Towing with a subruban? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

xj4rocks · 10-14-2002, 08:01 AM

Anyone out there care to comment on what it's like towing with a Suburban? I have a XJ that I want to tow on a trailer but would enjoy the space of a suburban for family things. Would see tow duty maybe 6-8 times a year. Mostly freeway towing.

How does it tow? would you recommend it (PSD's are really an option right now althought would much rather have)?

any dislikes?

thanks guys.

JasonH · 10-14-2002, 08:21 AM

That's what I use. I used to have an 89 1/2 ton 4x4. It did ok, but it was not geared for towing.
I currently use an 01 1/2 ton 2wd. It works really well. I towed my FJ40 from Dallas to Moab and back. It did great. My buddies with the Cummins rigs lost me a few times on the really long hills, but otherwise it did fine. Had the AC blastin and was cruising at 75-80 on the flat stretches.

If you're only towing a few times a year and you aren't going through any mountain passes, a 1/2 ton will do just fine.

Mustard Dog · 10-14-2002, 08:32 AM

My dad used his 3/4 ton Burb to pull his 33' Airstream all over the US with no problems. You should be fine

Recurve · 10-14-2002, 02:42 PM

My main ride is a 98 1/2 ton. I also tow with a YJ with it. I tow in 3rd gear only (3.42). I'm always worried I'll blow the 10 bolt. It tows better with more that 500lbs tongue weight which makes the back squat a little. If you did more towing than you mention then I'd say move up to 3/4 ton. If the price was right I'd like to get a stock 6 lug, 14bolt SF at 3.73 and the regear the front.

xj4rocks · 10-14-2002, 04:16 PM

does the 3/4 ton have the 454 in it or was it also avail with the 350? I've seen conflicting info in for sale ads. do the 3/4's have the same creature comforts as the 1/2 tons or is it more of a work type rig?

Thanks

Mustard Dog · 10-14-2002, 05:14 PM

My dads has the 454, and it's just as comfy (same interior) as the 1/2 tons

pcorssmit · 10-14-2002, 06:24 PM

I towed my buddies CJ (on a trailer) to the Rubicon from Denver with mom's old '89 1/2 ton 4x4 (350 w/3.73s), worked fine. Flat towed it to Moab a couple times, too. Its no comparison the Cummins I tow with now, but it certainly got the job done.

AFAIK, 1/2 and 3/4 tons were available with the same trim packages. On the older ones, the Silverado was the nice one. Not sure what the upscale package is called on the newer ones.

1/2 ton was 350, 3/4 ton was 350 or 454. (Late models, anyway). Fuel injection (TBI) started '87, Vortec came out in '96. Diesels were available in 1/2 or 3/4 tons. If you must get a Chevy diesel, make sure its a 6.5 turbo.

Pete

Mr.N · 10-14-2002, 07:10 PM

Any hints on a early 80's Sub 4x4?

xj4rocks · 10-15-2002, 04:54 AM

pcorssmit: Thanks for the info. That's the kind of info I've been looking for. I think I'm interested in a FI suburban so it looks like 87+ is my year

onsafari · 10-15-2002, 08:35 AM

I have a 02 Z71 Sub with the 5.3L auto. I tow my TJ and 21' tandem axle trailer just fine to Moab and back. The last time we headed to Moab I stopped at a local weight station and put it all on the scale. I came in at about 13500lbs. I can run 80mph with no probs however I tend to keep it around 70mph. Up in the mountains I was suprised as to how well it held its own. Granted at the higher passes above 10000' it slowed way down but it managed it. I would definately get the new Vortec motor either a 5.3L in the 1/2 ton and in the 3/4 tons you can get the 6.0L or the 8.0L big block gas guzzler.

10-14-2002, 08:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
xj4rocks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9287 Location: South Central, PA Posts: 310	Towing with a subruban? Anyone out there care to comment on what it's like towing with a Suburban? I have a XJ that I want to tow on a trailer but would enjoy the space of a suburban for family things. Would see tow duty maybe 6-8 times a year. Mostly freeway towing. How does it tow? would you recommend it (PSD's are really an option right now althought would much rather have)? any dislikes? thanks guys. __________________ 88 XJ 8"/36s/locked when I grow up - I don't want to be like you

