towing with a suburban

[LanceRKeys]

Need some suggestions on what size of trailer I can tow with my suburban. Here is what I have:
2008 Z71 Suburban
5.3L 3.73 rear end
GVWR 7200lb

Just need an idea of what weight of trailer I need to be looking for, a starting place really. I will not be taking a lot of cross country trips over mountain passes, just local places, mostly weekend trips.

I understand that trailer "dry" weights by manufacture will not be what I am pulling, but if I can start with that number in mind, I will be able to quickly rule out trailers that are too much.

Thanks in advance.

[strike1nc]

I have a 2006 Burb now and they are not kidding that its not going to win a races against turtles up any hills, but with the WD and E-Brake setup I don't feel its to much for the burb. Plus I keep our speeds low and take my time. I did install a second after market tranny cooler to help also.

I had a tough time finding a trailer that would fit my family and still be "within" weight. I'm def. pushing our limits right to the edge(maybe a little past the edge), but like I said take my time and give the TV a number of breaks. Most of my trips are local withing 15 miles. Once every couple of years we go up north to the mountains and that's the drive I feel it the most.

I like that 5K lb range, but does depend on how much gear you need to haul. I never tow with water. I pick it up close to final camping ground which does add to the travel plan headache but saves me on the weight.

Maybe an nice ultra light that can fit your family will be the way to go. Its amazing how light they can make them now. My TT is an 07 its a beast in weight.

GL in your search!

[LanceRKeys]

Thanks for all your help. This will at least give me a starting point. I plan on a possible long search for a trailer that is the right size/weight/price, but at least a starting point will allow me to not waste my time looking at something that will end up being too big.

[APT]

5000 pounds dry is a good number. You have the 4-spd trans, and a 9 year old truck. Flush all the fluids, get a proportional brake controller and WDH with integrated sway control.

[bikendan]

I own a 2007 Avalanche, which is a Burb with a pickup bed.
I have the same specs as your Burb.

I wouldn't tow anything over a 5000lbs dry weight.
Get a WDH with integrated sway control and a Prodigy brake controller.

[handye9]

Your tow vehicle has to do more than just pull the weight of a trailer. On average the tow vehicle is actually carrying up to fifteen percent of the loaded trailer weight. It must also carry the weight of everybody and everything you put in or on it.

You can calculate the max loaded trailer weight by looking at the tire / loading sticker on your drivers door. It will show a number for max occupant / cargo weight (AKA payload). That is the tow vehicle's max carrying capacity. From your payload number, subtract 100 lbs for a weight distributing hitch (if needed), subtract the weight of your family, and subtract the weight of things you would normally carry in or on the vehicle. What you have left is available to carry loaded trailer tongue weight. Diivide that by .13, to get a ball park of loaded trailer weight that will put you at max weight.

Example

Say your payload is 1400 lbs, family weight is 500 lbs, WD hitch is 100 lbs, and you have 200 lbs of additional cargo. Your available payload would be 600 lbs (1400-500-100-200 = 600). Six hundred pounds divided by .13 would be 4615 lbs of loaded trailer weight.

Average camping load (dishes, pots and pans, camping gear, groceries, bedding, and water) being 800 to 1000 lbs. You would be looking at trailers with unloaded (dry) weights around 3700 lbs.

[danrclem]

My son pulls a camper that weighs about 5,000# dry with his 2010 Suburban. It doesn't have nearly enough power and he put a tranny cooler on his but it still messed up.

If I can remember to ask him I'll get back with specifics but if it were me I wouldn't buy a very big camper or if I did I'd buy a more capable tow vehicle.

[colliehauler]

What will limit you is trailer tongue weight long before you reach the tow rating. Your Burb will have a GVWR on the door. Subtract the vehicle and passenger/cargo from that, what's left is what you have available for tongue weight.

[SWO_Vette]

I pulled my puma 25FBC with my 04 z71 surburban with similar equipment as yours. It struggled maintaining speed on any incline, often shifting down to second. I figured at some point the flywheel would depart through the hood. To be fair it pulled it good in side wind or around trucks. No weaving or tail wagging, but it was very underpowered. I went to a diesel truck and it is a lot more relaxed tow. I plan on a test pull with my son n law 16 Chevy 1/2 ton truck just for fun to see how much they have improved the power in the 5.3 since 03.

[coolmom42]

Find out what towing capacity you have--it should be in your owner's manual.

You need to know if it is equipped with a transmission cooler. If not, you need one. You will also need a brake controller.

You will be limited by either the tow capacity or the cargo capacity of your vehicle.

You will likely add 1000 lb or so to the dry weight of a trailer. That total should be around 80 percent of your tow rating for a comfortable tow. You might get by with more for short trips.

Then find out the curb weight of your vehicle. Subtract it from the GVWR you just gave. That is the cargo capacity. Your trailer tongue weight is part of the cargo. The trailer tongue weight needs to be 10-15 percent of the loaded trailer weight for a good tow. The tongue weight, people, and stuff in the vehicle should not exceed the cargo capacity.

So if you have a 5000 lb loaded trailer, the tongue weight should be 500-750 lb, most likely about in the middle of that range. See how much cargo capacity that leaves you.

[KD4UPL]

Your vehicle has a tow rating. It's in the manual. What is it?
How much will be in the Suburban? Just you and nothing else or a family of 8 plus pets and all the gear?
It's entirely possible that you could put enough weight in the Sub that there is zero payload capacity left for any tongue weight.
The payload capacity will be the limiting factor. Payload should be listed on your door sticker.
Having said all that, how much can you tow? Probably a lot less than you think/wish.

[MitchF150]

Too many variables... Basically it boils down to what you feel YOU can tow... Sure there are all the weight ratings and such.. But, I've been towing for some time and feel very comfortable towing at the limits of a tow vehicle.. Early on in my towing experience, it was overloaded, so I know what that's like too..

On the other hand, I much prefer towing at a bit less than it's max ratings, so there you go..

Where do you fall in all of that? No idea.. 🙂

In general, if you keep your rig within it's payload specs, you'll be okay even if you've never towed anything before..

Where folks get into trouble is thinking they can tow at their max ratings the same as driving to the local store..

It does not matter if you go 50 miles or 500 miles.. If you can't handle the load, it's gonna suck..

I'd stick with something that has a GVWR of no more than #7000 with that rig.. Might still be overloaded if you put the "Brady Bunch" in the Burb, but there you go!

Good luck!

Mitch