Weigh in (no pun intended)

[RTurnConn]

I have a thread elsewhere with the topic of Opinions Vary......I want to thank everyone for their input. I'm trying to narrow down my choices and I "think" I have it down to two. Remember I'm towing an 85 Limited, 31 ft with a dry weight of 6300#.
My two finalists are:
1. Chevy Silverado LTZ 1500 crew cab with 6.2L engine, 3.73 rear axle with "max tow package:Listed to tow 10,400# (GM's numbers). Wheelbase:143.5"
2. Chevy Suburban 2500 LT with tow package (6L and 3.73). Listed to tow 9400. Wheelbase:130"
Truck has the advantage on wheelbase, Surburban has more interior amenities. Surburban a little shorter overall (230.2 vs 222.4)
I know they will both work; is this boiling down to personal preference?

[overlander64]

Greetings RTurnConn!

Originally Posted by RTurnConn

I have a thread elsewhere with the topic of Opinions Vary......I want to thank everyone for their input. I'm trying to narrow down my choices and I "think" I have it down to two. Remember I'm towing an 85 Limited, 31 ft with a dry weight of 6300#.
My two finalists are:
1. Chevy Silverado LTZ 1500 crew cab with 6.2L engine, 3.73 rear axle with "max tow package:Listed to tow 10,400# (GM's numbers). Wheelbase:143.5"
2. Chevy Suburban 2500 LT with tow package (6L and 3.73). Listed to tow 9400. Wheelbase:130"
Truck has the advantage on wheelbase, Surburban has more interior amenities. Surburban a little shorter overall (230.2 vs 222.4)
I know they will both work; is this boiling down to personal preference?

The LTZ option would worry me . . . I had a Z71 which is a variant of that option package . . . and the truck's unforgiving suspension did thousands of dollars in damage to my coach before I learned my lesson and traded it on my '99 K2500 GMC Suburban in April of 1998. The Suburban has never caused rivet popping nor stress cracking of the skin that was a constant issue with my Z71. My recommendation would definitely be to look toward the Suburban. IMHO the Suburban makes for one of the most comfortable of the currently available tow vehicles (I readily admit that I am not a fan of pickup trucks of any variety).

Good luck with your deliberations!

Kevin

[dznf0g]

LTZ is a trim level package with more amenities and has nothing to to with Z71 suspension. You can get an LTZ with several suspension options (4WD in particular). A 1500 Max tow LTZ would make a fine tow vehicle for your AS. In fact, the 1500 Tow Max package is a more compliant suspension than the 2500 Sub.

However, if you think you'll be adding "toys" to your travels, you could approach a GRAWR issue as well as GVWR issue. With the 3/4 ton you would have probably plenty of weight carrying reserve.

[RTurnConn]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

LTZ is a trim level package with more amenities and has nothing to to with Z71 suspension. You can get an LTZ with several suspension options (4WD in particular). A 1500 Max tow LTZ would make a fine tow vehicle for your AS. In fact, the 1500 Tow Max package is a more compliant suspension than the 2500 Sub.

However, if you think you'll be adding "toys" to your travels, you could approach a GRAWR issue as well as GVWR issue. With the 3/4 ton you would have probably plenty of weight carrying reserve.

What kind of "toys" might you be referring to? Does the max tow pkg have some of the components of the Z71 pkg?

[RTurnConn]

Originally Posted by RTurnConn

What kind of "toys" might you be referring to? Does the max tow pkg have some of the components of the Z71 pkg?

Oops Z71 is the off road pkg.

[ROBERT CROSS]

RT

The LTZ optioned Burb will have the Autoride suspension without the air leveling.

I like the idea of Autoride because it checks the road surface every 20-milliseconds and "varies the amount of shock damping". It's standard on the LTZ. The Autoride is most comfortable of the Chevrolet "truck" offerings especially on long trips.

We had a 95 Burb 2500 LT and the difference in ride with 06 is dramatic.

Stay away from the Z71 off road option.

WARNING......I'm very biased about Burb's as TV.

Bob

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by RTurnConn

What kind of "toys" might you be referring to? Does the max tow pkg have some of the components of the Z71 pkg?

I'm talkin' about stuff you take. Generator, boat motor, boat, gas cans, extra tents....etc.....that you would load in the back of the TV.

The Burb option is off the table for me as is a half ton anything, as I picked up a scooter with a windshield and it won't fit in a burb, especially with my other "toys"!

I, also, would opt out of Z71 for towing. It's great for off roading, but you want a capable, but compliant suspension for your AS.

My point is to consider what you have or are likely to purchase for "entertainment" while on trips and choose the best TV for that purpose. Also, Are you likely to possibly trade to a bigger/heavier AS while owning your next TV?

