How To Tow With The 1994 Chevrolet Suburban

Question

Question:

hello, i have a 1994 chevy suburban k1500 , vin says it was manufactured 11/93 build sheet says it has all the tow package complete, also says i has the rpo vr4, z82 hitch platform, with a m30 4l60e transmission. can you tell me is this good combination ? is there something i could do to upgrade and maybe you can suggest a better not best but better trans / 5.7 lt combination. my goal would be to pull 6800lb, any thoughts or help educate me better on this. thank you.

asked by: Erikd

0

Expert Reply:

The best place to get the best information of towing capacities and limitations is in your owner's manual. According to my research the towing capacity of your Suburban hitch has a towing capacity of around 10,000lbs. Please confirm this with your manual and GM before towing. Subtract GCWR from GVWR to determine towing capacity. In regards to the concerns about the transmission, I am going to recommend a transmission cooler to keep it cool while trailer towing.

Since your Suburban is already equipped with a towing package you may already have a 4-way. If you don't already have one, you will need 4-way Flat Trailer Connector # C55319. The purpose of this item is to control and allow the basic hookup of the three lighting functions (running, turn, and brake lights) plus one pin is provided for a ground wire. Most standard light duty trailers will use a 4-pole flat connector. This custom-fit T-One connector plugs into your Suburban's wiring harness, which is located under the vehicle in the center. Once installation is complete, the 4-way flat connector will be stowed beneath your Chevrolet Suburban, near the trailer hitch. A mounting bracket # 18144 may be needed to keep the connector secure.

If you are towing a trailer with electric brakes, the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller 7-Way # ETBC7 will work with your Chevrolet Suburban's 4-way connection. This kit includes everything you need to install an electric trailer brake controller and 7-way connector.

According to an owners manual from a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban, it recommends using a sway control with any trailer that weighs 3,000 pounds or more. The weight distribution system I recommend is the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Round - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW # FA94-00-1000. This unit has sway control, will fit your hitch, electric brake compatible, and allows backing up. The 2" Hitch Ball # A-90 is the recommended hitch ball. The Thin Walled Socket for Equal-i-zer Hitches # EQ70-00-4800 is required for hitch ball install.

If you need a brake controller the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller # 90195 is one of our most popular controllers. This proportional brake controller will activate your trailer brakes in a proportion to your vehicle's braking action. It'll automatically adjust your trailer's braking based on the deceleration of the tow vehicle and it activates immediately so there's no pausing like with your time delay brake controllers. It does have an automatic leveling ability because there's an internal sensor on the inside which will detect deceleration even if the controller is not mounted flat.

It is never a bad thing to add a supplemental cooler to your vehicle when towing. You cannot cool your transmission fluid too much. One of our most popular fan/cooler combinations is the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets, # D13502. This fan measures 11" Wide x 7-1/4" tall x 7/8" deep. if you have enough room to mount this cooler this would be a great option for you.

The ideal location for a transmission cooler is where it can get the maximum airflow in front of the AC condenser. If there isn't room there the next best location is between the condenser and the radiator and the last place is behind the radiator. The cooler installs on the transmission return line.