99 Suburban 1500 5.7

[TrueBlueKC]

Before I buy a new TV I figured I'd post some numbers and see what you all think. We were looking at trailers and found one we like a lot. The Keystone passport 23RB. At first it seemed like it would be too much for my burb but I'm not sure.

TV is 99 Suburban 4x4 5.7L with a 3.73 axle.
6000# trailer rating
7300# GVWR
4000# RAWR
base payload is 2000#
Wheelbase is 131.5"
I can't find the GCWR anywhere.

The trailer is 26'3" long and 11' high
Dry wt. is 4760#
Dry hitch wt. 565#
CCC is 2053#

My 'burban has plenty of life left with 150,000 miles and I'd hate to trade her in just yet, but I will if I have to.

[Cummins12V98]

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

TrueBlueKC wrote:
Before I buy a new TV I figured I'd post some numbers and see what you all think. We were looking at trailers and found one we like a lot. The Keystone passport 23RB. At first it seemed like it would be too much for my burb but I'm not sure.

TV is 99 Suburban 4x4 5.7L with a 3.73 axle.
6000# trailer rating
7300# GVWR
4000# RAWR
base payload is 2000#
Wheelbase is 131.5"
I can't find the GCWR anywhere.

The trailer is 26'3" long and 11' high
Dry wt. is 4760#
Dry hitch wt. 565#
CCC is 2053#

My 'burban has plenty of life left with 150,000 miles and I'd hate to trade her in just yet, but I will if I have to.

Throw some "E" rated tires on the Burb. I bet it will tow just fine. I have a 99 Tahoe with around 220K and runs like new.

A little late. Look up^.
OP just bought a new truck.

Oh well good advice for anyone with a 1/2 ton,

[Grit_dog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

TrueBlueKC wrote:
Before I buy a new TV I figured I'd post some numbers and see what you all think. We were looking at trailers and found one we like a lot. The Keystone passport 23RB. At first it seemed like it would be too much for my burb but I'm not sure.

TV is 99 Suburban 4x4 5.7L with a 3.73 axle.
6000# trailer rating
7300# GVWR
4000# RAWR
base payload is 2000#
Wheelbase is 131.5"
I can't find the GCWR anywhere.

The trailer is 26'3" long and 11' high
Dry wt. is 4760#
Dry hitch wt. 565#
CCC is 2053#

My 'burban has plenty of life left with 150,000 miles and I'd hate to trade her in just yet, but I will if I have to.

Throw some "E" rated tires on the Burb. I bet it will tow just fine. I have a 99 Tahoe with around 220K and runs like new.

A little late. Look up^.
OP just bought a new truck.

[TrueBlueKC]

It was under powered for the trailers we really want so it was time for it to go.

The good news is that my employer bought the suburban for work. He's going to paint it and slap some decals on it. He said it's worth it for the advertising alone. So I still get to drive it!!

[Cummins12V98]

TrueBlueKC wrote:
Before I buy a new TV I figured I'd post some numbers and see what you all think. We were looking at trailers and found one we like a lot. The Keystone passport 23RB. At first it seemed like it would be too much for my burb but I'm not sure.

TV is 99 Suburban 4x4 5.7L with a 3.73 axle.
6000# trailer rating
7300# GVWR
4000# RAWR
base payload is 2000#
Wheelbase is 131.5"
I can't find the GCWR anywhere.

The trailer is 26'3" long and 11' high
Dry wt. is 4760#
Dry hitch wt. 565#
CCC is 2053#

My 'burban has plenty of life left with 150,000 miles and I'd hate to trade her in just yet, but I will if I have to.

Throw some "E" rated tires on the Burb. I bet it will tow just fine. I have a 99 Tahoe with around 220K and runs like new.

[Fast_Mopar]

TrueBlueKC wrote:
I ended up closing on a brand new Ram 2500 6.4L CC yesterday.

Great choice.

[TrueBlueKC]

Well I got an early test drive on the Chevy and then a Ram. I ended up closing on a brand new Ram 2500 6.4L CC yesterday. It has the standard bed but had better options and a much better price. The 6.4 hemi is reportedly getting only 1 MPG less than the Cummins when towing and it's $8,000 less so that was an easy choice there. Also more power (410HP) and supposedly better efficiency when not towing than the Chevy.

It sure is big!

[APT]

Thanks for the update! in theory, longer wheelbase is better for towing longer trailers. Honestly, even towing a 10k pound trailer will be easy for a 2016 HD crew cab 6.5' bed. Pick the 8's bed because you want an 8' bed. Some people would rather it fit in a garage, or want a smaller turning circle, etc. Towing will make little difference and the cost is a couple hundred dollars.

