G23 Tow Vehicle: 1/2 Ton Suburban?

[cstiles]

Hi guys,

I was following another post regarding G23 tow vehicles but my inquiry is more along the lines of an infrequent, short-term haul (<30min).

I have a 2000 Yukon XL with the 5.3 motor and the tow package, which includes a factory external tranny cooler.

I'm a wakeboarding instructor at a summer camp, and the camp always runs a 210 and a 230, which I can tow to the lake no problem (I drink fuel, but I get reimbursed so who cares). There's a possibility that we could be running a G23 as well this summer, and I'm wondering if I can survive the haul in my lowly 1/2 ton.

The drive is mostly flat, except for one short climb up to the ramp. Speeds would be sub-50mph. I've used an OBD reader to check my tranny temps and my Yukon seems to be healthy. Temps never get close to breaking 200 degrees even in the middle of a hot Georgia summer day towing a loaded 230 on the freeway.

My question is, am I going to do okay towing a 8000# G short distances and launching at the ramp? This wouldn't be a daily routine, it might only happen 4 or 5 times in a season. My three main concerns are:

• Melting my transmission
• Bending my frame/breaking off my hitch receiver
• Getting drug to the bottom of the lake while launching/loading

What do you guys think, anyone out there ever towed a G with a 5.3?

[sstexan]

Assuming maintenance is current on your Suburban, you will be fine in my opinion. I own an F250, so I know all about the diesel hoopla and how you can't make it another day without one.

I towed my 230 3,000 miles last summer with my new F 250. Yes, it pulled great, never knew it was back there...yada yada...

I have also towed the same boat with my wife's old yukon xl and it did great, sure the power off the line was not as great nor was the hill climbing ability.

Those GM 5.3's are bullet proof. Make sure the brakes work on the trailer and take it easy.

Don't sweat it for a less than 30 mile tow.. My opinion...Good Luck!

[swankster]

I agree you should be OK. I pull my G23 with my wife's XL Denali once in a while. I think the engine is bigger but my biggest concern would be stopping, so trailer brakes working is a necessity.

[DanielC]

There should be tow weight ratings on a plate on the drivers side door sill. Also important is the rear axle ratio of the vehicle, and my thought a smaller engine, plus the towing package you already have, would probably mean a lower, (higher numerically) rear axle ratio. A lower rear axle would be good in your case.

[jonsquatch]

Hi guys,
... My three main concerns are:

• Melting my transmission
• Bending my frame/breaking off my hitch receiver
• Getting drug to the bottom of the lake while launching/loading

Assuming its the 2wd it could have a 9000lb rated towing capacity, if you can bend your frame you are doing something that needs to be posted on youtube.

Towing short distances at low speed without extreme heat or big grades and with a temp gauge you don't have to worry about melting a properly maintained transmission even if it is the 4l60e, the 4l80e would be of even less concern. As far as damage to the hitch goes, the factory hitches even on the 3/4 ton weren't rated for 8k, IIRC they were ~6k and it depends on what you are using for a draw bar and ball as to what they are rated (some are as low as 5k). If its 2-3k over your equipment rating I would definitely upgrade, although it would suck to spend 200-300 bucks to tow someone elses stuff, if you get in an accident they could hold you responsible for towing over the rating of your equipment.

Your brakes should be adequate but not great, for shorter distances not at interstate speed you should be ok. Even the 2wd 1/2 ton is heavy enough it shouldn't get drug down most ramps, if your ramp is that bad then you should already know that. With the added weight traction pulling out might be a concern but the weight over the rear wheels of the Suburban compared to a 1/2 ton pickup usually helps a bit. If its a steep slippery ramp and you have 2wd and an open differential you might struggle with traction but it takes some effort to get drug all the way in. I have seen it done at Lake Pleasant but it took a whole lot of stupid to get to that point.

I tow a lot further, more frequently, and at higher speeds so that would affect my decision.

[shag]

You should be fine, but be sure nothing in your hitch set up is under rated including tongue weight. Like said above, if the unfortunate were to happen, you could be liable for damages/injury/death. (worst case scenario).
Just be very careful launching/retrieving, and use the parking break always. Stop, engage parking break, then put in park. Pulling out - put in low gear, apply a touch of throttle, then release the brake.
Hope I'm not captain obvious here....
Good luck! And have fun with the G! Lucky...

