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criswellrl · 04-02-2015, 06:28 PM

I have a 1969 1/2 ton suburban. I have touble towing, and stopping my 3 ton air stream. What would anyone suggest I do? Getting rid of this truck is not an option, what can we do to improve this trucks use?

PaulnGina · 04-02-2015, 06:39 PM

Any idea what the rated towing capacity is of your Suburban? So far, all I can offer is to make sure the brakes on the trailer are as good as they can be to help get it stopped.

What engine, transmission, and rear end ratio?

criswellrl · 04-02-2015, 06:52 PM

thanks for your quick response. I have been told that this truck should be able to handle it. But I've also been told switch to a 3/4ton.

criswellrl · 04-02-2015, 06:55 PM

I have been told that there are some mod's that can improve it's towing and stopping. what do you think? Is it possible?

PaulnGina · 04-02-2015, 07:02 PM

You first indicated that you won't get rid of the 'Burb. My 1st inclination is keep the 'Burb, get a 3/4-ton to tow the trailer. By the time you upgrade the 'Burb, you could buy a decent used 3/4-ton vehicle. If you're going to keep the 'Burb, I don't think you'd go wrong with upgrades......

Oh, what to do???

criswellrl · 04-02-2015, 07:03 PM

I know there are things I can do to upgrade it. I just need some advice about how to go about doing it, and whether I can do this without spending a whole lot of money. Has anyone done this? And was it successful?

criswellrl · 04-02-2015, 07:07 PM

Thank you for that info. My wife and I just bought it. We thought that it would be really cool pulling a vintage air stream with a vintage truck, from the same era.

criswellrl · 04-02-2015, 07:12 PM

I know that my brakes will need modified. But I'm not sure how to go about boosting my engines horsepower. Any suggestions?

PaulnGina · 04-02-2015, 07:16 PM

I agree, it's a neat combination. Seems like the easiest "upgrade" would be a rear-end ratio change. Is the 'Burb struggling just to get going? Are your trailer brakes good?

CBWELL · 04-02-2015, 07:57 PM

Give us a little more info on the TV. Engine, transmission, rear axle ratio??? How many miles, and is it worn out? Do the trailer brakes work? All of these items are importand information needed to give you any help or guidance. Chris

daved20319 · 04-02-2015, 08:37 PM

Just how tired is your 'Burb? I also have a 27' Overlander, a '74, when we got it, I had a '78 1/2 ton Suburban with a well worn 350 and TH 350 trans to tow it with. Towed it from Tacoma to Bothell, then from there to Twisp, the only place it struggled was going over Blewett Pass. Since then, I've had 3 other 'Burbs as tow vehicles, a '79 3/4 ton and an '88 1/2 ton, both with 350's and automatics, and my current TV is Suburban #4, a '96 3/4 ton with a 454 and auto trans (don't like manuals for towing). The current beast doesn't even know it's there, but none of the others had any issues, either, and they were all stock trucks. If yours is struggling, there's something wrong that needs to be addressed, before you start throwing money at "upgrades". Properly working trailer brakes and a good brake controller are also very important. Good luck!

Dave

mnmhays · 04-02-2015, 08:58 PM

We have a '96 K1500 Suburban with a similar towing capacity. Our Argosy tips the scales at 3800# give or take dry weight with an additional allowable of 2400# for a total of 6200 GVW...well under the Suburban's capabilities. Our Sovereign is about 400-500# heavier dry weight with a similar GVW...still well within our TV's capabilities. I added spring assist rear shocks to help the towing stance.

What kind of gear ratio & transmision do you have?

Goin camping · 04-03-2015, 12:50 AM

Disc brake conversion and swap in a higher HP engine with a trans that can handle the higher HP and towing.

You could get a more specific answer if you told us what engine and trans you have now.

xrvr · 04-03-2015, 05:02 AM

Are you using a brake controller? What rear ratio on the burn? Peace,jim

msmcv51 · 04-03-2015, 07:10 AM

I hope this does not offend you, but at what speeds are you trying to tow at? Is your weight distributing hitch set up properly. I first towed our 6000 lbs. Sovereign with a half ton pickup and only had to downshift going up some grades. As for stopping , no problem.

criswellrl · 04-03-2015, 09:06 PM

the answer to your question is a 350 engine with a quadrajet 4 barre l carb. and a 350 transmission. I was already going to install a set of air bags for the rear to assist in towing.

criswellrl · 04-03-2015, 09:07 PM

yes it does have a brake controller, and the brakes on the trailer have been serviced.

criswellrl · 04-03-2015, 09:10 PM

I have also changed the gear ratio on the rear end for stronger towing ability.

criswellrl · 04-03-2015, 09:16 PM

I know that the easy way would be to get a 3/4 ton truck, but I really want to know that I can make this suburban do the job. I have no papers on when this 350 engine was rebuilt. But I have been told by the seller that it has only 30000 on a fresh engine.

PaulnGina · 04-03-2015, 09:44 PM

Can you elaborate on your towing troubles?

I would make sure the 'Burb can breath easily and exhale easily... low-restriction on both. For stopping ability, consider disc brake conversions.
When you apply the trailer brakes, can you get it adjusted to where you can lock up the trailer wheels? Are the existing brakes on the truck adjusted properly and in good shape?

What is the resulting rear-end ratio you've settled on?