Tow vehicle

[Npdchief07]

I am looking to buy a trailer that is about 8500lbs. I currently have a 2005 Chevy Suburban Z71, is this trailer within it's capabilities? I am having a hard time finding this information. Additionally, would a Ford 150 tow this trailer?

[falconbrother]

Look for a lighter trailer. 8500 is over weight. I have a 1500 Burb 4x4 and my official limit is 8200, 8400 for the 2x4. But still, you're better off looking at a 6000lb trailer. If you try to make do with an 8500lb trailer you'll be hatin life a bunch. I've heard people say they have done it OK but, I can't imagine how. There are some nice TTs under 6000 that have a slide, etc.. You'll manage that pretty well. Get yourself some Timbren bumpers for the rear end.

[wing_zealot]

Try this SITE for useful information instead of the seat of the pants guesses you've gotten so far.

[handye9]

agesilaus wrote:
Look at the driver side door post there should be a sticker there which gives you some info. Primarily the payload capacity. Is that the empty weight of the trailer or the max weight. If it is the empty weight the actual weight will be more like 10,000# and the tongue weight will be around 1500#. Take the payload number subtract the weights of all passengers, dog, luggage, ice chest, misc stuff and a weight distributing hitch from that payload what is left over must be greater than the tongue weight.

As for the F150 the answer is maybe, it has to be setup with the right accessories, the max towing package and 17 inch tires. Even then I'm not sure if that would be enough.

To add to this:

Depending on cab configuration, power trains, transmissions, and installed options, payload capacity can vary (sometimes a lot) between two vehicles of the same make and model. F150 for example, has versions with as little as 750 lbs, and some with as much as 3200 lbs. There are some 1/2 ton vehicles that might tow that trailer, and many that could not. Unless the tow vehicle is an older model, it will have a tire / loading sticker on the drivers door post, showing the max occupant / cargo weight (payload) for that particular vehicle. Everything and everybody, you put in or on the vehicle, subtract from that max capacity to carry things.

Ten to fifteen percent of trailer weight, is actually (tongue weight) carried weight, as is the 80 - 100 lbs of WD hitch and anti sway equipment.

8500 lbs of trailer weight, with a weight distributing hitch, could eat up to 1375 lbs of payload. Add 5 - 600 lbs of people, pets, tools, etc, and you would need a minimum of 2000 lbs of available payload.

Most SUV's and 1/2 ton trucks, come from the factory with passenger (P) rated tires, which are designed more for comfort than carrying heavy loads. Compared to light truck (LT) tires, they have softer sidewalls, and are more susceptible to sidewall flexing. In severe cases, sidewall flexing can induce trailer sway.

[JIMNLIN]

Assuming you have a 1500 burb. It simply doesn't have enough axle/P tire and wheel capacity to carry a 8500 lb trailer hitch weight and the rest of the stuff you will be carrying. If the 8500 lb figure is a dry weight then your going to have a 10k lb trailer after loading.

Ford markets the F150 with gvwr up to 8200HD gvwr on older trucks and 7850HD GVWR on the newer models. Both can have a 4800 rawr with load E tires and wheels. These trucks can have 10-11k lb tow ratings and 2400-2500 lb payloads in the bed.

Ford also markets a F150 max tow package with a 7600 GVWR and 4550 rawr and around 2000 lbs in the bed.

And the one weight police talk about or use as one to justify their point is the small F150 6600-6800 GVWR and small 3800 rawr with 1300-1500 lb payloads in the bed.

So yes a Ford F150 can pull a 8500-10k lb trailer....if the right package is used.

[Inlet]

Too much... I had a 2006 suburban that I have since traded...5.3 with 4.10 rear end. We towed the trailer in my signature. I figure the trailer plus the tongue weight and truck payload I was around 6500 pounds. I would not want to go any higher. It handled it OK and that was enough power but rear end was maxed out.

[kw_00]

With that much wieght from the trailer, you would be better off with a gas 3/4 ton or smaller trailer. Your payload would most likely be exceeded as with most of the 1/2 tons that are out there. Dry wieght on my fith wheel is around 8500 or so according to spec sheets, But at the scales loaded up we are around 10k. We really don't haul water but with the options on the camper and all the stuff like bikes, games, clothes, ect the weight adds up quick. So just my take, I would go with another camper or upgrade tow vehicles if that's the trailer you really want or already have. Any gas 3/4 ton would pull that and handle it easily.

[Camper_G]

I agree with most of the comments. Too much trailer for a 1/2 ton anything really, with very few exceptions. A half ton burb can tow though.

My dad had a 1982 burb 1/2 2wd with the 350 in front of a 1978 terry Taurus 24' tt which was very heavy. It towed it ok, but i remember my dad would avoid the big mountains with it.

My bil has a 2005 1/2 ton burb with a keystone outback tt, i think 21' with the rear queen slide. It tows good for him.

My tt is between 5-6k loaded and the 15 Chevy Silverado i had towed it ok. 5.3/3.42. However i always felt it could do another 1k lb loaded weight but not much more. I like having a good amount of reserve.

Even if your loaded weight is 8500, I'd not have wanted that behind my Chevy. Good luck.

[MitchF150]

I wouldn't do it with my F150.

Good luck!

Mitch

[1320Fastback]

Keep shopping, towing it wouldn't be fun at all and just tear up the truck. You wouldn't be able to trust it.

[colliehauler]

Quick answer is no. You'll be way over RAWR on the Burb. Don't know about the Ford without additional information.

[MO_Trout_Bum]

Payload issue aside, you will also be above the GCWR. Additionally if equipped with the 5.3L engine, you will find that it struggles on even minor hills.

[krobbe]

Your looking at between 1100 and 1500# tongue weight depending on the loaded up weight. Definitely in 3/4 ton territory.

[Trackrig]

As a general answer, I'd say no. I have a Nash 26X that's about 8600# and I tow it with a Ford 3/4t with a 6.0 diesel that's been gone through. The truck tows it without a problem on the flats and into medium mountains.

Last summer when I was bringing it north, I got into a long stretch of steep mountains that I believe was between Penticton and Kelowna where I wasn't liking that load behind the truck at all. I broke a hose clamp off of the turbo intake but luckily the Ford dealer in Kelowna was open and had one left.

You might make do in the flat flats, but after that you're going to run into problems I believe.

Bill

[n0arp]

Absolutely not. And you would be pushing the limits of even a new F-150 chassis with that dry weight.