smoother.
    Axle and transmission swaps are probably not a great idea. A 1500 Sub. is pretty limited in the payload area already. I wouldn't go crazy trying to modify it to become something it's not. Start saving for a 2500 model.
  • ernpend's avatar
    ernpend
    Explorer
    Mar 29, 2016
    Thanks for the replies, especially KD4UPL -- lots of good thoughts there.

    Sorry to hear about your transmission problems, DutchmenSport. I had people warn me those transmissions were weak before I bought the vehicle so a transmission swap or rebuild has been in the back of my mind for a while regardless of whether I tow with this or not.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Mar 29, 2016
    If you budget $20k for the TT, I'd say get a $10k used TT, take the $15k value of the current Burb, and buy a $25k 3/4 ton that is lower mileage, maybe get into a 2008+. That will go a lot farther towards towing comfort than spending $3k on your current Burb.

    If you insist, flush all the fluids. Spring for a WDH with integrated sway control over the basic design. Replace the shocks with HD towing ones. At 13 years old, it may need new springs or replacement air ride system as some of them had. You can change the gears to 4.10 or 4.56. You can supercharge that 5.3L. Get some OEM towing mirror clones from Ebay. If you have the OEM round tube receiver, get the Curt aftermarket. Endless way to blow $10k on your current TV to still not equal a stock 8.1L well maintained 3/4 ton Burb.
  • STEVEO496's avatar
    STEVEO496
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2016
    I've owned and towed with both 1/2 and 3/4 ton Suburbans. I don't recommend a 1/2 ton but if you insist, start with air bags for the rear coil springs, a rear stabilizer bar, an auxiliary transmission cooler and a real transmission temp gauge, a quality brake controller, towing mirrors, heavier rated wheels/tires (preferably 10 ply), the best weight distributing hitch you can afford and possibly a heavier duty receiver. With all that being said a used 3/4 ton is really no more expensive than a similar 1/2 ton. Some of the same upgrades mentioned above may still need to be done to the 3/4 ton though, such as towing mirrors, brake controller etc. but you will get heavier axles and suspension, bigger brakes, beefier transmission and transfer case, bigger radiator etc etc. and the 3/4 ton will really get just as good of fuel mileage as your 5.3 towing.

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