These days, trucks and SUVs are more capable than ever when it comes to towing. We’re seeing some pretty amazing max tow and payload ratings , and not just on vehicles equipped with the best possible configurations for accomplishing those tasks. So you can’t really blame Chevrolet Forum member Bate Family for wondering recently if they could possibly forgo the max trailering package on his prospective Suburban purchase and still get away with pulling a big trailer.
“I am planning on getting a 2-year-old Suburban this year. All the ones I am seeing have a 3.08 axle ratio. I can’t find one with a max tow package or a 3.42 axle ratio. It seems like I have to buy new to get the 3.42 ratio. But I would have to spend $15,000 or so more just to get it. My question is it worth it? I plan to get a travel trailer that weighs about 6,000 lbs. With my family and some equipment, my load will be about 7,500 lbs. Am I really going to regret not having the 3.42 axle ratio?”
Those serious about towing large campers and other heavy loads often gravitate towards heavy-duty pickups. For good reason, obviously. Trucks like the Chevy 2500 and up pull big loads with ease, whether you opt for diesel power or not. But lest we forget, the Chevy Suburban is quite the capable rig in its own right. One with a much larger people hauling capacity than any pickup. Chevrolet Forum member Thomas Engle received confirmation on that fact recently when he headed to the forums seeking advice on his next towing vessel.
“My wife and I have decided to downsize our current RV class. We have a 39-foot Fiver we tow with a 2008 Ford F-350 dually. We have been talking about going into a travel trailer. One of our sons has offered up his 2005 4X4 Suburban to us as he has sold his ski boat. It is in immaculate condition. It’s a 2500 with auto ride, tow package, 8.1 Vortec, and 4:10 rear end. 133k on the clock. He claims it would probably pull our fifth wheel if we could find a way to hitch it up!
Electronics can be finicky things. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. And typically, the problem proves difficult to figure out. This is especially true with certain Suburban models. Quite a few folks have found themselves facing a Service Traction Control or Service Stabilitrak message and/or ABS light over the years. And the solutions to that problem seem to be hit or miss, depending on who you ask.
The topic originally came up in the Chevrolet Forum way back in 2011. And it appears that a lot of folks had encountered the same issue, yet a solution remained elusive. Most of the time, it happens exclusively on the 2007 model year Suburban. Some experienced it only in cold weather, others found success by cleaning their wheels and disconnecting their battery. Others had to replace their wheel speed/ABS sensor. And some folks found success by replacing the terminator resistor (located by the rear axle) and pedal brake switch.