1999 Suburban 1500 towing

[ashman]

I am new to towing, and will be receiving a travel trailer at a great price....FREE! Now, from what I read in the owners manual, the max towing capacity for my Suburban is 5500 lbs with the 3.42 gear ratio. The travel trailers dry weight is 5580. My questions are, can I push the 5500 lb max tow weight? Does the fact that I will have trailer brakes and stabilizers on the trailer hitch mean I can pull a little more weight? I have the factor installed towing package, hitch and transmission cooler. Also, I live in central Alabama and will be camping close, no long trip or hills, just flat terrain really.

I have read of other C1500 drivers pulling heavier wait, 6000-8000 pounds, but are they just being stupid, or is the max tow weight conservative? I really appreciate any advice. I am new to trailer towing and need some guidance.

 

[zora]

I read the section in your manual and that 5500 lbs is with driver and one passenger and no additional stuff in the vehicle. You have a 13 year old vehicle with probably many miles on it. I have no experience with towing so I may not be correct but I wouldnt do it. Have you tried talking to local trailer companies for their opinion?

 

[ashman]

I read the section in your manual and that 5500 lbs is with driver and one passenger and no additional stuff in the vehicle. You have a 13 year old vehicle with probably many miles on it. I have no experience with towing so I may not be correct but I wouldnt do it. Have you tried talking to local trailer companies for their opinion?

I talked to one yesterday, and his opinion was that you should always tow at 1000 pounds less than the max capacity. Best I can tell, I would be asking too much of the truck if I tried to tow, so most likely will not chance it. With 200k mikes on it, it would be rough I think. I have options, I have access to another vehicle when I need to tow, but would have to borrow it from my dad. Also may consider selling this trailer and getting a smaller one. Since I am getting this travel trailer as a gift, I did not get to choose, or I would have went with something smaller. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.