2001 Chevy Surburban 2500 with 8.1L

jjwelliver · 05-21-2013, 11:17 AM

I need some opinions on pulling a Surveyor select SV304 with a 2001 Chevy suburban 2500 with the 8.1 L it's does have at rear air leveling kit.
We currently have a 2007 Chevy tahoe and it's seems that the trailer is a bit to much for it. Mainly the wind at 60 MPH
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

TURBS · 05-21-2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjwelliver

I need some opinions on pulling a Surveyor select SV304 with a 2001 Chevy suburban 2500 with the 8.1 L it's does have at rear air leveling kit.
We currently have a 2007 Chevy tahoe and it's seems that the trailer is a bit to much for it. Mainly the wind at 60 MPH
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

What's the specs on the surveyor?

jjwelliver · 05-21-2013, 11:28 AM

7050 lbs 34'

TURBS · 05-21-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjwelliver

7050 lbs 34'

Is that gvwr? 7050lbs?

Hitch weight?

Goomph · 05-21-2013, 11:35 AM

That should be the empty weight .... SV304 is a big trailer ..Gross weight is around 11,000 Lbs.

----------------

Specs for the current model year SV 304 :

Dry Hitch Weight:879 lb.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight:6,444 lb.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):11,039 lb.
Cargo Carrying Capacity:4,087 lb.
Exterior Length:34 ft. 5 in.
Exterior Height:9 ft. 8 in.

jeeplj8 · 05-21-2013, 11:37 AM

IIRC the SV304 is almost 37 feet and has a gross weight of 10K. It probably will be close 9K fully loaded, but without water. You really should get an actual weight on yours loaded up to go camping as that is the only way to know. Most people are surprised, but not pleasantly, when they get actual weights on their rig.

For this example, again since you don't have actual weights, lets figure 9k and tongue weight of 1125 (optimum 12.5%)

according to trailer life the tow rating on the 8.1 is between 10,900 and 12,000 depending on rear end, 4wd and other options. so that should check out well for that rig.

However, knowing several people over the years with the 2500 Burb, the payload rating is not close to the pickups. I would be a little concerned about that.

You need to look at the door sticker for the truck you are looking at for payload figures. with a curb weight around 6K and a GVWR of 8600, there is not as much payload available as you might think.

TURBS · 05-21-2013, 11:41 AM

Should be a payload sticker on the door jamb and or door pillar.

OldCoot · 05-21-2013, 11:44 AM

All things considered, it has to be better than the Tahoe in all respects.

jeeplj8 · 05-21-2013, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

All things considered, it has to be better than the Tahoe in all respects.

That is true!!!

jjwelliver · 05-21-2013, 11:48 AM

I measured it last night and it was 34' from ball to rear bumper. The suburban is a 4x4 and as far as I can tell it have a gvwr of 8600? And a payload of 2760
I am planning on buying it today a noon. S I dont have the exact numbers from the door jam. But its a 4 hour drive away. But it's also $4500 and that's a good deal only 126k miles and it has the 8.1L

TURBS · 05-21-2013, 11:52 AM

Lol I didn't comprehend that this trailer was even being pulled by the tahoe!
I was thinking the op was thinking about buying this trailer and thought tahoe wouldn't be big enough.

Shame on the dealer that sold you that trailer to be pulled behind a tahoe!

jjwelliver · 05-21-2013, 11:54 AM

I really don't understand payload, VS gvwr. I know the sticker on the surveyor says 7050 lbs but I guess that not to accurate? We are also pretty light packers and plan on towing it with 10 gallons or less of water or so? This is out 1st trailer. We had a 30' boat that I towed a lot so I familiar with towing it was just a big difference in the wind factor. My boat was about 7' tall on the trailer.

TURBS · 05-21-2013, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjwelliver

I measured it last night and it was 34' from ball to rear bumper. The suburban is a 4x4 and as far as I can tell it have a gvwr of 8600? And a payload of 2760
I am planning on buying it today a noon. S I dont have the exact numbers from the door jam. But its a 4 hour drive away. But it's also $4500 and that's a good deal only 126k miles and it has the 8.1L

Be forewarned that the 8.1 liter engine uses oil almost immediately after new.
Gm says normal oil consumption is 1qt per thousand miles.
I know this....... my boss has one.

They say its "normal"

Just an fyi.

Turbs

jjwelliver · 05-21-2013, 11:56 AM

We have the trailer in the drive way and towed it 30 miles or so with the tahoe.

TURBS · 05-21-2013, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjwelliver

I really don't understand payload, VS gvwr. I know the sticker on the surveyor says 7050 lbs but I guess that not to accurate? We are also pretty light packers and plan on towing it with 10 gallons or less of water or so? This is out 1st trailer. We had a 30' boat that I towed a lot so I familiar with towing it was just a big difference in the wind factor. My boat was about 7' tall on the trailer.

7050 weight is the weight the trailer was when it came out of the factory.
It goes much much higher than that by time it gets to you and you add your items.

jeeplj8 · 05-21-2013, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjwelliver

I really don't understand payload, VS gvwr. I know the sticker on the surveyor says 7050 lbs but I guess that not to accurate? We are also pretty light packers and plan on towing it with 10 gallons or less of water or so? This is out 1st trailer. We had a 30' boat that I towed a lot so I familiar with towing it was just a big difference in the wind factor. My boat was about 7' tall on the trailer.

Every trailer comes with a yellow sticker that is SUPPOSED to show the weight of the trailer as it left the factory. Note that this is usually not anywhere near the weight of the trailer when it was delivered. Once it gets to the dealer, they install some options (everything from awnings and furntiture up to A/C units,) they also install the propane tanks, battery and spare tire.

My trailer has a yellow sticker of 7900 pounds, but weighed 8600 when I first weighed it with just a little gear in it, and it about 9400 loaded to camp for a week. In other words, that sticker is not even close to your actual weight.

I also pull a boat that is right around 7000 pounds, they could not be more different in towing. Travel trailer have huge frontal areas and catch every wind blast that comes along.

On the tow vehicle, the GVWR is what it is, you deduct the actual weight of the truck and EVERYTHING in it. the published payload is typically done on a truck with no options and 150 pound driver. Anything in addition to the is subtracted from your payload.

jeeplj8 · 05-21-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjwelliver

We have the trailer in the drive way and towed it 30 miles or so with the tahoe.

There is no way you were within your Tahoe's stated specs towing that trailer home. The dealer should never have let you leave their lot with it. Oh well, water under the bridge.

You really should get your trailer weighed and see where you are. My guess is you will be within the posted specs for that 2500 burb, but not not with a huge amount of room to spare. Depends a lot on the size (I mean number, no disrespect) of your family.

jjwelliver · 05-21-2013, 12:06 PM

Me 210 wife 130 kid 50 kid 70

jeeplj8 · 05-21-2013, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjwelliver

Me 210 wife 130 kid 50 kid 70

you posted the suburban payload as 2760, so deduct 460 for passengers and you get 2300. Then deduct another 50 pounds for the gear most people have with them but don't think about, and tools you carry in truck, camping supplies in truck, clothes, etc. and you still need enough payload for the tongue weight will be around 1200 pounds.

That actually looks pretty good, you have around 1K for stuff in the truck. That Burb might be just what you need.

BUT - you really should get the rig to a CAT scale soon. Seriously, the best 10 bucks you may ever spend.

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