We have a 4500 pound camper dry weight. Once we load up with family and gear we're approaching 5000 pounds. Currently towing with a 2010 Acadia with tow package that maxes out at 5200 pounds per GM spec. Works out okay but pretty much maxed out at 65 highway and really struggle on medium hills. I can do 70 to pass a truck but got to really make sure traffic is clear.

So am I crazy or did I see some 1500 Surburbans max out at 5000 pounds? Makes me think I'm okay with the Acadia. What do you guys think? Worth the upgrade even with the lower towing burbs?

Lastly I'm interested in at least an 09 for the 6speed transmission but is there one year after 09 that is better than others in terms of reliability?

Thanks!

 

Yes, you are crazy. ;-)

1500 Suburbans in those years are rated to at least 7,000 lbs of trailer weight.

The big difference will be the V8 with the Suburban, compared to the V6 in your Acadia.

Be aware of your payload rating. The Acadia actually has a slightly higher payload rating (1600 vs 1500 in the Suburban, IIRC). A 5000-lb trailer will have a tongue weight around 650 lbs. Add the weight of the hitch in your receiver and you're close to 700 lbs. That only leaves 900 or 800 pounds respecitvely for the weight of passengers and gear in your truck. My family of 5, with three teenagers, weighs 900 lbs, which is one of the reasons we have a Suburban 2500. Our 2500 has a 2100-lb payload rating.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the response. I figured any V8 would be able to tow 5000 pounds without a problem. Going to keep an eye out for a 2500 as well.

 

Suburban, Yes. Some Tahoes came with a 4.8L V8, and I think maybe that's what you are thinking of as towing 5k?

 

My 1500 4x4 Burb with the 5.3 is rated at 8200. The same truck with the 2x4 is rated at 8400.

 

4x4 adds 200 lbs of gear, which is the result.