New tow vehicle, now have a hitch question.

[dannyo]

I just bought an '05 Suburban 2500. It has the Autoride function and has the heavy duty towing package. So, my question is this:

Will the installed hitch (6000lb. or 12000lb wd) be safe to use with my Airstream?

My Airstream is a 1998 Safari 25' SS, but the six sleeper portion has been removed. I believe the GVWR is 6300, but I don't think we would be anywhere near that. I don't have a weight distribution system. Thanks.

Danny

[skykingpilot]

That's a good sized rig! Just do yourself a favor and get a good hitch... That's the only thing between you and catastrophy. It's a great investment. Lots of options. I use a pretty inexpensive WD hitch system. Others will chime-in on a Hensley. Never could stomach the cost relative to value. I have towed for 30 years with a WD hitch (Reese) but there are many good options for this weight rig... ENJOY! Your TV should pull it just fine.

[easyride]

Just use a WD and the factory hitch and you should be fine,I`ve heard of cracks on the GM hitches,but have had no trouble with mine.Dave

[dannyo]

Thanks, sky. I have been pulling with a 2000 F250 with a V10. It's a monster. Before that I would tow with a 2001 Ford Excursion with the 7.3L diesel. So, this is the 1st Chevy I've had and am pretty excited. A friend offered his WD system...a Reese 1400lb tongue weight. I read stuff on here that makes me think it's too beefy combined with the 3/4 ton.

[easyride]

It does sound a little heavy,maybe you can find some 600# arms ,there was a recent discussion on different bars,no need to shake your to new baby to pieces.Dave

[dannyo]

So, as I was reading about 600lb arms, I was thinkin' to myself: Will this be enough to take weight off my hitch to get under the rating? I guess I've never had a WD because it seemed my truck was so big, but I really think I should get one for safety's sake.

[dannyo]

Also, would anyone happen to know a ballpark figure for my tongue weight?

[Mexray]

We use an Equil-l-izer WD set-up with 1000# bars, and love it's ease of set-up, hitching and unhitching... also have several friends with same set-up that have many more miles than us, and still like it...

We bought ours from Free Shipping on RV Parts at RV Toast in TN - free shipping, no tax, etc...with a new ball, they are about $500 these days...I like em' because you don't have to fool with chains - just hitch up to the ball, raise the tongue jack, move the bars onto the tongue frame brkts by hand (insert safety clips), lower the jack and you're on your way - couldn't be simpler...

Heavier 'bars' can handle the weight transfer to a HD chassis tow vehicle, better than lighter bars - which is why I like the 1000# bars ! We have new axles on our trailer and don't have any 'beating' effects to the trailer with these bars...

[Mikethefixit]

Dannyo
We use a Reese Straight Line/Dual Cam. Its an older version but it does the job without a problem. We have the 01 F350 SW Longbed Crewcab and I use the 550 or 600 lb bars. We get a soft ride even with the 1 ton.
My dad towed with a Reese for years and I have used this one 2 yrs now and I'm with skykingpilot I cannot see or justify anything more than the Reese.
My wife hates INTERSTATES,so we do alot of 2 lane highways. I think we have met every possible Tractor-Trailer configurations and crosswinds there are here at least and have never had a sway or loss of control problem . I have purposely dropped off the edge of the pavement and back on to test the hitch and am satisifed with the results.
This is only my observations and my opionion. You will get different views hear on the forums. Let your pocketbook and your comfort zone be your guide
Good Luck
Roger