Any frame issues w/ towing ~12k lbs?

[klieber]

I have a rather unusual '99 C2500 Suburban that has a 12V Cummins and a built transmission. The engine, transmission, cooling, brakes, etc. are all heavy duty and can easily tow anything I throw at it. So I'm not worried about that. I also have a trailer brake controller added by the P.O.

My question: are there any issues or concerns with the frame if I go about 50% above the max (stock) towing rating? Chances are I'll stay closer to the 8k - 10k range, but just curious what the limitations are if I were to push it.

 

[RichLo]

as long as your tongue weight isnt out of control you should be fine until a DOT vehicle pulls you over.

 

[klieber]

Is it actually illegal for a non-commercial vehicle to tow more than the manufacturer's rated specs?

 

[brutpwr]

Best to run Timbrens or some type of air bags as I have personal experience with bending of the rear shackel and frame hangers bending when tongue loads go above 1200 lbs which is easy with the loads you r talking about. Basically even if the springs hold the weight ok the shackel and hanger get "overloaded" on one side especially when you turn real tight with a weight distributing hitch.

 

[thz71]

Is it actually illegal for a non-commercial vehicle to tow more than the manufacturer's rated specs?

In Iowa it isn't. I'd about other states

 

[90halfton]

Eh, run it and see. Common sense will soon tell you if the tails waggin the dog.

 

[C30454]

Towing is a complete package. Having enough pulling power is only PART of the equation. Everything is bigger on higher capacity vehicles. Oil capacity and coolers, transmission load capacity, output shaft/driveshaft size and splines, u-joints, ring, pinion, and bearing sizes at the diff and at the wheel, springs, brakes, tire load capacity, and frame steel gauge, all work together to allow the user to tow a load safely down the road.

And in my opinion, based on servicing cars and light trucks for 35 years, is that load and towing capacity #s are pushed to the edge, with little to no margin of safety, all for the purpose of sales.

Most 1/2 ton trucks from the 80's-2000 didn't have as big a brake system as many station wagons did in the 60's and 70's. And I hate to say it, but GM 1/2 tons of that era were the worst in the brake dept.

I have a '99 C3500 Crew Cab, and most modern 3/4 ton trucks are equipped as well or better, not that it isn't a fine truck.

Your tow ratings for that '99 Suburban were pushed to the limit when it was new, not that it wasn't a fine truck. But people have to be reasonable with their expectations about what a vehicle can and can't do safely. Steering and stopping vehicles while towing is FAR more important than having an engine that can pull the truck into two pieces. And that takes a lot of parts working together.

You don't want to break a bunch of parts, or worse injure or kill someone, all for the sake of saying, "my truck pulled XX,*** lbs."


Tom

 

[Ironroad9C1]

People nowadays think you need a 1 ton dually to tow a 5x8 lawn mower trailer.

 

[Supercharged111]

People nowadays think you need a 1 ton dually to tow a 5x8 lawn mower trailer.

Troof. My heavy half has no trouble manhandling my 8500# trailer and, dare I say, it stops better with the trailer brakes cranked. Sure it could use more power but everything keeps its cool. With hydroboost I see zero reason it could be considered remotely overloaded. What's even funnier is that it isn't over the 4600# axle rating or the 7200# GVWR from the parts I used to beef it up with. In fact, it makes more power and has a beefier trans and 8600GVW calipers and pads that the 7200 truck did not. If only there were a way to get the truck rerated. I do agree the stock 1/2 ton brakes suck, and I don't feel bad about saying so.

 

[C30454]

People nowadays think you need a 1 ton dually to tow a 5x8 lawn mower trailer.

Only if it weighs 12,000 lbs.......



Tom