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Old 07-02-2013, 11:32 PM   #1
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Unique towing question about 2500 model suburban

Hey guys I need a little advice here. I currently own my 26' 2008 forest river wildwood tbss travel trailer weighing in at #5880 empty. Loaded down I am around #6500. I currently tow with a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4 5.3 with 3.73 rear end and I am looking to replace it as it just does NOT have the power, and I wont take it on trips pulling the travel trailer very far.
My tow capacity on the 2003 Tahoe is#7400 pounds which is a joke cause there is no way I could safely tow that much.

SO I am really close to buying a 2005 suburban 2500 model with the 6.0 gas motor and 3.73 rear end... I am having trouble finding a "true" towing capacity for this vehicle.(the dealership does not have the owners manuel)Its really hard for me to believe where I am reading in a few places the towing capacity for this 2500 suburban is ONLY 7600 pounds when my little Tahoe 1500 model with the smaller motor is at #7400??

Anyone have some advice or experience on this? I realize a diesel would be the best for pulling but that's not in my budget right now...
Will this 2005 suburban 2500 6.0 3.73 be sufficient for pulling?
Thanks, in advance
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Old 07-02-2013, 11:50 PM   #2
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Honestly as for weights you will give yourself more room for more cargo and payload. As for the power I don't think you are gonna see a huge difference in pulling power between the two engines. You are going from a lighter 1500 with the 5.3 to heavier 2500 with 6.0. I have a 2008 Chevy with 6.0 and six speed auto for a work truck and I'm not impressed at all with it. My tundra with 5.7 would run circles around it but it does not have to payload like the 2500 hd does. But I also don't need it either.
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Old 07-03-2013, 08:40 AM   #3
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Thanks for your post. Have you done much towing with your 6.0 work truck?

The two reasons I want to upgrade to the 2500 are for the little extra "umph" in the motor power. Not looking for a extreme power machine just something to help me keep up to speed on ighway with my fully loaded #6500 camper.
Also, was wanting the 2500 model so I can finally feel like my tow vehicle is in control when towing and not my travel trailer in control like it is now with my Tahoe.
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Old 07-03-2013, 08:48 AM   #4
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The 6.0 is a stronger engine than the 5.3. The 5.3 replaced the old 327 and the 6.0 replaced the 350. From my experience, the 350 would out pull the 327 any day of the week. As for racing, the 327 could be rev'd a lot higher but powerwise, the 350 wins hands down. So will the 6.0 vs the 5.3
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Old 07-03-2013, 08:52 AM   #5
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Trailer Life Towing guide list the 2500 Burb at 9700 lb... http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-conten...Guide-2005.pdf

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Old 07-03-2013, 09:01 AM   #6
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I can't help you with the engine side of things, as that's all pretty foreign to me. However, from towing - there is usually a sticker on the doorjamb that tells you what the "GVWR" ("Gross Vehicle Weight Rating") is. This "GVWR" is the amount that the truck was designed to carry. The difference between the "GVWR" and the base weight of the truck is called your "payload capacity".

That GVWR is what has to handle:
- the weight of the SUV itself
- the driver and all passengers
- the stuff carried in the truck (water, coolers, snacks, food, activities, electronics, etc.)
- the hitch itself
- and finally, the tongue weight of the camper

The tongue weight of the camper is usually 10%-15% of the actual loaded weight of the camper. This is where many smaller trucks and SUVs run out of capacity - after everything above, there isn't enough left over to carry the tongue weight (just what you found- no chance the Tahoe was towing 7,400 pounds- that's only possible *if* there is nothing in the truck and only a 150 pound driver!).

SO, what does this mean for you? Well, if you go back to the dealer's lot- you can find this sticker on the doorjamb. Then, you can guestimate how much you, your family and your stuff weighs and finally, your best bet is to weigh your camper's tongue weight.

From there, you can find out if it fits into the Suburban's ratings.

(Or, like many people- you can choose to exceed your ratings. But, you've already found once that's not fun.)
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:03 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by jabres View Post
SO I am really close to buying a 2005 suburban 2500 model with the 6.0 gas motor and 3.73 rear end... I am having trouble finding a "true" towing capacity for this vehicle.(the dealership does not have the owners manuel)Its really hard for me to believe where I am reading in a few places the towing capacity for this 2500 suburban is ONLY 7600 pounds when my little Tahoe 1500 model with the smaller motor is at #7400??

