How Much Weight Can I Tow

wmwtn · October 24, 2011

Hi to all,

I've asked about towing with this vehicle before, but now I have a need to tow 6,100 lbs in the next day or two.

I'm not sure what my exact max stated towing capacity is for this Suburban. It is a 1998 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4. 7400 GVWR, factory hd tow pkg, 5.7L, 3.42 gears, and I'm not positive if the trans is 4L60E or 4L80E.

The trailer has good working brakes with the brake controller in the vehicle. I'll need to tow about 50 miles and there will be 3 good size hills on the way.

Any and all help appreciated.

Many thanks,

Marty

wavery · October 24, 2011

Hi to all,

I've asked about towing with this vehicle before, but now I have a need to tow 6,100 lbs in the next day or two.

I'm not sure what my exact max stated towing capacity is for this Suburban. It is a 1998 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4. 7400 GVWR, factory hd tow pkg, 5.7L, 3.42 gears, and I'm not positive if the trans is 4L60E or 4L80E.

The trailer has good working brakes with the brake controller in the vehicle. I'll need to tow about 50 miles and there will be 3 good size hills on the way.

Any and all help appreciated.

Many thanks,

Marty

Depending on the condition of the vehicle, you shouldn't have any big issues, although you may be beyond payload and possibly the axle (and possibly tire) rating of the vehicle. Your biggest issue may be the tongue weight of the trailer (it should be over 600#). You will probably need a WDH. Try to tow with little to no passengers or cargo to keep the total package weight down (even if it means taking 2 vehicles for that short distance).

Remember vehicles are factory weight rated in NEW condition. Your 13-year-old vehicle may or may not be able to perform up to factory specs.

The key to safe driving in hill country is to watch your downhill speed. Generally speaking, if you need to shift to 2nd to climb the hill, shift to 2nd for the decent also to help keep the speed down and save your brakes (keep them from over-heating).

wmwtn · October 24, 2011

Thanks Wayne,

I've towed a bunch with this suburban before but never much over 5,000#. I had in my mind that 5,500 might be a limit for this vehicle with 3.42 gears but I never knew for absolute sure. Seems like (several years ago) I thought I saw 6,000 or 6,500 listed for the same vehicle with 3.73 or 4.10.

The trailer is tandem with dual 3500# axles with brakes on the back axle. The trailer weighs about 1,600# so it can carry 5,400#, but I'm only needing to haul 4,500# on it for now, for the calculated total of about 6,100#. I can position the load evenly so as not to put too much on the tongue. Also, the Burb will be empty except for me, a half tank of gas and a few tools.

I think I'll be using 2nd gear a lot on the hills.

Thanks,

Marty

wavery · October 24, 2011

Thanks Wayne,

I've towed a bunch with this suburban before but never much over 5,000#. I had in my mind that 5,500 might be a limit for this vehicle with 3.42 gears but I never knew for absolute sure. Seems like (several years ago) I thought I saw 6,000 or 6,500 listed for the same vehicle with 3.73 or 4.10.

The trailer is tandem with dual 3500# axles with brakes on the back axle. The trailer weighs about 1,600# so it can carry 5,400#, but I'm only needing to haul 4,500# on it for now, for the calculated total of about 6,100#. I can position the load evenly so as not to put too much on the tongue. Also, the Burb will be empty except for me, a half tank of gas and a few tools.

I think I'll be using 2nd gear a lot on the hills.

Thanks,

Marty

You don't want to reduce tongue weight too much. If you do, you may experience trailer sway which can be very dangerous. I'd rather risk over-loading the hitch than have trailer sway. If the hitch breaks, you are out the cost of repairs etc. If swaying causes an accident, it could get very ugly for you.

wmwtn · October 24, 2011

Thanks Wayne,

I know to keep enough weight on the tongue to prevent sway. I experienced that earlier in life. But I can get enough weight on the tongue to be enough without putting too much on it. This Burb has pretty hefty leaf springs on the rear. As hefty as some earlier 3/4 ton trucks I used to see. For a 1500 it's pretty beefy. I'm guessing the hd tow pkg combined with the 4wd probably added to the beef.

wmwtn · October 26, 2011

I'm reporting back that towing the 6,100 lbs with this Suburban today was a breeze. The Burb never strained or even got any warmer than usual. I was pleasantly surprised. On most hills it was happy in 3rd. Only one very steep hill required going into 2nd.

Many Thanks

doubleoh7 · November 2, 2011

What speeds were you towing uphill? Just for my info - thanks!!

wmwtn · November 2, 2011

I towed mostly the whole way between 50 - 60 mph. Most of the hills, with the 3.42 gears, it was happy in 3rd gear closer to 60 mph.

On the one really long steep hill that required 2nd gear, I ended up having to back off the gas as it wanted to shoot up the hill at 4k rpm at 60 and it wasn't straining at all. I backed off on the gas and let it slow down to the low 50's once I realized there was absolutely no problem.

Before hauling this heavy load I had been considering getting another vehicle to haul heavy loads. But now I'm considering just rebuilding the 4L60E up to 4L65 specs and let the Burb do the heavier hauling. If needed later maybe convert the 3.42's to 3.73's. The Burb is a known vehicle with no rust or other serious problems. It is really a hoss for a 1500. Along with the 5.7L 4wd K1500 Burb, we also have a light duty C1500 '93 truck with a 4.3L and these two 1500 vehicles are totally different animals.