Suburban Owners... towing/steering question ??
 

Hello, I usually mess around in the 67-72 4x4 section but I also own a couple 88-98 trucks too... I recently bought a fairly decent 92 c1500 5.7 suburban to use when towing our small camper and my small car trailer when we have the need to also haul the family instead of just me and the wife. First trip out towing last weekend I noticed it needs some attention before regular towing use. It's almost like it gets a (secondary reaction)?? in corners at road speed. Like a terrible rear tire sidewall roll as the trailer weight pushes it in the opposite direction of the corner or something.. thus trying to turn the vehicle even sharper than intended. Honestly, it gives a little fist clenching reaction on the ole steering wheel as you try and correct.. just a weird feeling.. I've always towed with pickups, this is my first suburban. Never used sway bars or load levelers or any other components as my Camper is just a 16 foot and should be very manageable for the vehicle. At least always has been with my 1/2 ton pickups. Suburban Hitch is heavy duty and secure, It has 235/75/15 lt tires and all steering components are in good shape, Although front sway bar bushings are KILLED... Some of my pickups don't even have front sway bars and they tow fine, but again.. not suburbans I guess.. Will they make that much difference on the suburban? I've already bought new and will be installing as they are needed and I know they can only help all areas. But just wondering others thoughts ?? I played around with tire pressure already with no change... So higher ply tires, maybe front sway bar bushings will fix all, What am I missing here ??? Many Thanks in advance!!

Re: Suburban Owners... towing/steering question ??
 

You have alot more weight alot higher up from the center of gravity with a suburban. Otherwise not sure based on the info we have so far.

Re: Suburban Owners... towing/steering question ??
 

I tow with my K2500 Suburban and it tows as well as any pickup I've used. It could just be a bit soft for the load or could be the swap bar bushings. I will say I have had a vehicle seem to feel worse with a sway bar with bad bushings than if it had none at all.

Re: Suburban Owners... towing/steering question ??
 

I had a 98 suburban c1500 on the same tires with the 5.7. It towed a horse trailer really well without any issues. The fuel pump went and it sat for a few months, we put a fuel pump in then not even 100 miles later transmission blew up, and I sold it to buy my 72 K25. X2 on the sway bar.

Re: Suburban Owners... towing/steering question ??
 

Just a little update.... I have had the suburban back on the lift and I installed the new sway bar/sway bar link bushings. I had just put a new set of tires on one of my pickups so I also swapped the wheels/tires over since I'm selling the pickup soon. I went back over all the suspension/steering components, ball joints, control arm bushings etc. front and rear. I am now convinced that the problem is the steering gear box. It's not sloppy or loose but just seems quick, or rough in motion. I think someone has adjusted on it prior to my ownership to remove wear, but I think its just done. I will post back and update when this is installed. But all in all I'm liking the suburban..

Re: Suburban Owners... towing/steering question ??
 

Sounds like a big possibility, my Dad drove my suburban 3-4 years before he gave it too me, we never had any serious problems, although he bought it in very good condition. They're very good vehicles, I loved mine

Re: Suburban Owners... towing/steering question ??
 

Here's mine