Another TOWING Question

[dademt]

Well, you all got close, but no one actually answered my question about towing this Flagstaff beast with a S10 Blazer. So, i took that as a "no".
 
We are in the process of buying a 1990 Suburban... do you think that will pull 4,500 lbs?
 
Any advice?

Ashame your not closer, I am selling my 92'. Mine is a slightly different body style but should be fairly the same mechanically.  Do I think it is strong enough, yes.  Do I think the suspension will still handle it, don't know, depends on how it was kept.  However, with that being said, around that time they started changing the rating systems on the vehicles so it may or may not be rated for that weight.  When you check it out, read the owners manual for the specs.

[jonathan]

jonathan,

If we didn't answer your question (as asked) I'm sorry. We attempted to do so (between the 2 threads). Two threads at the same time make it very confusing.

Well, i thought by posting it twice, i might gain insight from both sides (pop ups and hybrids). I read the thread with the most postings and missed the other one... it appears it has been deleted (it should have been). I have gained enough info and i know that the S-10 Blazer should not be pulling the larger campers.

There have been many tears... tears of joy and tears of happiness! The 90' Suburban that we were considering didn't work out. My wife and i didn't feel good about it and the "problems" that it had so we didn't make the purchase.

I still feel like the best/cheaper tow vehicle would be an older Suburban... which i have found out later that GMC AND Chevrolet made. The older models are GMC.

I don't know what we will do. The kids cry themselves to sleep everynight... and dad won't go into debt when we have a nice PU sitting in the driveway!

Thanks to all!

[dthurston]

To get the axle ratio on your GM vehicle, look in the glove box. You will find a white paper label with about 100 (or more) codes, all listed in numerical/alphabetical order. The are called "RPO Codes". Each vehicle has a unique label that is generated to actually "Build" that respective vehicle.



Find the Code that starts with "G"

GU4 = 3.08
GU6 = 3.42
GS3 = 3.73

Here is a complete list of all (well, most) of the GM RPO codes:

http://www.marshu.com/images-website/car/gm-firebird-camaro-rpo-car-door-manufacturer-codes/gm-firebird-camaro-GM-RPO-car-codes.pdf

Hope that helps :sombraro:

Thanks man!  Been wondering just which rear-end my NTU 97 Yukon has. GU6 and G8.  Thought it went well in 4-6 inches of snow. Positraction would explain that.

Now, on to find out what the real tow capacity is, based on the 3.42 ratio that document claims it to have.

It does fine pulling our 2000 16' Cub hybrid.

[Sue Hardee]

We pull our tt 27 ft. wonderer with a ford pu 3/4 ton 250 diesel.   My issue is that the ride is so rough that I feel like a milk shake after we get where we are going.  Would a weight distribution hitch help this issue?  I know for sure our truck is strong enough to pull our light weight trailer.  Is their anything we can do to make the ride somewhat smoother?

[AustinBoston]

We pull our tt 27 ft. wonderer with a ford pu 3/4 ton 250 diesel.   My issue is that the ride is so rough that I feel like a milk shake after we get where we are going.  Would a weight distribution hitch help this issue?  I know for sure our truck is strong enough to pull our light weight trailer.  Is their anything we can do to make the ride somewhat smoother?

How is the ride in the Ford without the trailer?

Austin

[wavery]

We pull our tt 27 ft. wonderer with a ford pu 3/4 ton 250 diesel.   My issue is that the ride is so rough that I feel like a milk shake after we get where we are going.  Would a weight distribution hitch help this issue?  I know for sure our truck is strong enough to pull our light weight trailer.  Is their anything we can do to make the ride somewhat smoother?

Is the trailer towing level?

I have seen several big pick-ups, like yours, towing trailers with the front of the trailer in the air and the back practically dragging on the ground (I saw one this weekend). That has got to cause a real rough ride. Every time the trailer bounces, it shoves up against the TV instead of just bouncing freely. the bigger the trailer, the more crucial it is to be level.

They also make receivers with shock absorbers in them. However, if your trailer is level, it shouldn't be jarring the TV that much unless the trailer is substantially heavier than the TV.

[Sue Hardee]

Is the trailer towing level?

I have seen several big pick-ups, like yours, towing trailers with the front of the trailer in the air and the back practically dragging on the ground (I saw one this weekend). That has got to cause a real rough ride. Every time the trailer bounces, it shoves up against the TV instead of just bouncing freely. the bigger the trailer, the more crucial it is to be level.

They also make receivers with shock absorbers in them. However, if your trailer is level, it shouldn't be jarring the TV that much unless the trailer is substantially heavier than the TV.

Ours is towing pretty level.   Not towing the trailer the ride is pretty bumpy also,  but worse towing.  My husband keep telling me its the manly truck with stiff suspension.  I hate the ride.

[AustinBoston]

Ours is towing pretty level.   Not towing the trailer the ride is pretty bumpy also,  but worse towing.  My husband keep telling me its the manly truck with stiff suspension.  I hate the ride.

If the suspension on the truck is fairly stiff, then adding a weight distributing hitch (WDH) will not be likely to make it smoother, as they tend to stiffen the ride.  

If the ride were too soft (constantly bouncing up & down), then a WDH might help, but so would stiffer shocks.  I think you used the word "jarring."  Most people would not describe a too-soft suspension as "jarring," but might call it "bouncing."

If your pickup suspension is really stiff and designed for more weight, adding some dead weight to the back of the pickup might help, but be sure not to overdo it.

One other bit of information might help.  Is the offensive movement mostly up-and-down, or front-to-back (like the trailer is hitting and pulling the pickup)?

In any case, you might remind your husband that you are not the manly type and so the manly suspension is no fun...but you're really on your own on that one!

Austin (if momma 'aint happy, 'aint nobody happy)

[flyfisherman]

Ours is towing pretty level.   Not towing the trailer the ride is pretty bumpy also,  but worse towing.  My husband keep telling me its the manly truck with stiff suspension.  I hate the ride.

I hear ya!

My previous TV was a GMC Sonoma with an ultra heavy duty suspension. Now I really liked the niffty little truck for what I do ... it set right, smooth drive train, handled good, excellent tow vehicle for the little Starcraft, but then  ... when the truck was empty and not towing ... it would beat this old man unmerciful! My neighbor bought a regular full sized Chevy pick-up and we took a ride together over to a near-by town and I could'nt believe the difference! I promply went over to the MrGoodWrench Store and bought a full sized GMC Pick-up and it rides better than some of my cars of the past. However, the little Sonoma was a better tow vehicle because of that heavy duty suspension. I could whip through the mountains like there was no tomorrow ... better than with the full size pick-up. But I don't have to tell ya ... the ride is so much smoother with the bigger truck.



Fly