towing, codes, confusion! help me make safe decisions pls
September 22nd, 2018, 1:22 AM
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towing, codes, confusion! help me make safe decisions pls
Hello Good Folks
New to towing and trucks in general, not new to logic and numbers. I have found and been even handed some incongruent information about the towing capacity derived from the options on my 2010 Suburban.
Here is what i got, sorry if its a novel but theres a lot i would like to clear up. I'll number my questions so you can pick and chose your replies if your kind enough to share your knowledge.
I purchased private 2010 suburban lt through a dealer at 124k km (so the private seller gets tax off his new car i assume?) it seems to be in great interior/exterior/mechanical shape so far.
Intent: This is to be the wife's infrequently used daily drive while on mat-leave, and the tow vehicle for 3 or 4 camping trips every summer from here on out, estimated driving distance ~500km each way. trailer not yet purchased, weight estimated at ~5-6k lbs (dont need to put water in it until at campground). Family weight + gear in car ~600lbs
I would like to install the most effective options to get the tow capacity to its highest engineered standard, not so I can tow anything pushing those limits but to create as large a gap as possible and increase the stability and safety those few times i will be towing.
So the dealer looked up the build sheet, ran the codes though some program which compared it to a 2012 yukon and told me that while it has the tow package, the towing capacity is 4600lbs (which is coincidentally the RGAWR)
1)The lowest rating is 5000lbs in the manual, why would he have a different number in the computer?
2)Are RPO code completely reliable and unique?
My build sheet has the code z82 for hd trailerling equipment
I can see there is a separate small cooler in front of the radiator center , as well as a tall narrow one driver side
I have read that the tran and oil cooler in the k5l hd cooling are the only difference, some also stating a brake controller is included. In fact when i look it up it includes 2 sub-codes one for oil cooler one for tranny cooler
3a)Is the k5l only the tran/oil cooler?
3b)Is this something people would commonly get installed after so that its not on build sheet/glove box?
3c)Is k5l and z82 the same thing on a 2010 suburban? what are the differences?!
Its very frustrating to have the dealership sales guy, manual, local dealership mechanic, unverifiable internet sources, and the view through your grill all tell you something different.
I was thinking of adding another cooler in series in the case the one I have is too small or not equivalent to the k5l cooling
I live in southern Ontario and winter temperatures can stay at -20cel for a few weeks?
4a)Is over-cooling a problem at that temperature?
4b)better to add one with a remote switch fan /temperature bypass?(if so any suggestions?)
4c)Can the stock battery and alternate handle an additional fan easily?
Assume I add a large passive cooler in series with the one there now right in front of the radiator on the passenger side
4d)how does this extra heat dissipated almost right into the radiator affect the rest of the engine?!/can it be vented(is that a thing?)
I dont think i have a brake controller, a mechanic at my local dealership advised that one of the cables (7th pin aux? (according to internets research)) would have been hooked up if I had it.
5)How can I check if I have one, I currently dont have a trailer to test with and i have also read it might not give any signal unless you are moving?
Same Mechanic: also recommended "They are beasts, you can do a 6000lb trailer just fine I wouldnt change anything"
He also was not able to see the tranny cooler through the grill perhaps due to lighting conditions and assumed it wasnt there.
ok.
Axle ratio code is gu4 for 3.08
6a)Any chance this is wrong or has been changed
6b)is there a rpm/speed reference to confirm?
6c) not worth changing for the amt i plan to tow yes?
According to the manual:
1500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base
ratio-max-gcvw
3.08-5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)-11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
3.42-5,400 lbs (2 449 kg)-11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42-7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)-14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
7)If you have k5l (or equivalent?) cooling and braking but a 3.08 ratio, would you just subtract the difference from the 3.42 ratio for 7500 lbs max and 13500 GCVW
I understand it might not be so linear.
tried filling in Travel Trailer Weight Calculator
8)What is the weight of the rear axle RGAW, i cant find this anywhere!
Stupid question time:
9a)I have been assuming long wheelbase, nothing has indicated to me which vehicles fall into which category
9b)Tow in 2wd all the time? 4x4 for when your pulling a boat out and up a wet ramp only?
9c)Are suspension "upgrades" like
"Roadmaster Active Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit" https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...id=20104042780
or
"Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System" https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...id=20101008821
or
"Coil SumoSprings Custom Helper Springs for Coil Spring Suspension" https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...leid=201011884
worth it/help handling and sway?
9d)Do the above interfere with a weight distribution hitch w sway control in any way?
9e)can you use all 3 + weight dist hitch at once?
OK so on to this "weak" rear axle i have read about: assuming tranny is nice and cool
10)it is worth the swap to 3.42 considering how infrequently i will tow?
Heard the rear diff gets too hot and burns out, not sure what that actually means
11a)Is that just the oil cooks off and no longer provides protection?
11b)Is there a differential cooler kit that someone can recommend?
12a) Can you replace front and rear diff/axles with ones from a 2500? or another compatible vehicle with beefier numbers?
12b) Im guessing not but if so any additional suspension you would do at the same time?
13)$350 for a tuner? eco mode when not towing, 25 more hp and torque + towing mode 3-4 times per year?Do it?
14) Please recommend to me anything that is a weak link i might have missed
15) What else would you do thats not on my radar?
