jbuffkin
NC
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Joined: 06/22/2008
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We just inherited a 25 ft Coachman and are anxious to get camping! We have an 01 Suburban 1500 4wd.
Anyone have experience towing w/ these trucks? Is it strong enough to pull a trailer this size?
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DavidG
near Seattle, Washington, USA
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Joined: 01/01/2003
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Been there, done that, got our current Suburban because of it. 
It will depend on what engine and rear axle ration you have in the Suburban, plus what the trailer really weighs when it's loaded up ready for a trip. Get us those numbers and we'll be able to help you out better. In the meantime, check out my website (in signature below) for into that might help you.
David and Laura G
Click here for RV Towing Tips and more
2003 Suburban K2500LT 4WD, 8.1L, 3.73, Autoride 14-16 mpg hwy, 10-12 city, 8 towing
2008 Adirondack 31RL
Prodigy brake controller, Surge Guard
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gillguy
Valdosta, GA
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If you have the 5.3L engine and the 3:73 gears the Suburban will pull rather well. Don't know the weight of your 25' Coachman but if it's around 5K you'll be ok.
The tow rating on the Suburban is 7800# but you don't want to be very close to that weight. Unless you want a new truck.
Yes, I've had a Suburban. Loved it, especially towing our Airstream, have another TT that we use a lot more and since it weighed more than the Airstream does I ended up buying a new diesel truck. Sure wish I could have bought a Suburban with a DuraMax.
Bobby (USAF Retired)
2007 Chevy 2500 LBZ Duramax C/C, S/B 4X4
2006 Rockwood 8317SS
1973 Airstream Ambassador
Old Town Penobscot 16
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gillguy
Valdosta, GA
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oops
* This post was
edited 06/22/08 08:28pm by gillguy *
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jbuffkin
NC
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I'm not certain about the loaded weight, but empty it is 8k.
I did forget to include my engine size. It is a 5.3L V8 w/ 480LE transmission.
Looks like we'll be truck shopping. As much as I'd love a new burb, I don't want a new burb payment!!!
I did check out your site - lots of info! Thanks.
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Cybergrunt
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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Joined: 09/05/2003
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Your new-to-you Coachmen might be the same or very similar to my rig. I currently tow it with a 5.3L/3.73 1500 Sierra - works fine for me. Ditto on the others: if you have the 5.3/3.73 and your new RV isn't horribly over my camper's numbers, you will do okay. Certainly do check out your numbers and post them - plenty of helpful, smart and experienced folks here who love to talk towing numbers.
2001 Coachmen 248TB
5880 GVWR 3768 UVW 4980 GVW 650 Tongue weight
2003 GMC
5.3/3.73
13000 GCVWR 4932 curb 1468 cargo 6400 GVWR 7800 towing 6010 GVW 10340 GCVW
25 years USMC (Retired) (Op deployments: Honduras, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom)
SEMPER FI!
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DavidG
near Seattle, Washington, USA
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jbuffkin,
If your trailer weighs 8000# empty, that is one HEAVY 25' trailer!!! And if that weight is correct, there is NO WAY I'd want to pull it very far with your current Suburban. But, before you go truck shopping, see if you can somehow get it safely to a scale and get it weighed. That will give you a clearer picture of what kind of truck you need to be shopping for.
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MFinCA
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
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Joined: 06/09/2004
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jbuffkin wrote:I'm not certain about the loaded weight, but empty it is 8k. DavidG wrote:If your trailer weighs 8000# empty, that is one HEAVY 25' trailer!!! That was my thought--my 25' TT weighs in at 6,000 lbs. fully-loaded ready to go. 8,000 lbs sounds way too much for the UVW.
DavidG also has a website on towing that is very informative:
RV Towing Tips
MFinCA
2004 Homestead Settler 255RS
1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2500
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Dmanos
Newcastle, TX
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Joined: 08/09/2006
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jbuffkin wrote:
I did forget to include my engine size. It is a 5.3L V8 w/ 480LE transmission.
Better check that tranny again. To my knowledge this combo was never offered. Chances are, especially being a 1500, you have a 4L60E.
My wife's '00 Sub 1500 came setup for towing. 4.10 gears, LT265-16s, 5.3L and a 4L60E.
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4campnuts
Southern NH
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Joined: 05/23/2005
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Don't remember specifics about weights etc, but we used to tow a 24'Jayco with a '95 1500 Suburban, no problem. We did put a transmission cooler in it.
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