2012 Suburban - good tow vehicle?

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My wife and I currently have a 2012 Suburban and are wanting to get a travel trailer.

The one she wants is right at maximum tow weight with our vehicle IF i add a transmission cooler and change the rear ring and pinion.

Is that safe or do we need to look at other options?

[colliehauler]

Next wrote:
No, 1500.

Way to much trailer for a 1500, at the limits for a 2500.

[APT]

All 2007+ GM SUVs have the same integrated receiver/ratings. There are no aftermarket options. Another sad point is that's the highest of any 2007+ SUV competitor, despite some having higher tow ratings.

[Bionic_Man]

Isn't the rating the factory hitch another concern with Burbs? I thought it was very difficult to get a 10,000 pound hitch because of the integrated design on the newer model Suburban? Am I wrong?

[APT]

Since you said changing ring/pinion and adding trans cooler, I assume you have a 4WD 1500 with 3.08 axle and not the HD trailing equipment. Therefore your tow rating is in the low 5000 pounds range. 3.42 goes to mid 5000 pounds range and with trans cooler/HD trailing you're near 8000 pounds. Cost for those changes is in the $1000 (2WD) to $3500 (4WD) range. If you decide to tow a high walled RV with your Suburban, I highly recommend the trans cooler.

That Wildwood is borderline to much for my 2011 3/4 ton. The 1000 pound receiver limit will be an issue. At 8000 pounds dry, it may hit the 9400 pound tow rating I have when loaded up with full fresh water tank and our typical camping gear. Therefore, no way I would recommend that for your half ton, even with the changes. No one tows an empty RV more than once (from purchasing dealer to home).

Here's what I recommend for you. Find something you like in the 5k dry range and get the trans cooler. Skip the gear change. The 6-spd trans does pretty well, and even with 3.08 axle is better than older 4-spd trans with 4.10 axle. If you can't find something you like in the 5000 pound dry range, consider upgrading the Suburban first. Keep in mind that most half ton SUVs are limited due to payload well below tow ratings. Some with 9000-ish pound tow ratings have 900 pound receiver limits and 1200 pounds of payload. While that may work well for a single guy towing a boat, it does not work week for a larger family towing a travel trailer.

[Dick_B]

We've always towed with Suburbans and presently have a 2500 series with the 6.0L engine towing 7500 lbs. It does OK but not as good as my older 8.1L engine. I agree that the RV of interest is too much weight unless you only tow on level ground a few hours from home.

[Dadoffourgirls]

Your Burb has a 1000lb tongue weight max for the hitch. You will be very close to exceeding the hitch.

If you are going to tow it 10 miles or less infrequently with 2 or less people in the vehicle, I would say it can be done. (Tested myself.)

Also, do you have the 3.08 or 3.42 rear axle? The 3.08 will limit the tow capacity.

[Campfire_Time]

For the right size trailer 'Burbs are great tow vehicles. I've owned 3 over the years and loved every one of them.

However I have also towed close to my rated capacities with 2 different rigs. Doable, but I'll tell you that you will be replacing that 'Burb with a 2500 a year later.

[BurbMan]

Here are the specs from the link you provided:

Year 2015
Manufacturer Forest River
Model Name Wildwood Midwest
Trim Name 31KQBTS
Generic Type (Primary)Travel Trailer
Dry Weight, Hitch 793 lbs.
Unloaded Weight 7,902 lbs.
GVWRTBD
Cargo Capacity 3,013 lbs.
Overall Length 36' 1"
Overall Height 11' 2"
Overall Width 96"
Fresh Water Capacity 40 gal.

Assuming you have kids since you have a burb and are buying a trailer with bunks. You'll easily add 1000 lbs of cargo to the trailer. It sounds like a lot, but consider clothes, food, pots/pans, etc etc etc and that 7900 lb trailer will likely weight about 9000 lbs packed and ready to go. Filling the fresh water tank will add another 350 lbs.

Likewise that 790 lb hitch weight will be more like 1100 lbs after you fill the propane tanks and load the trailer. The burb needs to carry that 100 lbs in addition to all the passengers and cargo, which will likely put you overweight. Changing the rear axle ratio will increase the towing capacity, but NOT the carrying capacity....that's a function of brakes, tires, and frame.

IMO that is WAAY too much trailer for a 1500 burb. For a comfortable tow with the family aboard you should be looking at trailers with a dry weight in the 5000 lb range. If DW has her heart set on that model, then look for a more HD tow vehicle like a 2500 burb, Excursion, 250/350 van or 250/350 pick-em-up truck.

If you want to try it, I'm sure the burb will pull it but it won't be a comfortable ride and you will more than likely toast the rear axle by the end of the season.

[_tpc_]

If you have to add a cooler and change the rear end, you need a different truck.

Its a good truck, don't get me wrong. But the length and weight, I'd say no.

You could always find a trailer that is shorter/lighter...

[Next]

No, 1500.

[colliehauler]

Next wrote:
My wife and I currently have a 2012 Suburban and are wanting to get a travel trailer.

The one she wants is right at maximum tow weight with our vehicle IF i add a transmission cooler and change the rear ring and pinion.

Is that safe or do we need to look at other options?

Is your Burb a 2500 series?

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This is the trailer we want - here