Cargo trailer...Mike.

 

Possible Upgrade....5.3L 1500 w towing package. One owner 44,000 miles. Garage kept, Mike.

 

I use a 2002 Suburban with the 5.3 and tow package. My boat weighs 4000 lbs and the Suburban tows just fine. We have alot of big hills here in PA. Sometimes it struggles going up big long hills but for the most part I cant even tell my boat is back there. I would say a 27 footer with full tank of fuel, coolers and other things the 5.3 will be underpowered. I did tow a 6000lb camper 3.5 hrs on a trip and there were times where I wish I had more power. The Suburban 2500 with 6.0L is ideal for just about anything. If you think you will pull more than 5000lbs then go for the 3/4 ton suburban.

 

I have a 2003 3/4 Burb with the 6.0 motor. Towed our Formula 312 fine (nearly the same weight of a old school 272)....really struggled with the current 382. The 1/2 might be OK, but the 3/4 will work well. I do suggest getting the 8.1 instead of the 6.0. Gas mileage is only .75 mpg worse with the 8.1 but has 95 ft more TQ.

 

Why don't you crawl under a Navigator or Expedition and see how beefy their suspension is They're rated to tow up to 8950 lbs with the 5.4 Triton engine. I have a 03 Navigator with the Intech [ 5.4 DOHC 32 V engine]
engine towing my boat /trailer [ 8300] all over country and on very steep hills. I've towed a fully loaded 27' Komfort trailer at highway speeds without any sway what so ever.The Navigator weighs a hefty 6000+ planted on the road pretty good. :winker:

 

I'll tell you why because the suburban/yukon/tahoe drive better and are more comfy, and less problems, but the expedition/navi does haul better, I towed my 271 just fine with my tahoe, but the 272 I think is 2k heavier or so not sure exactly, I would guess you would be fine, as long as your not going cross country. I suggest going with the Z71 or possibly find one with the autoride option, I had that on my Tahoe, it would squat breifly air up and cruise down the road great!

 

I am a Ford guy mirage257 but my mechanic has had some issues replacing bad heads on Ford motors...they are not available to replace? They had to ship one right from MI after the truck/Expedition set for 4 weeks. I can say nothing bad about Ford because mine works great. I know Chevy parts are everywhere if needed or they use to be if GM goes bankrupt? Thanks, Mike.

 

 

Rear gears make the difference along with HP....years ago, I took the advice of a salesman and bought a unit of the lot with 355's and turbo 400 with a small block V8....the salesman said "how ofter do you tow????no much" I have never done that gain. I spend a little more fuel but never an issue with HP and rear gears... Automatics, never less then 373's but have always went with the 410's

 

My opinion, since you asked, :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
By your described needs of heated space the Suburban is definately for you and for the tow capacity it should be a 3/4 ton with the 8.1L. No ford gasser is going to beat that!

Besides, this vehicle will pull your future 292 also :winker: :winker:

 

Well....the 1500 sold a day early with a buy it now I guess so I'll look at a 2500 some more. A 496/8.1L is alot to feed when not towing but I'll just bill it to my company....Mike.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars...Trucks?hash=item280291186984&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65:7|39:1|240:1318

 

[the Suburban is definately for you and for the tow capacity it should be a 3/4 ton with the 8.1L. No ford gasser is going to beat that!

Besides, this vehicle will pull your future 292 also :winker: :winker:

[/b]

According to these Burb owners you'll better get 4.10's :winker:

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An 8.1 will get over 14 if driven under 75 with a medium load, ie. 4 people and baggage. We will get 14 pulling a popup under 70.

I have pulled an 11,000# plus boat from Denver to Lake Powell many times with our 8.1 Suburban with 4.10 axles. Going up hill you are going to be in the right lane doing about 45 with some reserve. Going down hill you are going to be in the right lane going about 45.

Towing either the boat or the trailer we get between 8 mpg and 10 at 60 mph.

The 8.1 is a great gas engine.
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We must be doing something wrong because we seem to get around 10 mpg whether towing or not (2003); and that's at 56 mph! At 12,000 lbs. I think even the 8.1 will have trouble in the mountains. Ours is rated at a little over 12,000 lbs. as I remember.
No one buys a Suburban for the gas mileage. A camping buddy of mine has a Freightliner to pull his 5er and claims it will cost about the same as a new Suburban, get much better mileage and last `forever'.
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2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch

BurbMan
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Oldtymeflyer must have invested in one of those things that clamps on the fuel line and aligns the fuel molecules....DickB is more accurate. We get about 10 mpg around town, have gotten as much as 13 on the highway cruising about 65-70, and towing at 65-70 yields about 7-8 mpg with our 8800 lb TT.

The 8.1 will handle 12,000 lbs, but not in a Suburban. the max tow rating with the 8.1/4.10 combo is 12,000 lbs, and that's with only (1) 150-lb driver on board. As an example, 4 passengers and some light luggage, combined with the 1200 lb tongue weight on our TT puts us right at the 8600 GVWR of the burb. Subtract that from the 19,000 GCWR and that leaves you with an effective tow capacity of 10,400. Like the Excursion, you will will run out of GVWR with the tongue weight of a heavy TT before you ever reach the max tow rating. A boat is different because it doesn't have the same % of tongue weight, nor the block-style aerodynamic profile of a TT.

