Zactly!!! My 26' Sonic weighed 7280 lbs on the trailer full of gear, tools, trailer, & crap, including a 3/4 full tank (about 75 gallons).
26' Sonic specs are 5050 lbs. dry. That's 2230 lbs. of additional weight.

I need that! I would look to get rid of my Suburban and get something like that. The crew cab is nice and so is the short bed.

The Burban can pull my Apache but it's definetely not meant to do it! I would never think to take it on the Highway or over 65 mph.

2007 Suburban 2500 available with 9700 lbs towing capacity cant find the engine specs.

2007 Suburban Specs
1/2 ton has the 5.3L
3/4 ton has the 6.0L ONLY (No 8.1L in 2007)

Vortec 5300 V8 (Automatic)
MODEL Max. Trailer Weight (lbs.)1 Required Axle Ratio
Suburban half-ton (2WD) 7,100 3.73
8,100 4.10
Suburban half-ton (4x4) 7,000 3.73
8,000 4.10


Vortec 6000 V8 (Automatic)
MODEL Max. Trailer Weight (lbs.)1 Required Axle Ratio
Suburban three-quarter-ton (2WD) 7,700 3.73
9,700 4.10
Suburban three-quarter-ton (4x4) 7,500 3.73
9,500 4.10

Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. The weight of other optional equipment, passengers and cargo will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. See your Chevy dealer for additional details. NOTES: Trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of total loaded trailer weight (up to 1,000 lbs.). Addition of trailer tongue weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door frame. For recreational towing restrictions and availability, consult the Owner’s Manual.

So it's not going to be the 6.2 380HP motor available in the Denalli XL

I would not want ANY of the SB based motors for towing over 5K lbs. (total, not just dry boat weight). They all have their power and torque peaks and bands at very high RPMs. This is NOT good for towing. Do you really want to pull your boat up the ramp at 3500-4000 RPM and be towing constantly at 3000 RPM (considering for a tow vehicle you are going to want a 4.10 rear anyhow, also raising your cruise RPM). Gas mileage is going to be in single digits no matter what. When you have the rotating assembly and transmission rotating that fast, that constantly, and working that hard, its going to be a ticking timebomb.

You need a BB (in case of GM) as a minimum to tow with reliability and longevity. Obviously, diesel is preferred, but you there is no way I would want one of these newer SBC motors for a HD tow vehicle.



All of these manufacturers have a delicate balance to maintain. They have to build their vehicles and spec them and rate them to capacities that will sell the vehicles off the showroom floor. They also only HAVE to last as long as the warranty. So, they have to build them as cheaply as possbile, just stong enough to get through the factory included warranty. After that, there is the grey area of extended warranty, which is 50% or more profit to the selling agent. Then, GM, Ford, Dodge, or whomever can start making more money off of (us) when we come looking to replace grenaded parts. Do you think the COB of Ford give a rats ass that I bought a 2000 F-350? Other than the fact that I sold a GM to buy it; nope. The manufacturer cash cow is making profit on new vehicles. Dealers profit most from used vehicles sales and service.

Maybe not but the 6.0L is easy to work. They make supercharger kits, cam kits, headers ect. for the 6.0L motor. The Cam is so easy to change because of the spring loaded lifters so you don't even need to remove the intake manifold.

Small block powered golf cart, there is one here on the river. Make sure you upgrade the brakes also.

F-550 MINIMUM !! weight distribution hitch, air bags, 15 ply 35's, take it very slow, and since your not going very far you should be o.k. ....

However,, if your gonna do that trip often and plan to tow very far you most definitely need one of these..

Golf Cart!