Anyone have some advice or experience on this? I realize a diesel would be
The Trailer Life Towing Guide for 2005 lists the 6.0L 2500 Suburban as having a 9700 lb. tow rating, or 9400 lbs. figuring the GCWR (16,000 lbs.) minus the body weight.

http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-conten...Guide-2005.pdf

Update: Looks like Dave and Monica beat me to the draw while I was checking out what the heck the dog was barking at.
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:20 AM   #8
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...you can choose to exceed your ratings. But, you've already found once that's not fun.)
Don't think he exceeded any ratings.
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:23 AM   #9
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Don't think he exceeded any ratings.
Truth be told, your guess is as good as mine.

I could have worded mine better and indicated that they may have exceeded ratings. But, at the end of the day- it's still a guess and very easy to do with small SUVs.
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:37 AM   #10
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anyone on here towed with a suburban 2500 6.0 3.73rear end?
I would have to guess it will handle my #6500 pound loaded camper much better
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Old 07-03-2013, 10:03 AM   #11
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anyone on here towed with a suburban 2500 6.0 3.73rear end?
I would have to guess it will handle my #6500 pound loaded camper much better
Never towed with one, but no doubt it will handle your trailer much better than the 1/2T with the smaller engine regardless.
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Old 07-03-2013, 07:04 PM   #12
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I have a 2011 2500 HD with the 6.0 and 3.73 rear and the blue ox WD hitch towing a 30 foot toy hauler. With a full tank of water, 20 gallons of gas and the two bikes it weighs in at just under 9000 lbs. and tows just fine. I know it's not the Suburban but should give you a good idea on what will be comfortable at highway speeds. Hope it helps, stay safe
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Old 07-03-2013, 08:09 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by jabres View Post
Hey guys I need a little advice here. I currently own my 26' 2008 forest river wildwood tbss travel trailer weighing in at #5880 empty. Loaded down I am around #6500. I currently tow with a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4 5.3 with 3.73 rear end and I am looking to replace it as it just does NOT have the power, and I wont take it on trips pulling the travel trailer very far.
My tow capacity on the 2003 Tahoe is#7400 pounds which is a joke cause there is no way I could safely tow that much.

SO I am really close to buying a 2005 suburban 2500 model with the 6.0 gas motor and 3.73 rear end... I am having trouble finding a "true" towing capacity for this vehicle.(the dealership does not have the owners manuel)Its really hard for me to believe where I am reading in a few places the towing capacity for this 2500 suburban is ONLY 7600 pounds when my little Tahoe 1500 model with the smaller motor is at #7400??

Anyone have some advice or experience on this? I realize a diesel would be the best for pulling but that's not in my budget right now...
Will this 2005 suburban 2500 6.0 3.73 be sufficient for pulling?
Thanks, in advance
Have you actually weighed your TBSS? I have a 26' TBSS (2013 & factory numbers are similar to your stated weights) myself and when I load up (I'm not over doing it either) and fill the fresh water tank I weighed in at 7080 pounds add my 2013 Tundra with some firewood in the back I come in at 13000 pounds for both. Only suggesting you may be heavier than you think if you haven't weighed the rig, don't believe the factory numbers.

Be safe and enjoy whichever route you go on the TV.
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Old 07-03-2013, 08:46 PM   #14
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hey rfk

hey rfk,
Thanks for all the info, helps a lot. Do you tow in the Tow haul mode?
What is the weight of your toy hauler?
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:08 PM   #15
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Thanks for your post. Have you done much towing with your 6.0 work truck?

