Towing with a Suburban

[cbrownth]

Been towing a 4500# travel trailer with 07 2500 Suburban 6.0 w/3.73 rear gears. I want to replace TT with new one weighing about 6300# dry, 1200# less then my towing limit. Current set-up pulls ok in the PA mountains but I have concerns with the additional 1800#. Does anyone have experience with a this set-up?

[deltabravo]

SidecarFlip wrote:
08 LTZ with the 350 vortec

350 Vortec hasn't been available since the 90s.

[MikeRP]

I had a 2007 Burb 2500 w the 6.0L. It’s an iron block and easily one of the best engines GM ever built on top of one of the best platforms GM ever built. That motor is a tow beast but you might need some new shocks if they haven’t been replaced.

It’s a true 4 wheel drive so be careful not to put it in 4 wd unless you are off road or the roads are slick. It will tow that trailer just get it setup right w a good weight dist hitch. You can be proud of that truck!

[Dadoffourgirls]

I believe what Sidecar has is the rare 2008 1500 Suburban with the all-aluminum 6 liter V8. He calls it Denali, because he is stressing that he has a larger V8 than the base 5.3 liter and the LTZ was similar equipment to the Denali.

If Sidecar wanted, he could send me his VIN, and I could share with you confirmation of his Unicorn. I think it is just a different color than what Bionic Man thinks.

[2012Coleman]

Bionic Man wrote:

wnjj wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
We have an 08 LTZ with the 350 vortec and I won't pull anything with it. Gas mileage is bad enough as it is. It's a pig, a comfortable pig pig.

Maybe because someone put an outdated engine in it? There was no '08 350.

It’s a unicorn. He’s also said it was a Suburban Denali in the past.

LOL

[BurbMan]

Our TT is 8500 lbs loaded with 1200 of that on the tongue, and I am under all ratings including GVWR. The 6.0 is a workhorse and you will be fine. You are correct that you will pull those PA hills slower than you do today. The newer burbs have the 6 speed transmission that give the 6.0 the same ratings as the 8.1 had.

[APT]

The 6.0L and 4-spd combo will be a bit slow, but it will tow comfortably and stable. The weight difference from what you have now will only be noticeable accelerating and up hills.

[anw7405]

The burb will be fine with that trailer. I never pulled with the burb with that setup but i did pull with an 09 6.0 with 373 gears. The 6.0 likes the rpms so don't be scared of it winding up a little. We pulled a camper about 9,000 lbs and it did fine. So if its power you are worried about it will be fine. I think the Hitch is fine as well. If it was a 2000-2006 I would say change the hitch but you have the new style. Buy it and let the 6.0 rev!!!

[mkirsch]

You'll be right at your towing limit once the trailer is loaded and ready for the road, if you're careful and thrifty about what you bring along.

You mentioned the towing limit, not me. It seems like you're concerned about exceeding it. If it bothers you thinking about it, it will bother you every moment you're on the road towing, whether it is an actual problem, or not. Having such a "black cloud" hanging over your head is not conducive to towing comfortably, even if there are no identifiable physical problems.

[Grit_dog]

To the OP. It won’t win any races, but it will pull that trailer safely and reliably (provide the burb is in good shape of course ).
We have a fleet of mostly 2008 6.0 Chevy 2500 and 3500 trucks. They’re construction trucks so care and maintenance leaves a bit to be desired.
Haul trailers that heavy or heavier all the time with them.
Sent 1 over the pass yesterday. Trailer was probably around 12klbs. Guessing. It easily was well over 10k. Came back hooked same trailer to a different 08 and back over with another load.

For the Op, 4 speed and 3.73s isn’t the “best” 6.0 towing setup but it’ll dooo. That 6.0 will scream at whatever rpms you need to get where you’re going for many miles!

[Grit_dog]

SidecarFlip wrote:
We have an 08 LTZ with the 350 vortec and I won't pull anything with it. Gas mileage is bad enough as it is. It's a pig, a comfortable pig pig.

No, you don’t. Unless it’s as custom as your 3500 Denail Suburban.
GM quit putting 350s in trucks and SUVs in 99/01.

[ktosv]

I towed a 7200# GVWR trailer with a 2004 3/4 ton Suburban with the 6L/4A/3.73 and I would say it did fine. In the mountains of Pennsylvania I am sure it would spend more time in second gear. The 1000# tongue weight limit on your receiver might be a bigger concern. My tongue weight ranged from 800# to 1200# depending where we were going and for how long.

[Bionic_Man]

wnjj wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
We have an 08 LTZ with the 350 vortec and I won't pull anything with it. Gas mileage is bad enough as it is. It's a pig, a comfortable pig pig.

Maybe because someone put an outdated engine in it? There was no '08 350.

It’s a unicorn. He’s also said it was a Suburban Denali in the past.

OP, I’d say your 2500 would be adequate for the trailer you are considering. As others said, let the engine rev.

The 2500 Burb isn’t perfect, but it is likely one of the best SUVs to use as a towing vehicle.

[wnjj]

SidecarFlip wrote:
We have an 08 LTZ with the 350 vortec and I won't pull anything with it. Gas mileage is bad enough as it is. It's a pig, a comfortable pig pig.

Maybe because someone put an outdated engine in it? There was no '08 350.

[KD4UPL]

It's a 2500 Sub, not your average grocery getter.
Sidecar, how did you end up with an '08 Sub with a 350? They quit using those back in about 2000. If it's a 1500 it has a 5.3, if it's a 2500 it has a 6.0.
OP, I have a '09 2500 Suburban. I use it to tow my boat. I haven't weighed the boat on the trailer; the boat lists a dry weight of 4,100 + 75 gallons of gas = 4,625. Adding the trailer and all the gear in the boat I must be around 6,000 to 6,500.
I have no issues at all towing this trailer with 7 people and gear in the Suburban. I can go over the mountains of VA at the posted speed limit with ease. I have power to spare.
My '09 does have a 6 speed where you have only a 4 speed so I probably have an advantage there. I wouldn't be concerned with another 1,000 or so pounds behind me. Granted, a boat tows much easier than a TT but as for weight, I don't see it being a problem.