Tow Vehicle

[rogerrabbit]

I am purchasing a 2006 Jay Feather LGT 29N and plan to tow it with a 2006 Suburban, 5.3 liter engine (295hp). The Suburban has the factory tow package and I believe can tow up to 7500 lbs. Also will use an equalizing hitch.

Does this sound like a good match?

Suggestions?

Thank you!

[Doug]

We need some numbers on the TT, GVWR
Payload capacity of TV
You should be able to get most numbers for the TV off the door sticker.
GAWR Front
GAWR Rear

Doug

[rogerrabbit]

Empty weight is 5120, GVWR is 6500. Don't have the GAWR yet. Thanks

[Iraqvet05]

Does the Suburban have a 4 or 6 speed transmission? What gear ration on the truck?

[SouthCo]

A 2006 suburban has a 4 speed. Not sure on the gear ratio...

[rogerrabbit]

4 speed, 3.42 gear ratio, positraction limited slip, Z82 towing package

[need-a-vacation]

Roger,

Welcome and congrats on looking at a tt!!!

The hard part is just because a tv is rated to tow xxxxlbs, there is more to it than just the tow rating.

Not sure where you're located, but a 4spd/3.42 combo may not be the best set up if you have a lot a elevation changes in your area. The 3.73 or 4.10 gearing is a better choice when towing heavier weights.

Look in the drivers door jamb of your tv for a yellow sticker that lists the rated payload for your vehicle. As it states, the weight of: all occupants, any cargo (coolers, firewood, etc), any accessory added to the tv, the wdh, and the tt tw (travel trailer to the weight) all count toward the tv payload rating.

Also keep an eye on the rear axle rating, and the factory mounted receiver hitch tw rating. The factory mounted hitch have been known to fail, so consider replacing it with a square tube model. The round tube style hitch can twist when used with a wdh.

Make sure you choose the correct rated wd bars, or verify they are the right ones if included with the tt. With a 6500lb gvwr you could have a tw of ~1000lbs with a 15% tw. So 1000lb rated wd bars should be good. 800lb bars may not be enough, will all depend on your actual loaded weights. You generally want/need 12-15% of your total loaded tt weight as tw.

Good luck!!!

[rogerrabbit]

Good info, thanks!

[JHerzog]

Originally Posted by need-a-vacation

Roger,

Welcome and congrats on looking at a tt!!!

The hard part is just because a tv is rated to tow xxxxlbs, there is more to it than just the tow rating.

Not sure where you're located, but a 4spd/3.42 combo may not be the best set up if you have a lot a elevation changes in your area. The 3.73 or 4.10 gearing is a better choice when towing heavier weights.

Look in the drivers door jamb of your tv for a yellow sticker that lists the rated payload for your vehicle. As it states, the weight of: all occupants, any cargo (coolers, firewood, etc), any accessory added to the tv, the wdh, and the tt tw (travel trailer to the weight) all count toward the tv payload rating.

Also keep an eye on the rear axle rating, and the factory mounted receiver hitch tw rating. The factory mounted hitch have been known to fail, so consider replacing it with a square tube model. The round tube style hitch can twist when used with a wdh.

Make sure you choose the correct rated wd bars, or verify they are the right ones if included with the tt. With a 6500lb gvwr you could have a tw of ~1000lbs with a 15% tw. So 1000lb rated wd bars should be good. 800lb bars may not be enough, will all depend on your actual loaded weights. You generally want/need 12-15% of your total loaded tt weight as tw.

Good luck!!!

Need a Vacation has your numbers right on. Based on a tongue weight of around 1,000lbs as limit that puts loaded trailer limit between 6,600 to 8,300lbs which is a very big range (probably more toward the 6,600). That puts you close to max with a full TT. I think on the flatlands you'd be OK near limit, but in any kind of elevation or hill country you could be pushing the limits.

[Iraqvet05]

I had a 2007 Silverado with the 5.3 and 3.42 gears pulling out 5,000 lb TT and it did well in flat ground but like others said it really lagged in the hills. We don't have steep grades in my north Missouri but that 4 speed transmission was constantly trying to find the correct gear and I resorted to manually shifting most of the time.

[rogerrabbit]

Thank you for the input. Not too hilly in my neck of the woods, Central Texas. Going to live in it while we build our house, then use it for camping.

Thanks again!