2014 Suburban - Weight Distro Hitch/Suspension question

[DeepEmissions]

We purchased a 2023 Keystone 318BR RV (7620lbs dry), knowing that the Suburban wouldn't handle it, and expecting to find a 2500 Suburban or pickup for big family trips with the RV.
(2 adults, 1 5'10 teen, and 3 kids in car seats and boosters)
However, I just read that a weight distribution hitch should bring the max trailer weight capacity to 8100 pounds and the max tongue weight to 1215 pounds.
Should I pursue this method and attempt to add suspension components like add-a-leaf or airbags to the current suburban or is that still a big risk?
Is anyone else hauling something as heavy as I am with food, family, supplies, and whatever else we'll have in the RV with a half-ton Suburban?

I'd much rather use the one we have, 2500 Burbs are hard to come by and not cheap when found. 2500 Pickups won't be able to haul all the family comfortably, especially since front bench seats are rare.

 

[Big Mama]

There will be lots of opinions on this one. If I were to tow that much weight with the most precious cargo ever I’d only do it locally but that’s just me. A 31 foot trailer with that dry weight leaves you less than 500 pounds for people and gear. However, there are several folks here that do it so I’ll let them speak to their experience.

 

[15burban]

Never go by dry weight or the manufacturers listed tongue weight. The real dry weight (only way to know for sure is to take it to a scale) is probably really close to your 8100 lbs.

Small/local trips I would be fine with. Big family trips which to me means fully loaded tow vehicle and camper long distances. I would definitely be looking for a 2500. Also depends on how much experience you have.

The towing experience should be almost as enjoyable as camping itself.

 

[j91z28d1]

there's a ton of towing advice here. guys tow pretty big rigs. they will probably chime in when they see this.

 

[j91z28d1]

I believe this one has some good info in it.

Towing stability

I have a 2014 Tahoe with the tow package. It has 157k miles on it. I just installed new Gabriel HD shocks (coil overs) on the rear. I purchased a Keystone trailer with a dry weight of 5400 lbs thinking the Tahoe could easily handle towing it because the book says max tow capacity is 8200 lbs...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Geotrash]

We purchased a 2023 Keystone 318BR RV (7620lbs dry), knowing that the Suburban wouldn't handle it, and expecting to find a 2500 Suburban or pickup for big family trips with the RV.
(2 adults, 1 5'10 teen, and 3 kids in car seats and boosters)
However, I just read that a weight distribution hitch should bring the max trailer weight capacity to 8100 pounds and the max tongue weight to 1215 pounds.
Should I pursue this method and attempt to add suspension components like add-a-leaf or airbags to the current suburban or is that still a big risk?
Is anyone else hauling something as heavy as I am with food, family, supplies, and whatever else we'll have in the RV with a half-ton Suburban?

I'd much rather use the one we have, 2500 Burbs are hard to come by and not cheap when found. 2500 Pickups won't be able to haul all the family comfortably, especially since front bench seats are rare.

It's been a few months...where did you end up with this? Sorry I missed it on the first go-around.

 

[Foggy]

I missed it too!!!
Just got done doing a 600 mile round trip towing my camper...
Trans ran a bit hotter than I wanted when the ambient temps were over 90*
so I'm looking a doing some measuring and replacing my current derale
hyper cool with the newest hyper cool extreme.... if it will fit