suburban 1/2ton or 3/4ton for pulling outback210rs

[mangchibike]

which tow vehicle should i get to pull Outback 210RS model?

210RS shipping weight 4904
carrying capacity 2646
hitch 550
Suburban 1/2 ton dry wight 5680 3/4ton 6141
max payload 1520 2459
GVWR 7200 8600
Max tow 8100 9600
GCWR 14000 16000

I probably use TT 10times(trips) a year and few occasion i might bring 4 adults (including myself) and 4 kids. That is why i need to get full size SUV and enought power to safely tow TT, but also have to consider fuel mileage when not tow TT. (1/2ton 15/21 VS 10/15)
Let's say if I put 1000lbs in TT, that puts me around 6000 and hitch weight of 900 (15%), so 1/2ton's max payload 1520-900 put me 620 for passengers, then if i bring extra guest, it will over max payload amount. So should i go for 3/4 ton? Thank you in advance.
(haven't bought anything yet.. it's going to be my 1st purchase soon)

[Nitehawk62]

Did you buy yet?

I have a Jayco 29X 4800lbs TW 825lbs arrow hitch pulling with a 2008 Subuurban 5.3 liter 4th with towing package LTD

I get great milage on the flats not so bad on moderate slopes but yes,on the steep grades it does labor. I always verify my brakes on both the truck and trailer before every trip because I know that I am very close to the limits of my truck . The Hensley Arrow stopped my fear of the sway issue . after all the trailer is longer and taller than the truck. But I am very happy with the over all performance of the suburban

[Steve_Martin]

get the larger truck. if this is your first camper then you likely will upgrade and having the larger truck offers you more options in trailers.

[krobbe]

The Outbacks are really nice and the 250RS with the slide will open up the inside. Great Choice! Happy hunting for your 3/4ton.

[texasclarks]

mangchibike wrote:
I'm going for 3/4ton and 250RS (which has 1000lbs more) instead 210RS.
Thank you everyone for a advise, really helped me a lot:)

I thank you will be happy towing with the 3/4Ton Sub.

Enjoy!

[jaycoj1208]

We tow a 26rs outback 05 with the weight being the same as the 210 rs. Our burban is a 1500 with HD tow package 2003. I ordered this truck with 4.10 gears and the premium ride suspension package. I have added airbags to the back. The truck has the 5.3 and on flat land I get 14.5 towing and in the true hills ( I am talking Kentucky Tennessee). Last year we got 10.5. I did an exhaust upgrade to 3" and a bully dog chip then flashed the computer. I have no towing issues and I am well within specs of the truck with 5 on board 2 adults and 3 teens.

[mangchibike]

I'm going for 3/4ton and 250RS (which has 1000lbs more) instead 210RS.
Thank you everyone for a advise, really helped me a lot:)

[texasclarks]

K3WE wrote:
Very reasonable sized camper...1/2 ton is fine and folk pull somewhat larger campers with 1/2 ton.

1/2 ton would be fine...WITHOUT all the passengers. 4 adults plus tongue weight has the 1/2ton maxed already. And like many have said, no room for upgrade in TT without new TV.

Go 3/4 Ton and don't worry about it in a year or two when kids grow and need for bigger TT changes. Or just buy the lesser capable now and spend more in the future. I made that mistake once already...not again!

[Kalabin]

Keep in mind the people that are saying a 1/2-ton will pull it are just concerned with that... pulling it. If your telling us your going to load up your suburban with kids, adults, gear etc + tounge weight of the camper you will be in 3/4-ton territory.

My 3/4-ton has a max tow rating of 9900lbs with a payload a bit north of 3100lbs. You may have a half ton rated to pull 9,000lbs but a payload of 1000-1400.

The situation would be different if you were talking about yourself and your wife in an extended cab pickup. Then you would be pretty good on payload. But I know first hand from my brother-in-law with my nieces that even with his 28' camper he loads up bikes, toys, firewood, dog kennels, etc etc and if he were using a 1/2-ton it would be long over payload. Even with his 3/4-ton he is debating on air bags due to squat.

[anaro]

Another vote for the 3/4 ton. You don't want to be at max capacity, it is not a fun place to be. I have been there and won't go back there. The poor fuel mileage is definitely worth the sacrifice when it comes to your family's safety. I gave up my half ton SUV for a 3/4 ton diesel (and it is a daily driver) While it is more expensive to maintain and fuel up, it is worth it everytime I hook up (about once a month from march thru nov). You have to make the final choice but do you want to be at max capacity and have a possible white knuckle experience or go bigger and tow comfortably?

[K3WE]

Very reasonable sized camper...1/2 ton is fine and folk pull somewhat larger campers with 1/2 ton.

[Kalabin]

I actually had a 2007 Keystone Outback 210RS. Go with the 3/4-ton now and save yourself a lot of trouble. When I was loaded with passengers, dogs, fire wood, Kayaks + the travel trailer the rear end had way to much bounce in it. You will run out of payload on a 1/2-ton truck long before towing capacity.

The TV I used was a 2006 F150 5.4 3.73 Crew Cab max tow package. Upgraded to a 2008 F250 Extended Cab Diesel and the stability of the truck was a huge improvement, couldn't even feel the trailer push against the truck. With that said the 210RS is plenty light enough for any of the big three 3/4-ton gas truck to pull and be happy so doing it.

And something to think about that 2006 F150 got at best 16mpg on my daily commute which is 30 miles one way. My current 2008 2500HD with the 6.0 Gas 6-speed gets 14.5 on the same trip. If you do city driving your not going to notice a big difference either way.

My old man just purchased a 2012 F150 5.0 3.55 Crew cab thinking he would get 18mpg. He lives 5 miles from his job, all city driving and he has yet to break 12mpg. It's all relative really, the mpg numbers come into play if your doing straight highway driving and even then if you can't afford the gas bill for driving what I do then the next best thing would be to purchase a commuter car and an older crew cab tow vehicle.

[kevden]

The 2500 has a much stronger transmission.

[Racine96]

Your problem is with the payload. Too many people in the TV. You need the 2500, or you are going to be over your payload.

[searfoss]

You WILL want to upgrade to a bigger TT at some point. Why not get the ¾ ton now and not have to upgrade you TV when you want to go bigger.