Towing questions with 04 Suburban
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Towing questions with 04 Suburban
I have had my 04 Suburban for about 2 years. I haven't really towed much weight with it. Its a 1/2 ton 4x4 with 5.3 liter. I am well seasoned in towing travel trailers and have for 25 years. But I have always used a heavy duty diesel pickup. But I sold my diesel truck and 32 foot travel trailer and were downsizing to a 2015 Dutchman Kodiak 200QB ultra-lite travel trailer. Its about 3,900 dry and all aluminum frame and 24 feet long. I know by the time I get all our cargo in it that we will be well above the dry weight. I am just wondering about the experience of others towing a comparable sized trailer with their burb or tahoe. Were you happy with the power and the way it towed at interstate speeds and on long hills and grades? Any advice, recommendations and suggestions will be appreciated.
CF Pro Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 21
From: SE MI
Tow in third gear, use weight distribution and sway control, and you should be fine.
I towed much heavier with my '01 Burb all over the country, including the Rockies. Trailers as heavy as 7,000 lbs.
Your axle ratio will make a difference. I had the 4.10 gears. Took a little while to get used to the engine a little over 3000 RPM when cruising, but that truck now has 240,000 miles with the original engine and transmission.
Some of my past rigs...ranging in weights from 4550 to 7000 lbs, 27 to 30 feet long:
I towed much heavier with my '01 Burb all over the country, including the Rockies. Trailers as heavy as 7,000 lbs.
Your axle ratio will make a difference. I had the 4.10 gears. Took a little while to get used to the engine a little over 3000 RPM when cruising, but that truck now has 240,000 miles with the original engine and transmission.
Some of my past rigs...ranging in weights from 4550 to 7000 lbs, 27 to 30 feet long:
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Tow in third gear, use weight distribution and sway control, and you should be fine.
I towed much heavier with my '01 Burb all over the country, including the Rockies. Trailers as heavy as 7,000 lbs.
Your axle ratio will make a difference. I had the 4.10 gears. Took a little while to get used to the engine a little over 3000 RPM when cruising, but that truck now has 240,000 miles with the original engine and transmission.
Some of my past rigs...ranging in weights from 4550 to 7000 lbs, 27 to 30 feet long:
I towed much heavier with my '01 Burb all over the country, including the Rockies. Trailers as heavy as 7,000 lbs.
Your axle ratio will make a difference. I had the 4.10 gears. Took a little while to get used to the engine a little over 3000 RPM when cruising, but that truck now has 240,000 miles with the original engine and transmission.
Some of my past rigs...ranging in weights from 4550 to 7000 lbs, 27 to 30 feet long:
CF Pro Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 21
From: SE MI
Third gear is 1:1, so that'll put the least stress on the transmission.
Tow/haul does not lock out OD, it just changes shift points and TC lockup. Shift it into third and leave it there.
When I started towing, once I got above 55, the truck would constantly be hunting between third and fourth. Seemed to settle into a nice comfortable cruise in third gear around 65 MPH, so that's how I towed. Logged about 13,000 miles of towing around the country.
Upgraded to the 3/4 ton Burb, and now we pull an 8600-lb trailer.
Tow/haul does not lock out OD, it just changes shift points and TC lockup. Shift it into third and leave it there.
When I started towing, once I got above 55, the truck would constantly be hunting between third and fourth. Seemed to settle into a nice comfortable cruise in third gear around 65 MPH, so that's how I towed. Logged about 13,000 miles of towing around the country.
Upgraded to the 3/4 ton Burb, and now we pull an 8600-lb trailer.