Posted by AJ on January 28, 03 at 04:35:20:
In Reply to: '02 purchase and towing advice posted by 442 Ragtop on January 27, 03 at 22:34:37:
3500# trailer should be no problem with 5.3L. My friend's Avalanche 5.3L tows our Boy Scout trailer (3-4000# depending upon gear) without any problems. However, 6000# would be more of a challenge.
If not already equipped, you should get coolers for oil and tranny. While you're at it, a temp gauge for the tranny would be a good addition, particularly with a 6000# trailer.
Tires are important. Your 1500 probably came with P-rated tires. You should consider upgrading to LT D- or E-rated tires, for the improved stability from stiffer sidewalls (thanks Ben!). Ride may be a bit harsher, but should still be fine; the 1500 is coil spring, which rides better than the leaf spring 2500 (which is otherwise more durable).
Trailer lights can be added via aftermarket harnesses that plug/splice into the existing wiring for tail lights. They work, but from my experience, since wiring is now doing double duty, corrosion on trailer and connections may cause dimming and flickering over time. If you're going to tow a lot, I would look into a dedicated wiring harness back to the fuseblock if possible. Painless Performance (www.painlessperformance.com) is very helpful with electrical products, including an easy to install relay to make all 4 headlights stay on when using highbeam. Submersible trailer lites and disconnecting trailer harness when backing into water solved a lot of my trailer electrical problems.
Cabelas and BassPro Shops also have some nice items to help with towing, such as side mirror extensions and devices for backing up/hitching solo.
: The wife and I are are thinking it's time to upgrade from our '93 suburban.
: We're considering an '02 that we found. It has 5.3 ltr, g80, don't know gears, LS trim. What should we look at for trouble areas of that model? Any comments about creature comforts or functional differences vs. the 93?
: I know towing has been addressed ad nauseum here, but I can't find the posts regarding towing with the 5.3, so:
: We currently tow a 3500 lb boat trailer and are satisfied with the performance of the 93. Will the 02 be as capable? Any opinions as to the "real" towing capacity it will have? There's some possibility that we'll be towing a 4 horse trailer with it too; should be less than 6000 lbs. Both are well under the factory rating, even when the truck has quite a bit of gear also. I don't feel the need to blast over the pass at 70 mph while towing, so I suspect that the 5.3 will be fine for that.
: Finally, it doesn't have a hitch, so I assume none of the tow package. Adding a hitch is no problem for me to do; what else does the factory add in it's "tow package"? and what else should I consider adding?