Max Towing Question... I know it's prolly been asked before, and I *WILL* search!

[cmcolfax]

But I wanted to put it out here in the hopes of getting a quick response.

Gotta work on getting my kids to bed, then will come back and seach.

The Rig:

1996 K1500 Suburban LS 5.7L, 4L60E.

Per the window sticker it has the following:

Heavy Duty Trailering Equipment Package
Locking Rear Axle Differential
7,200 LB GVWR
3.42 Rear Axle Ratio
HD Auxiliary Transmission Cooling System

Unfortunately, the truck is not in my driveway right now, so I can't check RPO codes.

I looked at a 1998 Fleetwood Wilderness 24M (24') Travel Trailer today but am concerned about the Burb's ability to tow it.

Title / Registration says trailer weighs 4,935#.

Manufacturer's Tag says GVWR of trailer is 6,600#.

If I use the 10-15% of actual weight formula to figure Tongue Weight, I get 495 - 740#.

If I use the same formula and GVWR of trailer, I get 660 - 990#.

Without my truck here I can con confirm Maximum Tongue Weight or Maximum Towing Capacity.

Anyone able to field this and give me a FACT BASED answer (not "my buddy tows 10,000 lbs with his 1500...).

I want to give the seller an answer tonight...

Thanks!

-CMC-

[95 S_Trucker]

I think the rating for a 350 with 3.42 is 6500 pounds. You should or be fine. Just use a brake controller and tow in 3rd, not overdrive.

[cmcolfax]

I've got a nice brake controller already wired up.

Have towed my 3300# pop-up back and forth to Virginia Beach and the Burb hardly knew it was back there...

Any ideas on tongue weight?

-cmc-

[clinebarger]

A weight distributing hitch would be a MUST! Along with trailer brakes, Your Suburban will pull it....If it is in good shape.

[cmcolfax]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

A weight distributing hitch would be a MUST! Along with trailer brakes, Your Suburban will pull it....If it is in good shape.

Trailer comes with weight distributing hitch bars.

Trailer electric brakes are in good condition.

My Burb is in excellent shape for it's age. Second owner and have receipts for everything done to it since Window Sticker.

I am also upgrading the Burb's brakes in the next coupla weeks... doing HD slotted, drilled rotors with truck/tow ceramic pads and HD truck riveted semi-metallic shoes.
Also getting new wheel cylinders, new TRE's, new idler arms and new sway bar end links.

-cmc-

[cmcolfax]

One of the resources I found said 1500 w/ 350 and 3.42 gears maxed out at 5000#

If the camper is 4935# before I add clothes, food, beer, gear, etc I am way over the 5000# number...

:-(

[95 S_Trucker]

This is in a 1996 owners manual. This is a c/k truck manual, I don't know if the numbers would change for a suburban.

[Tom]

Suburban is lower since it already carries more weight by itself.

[95 S_Trucker]

I think it would raise it if anything. The heavier the vehicle, the higher the tow rating.

[cmcolfax]

Looks like 5,000# is the official number for the Burb.

But just found this:

1998 Wilderness M-24M
RV Type
Travel Trailer
Length
26' x 8'0"
Axles
2
Weight (lbs)
4330

That is a 600# difference. And if I am gonna be that close to the Burb's max rating 600# matters!

[YBNORML]

If you check a little further you will find that you can increase the trucks towing capacity by changing the rear gear from 3:42 to 3:73. It is in the owners manual. I can take a pic of the page if you want.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by 95 S_Trucker

I think it would raise it if anything. The heavier the vehicle, the higher the tow rating.

Not when the vehicle has a 4L60 and 10bolt rear axle.

[cmcolfax]

YB thanks... but TOM is correct.

Now, if I had some $$ and could find a 6-lug 14-bolt...

Finding a 4L80E is easy... just need about $800

I got my truck back today and double checked all the RPO codes and build sheet

3.42's, 5000#

[sntrym95]

I've towed 7500lbs of boat and trailer with a 350, 4l60e and 3.42 (10 bolt) gears with no issue. Just had to go about 55mph. I still tow 4500lbs of boat and trailer at 60mph with the same truck (95 ecsb) with 291k with no issues. I should add that you always need to tow in 3rd with anything over 800-1000 lbs.

[iluvmy72]

Mine is a dog at 3,500!!! It's the same as the OP.

[cmcolfax]

Originally Posted by sntrym95

I've towed 7500lbs of boat and trailer with a 350, 4l60e and 3.42 (10 bolt) gears with no issue. Just had to go about 55mph. I still tow 4500lbs of boat and trailer at 60mph with the same truck (95 ecsb) with 291k with no issues. I should add that you always need to tow in 3rd with anything over 800-1000 lbs.

Kewl. Thanks.

[87Skier]

Should be fine. I've got 96 K1500 with 5.7L but 3.73's. I've towed a little over 8000 lbs about 100 miles and around 7000 lbs for 200 miles. Never had any problems, just wish I had a transmission temp gauge so I knew what was going on with that.

Like others before me, leave it in third when towing.