If the TT you are looking to buy is truly 12,000 lbs, I would be looking for a dually diesel. Only way your going to have the suspension, brakes, and weight rating to carry that kind of load. If you want a gas motor, you'll need the 4.10 rear with the 8.1 or 4.30 rear with the Ford V-10.

my truck has only 3.73 gears .Wonder what rpm does the torque come in with the Burb? The Navigator has 90% of max torque in at 1750 RPM , 355 max.
Surely gearing it to 4.10 it would be even better .Towed my boat with a 350 PSD and the Navigator out accelerated it .Don't tow at neckbrake speeds so I don't need a diesel for the hills.

 

Have you considered a Durango or Aspen with a Hemi?...My local dealer were offering some deeeeppp discounts a few months back...

I think the Max trailer weight on a rango with a hemi and the highest gear ratio 3.92's i think is around 9000 lbs.

 

I did like the older Durangos but the Explorer had more headroom and interior space. The windshield of the Durango just seemed right in my face...no room above the dash. The cabin just seemed tight and not roomy. Never owned a Dodge but always liked their looks, Mike.

 

I have driven a 2500 burb with the 8.1....the burb was very nice! It rode extremely smooth, had good punch and handled very well. It does not drive as big as it is. I still think that will be my next vehicle. A friend of mine has a 2500 Ram with a Hemi, that thing is very nice also. I have a older durango and it tows my 242 ok. It has more punch than my f150. but does not ride as smooth when towing.

 

I tow the 272 Formula and would not go less than the 2500 Burb.
The 272 on an aluminum trailer with full load of fuel is 9100lbs.
The Durango is a POS IMHO for towing. Towing capacity is not just how hard it pulls. It also is rated on how well it can STOP. The Durango has a history of brake wear issues and to me...would be a bad choice.

The Burb would be fine. Check the towing specs for the 1500 you are looking at and see if it will do the job. I do not think it will.
Remember the 272 Formula loaded is 9100lbs. Do not cheap out on a tow vehicle. Like was stated "how much do you tow?" is a bad idea when determining your towing needs.
Just like GEEZ how often do you really need anti-lock brakes. I guess when you need them is not the time to wonder if it was worth it.

From personal experience......when you are trying to STOP and you look out your rear view mirrors and all you see is blue smoke from the trailer tires-blue smoke from the tow vehicle tires- and you still are not getting stopped in time------the heavier tow vehicle and trailer brakes will not be the place you cheap out on.

See this thread?

http://www.speedwake.com/upload/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52414&highlight=breaks


Good luck with your search.

 

I got lucky and my durango is a 2003 and has 4 wheel disc. Not all do! Some have rear drums. I would not go any bigger than my 242 with my durango. Even that is pushing it. I would go one bigger than you think you need. Remember that most vehicles are only rated at 5k WITHOUT a weight dist. hitch. Even a 2500 GMC with a 6.0 and plow prep has this rating. It is stamped on the hitch on the GMC.

 

Thanks guys....the 2500 search goes on. Found a couple nice ones in white, green and blue...not a color I'm looking for. I like Burgandy, black or grey/silver would be fine, Mike.

 

I know a little about towing. We have all chevys & GMCS sizes vary from 2500 to 6500 wreckers & ramps 2 2500 we use one for all off road recovery set up with a holmes 440 and pintle plate it will and pull just about anything with a 6.2 oldie but goody. also have a 2000 2500 gmc we use to plow and tow boats and campers when neccecary It is the old body style with 5.7 motor depandable as you would ever need we sometimes even tow bobcats no problem. I am not a ford guy at all but own one of those to 2002 7.3 4x4 wrecker wont even put in service for aaa calls constantly S$%^ing the bed. Old chevys pull & pull harder.

 

I have a 2003 2500 Yukon XL 4x4 w/ 8.1L. It is a decent truck and very versatile as long as you don't mind the economy. I get 11-12 normal driving and around 7 towing the boat. I put a Putnam class V hitch on it and I've never felt unsafe or unsure of the truck while towing near it's limits and it is an absolute beast on snowy roads.

 

Thanks guys....the 2500 search goes on. Found a couple nice ones in white, green and blue...not a color I'm looking for. I like Burgandy, black or grey/silver would be fine, Mike.

I know you are looking for a 2500 burb; but just in case, consider this with a cap for your gear... It's listed in the Speedwake classifieds for $16,000. Beautiful black 2500H/D with towing package and loaded to the hilt. Call 610-799-2017.

 

Thanks guys....the 2500 search goes on. Found a couple nice ones in white, green and blue...not a color I'm looking for. I like Burgandy, black or grey/silver would be fine, Mike.

I know you are looking for a 2500 burb; but just in case, consider this with a cap for your gear... It's listed in the Speedwake classifieds for $16,000. Beautiful black 2500H/D with towing package and loaded to the hilt. Call 610-799-2017.

 

I towed with a durango DO NOT GO THERE. They are terrible to tow with. I had the tow package and it was no good I had to put air bags to help the springs but towing it only got 6mpg and that is not pushing it. I bought a v-10 f250 day and night and better mpg and braking

 

Yesterday I stopped at my local alignment/spring/towing shop and ask them about adding a leaf to my rear springs to handle my 400lbs of tongue weight as a fix-all till I find a bigger tow vehicle. They said that would really affect the quality of my ride and handling but offered a solution. Dayton Parts offers a spring helper kit that bolts right on to the factory spring (top) behind the axle. It can be adjusted to any load I want to put on it. For $100 a pair, it will keep my Explorer level while towing up to 5,000lbs and or 500lbs of tongue weight. I only set it up 300lbs of that right now. The ride is just a bit firmer and they have provided about 3 inches of body lift. That equals about two 175lb people sitting in the back seat. It's a clean install and matches the factory spring curve and it's nice that they can be adjusted....no air leaks/shocks/bags to deal with, Mike.