16) Any aftermarket upgrades engineered to increase capacities in any way?
Thanks for your thorough and fact based replies in advance
New to towing and trucks in general, not new to logic and numbers. I have found and been even handed some incongruent information about the towing capacity derived from the options on my 2010 Suburban.
Here is what i got, sorry if its a novel but theres a lot i would like to clear up. I'll number my questions so you can pick and chose your replies if your kind enough to share your knowledge.
I purchased private 2010 suburban lt through a dealer at 124k km (so the private seller gets tax off his new car i assume?) it seems to be in great interior/exterior/mechanical shape so far.
Intent: This is to be the wife's infrequently used daily drive while on mat-leave, and the tow vehicle for 3 or 4 camping trips every summer from here on out, estimated driving distance ~500km each way. trailer not yet purchased, weight estimated at ~5-6k lbs (dont need to put water in it until at campground). Family weight + gear in car ~600lbs
I would like to install the most effective options to get the tow capacity to its highest engineered standard, not so I can tow anything pushing those limits but to create as large a gap as possible and increase the stability and safety those few times i will be towing.
So the dealer looked up the build sheet, ran the codes though some program which compared it to a 2012 yukon and told me that while it has the tow package, the towing capacity is 4600lbs (which is coincidentally the RGAWR)
1)The lowest rating is 5000lbs in the manual, why would he have a different number in the computer?
2)Are RPO code completely reliable and unique?
My build sheet has the code z82 for hd trailerling equipment
I can see there is a separate small cooler in front of the radiator center , as well as a tall narrow one driver side
I have read that the tran and oil cooler in the k5l hd cooling are the only difference, some also stating a brake controller is included. In fact when i look it up it includes 2 sub-codes one for oil cooler one for tranny cooler
3a)Is the k5l only the tran/oil cooler?
3b)Is this something people would commonly get installed after so that its not on build sheet/glove box?
3c)Is k5l and z82 the same thing on a 2010 suburban? what are the differences?!
Its very frustrating to have the dealership sales guy, manual, local dealership mechanic, unverifiable internet sources, and the view through your grill all tell you something different.
I was thinking of adding another cooler in series in the case the one I have is too small or not equivalent to the k5l cooling
I live in southern Ontario and winter temperatures can stay at -20cel for a few weeks?
4a)Is over-cooling a problem at that temperature?
4b)better to add one with a remote switch fan /temperature bypass?(if so any suggestions?)
4c)Can the stock battery and alternate handle an additional fan easily?
Assume I add a large passive cooler in series with the one there now right in front of the radiator on the passenger side
4d)how does this extra heat dissipated almost right into the radiator affect the rest of the engine?!/can it be vented(is that a thing?)
I dont think i have a brake controller, a mechanic at my local dealership advised that one of the cables (7th pin aux? (according to internets research)) would have been hooked up if I had it.
5)How can I check if I have one, I currently dont have a trailer to test with and i have also read it might not give any signal unless you are moving?
Same Mechanic: also recommended "They are beasts, you can do a 6000lb trailer just fine I wouldnt change anything"
He also was not able to see the tranny cooler through the grill perhaps due to lighting conditions and assumed it wasnt there.
ok.
Axle ratio code is gu4 for 3.08
6a)Any chance this is wrong or has been changed
6b)is there a rpm/speed reference to confirm?
6c) not worth changing for the amt i plan to tow yes?
According to the manual:
1500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base
ratio-max-gcvw
3.08-5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)-11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
3.42-5,400 lbs (2 449 kg)-11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42-7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)-14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
7)If you have k5l (or equivalent?) cooling and braking but a 3.08 ratio, would you just subtract the difference from the 3.42 ratio for 7500 lbs max and 13500 GCVW
I understand it might not be so linear.
tried filling in Travel Trailer Weight Calculator
8)What is the weight of the rear axle RGAW, i cant find this anywhere!
Stupid question time:
9a)I have been assuming long wheelbase, nothing has indicated to me which vehicles fall into which category
9b)Tow in 2wd all the time? 4x4 for when your pulling a boat out and up a wet ramp only?
9c)Are suspension "upgrades" like
"Roadmaster Active Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit" https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...id=20104042780
or
"Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System" https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...id=20101008821
or
"Coil SumoSprings Custom Helper Springs for Coil Spring Suspension" https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...leid=201011884
worth it/help handling and sway?
9d)Do the above interfere with a weight distribution hitch w sway control in any way?
9e)can you use all 3 + weight dist hitch at once?
OK so on to this "weak" rear axle i have read about: assuming tranny is nice and cool
10)it is worth the swap to 3.42 considering how infrequently i will tow?
Heard the rear diff gets too hot and burns out, not sure what that actually means
11a)Is that just the oil cooks off and no longer provides protection?
11b)Is there a differential cooler kit that someone can recommend?
12a) Can you replace front and rear diff/axles with ones from a 2500? or another compatible vehicle with beefier numbers?
12b) Im guessing not but if so any additional suspension you would do at the same time?
13)$350 for a tuner? eco mode when not towing, 25 more hp and torque + towing mode 3-4 times per year?Do it?
14) Please recommend to me anything that is a weak link i might have missed
15) What else would you do thats not on my radar?
16) Any aftermarket upgrades engineered to increase capacities in any way?
Thanks for your thorough and fact based replies in advance
