k2500 burb camping rig ls swapped

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scottydl

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Yes definitely... my trailer is a few feet longer than yours, and I wouldn't want to pull it with anything less than my 7.4. It's been weighed on a grain scale (loaded for camping) at about 9200#. I'm surprised that you have 4:10 gears with the smallest V8, interesting combo! At least yours is a 2500 so you have the beefier brakes and suspension. And a lot of other upgrades/tuning obviously! I always tow in 3rd per my owner's manual, but I think that was a non-Vortec thing.
 

99burbK2500

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Yes definitely... my trailer is a few feet longer than yours, and I wouldn't want to pull it with anything less than my 7.4. It's been weighed on a grain scale (loaded for camping) at about 9200#. I'm surprised that you have 4:10 gears with the smallest V8, interesting combo! At least yours is a 2500 so you have the beefier brakes and suspension. And a lot of other upgrades/tuning obviously! I always tow in 3rd per my owner's manual, but I think that was a non-Vortec thing.
the 5.3 was a swap I did, it originally had a 5.7 vortec engine and you couldn't get the 5.3 in this body. I plan on adding a super charger one day so that will help a lot. if I even get this thing tuned it should make 450ish horse power at the flywheel. but torque pry still in the 300s. I wanted one with a big block in it but just couldn't find one in good shape. mines not super pretty but damn near rust free. even with 285k miles on the body. if I was mae of money I would just put this 5.3 in my z28 and build a 408 stroker for the burb. I love my ls engines but I defanitly wouldn't mind a big block. the camper is 32.5 ft long and curb weight is 6300ish. ill be interested to scale it when its loaded down for camping this season.
 

scottydl

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Ours has a curb weight of 7800# but that doesn't include a heavier couch that the dealer installed or the awning. There's several hundred pounds + all the stuff we bring along which certainly adds up. Our trailer's GVWR (total max allowable weight) is over 11,000# but that weight would make me nervous and well beyond my Burb's 10,000# factory towing limit. I have Air-Lift rear airbags on the Burb which helps the ride quality a lot when towing. Some serious tongue weight on this thing. You'll want a weight distribution hitch too if you don't already have it, to balance tongue weight and sway.
 

Sparkysikes

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Nice find and definitely a weight distribution hitch set up.

I have towed those big number with my 4l80e's and I would only downshift to help power. But that torque a big block or Diesel makes makes it easier up most grades until it's a straight up mountain. OD with a 4L80E is fine. 4l60e forgetta bout it.

Also if tracking a few degrees out think that under a hard brake it'll try and push the back of your burb off center and once you brake that plane it'll be jack knife and locked up
 

scottydl

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I have towed those big number with my 4l80e's and I would only downshift to help power. But that torque a big block or Diesel makes makes it easier up most grades until it's a straight up mountain. OD with a 4L80E is fine. 4l60e forgetta bout it.

I figured the "tow only in 3rd" recommendation was super conservative, and flat towing in OD would be fine. However my first year with this Burb, I had experienced some grinding/shuddering noises when towing in OD which I think was torque converter lockup under load. I'm not a tranny expert of any sort, but that's what was suggested and I've never heard that again while towing in 3rd. Gas mileage is deplorable either way!
 

Sparkysikes

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I always did slow and steady approach so I never floored it to maintain speed limit. With my 6.2 weighing 7200lbs and towing 7500 or so I took my time and got 15 mpg. But uphill was like 30 mph
 
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