Towing capacity 2005 8.1L 4 wheel 2500 LT suburban
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Towing capacity 2005 8.1L 4 wheel 2500 LT suburban
I have:
2005 8.1L 4 wheel drive 2500 LT suburban with factory towing package. Vehicle is lifted 4 inches and sits on 35" BF goodrich.
I am attempting to determine my GVWR? I'm looking at travel trailers that have GVW of 10,400lbs and appear to be vastly overweight for what I thought was a monster of a towing vehicle.
Thanks in advance.
2005 8.1L 4 wheel drive 2500 LT suburban with factory towing package. Vehicle is lifted 4 inches and sits on 35" BF goodrich.
I am attempting to determine my GVWR? I'm looking at travel trailers that have GVW of 10,400lbs and appear to be vastly overweight for what I thought was a monster of a towing vehicle.
Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: SE MI
It's not just a monster towing vehicle. You own the undisputed, king of the hill, most capable towing SUV ever made by any company. Wanna sell it? 
I probably wouldn't max it out completely, since the lift and bigger tires will increase stresses on the suspension and drivetrain, but depending on your axle ratio, your GCWR is either 17k or 19k. A 10k gvw trailer should be no problem at all.
Just also be aware that if you have to use a large drop hitch to keep the trailer level, that most likely reduces your towing capacity as well, due to the extra torsional stress on the receiver.
From your owners manual:
I probably wouldn't max it out completely, since the lift and bigger tires will increase stresses on the suspension and drivetrain, but depending on your axle ratio, your GCWR is either 17k or 19k. A 10k gvw trailer should be no problem at all.
Just also be aware that if you have to use a large drop hitch to keep the trailer level, that most likely reduces your towing capacity as well, due to the extra torsional stress on the receiver.
From your owners manual:
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A strong tow vehicle indeed. I have a 2004 Suburban, 8.1/4.10 with 33 inch tires. I can tell you though, those 35 inch tall tires are really going to hurt your towing performance, particularly if you have the 3.73 axle. Since the factory tire size was 30.5 inches, your 35s will effectively reduce a 3.73 ratio to 3.25, and a 4.10 to 3.57. Not to mention the fact that the tires and wheels are heavier which hurts acceleration and braking.
With factory tires and 3.73s the tow rating was 10,300lbs. This is with a full tank of gas and 150lb driver. Any additional payload you carry in the suburban reduces the tow rating accordingly. IMO, if you want to keep the 35s, you would need to change to 4.56 or 4.88 gears to get back close to the factory ratings.
Bottom line, a 10,400 GVWR trailer is too heavy for your truck with 35s and 3.73s, and probably marginal with the 35s and 4.10.
With factory tires and 3.73s the tow rating was 10,300lbs. This is with a full tank of gas and 150lb driver. Any additional payload you carry in the suburban reduces the tow rating accordingly. IMO, if you want to keep the 35s, you would need to change to 4.56 or 4.88 gears to get back close to the factory ratings.
Bottom line, a 10,400 GVWR trailer is too heavy for your truck with 35s and 3.73s, and probably marginal with the 35s and 4.10.