MAX. TOWING CAPACITY - Suburban 2500; 4x4, 6.5L Turbo Diesel
Would anyone out there know the MAX. Towing Capacity of my 1996 Suburban, 2500, 4x4, 6.5L Turbo Diesel?????
When towing my 9,000 lbs Travel Trailer up a hill, the truck slows down to about 30 mpH and there does not seem to be any "juice" left in her? The truck has the 4.10 Gear ratio.
Am I towing too much? What can be done in order to improve the power?
I just recently installed a aFe stage 2 Performance Air Intake Kit which helps a lot already in regards to power, I will install a 4" Exhaust system next. Will that help or does anyone have any suggestions how I can improve the power while towing any further?
Thanks in advance.
MAX. TOWING CAPACITY - Suburban 2500; 4x4, 6.5L Turbo Diesel
Thanks Andy.
Could you be a bit more specifc regarding Item 4, flashing the ECM Module? (I assume ECM stands for Engine Control Module?) What needs to be done, what is the cost?
In regards to the radiator, do you mean flush it or disassemble it and clean the outside?
Do you think my truck should easily tow my trailer or am I pushing it????
Thanks.
MAX. TOWING CAPACITY - Suburban 2500; 4x4, 6.5L Turbo Diesel
Ok Guys, now help me out here: I see some of you guys with 6.5, 1 ton Dually's all over this website and you guys are pulling way more trailer than I ever will. I would assume that the 6.5 engine is identical regardless if in a 1 ton dually or a two door Tahoe? YES??? NO???
I think what some of you guys are pulling out there by looking at some of the pics must be in the range of 10,000 - 12,000 lbs dry weight at least?
Are you saying I must purchase a 7.4L Gas engine in order to pull my trailer? I do not like gas engines and unfortunately can not afford a new Duramax. AND, I really do not want want to have to go and buy an Excursion with a 7.3Powerstroke.
Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
MAX. TOWING CAPACITY - Suburban 2500; 4x4, 6.5L Turbo Diesel
Hello again Andy.
As far as I can tell, area in front of the radiator is very clean, air filter is a brand new aFe Stage 2 Air Intake Performance Kit, not sure about the fuel filter though.
Not sure how to measure the boost, I have no gauges that would possibly tell me this.
I was going up a pretty steep grade and definitely for more than a mile. However, not sure how many % of a grade. The truck at that point got pretty hot, it has the bigger waterpump with dual thermostats as well.
So, if I read between the lines, it seems that everyone out there is telling me that my Burb will not pull all this unless I modify it extensively?
MAX. TOWING CAPACITY - Suburban 2500; 4x4, 6.5L Turbo Diesel
Thanks Robyn.
Should I keep my confidence in my rig based on your comments? Braking is no issue at all, trailer is brand new with excellent brakes. The only issue is power going up hill.
OK Andy, back to you (and forgive me please, maybe some of my questions seem a bit odd to you but I am trying to gain my knowledge here as I go):
- My truck does not smoke at all, not when cold, not when hot, not at idle not at full throttle, there is no difference if I tow or if I am running empty.
- Can I replace the fuel filter myself or is it fairly difficult? Where exactly is it located? Do you know what the cost of the filter is and what the GM Dealer would charge for the exchange?
- What is considered "defueling"? Not enough diesel flowing through the engine due to a clogged filter???
- Could you describe the ECM flash in detail? What do I need to do, where can this be done? Or do I buy a part (Chip) to replace the ECM with? Where is the ECM located?
- What will the Intercooler do for me, how does it work?
Again, MANY THANKS for your help, I greatly appreciate it.
I just do not really want to sell my rig, the truck looks awesome, (Two tone white and gold, with the nice rims and the BF Goodrich All-Terrains, Chrome Nerf/Step Bars) other then towing runs awseome and the interior is in top shape, not even the drivers seat is worn out/split like on so many other trucks of this year.
MAX. TOWING CAPACITY - Suburban 2500; 4x4, 6.5L Turbo Diesel
Thanks Andy.
- What about the ECM Flash?
- I guess I will have to take that radiator shroud apart this weekend and see what's going on in there.
Pulling is definitely NOT the main purpose for the BURB, it is used as a daily driver and family rig. However, when pulling with the family on a camp trip, it is somewhat nerve recking when the darn thing is getting hot and it does not want to go up the hill as fast as I think it possibly should.
The engine has not quite 166,000 (165,8_ _) on it.
MAX. TOWING CAPACITY - Suburban 2500; 4x4, 6.5L Turbo Diesel
Thanks Andy.
Well, the travel trailer is only a 26' er but it has a super slide on it. The dry weight on it is 6,165 lbs, add 45 gallons of water (8.33 lbs/gallon = 374.85 lbs) and you are now looking at 6,540 lbs.
Add all the things you load in a trailer, all the stuff you take for the kids PLUS all the Beer, I am thinking I should be close to 9K lbs.
OK, so:
- I have the air intake kit on it already
- will change the exhaust system to a 4" JARADINE soon.
- the raditor will get cleaned with no problem, thanks for the input.
- fuel filter changed
- Wll the thermostats make a big difference and why? Are the original factory ones a problem? What is the cost at Kennedy?
However, the gauges will cause me some problems since I have no clue how to install this. How else can you confirm the wastegate is working???
Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me,................
And HOW CHEAP is cheap??????????
MAX. TOWING CAPACITY - Suburban 2500; 4x4, 6.5L Turbo Diesel
Thanks for all your help Andy!