Towing a 2012 Wildcat 29BHS

[JohnnyinAB]

We recently purchased a 2012 Wildcat 29BHS. The dry weight is about 6,500 lbs and the hitch weight is 920 (factory specs). We have a 2001 Chevy Suburban 2500 3/4 ton with about 140,000 miles on it. It has the factory transmission cooler and temperature gauge.

I towed a trailer for the first time ever this week and was surprised at how it felt. I hear people talk about how going up inclines they don't even know the trailer is there. I could defiantly feel it. Uphill the vehicle slowed to about 40 mph and shifted into second gear.

Is this normal? Is the trailer too much for my reliable but seasoned Suburban?

[Nigels]

How many HP did you have when your vehicle was new?

[EdJunior]

Well, your dry weight is 6,500 pounds, but your GROSS weight rating is almost 8,000. Plus, that trailer is over 32' long. That's a lot of trailer. How much additional weight have you added to the trailer (gear, water, batteries, gas, etc.)? How much do you have in the Burb?

Your Burb may be reliable, but it may not be right for this job. On the other hand, that may be the way it was designed. By that, I mean for the Ford gas engines (5.4L and 6.8L), they were designed to rev at high RPM's and work best that way. It takes some getting used to.

If you're looking to upgrade, you sure can't go wrong with a diesel. It would tow the trailer much better, at lower RPM's, keep your speed better, and you would like it better (should anyway). And with proper maintenance, would be just as reliable.

[camper_Lucy]

Is it normal? Well that depends on how big the hill was. Under normal conditions a 2500 Suburban should not have any issues pulling your trailer, at times it may drop down a gear to maintain speed that is how it is designed to work, even going down hill (as a brake). You stated it slowed to 40 mph are you saying that as you stepped on the gas you had no more peddle (floored)? I use to tow my searay 30 dancer with a burb and that was a lot more weight (over 12,000) than your TT with no issues.

[JohnnyinAB]

The 2500 is a 6.0 litre. Factory specs are 315 hp @5,000 rpm, 365 pound feet of torque @4,000 rpm. Combinded vehicle weight is 14,000 lbs. The truck factory weight is 5,760. Add the wife, 4 kids, gear and everything we are pretty close to the 14,000 lbs

[lbrjet]

Sounds like you are just guessing on your weights. Next time you go camping you need to take it across a CAT scale. You are probably over 14K.

My factory spec weight was 6,250. Actual dry weight on the sticker on the trailer? 6,901. What is the UVW weight actually printed on the trailer sticker? Forest river does not include 'little things' like A/C units and awnings in their factory specs so I suspect your dry weight is around 6800-6900 lbs. Add another 100+ lbs for propane and battery.

Don't be afraid to step on the gas. Your burb should be able to handle it.

When someone says 'can't even feel it back there' just ignore them. I feel it, you feel it, everyone feels it. To differing degrees yes, but everyone feels it.

Another thing. Make sure all of your tires, both truck and trailer, are aired up to the max on the sidewalls. This will reduce your rolling resistence and help you handle this heavy load.

[brianb]

Yeah, that is baloney or truck bragging when people say they can't feel it back there... After driving with my 7000# camper, my Excursion after unhitching feels like a sports car (for a little while anyway). You feel it but it should be manageable and not a white knuckle experience.

[Nigels]

Originally Posted by JohnnyinAB

The 2500 is a 6.0 litre. Factory specs are 315 hp @5,000 rpm, 365 pound feet of torque @4,000 rpm. Combinded vehicle weight is 14,000 lbs. The truck factory weight is 5,760. Add the wife, 4 kids, gear and everything we are pretty close to the 14,000 lbs

315Hp new. 140000miles wear on the engine would reduce that to say 280hp and if it is need of a good service and tune up then could be way down.

I say this because I did my own oil changes plugs,etc for years on a old car I had but never checked much else. But over a long period of time you don't realise how much power you are missing until it gets tuned right. I only did this because consumption seemed to be getting a bit high. Maybee something or nothing, just a thought.