[BrennanK]

Not a problem, however get an upgraded trailer receiver. The factory one from GM is only rated for 7,500lbs. Also make sure you are using a ball that is rated for the weight both total and tongue. Many people never mention the ball.

[nyryan2001]

Understand that the 9000lb tow rating is pre SAE ..... So in today's standards is more like 7500lbs. And that's with pretty much empty tow vehicle. All the manf will be with SAE tow ratings here in the next few yrs. ... Right now Toyota is the only one although Ford and Chevy wrote the standards. That's why you still see an 11k tow rating for the F150 . Gone soon, it'll be 9k ish.

understand its 8500lbs behind you , you are over the limit. So is your hitch and ball mount rated for 9k+ ?

and the 5.3l is hardly ideal... I had one. Certainly not bullet proof. Google: "5.3L overheat fan clutch". I'd put the 5.3 at a 6k tow max for a reasonable tow. But if you have a slow flat tow .... And only that, you'd do fine. Try to maintain 65-75 on mixed interstate and that 5.3 will be on crack at 4k RPMs and likely a hot tranny. Doesn't help that engine is set high for 210degs .

not it trying to be a downer, or say the sky is falling, just can't advocate or say it's a good idea when you are over the limit. With friends and family in tow... You plan for the worst to keep them safe.

[cstiles]

Thanks for all the replies!

Sounds like it's possible, only at slow speeds, only once in a while, and if I upgrade my hitch receiver. But, my stock tow package is a junky Class 3, it's only rated for 5000#, so I'd need to upgrade to a Class 5 receiver.

Maybe the best thing to do is just leave it alone and let somebody else cart around the G.

[bsurfin]

Understand that the 9000lb tow rating is pre SAE ..... So in today's standards is more like 7500lbs. And that's with pretty much empty tow vehicle. All the manf will be with SAE tow ratings here in the next few yrs. ... Right now Toyota is the only one although Ford and Chevy wrote the standards. That's why you still see an 11k tow rating for the F150 . Gone soon, it'll be 9k ish.

understand its 8500lbs behind you , you are over the limit. So is your hitch and ball mount rated for 9k+ ?

and the 5.3l is hardly ideal... I had one. Certainly not bullet proof. Google: "5.3L overheat fan clutch". I'd put the 5.3 at a 6k tow max for a reasonable tow. But if you have a slow flat tow .... And only that, you'd do fine. Try to maintain 65-75 on mixed interstate and that 5.3 will be on crack at 4k RPMs and likely a hot tranny. Doesn't help that engine is set high for 210degs .

not it trying to be a downer, or say the sky is falling, just can't advocate or say it's a good idea when you are over the limit. With friends and family in tow... You plan for the worst to keep them safe.

I could be wrong, and I often am but FMVSS is what sets the tow ratings for a vehicle. SAE (society of automotive engineers...which I am a member of) sets standards for many things....I will have to look into this. I believe in 05 I remember us doing testing on brakes for the 2500 Ram that we were trying to develop the max towing capacity and we had to do a string of tests to prepare for the FMVSS towing portion so we could pass it. If you take it easy and not try and tow like Jeff gordon you should not have any issues as long as vehicle is up to snuff on maintenance and trailer brakes are solid.

[santelee]

I have towed my G with a caddy escalade for relative long distance. Power ok, braking def weak link. Was not too bad. Would say you're gonna b fine for short distances
i tow my G with my range rover sc if I have to use the public boat ramp when my lake is low. I was amazed how well
it pulls and brakes. And its relatively short so backing much easier for me

[cstiles]

I have towed my G with a caddy escalade for relative long distance. Power ok, braking def weak link. Was not too bad. Would say you're gonna b fine for short distances
i tow my G with my range rover sc if I have to use the public boat ramp when my lake is low. I was amazed how well
it pulls and brakes. And its relatively short so backing much easier for me

On your escalade did you upgrade your stock hitch receiver? Because our frames can pretty much handle the weight (both our chassis are rated at around 8k) but the stock hitch receiver on my yukon is only rated for 5000#. I guess I've already successfully overloaded it by towing a 230....

[santelee]

It was a buddies vehicle. Used for one trip. No upgrade

[Paxdad]

Double or triple axel trailer??

[cstiles]

Good question, not sure, although I'm almost positive that it's sitting on a Boatmate, so I think I'll be fine either way on trailer brakes. or were you thinking of tongue weight?