New Here: Can I Tow This?

[GottaGoNow]

My DH and I are almost ready to join the rv world again, but can I tow this with my vehicle. Just want to be double sure before committing.

I've looked online for answers but not finding any clear cut answers before I place my order for a TT from RVDirect. If it will work do you see any potential problems with this set up. And if it is a good thing what other "stuff" would be good to do as in shocks, and other things I don't even know about. We have never towed a trailer before.
Thank you for your answers

The TT:
Forestriver Rockwood Sig Ultra Light 8306SS
Length 33' 3"
Hitch weight 840
Dry Weight 6302
GVWR 8657
CCC 1900

Tow Vehicle:
From the window sticker I kept.
2007 Suburban 4WD 3/4 ton LT (58,000 miles on it)
6.0 Vortec V8
heavy duty trans
4 speed auto w/tow/haul mode
heavy duty trans cooler
heavy duty oil cooler
heavy duty suspension package
trailering equip, heavy-duty
gvw rating 8600 lbs
rear axle 3.73 ratio

From the rear of the car by the hitch it says on a sticker:

Hitch Type Max Trailer-weight Max Tongue Weight
Weight Carrying 5000 lbs. 600 lbs.
Weight Distributing 10,000 lbs. 1000 lbs.

[LadyWindrider]

I think you can tow it. Will need a good weight distributing hitch, and I would get sway control. Since the camper loaded is going to be over 8000 pounds, the tongue (hitch) weight is going over 900 pounds, so I would get 1200 pound equalizer bars, nothing less. As for a hitch, I use a Reese Dual Cam, (sometimes called a Straight Line). Works good for me towing 7000 pounds. Others have their opinion.

[TURBS]

Your all good with burb !

[Triguy]

You can use this calculator to play with a variety of assumptions that will be particular to you and your family and how you camp. In your case, how many people are in your family and how they pack will make a difference (as shown below). So, here's my take on it...

Towing cap (GOOD): You didn't list it, but Edmunds shows the towing cap for a 2007 2500 Suburban LT with 4WD at 9,700lbs. Your trailer will weigh much more than the dry weight and hopefully less than the GVWR. Assume it comes out of the factory at 6,700lbs due to options and that you add another 1,000lbs of cargo, water, batteries, etc, than your's might weight 7,700lbs ready to camp.

9,700-7,700 = 2,000lbs cushion or 20% under the truck's maximum.


Payload (Good): At an estimated 7,700lbs, the tongue weight will be 10-15% of the camper weight or 770-1,200lbs. 13% is a good middle-ground so assume a TW of 1,000lbs. Your truck has a payload cap of 2,500lbs

2,500 - 1,000 = 1,500lbs left over for people and cargo in the truck.


But, here's where you will bump into an issue. At 1,000lbs, that TW is right at your receiver's limit, which you gave as "Weight Distributing 10,000 lbs. 1000 lbs."

You will have to keep your TW under 1,000lbs through creative packing (load more into the rear of the trailer or into the truck itself) or load less so that your trailer doesn't weigh 7,700lbs.

There's more to it, but that's a start. That calculator will help, too.

[mhartzel]

The sticker on the Hitch is simply the capacity of the hitch, NOT the truck it's attached to.

Based off of the information located at http://www.watrousmainline.com/docum...ng%20Guide.pdf Page 12, The max towing for a 2500 Suburban with the 3.73 Axle is 7700#.

[Triguy]

Good information, mhartzel. In that case, she would begin to have a problem unless they loaded very light. Or, changed axles (more $).

Gottagonow - you should verify the towing capacity for that truck - check the truck's sticker.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Triguy

Good information, mhartzel. In that case, she would begin to have a problem unless they loaded very light. Or, changed axles (more $).

Gottagonow - you should verify the towing capacity for that truck - check the truck's sticker.

Drivers side door jamb.

