1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

[Hai Nhi]

Hello everyone.

I'm checking out a 1996 Wellcraft Excel 26 SE to buy. NADA guides listed net weight to be 5000 lbs.

Would a 1999 Chevy Suburban 2500 tow it okay? I looked at the specs last week somewhere online and saw it rated as 10,000 lbs towing capacity. But just checked again only to find out it's ~7000. I will check again tomorrow to see if it's a 4x4 or not. It does have HD trailering package, if that matters.

I also have a F250, but it's only a regular cab. We're a family of 4.

Thank you.

Nhi

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

I owned a 99 3/4 ton for many years and she pulled massive loads in the 8Kish+ range with no problem at all.

But, just be sure your brakes are in order (pulling isn't really the challenge).

And, bring lots of chedder to cover your fuel bill, ouch.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

Hello everyone.

I'm checking out a 1996 Wellcraft Excel 26 SE to buy. NADA guides listed net weight to be 5000 lbs.

Would a 1999 Chevy Suburban 2500 tow it okay? I looked at the specs last week somewhere online and saw it rated as 10,000 lbs towing capacity. But just checked again only to find out it's ~7000. I will check again tomorrow to see if it's a 4x4 or not. It does have HD trailering package, if that matters.

I also have a F250, but it's only a regular cab. We're a family of 4.

Thank you.

Nhi

Piece of Cake . . . Figure the trailer will be 1200 lbs and then fuel another 500 lbs or so. . . puts you up near 7K lbs.

Edmunds and some other automotive web sites will have towing capacities for various vehicles.

I towed my 24 foot (actually 26 foot LOA) boat (~5000 lbs) with a Ford Explorer V8, rated to tow 7K lbs.

I believe that the F250 and the Suburban towing ratings go up into the 10-11K lb range, like you said but they have to be properly equipped. I was considering towing my 33 footer (9000 lbs) locally with a 2500 suburban or an F250. For extended travel plans, you probably want to have a vehicle rated to tow about 20% more than your anticipated load.

 

[etracer68]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

The Suburban should be fine, but make sure the "trailer brakes" are it good working order.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

I believe my boats dry weight is 5k - Add fluids, gear & a trailer and my boat clocks in right around 7,600 - I pull it with a 04 Avalanche (Suburban with a bed) and it pulls fine with the 5.3.

Is the burb a 1/2 ton? What engine?

LK

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

This link has a good break down on towing capacity`s.


Truck and SUV Towing Capacity Charts

 

[Hai Nhi]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

I read the manual last night saying that for a 5.7 it's ~7000ish depends on gear rating. 7.1 brings it up to ~9000ish.

I'll check it later (to be included with the boat sale). And yeah, it's a 3/4 ton. 100,000 miles

Nhi

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

I towed my 28'er 1000 miles home from new york through two blizzards and the "little" mountains they have out there with a 97 suburban 2500.... Not even a challenge....

the burb will handle your 26'er just fine... as mentioned above brakes need to be top notch and trailer brakes are a must

 

[Hai Nhi]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

On a second thought, if I can't get that deal (1999 suburban & 1996 wellcraft excel 26se for $17k), I'll have to get a new tow vehicle.

Max wifey gonna allow is an upgrade to toyota sequoia (from a long-time-planned purchase of a highlander). This one's rated at only 7000. Would that be ok? I know you want extra power. But I know manufacturers usually over built it a little, or wouldn't they?

 

[chris.j.marshall]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

What year is the Sequoia? The 5.7 in the Toyota provides much more torque, but that's your only advantage. The Toyota is a 1/2 ton, and that seems like a whole lot of boat to have behind a 1/2 ton. The 5.7 in the Suburban will still get your load moving just fine and the vehicle should be better equipped for larger loads.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

I agree... explain to the wifey that a big boat and a big truck ARE a package deal.... That boat is solidly in 3/4 ton territory and nobody would laugh at you for towing it with a 1 ton.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

That boat is solidly in 3/4 ton territory and nobody would laugh at you for towing it with a 1 ton.

Absolutely. Last boat I towed was a 24' Chris Craft express...

- Boat dry weight 5250
- Trailer 1675
- 50 gal (1/2 tank) of fuel - 400
- Onboard fresh water and 'stuff' - 400-500 lbs.

So, I was running just shy of 8000 lbs. I pulled it all with a 3/4 ton Dodge hemi 4X4 that I had to buy. My 1999 Chevy 1/2 ton wouldn't have been safe with that load.

(FYI - I've noticed on this forum that people commonly underestimate the weight of the trailer. Mine was a tandem axle, 6600 lb capacity Tidewater galvanized with surge brakes that I bought new.)

My .02

 

[Hai Nhi]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

The Sequoia is out. We bought the Highlander yesterday. No boat deal yet. Made an offer and he didn't reply back.

I think I gonna get a 24 footer, 25-26' max if it's really nice. Then try to stay with my F250 for as long as I can find another deal for a crew cab to trade.

It's gonna be a busy busy couple of months for me, looking for toys

 

[agallant80]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

I would not worry about it.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: 1999 Chevy Suburban towing a 26'

Shouldn't even be a concern. Pull my 2550 SX Chap (6700 lbs on trailer) all the time with my F150 4x4 with not a problem at all. Even towed from Ft. Meyers FL to NY with no problems. Just make double sure your trailer brakes are 100%.