[VAC] Chevy Suburban Towing Capacity

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Derek,

You can determine the maximum towed weight rating of your Suburban by
consulting your owner's manual or back issues of Trailer Life for the year
your Suburban was manufactured.

It would be very difficult to answer the question regarding maximum
Airstream that your Chevy can tow safely because the answer depends on
driver skill, hitch and sway control devices installed, terrain, winds, tow
vehicle load while towing, and other factors.  I think it is more a question
of adequate performance, fuel economy, driver's performance expectations,
and wear and tear on your Suburban than a question of safety.  If
performance is marginal for the load, safety will also be compromised.

A couple of factors to consider:  trailers always way about 2000 pounds more
than the factory dry weights when loaded for travel and tow vehicles are
never very competent towing trailers with weights near the manufacturer's
maximum rated towing capacity.  If you want a rig that will pull hills and
mountains without impeding traffic flow as you scream the engine up a long
grade at 35 mph in low gear, use the GVWR stamped on the VIN plate of a
trailer as the actual travelling weight and select a trailer with a GVWR at
least !000 pounds under the tow vehicles maximum towing rating.

All of us have seen 35' Airstreams pulled behind 1/2 ton Suburbans --------
I even saw one towed by a Chevy Astrovan once --------- but neither
situation is very safe and performance is marginal at best.

Some may disagree but I would suggest nothing larger and heavier than the
new lightweight Safari 27' or a 28' Excella to maintain adequate performance
and fuel economy as well as safety with your Suburban.

Harvey Barlow
WBCCI 1171, WDCU, VAC