I want to read Suburban towing experiences...

jaf2976

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Location
Siloam
:driver: We're looking at buying a 1996 GMC 2500 'burb for towing our camper (approx. 6000Lbs & 29.5Ft long), CJ-7 & CJ3B (no, not all at once!). Here's the specs on it: 454 (7.4L) engine; 3.73 gears w/rear locker; 4x4; 160,000 miles; 4l80e trans; HD towing package; brake controller may already be installed.

We know the mileage will suck :poop: (our '99 Grand Cherokee gets about 9mpg towing the camper). Otherwise, I only have experience towing a light 18Ft boat with a 1500 'burb. My dad & I really didn't even feel that boat back there. I'd prefer diesel for the torque when we go to the mountains, but the price on this one is almost too good to be true.

:popcorn:
 
If the tranny is in good shape, that truck should do well.
I have one, but older, smaller engine, 4 spd, and 2wd, so it doesn't really apply except in the size department. Size wise, you can sleep in the back, even with the 2nd row not folded. Mine pulls well, slow on the big hills, but I just leave earlier...:rolleyes:
 
You are upgrading from a Grand Cherokee! I wouldnt worry if the Burb is in ok mechanical condition
 
I will go with real world here.It will tow fine,mileage will be around 5.9 MPG with 14k on the tail.That a 16' car trailer with a Jeep GW on it 4 dogs 2 kids my fat butt and the wifes skinny one.Mine was a 91/92 454,4l80e trans 4x4.Just make sure your tyres are E range so they last longer.Add a Mag tech trans pan for extra fluid and gauge with extra cooler in front.The trans on theses is a bus trans and very good. The only other thing I did was add a MSD 6 to it.Now if you can find a 2500 4x4 with a 350 with a Wipple on it believe it or not it gets better mileage. A friend of mine has one factory I guess and he gets better mileage then mine did.Tows just as good and pulls just fine as well. If you need a new motor for it I have one.
 
It will pull just fine, might want to add some bags if you're gonna have the truck loaded too but it will pull circles around that Grand and you're nowhere near overloading that thing.
 
I have towed our 33ft (around 7000lbs) camper with Suburbans one with a 454 one with a 350 and a 1 ton crew cad dually with the 454. The big blocks both got 6-7 mpg towing. The 350 gets 9. If you dont already have them get a good set of weight dist. bars and a good sway control. With the bars and sway control (I used the rease dual cam) the sub will be fine towing.
 
i pull with a 99 1/2 ton with airbags, and brake controller. i stepped down to this from an excursion. i expected it to be a huge difference, but actually it isn't much different down the highway except when i hit hills, and the brakes aren't nearly as good (although your 3/4 ton should be fine). i get about 11 mpg pulling with the 350 in mine. it definitely is no speed queen though when i hit the mountains with it, but it has been pulling a trailer back and forth to arkansas for the last 5 years with no problems (buddy of mine had it before me, then gave it to me when he bought my excursion as partial payment). i'm getting ready to sell mine, as i just bought a hemi durango the other day, and am going to try pulling with it. you'll love the wheelbase pulling with it compared to the grand cherokee, i used to pull with one of those too.

greg
 
Brought another TJ home today and it was the first time I had towed with the Burb since we bought it a month or so back. I was fairly impressed. It rode great and gas mileage wasn't too bad. Mine is a C2500.

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