Rear Suspension Upgrade For Tongue Weight

[ftw1usa]

I have a 2000 Tahoe 2wd & was considering buying a 20' + 5' deep vee enclosed trailer with a loaded gross weight of about 7700 lbs & tongue weight about 1300 lbs. The short tongue of the trailer will not accept a load leveling hitch. I was planning to purchase a heavier receiver hitch with a jordan brake controller & look into a trans cooler. The trailer will probably be used a couple of times a year but one trip is about 700 miles one way mostly flat roads with possible strong side winds at times. What is best rear suspension upgrade and am I off in a wreck with the tahoe as a tow vehicle or marginal with load & tongue weight ? Thanks

[C & A s Dad]

Fred, I do not want to discourage you but you are asking for trouble. If you load the trailer and it really ends up at 7700 lbs, your Truck will struggle even if you have 4.10 gears and I doubt you do. Next, 1,300 lbs on the tongue of a Tahoe is going to be a load.

 

If you decide to do this I would recommend:

 

1) A Putnam XDR Class V hitch (you mentioned replacing your hitch)

2) Airlift Air Bags inserted into your rear coils. They will help but with 1300 lbs on the tongue, you are in for a very rough ride. I use them on my Yuk XL you see in my sig but my camper weighs about 6500 lbs loaded and the tongue wt is around 900 lbs max. I also use a Equal i zer WD hitch and you said your trailer would not accept one.

3) You need to add a good stacked plate trans cooler if you do not have one or consider upgrading the small OE one if you do have one. If you live in a warmer climate, I would recommend a 11" x 11" by 3/4". If you live in a climate that sees really cold winter temps, step this size down a notch or two.

4) You mentioned a good brake controler. This is a must.

 

I would say "don't do this" but it is your truck and your trailer and you have to decide. I fell you are asking for trouble.