10-14-2002, 08:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
JasonH Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1767 Location: McKinney, Texas Posts: 765	That's what I use. I used to have an 89 1/2 ton 4x4. It did ok, but it was not geared for towing. I currently use an 01 1/2 ton 2wd. It works really well. I towed my FJ40 from Dallas to Moab and back. It did great. My buddies with the Cummins rigs lost me a few times on the really long hills, but otherwise it did fine. Had the AC blastin and was cruising at 75-80 on the flat stretches. If you're only towing a few times a year and you aren't going through any mountain passes, a 1/2 ton will do just fine. __________________ TLCA #8123 Lone Star Land Cruisers - 79 FJ40

10-14-2002, 08:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mustard Dog Chubby Chaser Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7889 Location: Dumb Island Posts: 13,025	My dad used his 3/4 ton Burb to pull his 33' Airstream all over the US with no problems. You should be fine __________________ Eric Anderson TIN BENDERS Hendrix XR Chassis #001 Ultra4 #66 4Wheel Parts, Raceline, PSC, Bilstein, Marlin Crawler, Smittybilt, HendriX, PacificFab, G2 Axle, PAC Spring, G&J, MAXXIS Roxy's in the industry and I'm a sponsored professional driver. The two of us together make a powerhouse. Accepting the things I cannot change.

10-14-2002, 05:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mustard Dog Chubby Chaser Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7889 Location: Dumb Island Posts: 13,025	My dads has the 454, and it's just as comfy (same interior) as the 1/2 tons __________________ Eric Anderson TIN BENDERS Hendrix XR Chassis #001 Ultra4 #66 4Wheel Parts, Raceline, PSC, Bilstein, Marlin Crawler, Smittybilt, HendriX, PacificFab, G2 Axle, PAC Spring, G&J, MAXXIS Roxy's in the industry and I'm a sponsored professional driver. The two of us together make a powerhouse. Accepting the things I cannot change.

10-14-2002, 06:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
pcorssmit Rock God Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4406 Location: Denver Posts: 2,335	I towed my buddies CJ (on a trailer) to the Rubicon from Denver with mom's old '89 1/2 ton 4x4 (350 w/3.73s), worked fine. Flat towed it to Moab a couple times, too. Its no comparison the Cummins I tow with now, but it certainly got the job done. AFAIK, 1/2 and 3/4 tons were available with the same trim packages. On the older ones, the Silverado was the nice one. Not sure what the upscale package is called on the newer ones. 1/2 ton was 350, 3/4 ton was 350 or 454. (Late models, anyway). Fuel injection (TBI) started '87, Vortec came out in '96. Diesels were available in 1/2 or 3/4 tons. If you must get a Chevy diesel, make sure its a 6.5 turbo. Pete __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways , beer in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOW, what a ride."

10-14-2002, 02:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Recurve Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3587 Location: Creedmoor, NC Posts: 370	My main ride is a 98 1/2 ton. I also tow with a YJ with it. I tow in 3rd gear only (3.42). I'm always worried I'll blow the 10 bolt. It tows better with more that 500lbs tongue weight which makes the back squat a little. If you did more towing than you mention then I'd say move up to 3/4 ton. If the price was right I'd like to get a stock 6 lug, 14bolt SF at 3.73 and the regear the front.

10-14-2002, 04:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
xj4rocks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9287 Location: South Central, PA Posts: 310	does the 3/4 ton have the 454 in it or was it also avail with the 350? I've seen conflicting info in for sale ads. do the 3/4's have the same creature comforts as the 1/2 tons or is it more of a work type rig? Thanks

10-14-2002, 07:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mr.N Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1635 Location: Minne-so-cold Posts: 3,961	Any hints on a early 80's Sub 4x4? __________________ Proud Catholic \| My Dana Articles and Info -> http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

10-15-2002, 04:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
xj4rocks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9287 Location: South Central, PA Posts: 310	pcorssmit: Thanks for the info. That's the kind of info I've been looking for. I think I'm interested in a FI suburban so it looks like 87+ is my year

10-15-2002, 08:35 AM	#10 (permalink)
onsafari Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6772 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 407	I have a 02 Z71 Sub with the 5.3L auto. I tow my TJ and 21' tandem axle trailer just fine to Moab and back. The last time we headed to Moab I stopped at a local weight station and put it all on the scale. I came in at about 13500lbs. I can run 80mph with no probs however I tend to keep it around 70mph. Up in the mountains I was suprised as to how well it held its own. Granted at the higher passes above 10000' it slowed way down but it managed it. I would definately get the new Vortec motor either a 5.3L in the 1/2 ton and in the 3/4 tons you can get the 6.0L or the 8.0L big block gas guzzler. __________________ sometimes I rub it so hard a genie pops out

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