Anyone with experience towing with a Suburban
Hi, I’d like to hear from people who have experience towing a larger travel trailer with a Suburban. I have a Suburban 1500 5.3L. I want to buy the largest travel trailer my suburban can safely tow. ...
Forum Discussion
I towed with a 2012 Suburban LT with the 5.3L and 3.42 rear end and the factory tow package. Probably the worst tow vehicle I've ever used. I towed an 19' 4000 lbs trailer, a 29' Sunset Trail(6000 lbs) and a 5200 lb Yamaha 242 jet boat. I even towed my 12' teardrop trailer with it (1200 lbs).
It struggled with all of them. The truck itself is so heavy, there really isn't anything left for towing. With the soft suspension, overcoming sway and wdh hitch setup was a challenge. I ended up install Timbrens on the rear end. I managed to get sway under control with an Equalizer, but it made a lot of noise and was a bear to engage and disengage. I've talked with a couple guys (during my struggle) that had the air-ride suspension. That made it nearly impossible to set up their WDH.
Every trip was a white knuckle ride unless I went 55 or below. Forget mountains. Hills could be an issue, with having to downshift 2 gears at the slightest grade.
Good thing gas is cheap now. You'll get 8 or 9 mpg. And with the revving so high, don't expect a lot of miles out of the engine long term. Don't even consider getting a trailer without an aero front cap.
The 2015 Subs may be better, they've made a lot of changes. But they're pricey - saw one for $70k at the car show 2 weeks ago. No thanks. You'd be much better off getting a 1/2 ton crew cab pickup.
It struggled with all of them. The truck itself is so heavy, there really isn't anything left for towing. With the soft suspension, overcoming sway and wdh hitch setup was a challenge. I ended up install Timbrens on the rear end. I managed to get sway under control with an Equalizer, but it made a lot of noise and was a bear to engage and disengage. I've talked with a couple guys (during my struggle) that had the air-ride suspension. That made it nearly impossible to set up their WDH.
Every trip was a white knuckle ride unless I went 55 or below. Forget mountains. Hills could be an issue, with having to downshift 2 gears at the slightest grade.
Good thing gas is cheap now. You'll get 8 or 9 mpg. And with the revving so high, don't expect a lot of miles out of the engine long term. Don't even consider getting a trailer without an aero front cap.
The 2015 Subs may be better, they've made a lot of changes. But they're pricey - saw one for $70k at the car show 2 weeks ago. No thanks. You'd be much better off getting a 1/2 ton crew cab pickup.
