You want simple... right? Rear axle ratio. You are going to make the same mistake on your next vehicle if you don't address this issue. My '06 Suburban would only go 25mph uphill on my trip to Yosemite (loaded properly). This created a dangerous situation because people behind me were ticked off and I had nowhere to pull over safely for them to pass. After several experiences like this, I am selling my Suburban and buying the F150 Ecoboost with the max trailer package w/ the 3.73 gears. I used my dad's Tundra(4.30 gears)on a 3 week Oregon-Washington trip last summer and I was so much more relaxed while towing. That would be a good choice also.
smokemtony wrote: You want simple... right? Rear axle ratio. You are going to make the same mistake on your next vehicle if you don't address this issue. My '06 Suburban would only go 25mph uphill on my trip to Yosemite (loaded properly). This created a dangerous situation because people behind me were ticked off and I had nowhere to pull over safely for them to pass. After several experiences like this, I am selling my Suburban and buying the F150 Ecoboost with the max trailer package w/ the 3.73 gears. I used my dad's Tundra(4.30 gears)on a 3 week Oregon-Washington trip last summer and I was so much more relaxed while towing. That would be a good choice also.
The payload of the Tundra is very low, especially the crew cab 4x4. Similar payload to the Tacoma.
If you get the F-150, I would recommend the HD payload package as well, as the half ton trucks usually run out of payload way before towing capacity.
Nights camped 2011: 13 (4 in the old popup)
Nights camped 2012: 36
Nights camped 2013: 2
2012 F-150 XLT screw 4x4 HD max tow
2012 Jayco X19H
Personally, I would look at a new 3/4 ton Suburban. You would be gaining in HP and Torque and also a great 6 Speed Transmission as well as larger brakes. I would not go for a shorter wheelbase than you have now. Having lived in the Fort Collins area for many years, I have towed in the Rocky mountains and have experienced some of the unexpected cross winds that you can find there. If you want a SUV for the 90% non towing driving, I really don't think that you can beat the 3/4 ton Suburban.
Good luck on your choice,
ArizAl
smokemtony wrote: You want simple... right? Rear axle ratio. You are going to make the same mistake on your next vehicle if you don't address this issue. My '06 Suburban would only go 25mph uphill on my trip to Yosemite (loaded properly). This created a dangerous situation because people behind me were ticked off and I had nowhere to pull over safely for them to pass. After several experiences like this, I am selling my Suburban and buying the F150 Ecoboost with the max trailer package w/ the 3.73 gears. I used my dad's Tundra(4.30 gears)on a 3 week Oregon-Washington trip last summer and I was so much more relaxed while towing. That would be a good choice also.
My old f150 with 330 lb/ft torque tows my larger trailer up 7% grades at 35-40 mph easily. We're you letting the Suburban rev? It sounds like you need to be in a lower gear and let the motor rev higher rims to get into the power band. Your posts concerns me because I am strongly considering a suburban as a tv since my boys are growing up and I need more interior room.
Thanks
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Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
Sway Control: Valley dual friction sway control
Brake Control: Tekonsha Voyager
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Jkholer wrote: That said, I am towing a 2011 Jayco Jay Feather 23J (4764 lb dry weight, 765 lb hitch, GVW of 6500 and is 24'11" long). I have been pulling it with a 5.3 liter V8 2008 Suburban and although it works, it struggles a bit.
What is your actual tires size on your Sub ? P or LT ?
You may find a good solution ($$$ vs results) to your problem just by using a bit smaller diameter (OD) tires.
Claude
2013 Gulf Stream VISA 19ERD
Nissan Pathfinder 2003
VW Passat 2012 TDI
Another vote for the Ecoboost. I've got max tow on mine, not HD, and the max payload capacity is 1969 lbs. The hd wont fit in the garage (8' bed), otherwise I'd have it. But you'll probably have to order the truck, no max tow and/or hds on the lots when I was shopping.
I have been pulling it with a 5.3 liter V8 2008 Suburban and although it works, it struggles a bit. Transmission temp runs a little high (it has the secondary tranny cooler), anything beyond 65 mph is tough, and it struggles in the altitude of the Colorado mountains. For example going up a mountain pass I max out at 35 mph with RPMs and tranny temp running on the high side (but below critical).
I see nothing wrong with any of this beyond traveling at too high a speed. 55-62 mph is enormously easier on the TV. Horsepower demand doubles from 55 to 70-mph.
Ignore the car drivers, in a manner of speaking. One is more like a truck driver in trying to maximize overall cost with the imagined "penalty" of slower hill climbing consequent to that. A 2008 truck has a very long life, potentially.
If WDH not set up according to certified scale weights, then that level of fine-tuning will pay dividends in how it feels and handles. In the same way a vacuum gauge will help the driver use the throttle more efficiently.
Granted a bigger, newer TV seems nice. But it's expensive. My folks kept their trailer 27-years and in that time had but two TVs for over 200k plus of towing. Better tires, shocks, WDH adjustment, other minor mods, etc, can all add up to make for a better experience.
Put it into a time/miles framework, solo and towing, first.
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