[Silver Otter]

12,000 miles experience with our 2008 Chevy LTZ (not Z71) has been great. Lightweight containers left on the counter of the AS never moved. We love the interior, the seats, the sound system, the moon roof. The Dmax doesn't even know the 30' Excella 1000 is back there most of the time.

[A W Warn]

My previous truck was a 2010 Chevy 1500 Z71 crew with the Tow Max Package setup like you describe. My previous trailer was a 1999 Excello 31', a little heavier than your trailer, I think. There was enough power for uphill, but not like a diesel. The 6 speed auto tranny was great. The suspension was great, not too stiff. My opinion is the trailer is slightly heavy for that truck, but it will do the job.
No experience with the Burb, so no comment

edit: Max cargo weight on the 1500 crew cab is around 1800 to 1900 lbs depending on options. When you add hitch, tongue weight, and passengers, there's not a lot of capacity left for your stuff in the truck bed. I found I had to be cautious or I would exceed this limit.

edit 2: On the 1500 crew there is a sticker on the hitch that is hidden up under the bumper. It says max tongue weight 600 lbs, 1000 lbs with weight distribution hitch. With that 31' trailer the hitch will be right there at the max when fully loaded.

[RTurnConn]

I opted to go with the Suburban 2500, bought one today from Hendrick Chevy in Cary, NC; great people if you are looking for a TV. Towed the Limited back from northern Ohio to central Virginia yesterday with the 08 Tahoe (5.3L/373). It did fine except for the long hills in WVA. Worked pretty hard on those and the trans heated up pretty badly. On the straight, hardly knew I had the trailer behind me. Have it hooked to a sway bar and felt no sway from trucks passing me......very happy with the run and I am sure I will be happy with the 2500 Burb. We plan a 5-6 week trip to the west and southwest next year; looking forward to it.
RTT

[purman]

I like the Sequoia 9800 lbs tow capacity and more room for passengers than the suburban but less room for luggage. more hose power and torque too.

[ROBERT CROSS]

RT,


Good choice, I'm sure you'll be happy with the Burb, the inside room and the great ride are a big plus.

What brand tires, load E rating?

Bob

[RTurnConn]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

RT,


Good choice, I'm sure you'll be happy with the Burb, the inside room and the great ride are a big plus.

What brand tires, load E rating?

Bob

Not sure about load rating on the Burb. Will have to check.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by RTurnConn

I opted to go with the Suburban 2500

I think you made the right choice with the 2500 Burb, for towing the 31' trailer!

I still have a 1500 Chevy Crew, but I downsized to a 25' trailer. I'm happy whith my setup.

[DMT]

Originally Posted by RTurnConn

I opted to go with the Suburban 2500, bought one today from Hendrick Chevy in Cary, NC; great people if you are looking for a TV. Towed the Limited back from northern Ohio to central Virginia yesterday with the 08 Tahoe (5.3L/373). It did fine except for the long hills in WVA. Worked pretty hard on those and the trans heated up pretty badly. On the straight, hardly knew I had the trailer behind me. Have it hooked to a sway bar and felt no sway from trucks passing me......very happy with the run and I am sure I will be happy with the 2500 Burb. We plan a 5-6 week trip to the west and southwest next year; looking forward to it.
RTT

I think you made the right choice. The 1500 can pull but it would not have had the GAWR to avoid overloading the rear axle. After multiple trips through the scales and several adjustments to the WD hitch I have reluctantly concluded that my F150 (which can tow 11500 lbs) is not suitable for my 27' International. I have two kids and a dog, and with all their stuff in the back plus the trailer there is no possible way to load distribute enough hitch weight to get the rear axle load under the GAWR. I'm beginning to suspect that with a few bicycles, the generator, four adults and a full tank of gas my 1\2 ton is probably close to the payload limit already.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

Max cargo weight on the 1500 crew cab is around 1800 to 1900 lbs depending on options. .

Don't know what I was thinking when I wrote this earlier! The cargo weight / payload on a 1500 chevy crew is 1500 to 1600 lbs.

[Don.44]

I pull my 31 foot Excella with a 09 Dodge 2500 with a Cummings .No lack of power ever but it does sway when a truck passes me and that's what I am trying to get figured out . Pulling the trailer I got 13 MPG I could probably improve that if I would slow down a bit too.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Don.44

I pull my 31 foot Excella with a 09 Dodge 2500 with a Cummings .No lack of power ever but it does sway when a truck passes me and that's what I am trying to get figured out . Pulling the trailer I got 13 MPG I could probably improve that if I would slow down a bit too.

Don,

Have you researched sway using the search function?

Here are two threads to start.


http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...ary-79234.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ion-79315.html


Good Luck...

Bob