[GottaGoNow]

It says on the door:

GVWR 8600 lb
GAWR FRT 4180 lb
GAWR RR 5500 lb

I really don't want to buy a new truck

[mhartzel]

The GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of the truck, people, cargo...
GAWR FRT is the maximum allowable weight on the front axle
GAWR RR is the maximum allowable weight on the rear axle
GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR - Gross Axle Weight Rating

Your manual should have information regarding the GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating) which is the combined vehicle, cargo, people, fuel, trailer...

[GottaGoNow]

I will look now in the manual.
Thanks

[GottaGoNow]

In the manual it has a table of different cars of this type. I may be out of luck.
K-2500 4wd
6000 V8 axle ratio 3.73 max trailer weight 7500 lbs.
GCWR 14,000 lbs

So that leaves 1198 pounds of stuff in the trailer right?
Is the dry weight of the trailer include like the frig and other things before the options I add? I would think so.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

IMO...

Truck is outfitted correctly, so your good there, proposed camper is right there at your "safe zone", so your good there also.

If you went a little smaller on the camper, truck would benefit BUT with the camper your wanting, your good to tow and go!

Overall, take the recommendations from the Forum and do your math...after that, don't over think your decision or you'll end up in a Prius and tent camping! LOL

[Herk7769]

New gears might be prohibitive in your 4X4 since you would need new gears in the front as well.

[GottaGoNow]

I am going to do the calculator that Triguy gave a link for.
I DO want this trailer badly

Must stop overthinking, I will think about that.

[mhartzel]

Originally Posted by GottaGoNow

So that leaves 1198 pounds of stuff in the trailer right?

If this is calculated off the dry weight, then you also have to subtract the drivers weight in excess of 150#, WDH, wife/husband, kid(s), dog(s), firewood, pots/pans, clothing, extension cords, other cargo...

For example:
My 1999 4x4 Blazer LS has a max towing cap of 5500 pounds.
My trailers GVWR is 3980.
5500-3980 = 1520
- 890 for family and dog = 630
- 114 for Blue Ox SwayPro = 516
- 200 for firewood (# pulled from thin air) = 316

The numbers dwindle quickly once you factor everything in.

[GottaGoNow]

The curb weight of the Sub is 6309.
My husband and I weigh combined 340 lbs.
Maybe 1 dog at 20 lbs.
Fishing gear besides the everyday stuff.

[GottaGoNow]

I just called the main Chevy customer number, gave them the last 8 digits of the VIN number. 7500lbs max tow weight. Gosh, all I can say.

[cfisher523]

The numbers are almost always close as most of us are pulling close to capacity. There are countless ways to determine if you're overloaded. Some people adhere strictly to the GAWR while some follow all the guidlines. The numbers established by the TV MFG are generally well within the vehicle's capabilities, i.e. there is a little room in them.

Bottom line for me.... if the numbers are close in either direction you will be fine. When you are pushing the limits though it comes down to comfort level and your willingness to drive the rig accordingly. Can't do 70mph if you're on the edge of all your limits.

My brother-in-law has towed a 35' Jayco 8000# GVW 1000# tounge with a 2004 3/4 Suburban for the last 5 year with no issues. Using that as an example you should be fine.

None of this is technical information and its strictly based on my 15 years experience camping so take it as you will. I think you're fine though.

[MtnGuy]

Darn, if a 2500 series Burb with a 6.0 L and 3.73s can't pull that trailer, then I really don't know what to think.

The 7500 figure is also what is posted in the Trailer Life Towing Guide: http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-conten...Guide-2007.pdf

Just by using 4.10s, that tow rating goes up to 9500 lbs. A 1500 series
Burb with the same drive-train is rated to pull 7900 lbs. Go figure. I think I would rather pull that trailer with a 2500 vs. 1500 any day of the week.

[GottaGoNow]

And I would think if we used a weight distributing hitch then we should be fine and just watch how much we put into the trailer and where. I was thinking the same thing, if the Suburban can't handle it, well give me a break!