[TrueBlueKC]

Well, 6 months later and I've managed to hold off on buying. I have a test drive set up for next week on a 2016 Silverado 2500HD crew cab 4x4 with an 8 foot bed. It's a W/T with 4.10 rear.

I'm guessing a long bed is better than a standard for towing?

Oh yeah, the suburban...well the brakes went out. Didn't get but a block from home, thankfully. A line has corroded up under the rear wheel well. Scary stuff! Check those lines thoroughly on older GM's!!

[TrueBlueKC]

APT wrote:
The price on that 2015 is high by at least $5k, but it looks like a good truck. I highly recommend the 4.10 axle even with the 6-spd. I think you'll spend a lot more time in 5th gear than I do with 3.73, plus tow rating is closer to 14k pounds vs. 10k. Should be comfortable towing nearly any bumper pull RV/Travel trailer.

High by at least $5,000? I don't see new 2015's of any trim for less than $40,000. Used are going for $35000 to $45000 all day. Even the 2014's and 2013's are. If I could get that truck for $28,000 I'd sacrifice not having 4x4. I'd have to look at what rear end it has.

[TrueBlueKC]

My intent is to find a one owner, maybe like a 2015 that somebody traded in because they just had to have the new LED's on the 2016's. I'm really just getting ideas and never mentioned diesel because I read the gas vs. diesel thread that goes in circles. Maybe I'll buy diesel, maybe I won't.

I do want a 4x4 for winter and will look for 4.10 axle ratio. That would give me a lot more options if I decide to get a toy hauler or a 5er down the road. I'm very meticulous maintenace wise and will be putting maybe 7,000 miles a year on my new TV so it should last even longer than my Suburban did. We'll see what trucks can do in 20 years. I bet we won't still be calling the 1500's half-tons!

[Grit_dog]

Btw if you're going used/gasser, look a little west of you in CO. NA Gassers bring more $ in the flatlands because they're more suitable there.
In the mtns, more folks that buy a gasser, realize it doesn't pull well over the Ike every day at 10kft and dump it for a diesel. Even more so for 2wd trucks. Guy buys a 2 wheeler to haul the camper to Estes in the summer then realize it sucks in snow in the winter and upgrades.
End result is, in the mountains, used gassers come at a bit of a discount and 2wd gassers are a huge discount.

[Grit_dog]

TrueBlueKC wrote:
Driving the 'burb today and lost power, had to have it towed. Distributor cap was fried. I take it as a sign. :B

We could absorb two payments but we are going to hold off on that trailer and focus on the TV and start saving for a bigger down payment as I want a heavy duty pick-up truck and they are expensive.

Soooo....as far as trucks from this decade, are there any model year/engines I should stay away from? This truck will be used for towing and for winter driving mostly with the occasional hauling of wood etc. And I'm open to Ford or Dodge, too. I'm not one of those guys.

Would one of these be sufficient enough? It's 2WD but that is a good price compared to what I've seen.

Heck yeah it is! Be like towing with 2 old half ton suburbans!
For newer gassers, form this decade like you said, there is really not a turd in the bunch. All very comparable, powerful (for a gasser) and reliable. My only reccomendations would be to buy new enough to get a 6speed trans and even though you're not towing very heavy for a new 3/4ton, opt for low gears. The double od transmissions handle empty hiway driving with low gears quite well and your smile will be wider when towing.

[APT]

The price on that 2015 is high by at least $5k, but it looks like a good truck. I highly recommend the 4.10 axle even with the 6-spd. I think you'll spend a lot more time in 5th gear than I do with 3.73, plus tow rating is closer to 14k pounds vs. 10k. Should be comfortable towing nearly any bumper pull RV/Travel trailer.

[MFL]

TrueBlueKC wrote:
Driving the 'burb today and lost power, had to have it towed. Distributor cap was fried. I take it as a sign. :B

We could absorb two payments but we are going to hold off on that trailer and focus on the TV and start saving for a bigger down payment as I want a heavy duty pick-up truck and they are expensive.

Soooo....as far as trucks from this decade, are there any model year/engines I should stay away from? This truck will be used for towing and for winter driving mostly with the occasional hauling of wood etc. And I'm open to Ford or Dodge, too. I'm not one of those guys.

Would one of these be sufficient enough? It's 2WD but that is a good price compared to what I've seen.

Yep, that is a sign of things to come, especially when you start towing heavier.:)

The truck you mention would be a great choice! The late model GM trucks with 6-speed and 6.0 gas make great TVs. I have a Ford 6.2 gas, also a great TV. The late model gas engines have lots of HP, but the 6-speed transmissions make a huge difference in the towing experience.

Jerry