[MtnGuy]

Nowhere do I see what the final drive ratio of the Burb is. A high (low numeric number) ratio could contribute to the hard pulling.

[JohnnyinAB]

the 2500 has 3.73 gears. The only model they made with a larger ratio was the 8.1 litre model with 4.10.

GM says its rated to tow 8,300 lbs. Of course that is new. I also forgot to mention it has a cold air intake. I bought it used so I don't know if the previous owner took care of it but it doesn't burn oil and I added a fuel system cleaner to the gas tank and ran it through before I started towing.

Is towing at 3,500 rpm in second safe for the vehicle?

[JohnnyinAB]

Here is a picture by the way.

[lbrjet]

Originally Posted by JohnnyinAB

the 2500 has 3.73 gears. The only model they made with a larger ratio was the 8.1 litre model with 4.10.

GM says its rated to tow 8,300 lbs. Of course that is new. I also forgot to mention it has a cold air intake. I bought it used so I don't know if the previous owner took care of it but it doesn't burn oil and I added a fuel system cleaner to the gas tank and ran it through before I started towing.

Is towing at 3,500 rpm in second safe for the vehicle?

Absolutely. Peak torque and horsepower are produced at higher RPM's that.

[MtnGuy]

The 3.73 gears are good. That engine hp and torque compare to my 5.4 Ford, and I also have the 3.73s. Because if have to slow down for some curves, my truck tranny seeks 2nd, on a local 7% incline. I don't like winding it above 3500 rpms, so I just leave it there for the duration of the climb. My torque converter is unlocked during this climb also.

I don't know what kind of incline you have, but that just might be the best you can do with the Burb.

The GCWR rating seems a little low for a 2500, probably because of the 8300 lb. trailer towing rating. My 1/2 ton has a 15,000 lb. GCWR with a 9300 lb. tow capacity. Seems like a 3/4 ton SUV should have more weight capacities than a 1/2 ton truck. But in 2001, the manufacturers weren't pushing the tow numbers to the extremes like the mid to late 2000s.

The GCWR might be a concern. With the listed dry weight of 6500 lbs. that trailer is probably around 7000 lbs. with options, a battery and propane. Figure another 1000 lbs. of camping supplies for a family of 4, and that may put that figure around 8000 lbs. Add the truck factory weight (most of the time misleadingly low) at 5760, 4 passengers, plus gear in the Burb, the GCWR is probably exceeded. You also have to be aware of the GVWR of the Burb, with the trailer tongue weight and passengers and cargo.

It would be good if you could go across some scales loaded for camping, to see what your total weight is. Then go from there to see what the next step might be.

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by JohnnyinAB

Is towing at 3,500 rpm in second safe for the vehicle?

No problem at all, on a boat we had several years ago our waterskiing speed the engine was above 4200-4500 rpm. Every time we put it in gear we were cruising at that speed. It had a small block chevy engine in it and a 2 barrel carburetor. Modern fuel injected engines are running high RPMs without hurting the engine.

However, when I was pulling my trailer with a 1/2 ton Suburban (my trailer is smaller than yours) I did not like it, it seemed that I was running 4500 rpm more than I liked. The truck handled it ok, but I personally was not satisfied with it, I upped to a new Dodge Cummins and now I am very satisfied and comfortable pulling, knowing I have ample power and stability. Not to mention the engine is running 2000 RPM at 65 MPH.

[puckdad]

Don't worry about the RPM's.
I had an '01 'Burb 2500 8.1L 4.10 pulling a 6400lb trailer and climbing steep hills it needed to be in at least 3rd and I'd drop it to 2nd at about 4200RPM if need be....not very often.
Every time it dropped to 2nd and the 4200RPM kicked in my wife would hold on for dear life thinking the thing was going to explode It took quite a few, "Dear, it's designed to do that," for her to slightly relax.

So, don't be afraid of the RPMs, just watch your tranny temp and let her rev.

Mike
BTW, I could 'feel it' behind me.