73-84 IMSA Widebody

How big do I need to go with an SUV to tow #4000 gross wt. (2500 vehichle/stuff, 1500 trailer with dual elec brakes.) 10 times per year, 50 to 300 miles one way?
David

jrz1

That's a pretty light load. I'd say you could do it easily with a half ton based vehicle (ie GM full size SUV's, Ford Expedition etc) but if you want something that will do it with less stress involved buy something based on a 3/4 ton platform (used Excursion or some of the 2500 based Suburbans etc.; not sure if GM still makes 2 versions of suburban etc like the old 1500/2500). Even with the relatively light load, I'd get a larger engine than std. if you plan on going on any hilly terrain you'll be glad you did.

redvetracr

Suburban

AUTO_X_AL

A new 1500 Chevy with a 5.3 could tow it easily. If you wanted a bit more power you could go with a Vortec max that has a possible towing capacity of 10,500.

We pull better than 6,000 with 6 year old truck with 105k. The 5.3 is a good strong motor.

undertaker

Gm still makes 2500 subs I'm ordering one in the fall for 8K my buddy at the speedshop traded in his 04 on an 07 (went from 8.1 and now all they offer is a higher output 6.0) and said it has no problem with his 28ft enclosed and he's around 10K. But for 4K a 1500 will get the job done no problem, I think you can get a 1500 sub rated up to 8 now with the optional engine....I'm just not a fan of towing at capacity I'd rather have a comfort zone, and extra capacity for the unexpected.

Mike P

I've got a 3/4 ton, 454, '96 Suburban (that's for sale, actually) that'll tow a 5000# flatbed trailer (car+stuff+trailer) like nobody's business.

You'll appreciate the "extra" towing capacity of a bigger/heavier duty truck. Less sway, better control. Less wear & tear on drivetrain. The bigger rigs can tow in overdrive without a problem on relatively flat terrain. The 3/4 ton trucks have beefier transmissions, brakes, rear ends, tires, etc... all better suited to towing.

Mike P

rudyarias

I have a Trailblazer SS which works out well as my tow vehicle.

John Shiels

watch the 4,000 grow, make sure it is the true weight. Best bet is if you want to tow 4,000 don't get a vehile rated for 4,000. I would get something rated for 6,000 or near it which should leave a ton of choices.

davidfarmer

the important thing is to make sure you get a good load leveling hitch, and that the trans and engine are capable of it. A "tow mode" is great, at least in the GM vehicles, as it keeps the trans from shifting everytime you hit a little hill.

In not originally equipped, make sure you add a trans cooler. Trans overheating is the major limitation in light duty trucks, in my experience

Wicked Weasel

I just bought an 07 SS. Love it for Daily driving and the bonus is that it is rated to tow upwards of 6600bs....

JRD77VET

And I'm selling my '90 GMC 1/2 ton Suburban
( my brother said he'd buy it )

I agree 100% with the suggestions for a Suburban tow vehicle. A 1500 will work well, but a 2500 will be much better. The longer wheelbase of a Suburban really helps out.

Kurt at Phoenix has a 90something 2500 Suburban that he uses for moving race cars between his shop and Joe's shop. It's a 2wd big block and has over 275K on it and still runs great.

If your budget will allow it, I'd suggest a newer 2500 Suburban with auto ride. I have a '01 2500 LT 4WD with the 6.0L and tow package. It's rated at 10K ( BB is 12K , with weight distributing hitches) , has a trans cooler, trans temp guage and comes with the wiring to install a trailer brake control.

I tow a 18' I/O boat ( with the trailer loaded ) up to Ontario Canada and it tows like a dream. Push the button on the gear shift for "Tow Mode" bring it up to speed and hit the cruise.

Jeff

bjm

a 2500 Suburban is a great way to go! We have two a 1990 and a 1992. Both are 2WD 454s. We tow from Chicago to WG, MO, RA and have no issues. The best part about the older Chevys is that they are cheap, I got the 90 off ebay with an almost new 454 for $1650 and is still in great shape, and they will run forever with the proper maint. My 90 is going to tow a fairly heavy open trailer and my race car! Should have no issues at all.

Jim_Harrison

A 1/2 ton pickup or Suburban will get the job done. The longer the wheel base the better. I used to tow with a 2000 3/4 ton Chevy extended cab with the 6.0 motor. My 72 vette with a 1,200 lb aluminum open trailer pases everthing on the road but Gas stations. 11 mpg. I have a new GMC 1/2 ton crew cab with the 6.0 Vortex max (12 mpg) and it pulls even better. I do suggest you make sure the truck has the 370 or 410 rear axle. anything lower you will need to pull in 3rd instead of overdrive/4.

CompYelLt4

I tow a C4 on an open trailer. About 5,000#. Our '02 Tahoe w/ 5.3 works just fine. It's got a trailer package and we use a hitch with the load leveling bars. We've towed halfway cross the country a few times.

BuckeyeZ06

I towed both my C5s ('02 Z06 street car & 99 FRC T1 racer) on a steel open trailer and my wife's 2003 GMC 1/2 ton Denali. It was fine.

However, now that I own a righteous tow vehicle (2007 GMC 3500 crew cab dualie), I think THAT is the only way to go. Of course I have a 40' gooseneck on the way, so that changes everything.

GeorgeZNJ

3 weeks ago I bought an 06 Dodge 1500 quad cab, with a 5.7 hemi multidisplacement/8300lb tow package. Has a seperate trans cooler and a tow/haul mode. Also has an 8ft bed, & 4wd

73-84 IMSA Widebody

Howdy Buckeye, hope to see you at Nelsons, Beaver or MidOhio this year

threewinmag

I'm using a 1996 GMC Yukon with 240,000 miles on it. It has the tow package from the factory (trans, diff, oil coolers) and it does fine with a car, tires, tools and trailer. It'll even do a steel enclosed trailer but not very well. If you're doing what you say, any full size v8 SUV will handle the job.

SupraLaal

Hi,

I am using a Jeep GC to tow my 2000 lb open trailer and vette, I did make sure I had a weight Dist. hitch. She pulls hills with ease, doesn't even drop out of O.D.

Russ

harrisraw

Yeah, 4000 is not to high a load - most SUVs with towing packages should be able to move that so you should have a lot of options so you can afford to get something you want. The dodge nitro i was checking out at the autoshow can pull that and then some and its a really sleek looking suv - interior looks nice too. it'll tow at least 5000 i think the number was.