The two reasons I want to upgrade to the 2500 are for the little extra "umph" in the motor power. Not looking for a extreme power machine just something to help me keep up to speed on ighway with my fully loaded #6500 camper.
Also, was wanting the 2500 model so I can finally feel like my tow vehicle is in control when towing and not my travel trailer in control like it is now with my Tahoe.
Yes I have towed quite a bit with it. The most I tow is a 16 foot flat bed with a Honda big red on it about 3000 pounds all loaded and my truck weighs about 7700 pounds so only about 11000 gcwr. So not much of a load and the trucks struggles more than I thought it would at times. I would expect better from a 2500hd that is supposed to be good at towing. And I the Ac is on it is even worse. I am not trying to convince other wise. I'm sure the 6.0 will work for you. I'm just letting you know what I have experienced. And because of my time with the truck and because of other reasons I would never buy one.
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:56 PM   #16
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hey rfk,
Thanks for all the info, helps a lot. Do you tow in the Tow haul mode?
What is the weight of your toy hauler?
The toy hauler is 6100 empty and the usual load puts me up about 9000 lbs my truck is rated to 9600 lbs according to GM. It does have the tow package including the trans cooler but its all stock. If I'm on relatively flat highways in normal drive and use the tow / haul mode on hills and steeper grades. It does wind it up a bit to about 3500 rpms but doesn't sound like it wants to launch out from under the hood everything stays cool engine about 220 degrees with 40 on the oil pressure. The tow / haul does keep me off the breaks a bit on the downhill runs
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Old 07-03-2013, 11:23 PM   #17
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batts-toys-
Thanks for reply-
Say the manufacturer weight sticker inside myTBSS on the door panel is in-correct stating #5880, and say my loaded weight is right about yours at #7000 I would think this suburban 2500 w/ 6.0 and 3.73 would do the job with the tow capacity being at 7,600? (I am really shocked tow capacity is this low with the 2500 suburban, my 1500 Tahoe w/ 5.3 was only 200 #'s less at #7400 which was BS)
It blows my mind my little Tahoe w. the 5.3 and 3.73 could be as much as #7400...
What is the towing capacity of your Tundra? I always felt when towing with my Tahoe, that the TBSS was in control and not my Tahoe, the Tahoe being so light and small wheel base....
Comments?
Thanks
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Old 07-04-2013, 12:12 AM   #18
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I have a tundra crew max and the tow capacity is 9000 pounds it was 10000 at first but toyota is the only manufacturer to follow the new j2807 towing standards. My toy hauler all loaded weighs about 7000 and my tundra pulls it very well. I am very happy compared to my old Titan.
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Old 07-04-2013, 06:58 AM   #19
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I would think this suburban 2500 w/ 6.0 and 3.73 would do the job with the tow capacity being at 7,600? (I am really shocked tow capacity is this low with the 2500 suburban, my 1500 Tahoe w/ 5.3 was only 200 #'s less at #7400 which was BS)
It blows my mind my little Tahoe w. the 5.3 and 3.73 could be as much as #7400...
As mentioned in a earlier post, the towing capacity is 9700 lb not 7600. I don't think you'll have any issues.

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Old 07-04-2013, 08:36 AM   #20
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batts-toys-
Thanks for reply-
Say the manufacturer weight sticker inside myTBSS on the door panel is in-correct stating #5880, and say my loaded weight is right about yours at #7000 I would think this suburban 2500 w/ 6.0 and 3.73 would do the job with the tow capacity being at 7,600? (I am really shocked tow capacity is this low with the 2500 suburban, my 1500 Tahoe w/ 5.3 was only 200 #'s less at #7400 which was BS)
It blows my mind my little Tahoe w. the 5.3 and 3.73 could be as much as #7400...
What is the towing capacity of your Tundra? I always felt when towing with my Tahoe, that the TBSS was in control and not my Tahoe, the Tahoe being so light and small wheel base....
Comments?
Thanks
I have to agree with you about questioning the suburban numbers you would think it would be higher on the 2500. I agree with Dave where he looked it up at 9700#, check the chart Dave provided and even look into it further to make sure you are comfortable with everything before you jump but like Dave says I too think you will be fine with it. A short wheelbase TV can make things feel pretty 'sqirmy' like I said the TBSS is heavier than you may think. I assume you are using a weight distribution hitch with sway control.

2013 Tundra 4X4 Double Cab = 9700# tow capacity and 16,000# combined weight rating.
10,000 pound Pro WDH with 2 friction type sway bars, the Tundra tow package includes computerized automatic sway control.
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