Towing with a 1/2 Suburban

[David Lee]

I did read your posts quite well, yes I know trhat you plan on upgrading many of the items on your chassis, but the chassis itself is not meant to tow that much. You have made up your mind to do this so I do not know why you are asking for opinions. You asked I gave. If you do not like the answer that is your problem

[rick lester]

David, right there you said something I just was thinking about, chassis. The frame can be boxed to make stronger, just like people do to class c motorhomes. Those are the type of things I am asking for. Its always good to ask, another set of eyes to look, even online, is always helpful. Thank you. Even with all these mods, I know I can not hook a stacker with 2 cars to this, its not gonna work. I always said a 28 foot enclosed trailer is just over the limit even with upgrades but I will not be going across country, except for one trip, I will get a bigger truck after racecar is done. Less payments now equals more toys later, right?

[Bill Baer]

Rick

Some years ago I towed a 6000# 24' trailer with a 1/2 ton suburan with air bags on it and it was marginal at best and when I blew a rear tire on the suburban it was down right scary until I got it stopped.
Also you can't tow in overdrive or you will overheat the trans.
I startend using a 3/4 ton PU and it was a little better and then I purchased a used dually and except for the poor gas mileage it did the job perfectly.

Best of luck.

[Greg Hill]

Originally Posted by rick lester

There has been 20 plus year advancement in weight and handling since the early 90s, nowadays a 1/2 ton can handle more now then a 1 ton from 20 years ago. Did anybody read what I wrote? I said I will be UPGRADING. Look it up in a dictionary if you don't understand the meaning of the word. I know not to hook a 6000 lb max anything to a 10000plus gross trailer, the math doesnt add up, I know that. I know even with a properly equipt truck/trailer combo, somethings always going to happen, usually due to other drivers around you that have no clue how to drive.
Tell you all what, instead of beating around the bush and calling me an idiot, why don't you come up with ideas to help me like, "Call this guy, can make you a set of springs that will gain you 2000 lbs towing cap", or "Upgrade all you can, sounds like a great idea, but drop down to a 26 or 24 footer and just head to a hotel."
Just comparing a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 against my 1988 Suburban, I know its like comparing apples to oranges but if thats the truck I need to compare to, so be it. Dodge 2500 has a rear track of 68", Suburban is 66" if I remember correctly, and I know I can add a inch to a inch and a half to each side so width argument is a mute point. Wheelbase is another area I'm sure you all are thinking the Dodge would have an advantage, and in the case of a mega cab swb 160", crew cab swb 149", reg cab lwb 140" vs 1988 Suburban 129" so you got me there. Again apple to oranges comparision remember. So answer this, why can I not spend 3 grand to upgrade suspension and brakes to tow a 28 foot trailer? Willing to listen to intelligent answers only. Not out of the question to drop down to a 26 or a 24 foot trailer, did find a new 26 v nose with 7000lb axles. Yes I know 10400 lb axles are way better but looking to tow with what I have WITH UPGRADES.

You already have your mind made up. There is no way I would make that trip with a half ton suburban and a 28' trailer. It's not made to do what you want to do.

[Dinsdale]

Sounds like a lot of time, money and trouble to beef up a vehicle that has a bad tranny for towing and no HP. You'll get zero MPG and may end up going backwards on any kind of steep grade. Add me to the list of those who think this is a bad idea and suggest you start with more truck.

[Phillip marvetz]

I think a dually rearend with 1 ton springs might make it usable.

[Jim Wahl]

I think Keith is right, the Trans will be the weak link. Hate to see you leave Florida though, always enjoyed talking to you at the SSSSA races. Good luck Rick! Jim



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[Philip Saran]

Rick,

You seem to have your mind made up, but figure out how much you
are talking about investing in this vehicle to end up with a marginal
tow rig vs upgrading to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

I tow with a 2004 Ford F350 diesel, 4 dr, 4x4 long bed SRW with a
12000 lb tow rate (8000* loaded truck + loaded trailer = 20000 lbs)
and it gets about 10 mpg with a enclosed 28 foot trailer and about
15 with a open trailer & car.

If you have your mind made up, then I'll suggest getting air bags and
adjustable shocks for the tow rig, the best eqalizer hitch available and
a sway control.

You talked about size of trailer and wanting about 8 ft at the front for
living/sleeping space. Most cars are about 15 ft long so you might get
by with a 24 ft enclosed trailer.

Good luck with what you are trying to do.

* that 8000 lbs is the truck, full fuel tank, two people and a 80 lb dog.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Philip Saran

Rick,

You seem to have your mind made up, but figure out how much you
are talking about investing in this vehicle to end up with a marginal
tow rig vs upgrading to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

I tow with a 2004 Ford F350 diesel, 4 dr, 4x4 long bed SRW with a
12000 lb tow rate (8000* loaded truck + loaded trailer = 20000 lbs)
and it gets about 10 mpg with a enclosed 28 foot trailer and about
15 with a open trailer & car.

If you have your mind made up, then I'll suggest getting air bags and
adjustable shocks for the tow rig, the best eqalizer hitch available and
a sway control.

You talked about size of trailer and wanting about 8 ft at the front for
living/sleeping space. Most cars are about 15 ft long so you might get
by with a 24 ft enclosed trailer.

Good luck with what you are trying to do.

* that 8000 lbs is the truck, full fuel tank, two people and a 80 lb dog.

Phil you make me feel happy with the mileage I get with my 2000 F550.
I get 10 mpg towing a 24' Featherlite thats about 8000 loaded, but my truck is 13,000.
It is a pleasure to drive stops with no problems. Don't even know when an 18 wheeler goes by till I hear them.
The dual rear wheels hepl a lot with the stability. When being passed and when it's windy.
With all the additions the OP is making, and talking about a trailer toad. Wouldn't it make sense to sell what he's got and put all the money into a duallie? Then he could tow the 28' trailer safely.

[RULER]

BINGO we have a winner, selling the Sub and and add that money to the money that was going to be spent on upgrades would probably pay for an older crew cab dually, but then he doesn't what to hear that, he wants to hear how you can make his haft ton tow like a one ton, well guess what that can be done, Go buy a 1 ton ext cab pick-up and remove the cab and box and put your Sub body on it!!! Oh that right thats alot of work and money, so there now you can tell me what an ***** a am then you can go look in the mirror? When you ask a ridiculous question you will get answers of the same quality.