Towing with a Suburban.
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11StrykerToby (January 18th, 2022)
January 18th, 2022, 7:54 AM
#12
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11StrykerToby (January 18th, 2022)
January 18th, 2022, 4:30 PM
#15
million $$ question on towing with a Suburban
I have a 2011 Suburban 5.3 4 wheel drive.
The million $ question,
How much over max load capacity has anyone towed with their Suburban?
The million $ question,
How much over max load capacity has anyone towed with their Suburban?
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11StrykerToby (January 18th, 2022)
January 18th, 2022, 5:00 PM
#17
Pretty sure insurance comps don't search forums unless maybe you file a claim. Then they need to be able to find out if the post/s are you.
And it wouldn't matter simply because if you file a claim they will have all the the info they need from the report or their inspection.
So with that said, I've, in the past, done many times over the max weigh capacity with multiple vehicles.
In the early 90s for example, I had a 1967 Malibu El Camino with a 302 ci 2 barrel 2 speed power glide with only heavy duty coil springs and 250 lb air shocks. One of the trailers I towed was 28' with 2 45 gal fresh water tanks, full, with everything I owned in it. The trailer was probably double the GVW and looked like a toy towing a monster. Now I'm sure I would have gotten a ticket had a CHP wanted to. But it towed it just fine, It maxed out the hitch weight.
So why I'm asking is if in a pinch I need to evac from fires, like I have multiple times where I live, if the Suburban would handle more than it's rated.
I have brake controller and a hitch that's rated at 8,200 lbs and 10,500 lbs with stabilizers. But I believe the Burban is only 7,000+ lb GVW. And it a 5.3 L v8 4 wheel drive 6 speed.
One of my questions also is why would they put a tow package rated that high on a vehicle that couldn't handle that much weight?
And it wouldn't matter simply because if you file a claim they will have all the the info they need from the report or their inspection.
So with that said, I've, in the past, done many times over the max weigh capacity with multiple vehicles.
In the early 90s for example, I had a 1967 Malibu El Camino with a 302 ci 2 barrel 2 speed power glide with only heavy duty coil springs and 250 lb air shocks. One of the trailers I towed was 28' with 2 45 gal fresh water tanks, full, with everything I owned in it. The trailer was probably double the GVW and looked like a toy towing a monster. Now I'm sure I would have gotten a ticket had a CHP wanted to. But it towed it just fine, It maxed out the hitch weight.
So why I'm asking is if in a pinch I need to evac from fires, like I have multiple times where I live, if the Suburban would handle more than it's rated.
I have brake controller and a hitch that's rated at 8,200 lbs and 10,500 lbs with stabilizers. But I believe the Burban is only 7,000+ lb GVW. And it a 5.3 L v8 4 wheel drive 6 speed.
One of my questions also is why would they put a tow package rated that high on a vehicle that couldn't handle that much weight?
January 20th, 2022, 9:28 AM
#18
It will pull more but stopping it is where the rating comes in. Lots of guys out there pulling 5th wheels with 2500 trucks when they need a 3500 for example. They do not make a 2500 sub anymore as far as I know like they used to.
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11StrykerToby (January 20th, 2022)
January 20th, 2022, 12:55 PM
#19
Thanks for the response. Most trailers have their own brakes. I have brake controllers on both trucks. I've pulled a 3 horse slant weighing about 3,000 lbs with 3 horses in it with no problem. Stopped just fine with the proper setting on the controller.
What about suspension and hitch weight? Because I've come to the conclusion that axle tow rating is just gear ratio. All that means is put it in lower gear and run higher RPM. I thought it had to do with how much weight the axle could hold??
So they put a tow package on it the is rated at 8,200 lbs and 10,500 lbs with stabilizers. Why would they do that if that was more than the truck could handle?? This is the next question I'm looking into.
What about suspension and hitch weight? Because I've come to the conclusion that axle tow rating is just gear ratio. All that means is put it in lower gear and run higher RPM. I thought it had to do with how much weight the axle could hold??
So they put a tow package on it the is rated at 8,200 lbs and 10,500 lbs with stabilizers. Why would they do that if that was more than the truck could handle?? This is the next question I'm looking into.
January 21st, 2022, 9:15 AM
#20
The owner's manual has all the info you need. If you don't have it, you can view it for free on Chevrolet.com. It explains the variances between 1500 and 2500 and weight distributing hitches.
Also, HD cooling affects the ratings along with rear end gear ratios. The manual also shows the difference between short and long wheelbases. Heavier, longer truck has more capacity.
What you think may be stabilizers are actually weight distributing bars on a hitch or do both functions.
In my '11 manual the heaviest trailer rating is 9600 lbs in a 2wd 2500 Sub with a 3.73 rear ratio. My 4wd Tahoe is 8200 lbs.with the 3.42 rear.
Truck brakes do most of the stopping, trailer brakes do some but in a panic stop they just lock up and skid well before the truck's brakes skid or the ABS kicks in. There are different brake sizes depending on how the truck is equipped when built also.
The ratings are designed to safely tow without wearing out the truck or killing it using it for towing all the time. It will handle more BUT by doing that it's not safe and you're just beating on it.
Also, HD cooling affects the ratings along with rear end gear ratios. The manual also shows the difference between short and long wheelbases. Heavier, longer truck has more capacity.
What you think may be stabilizers are actually weight distributing bars on a hitch or do both functions.
In my '11 manual the heaviest trailer rating is 9600 lbs in a 2wd 2500 Sub with a 3.73 rear ratio. My 4wd Tahoe is 8200 lbs.with the 3.42 rear.
Truck brakes do most of the stopping, trailer brakes do some but in a panic stop they just lock up and skid well before the truck's brakes skid or the ABS kicks in. There are different brake sizes depending on how the truck is equipped when built also.
The ratings are designed to safely tow without wearing out the truck or killing it using it for towing all the time. It will handle more BUT by doing that it's not safe and you're just beating on it.
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11StrykerToby (January 21st, 2022)