I'm completely new to all this - dh grew up with a pop-up and loves to tent camp but if I'm going to come along it must be something hard sided with a bathroom and a refrigerator!We own a 1999 Suburban 1500 LS... the original purchase paperwork says it has the upgraded tow package and transmission cooler. I've looked in the manual and still not sure what I should be looking for as an upper limit with regards to tow weight. Could someone give me some guidelines?I'm guessing our best rv would be a travel trailer. Haven't really considered anything else yet. I guess that's for another post though.I'm slowly working my way through the sticky but I'm excited and want to buy something asap! There are no rv dealers nearby to ask. Do I go to the Chevy dealer with questions about hitches?Oh we also have four little kids 10 and under, and we might bring a 60 pound dog along occasionally... My dh and I are about 150lbs each. And we have a couple teens around 150 each too, thought I don't think they'd be along as much or they might take a separate vehicle.So what should be my upper limit? Or is it not that simple? And I'm lost on the tongue weight discussion but hopefully I'll learn.Thanks so much,Marie

Others will come along with more detailed info, but the four kids and all of their related paraphernalia inside of suburban putting weight on the rear axle will severely take away from what's left of the overall weight carrying capacity for the trailer hitch. And of course don't forget the dog's weight and his 20#s of dog food for the trip.I think subs are great vehicles, only you really need the 3/4T version. I know you've got a lot of expenses with the four kids, but with all of the weight you're going to have to buy a small trailer which they're going to rapidly outgrow. If there's any way possible, I'd try to trade the 1/2T for a 3/4T so you're not so limited on trailer choices.Have fun.Bill

Sadly 1500 Suburbans can already be overloaded by just loading with passangers. You really really need to load your family up plus what ever you would normally have for a trip and drive across a set of scales. Then look on the drivers door post for the GVWR tag. Subtract one from the other. Thats how much payload you have. A 99 Subbie is likely going to have nearly zero payload. You might first start looking for a bit newer 2500 burb before starting on the trailer search.

Ugh that's not what I wanted to hear! We love this suburban bc it only has 125k miles... But I agree. We used to have a Ford e150 that we loved. Maybe we could trade for one of those but I'm guessing it would need to be the e250 version.

Since you are coming from a pop-up, look at small Hybrids.

Think positive, Burner! What is the payload capacity of the Sub? How much weight will you carry in the Sub minus 150 pounds?

What weight TT for a '99 Suburban 1500 TV? UPDATE sold Sub

bernercamper
Explorer
Jun 24, 2017
quick update I sold the excursion - it was very problematic - lots of electrical issues that would have driven me crazy. It was just too old.

So since then I bought a 2007 expedition 2wd with the hd towing package. I know this won't be as optimal as an excursion but it suited us better on a day-to-day basis. It's so nice though that my dh jokes that I won't want it to be our camping vehicle and I'm afraid he's right. Anyway it says it can tow 9200 which I know I won't want to tow anywhere near.

So I'm looking on rvtrader for used travel trailers. I've got a lot more questions so maybe I'd better start a new post.
jmaotto
Explorer
Jun 07, 2017
I think the Excursion will be a safer tow vehicle than an extended Ford van. The extended Ford vans have too much rear overhang. This causes the tail to wag the dog.
Fubeca
Explorer
Jun 07, 2017
The V10 is only as loud as the exhaust system on it. A stock muffler keeps it very quiet. It is a reasonably efficient engine, and has great reliability (with the occasional sparkplug issue).

In the cheapish price range - it really is a great deal for pulling power. An older GM product with the 8.1 is likely a little better - but pretty rare.
bernercamper
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017
Thanks. Yeah I guess I can see that. I don't love the v10 because it's loud. Maybe I'll look for a newer year model. Most have so many miles on them though! Or keep looking for an e350 van with a v10. I just have 4-7 kids to carry along!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 06, 2017
Having had a couple of both the early V 10s and several 5.4s from 97 up to 09, I'd take a high geared 6.8 over a 5.4 with 4.10s in a superduty chassis.
bernercamper
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017
Well I have an update... not sure if I should add on here or start a new topic.

I sold the Suburban. To a family member. I bought a sight-unseen 2000 Excursion just based on the mileage - 150k. So now I have something with a v10 but it's not in great cosmetic shape. Not sure whether to keep it or not! It looked like it might have towed before as there's a bracket under the dash that might have been for trailer brakes? Just guessing. I took it to a mechanic and he said "fair" mechanical condition but nothing jumped out at him. I does have "D" class tires so that is not for towing I would guess. Also it's a 2wd. 3.55 axle ratio I think.

I'd really prefer a ford van but the only ones I can find are v8 engines! 5.4L. Is that strong enough with the right axle ratio?
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 04, 2017
donn0128 wrote:
Sadly 1500 Suburbans can already be overloaded by just loading with passangers. You really really need to load your family up plus what ever you would normally have for a trip and drive across a set of scales. Then look on the drivers door post for the GVWR tag. Subtract one from the other. Thats how much payload you have. A 99 Subbie is likely going to have nearly zero payload. You might first start looking for a bit newer 2500 burb before starting on the trailer search.

never mind.......
Grit_dog
Navigator
May 27, 2017
bernercamper wrote:
That's encouraging. I've read many different things. Also the tow weight in manual is different than specs I'm reading online.

So payload is the difference between gvwr and vehicle weight. And the payload has to be more than vehicle plus passengers and luggage and hitch weight?

As with any older vehicle, miles and condition play more of a factor than the "missing" payload sticker will.
If it is in good condition and not a zillion miles, I'd be good with around a 5klb trailer, based on hp and gear ratio. With that, better have an aux trans cooler and you won't be winning any races against anything made in this decade.
May need to help the ole rear suspension out a little too. A Sub is like a pickup that's already halfway loaded before you put anything in it.
Other than that, Vortec 350, good brakes and a healthy transmission......dog will hunt!
bernercamper
Explorer
May 24, 2017
Thank you for that info!
DrewE
Explorer II
May 24, 2017
As those were the three possible axle ratios Ford offered that year (not all with every engine), the VIN report isn't saying anything more than that the van has a rear axle. I suppose that's a good thing, even if I might have taken it for granted.

A class 1 hitch maxes out at 2000 pounds or less, and perhaps in this case would just be a hole in the bumper without a receiver or anything. You'd need a class III or IV hitch (assuming a previous owner hasn't added an aftermarket one). You'd also need a brake controller and a seven pin trailer connector wired in. None of that should be particularly hard or expensive to procure.

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