How Much Can a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban 2WD With The 5.3L V8 Engine Tow

Question:

can you tell me how much the max tow is on a 2012 Chevy Suburban with a 3.08 rear end.

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

According to the owner's manual for a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, the maximum towing capacity is 5,100 lbs. It looks like all Suburban's came from the factory with a trailer hitch but if you need any other components for towing a trailer such as a trailer wiring harness, brake controller, ball mount/hitch ball, suspension enhancements, or a transmission cooler I have attached these for you below.

For a trailer wiring harness, I recommend the Reese Multi-Plug Wiring Harness part # 74682 which has both 4 and 7-way trailer connection points. It also offers a completely plug and play installation so long as you have the correct plug under your rear bumper which you should.

For a brake controller, I recommend the Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller part # C51180 because it does not require any modifications to the tow vehicle. It also uses a device you are already comfortable with (you phone) so there isn't much of a learning curve like there would be for a conventional brake controller.

For a ball mount/hitch ball, I recommend the B&W Tow & Stow 3-Ball Mount part # BWTS10047B. The Tow & Stow is unique in that the hitch ball can be flipped down and underneath out of view for a clean look while not towing a trailer. The adjustable design means you will be covered for nearly every trailer so you don't need to measure the coupler height each time with a new trailer.

For a set of suspension enhancements, I recommend the Air Lift AirLift 1000 Air Helper Springs for Coil Springs part # AL60769. For starters, suspension enhancements are necessary as they will minimize the amount of vehicle sag you experience which will in turn increase braking performance and stability. The airbags in particular are adjustable so you don't lose as much ride quality because you can customize the support/comfort setting.

For a transmission cooler, I recommend the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit part # D13504 with the Derale Snap-In Radiator Adapter Fitting for GM part # D13035. The Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler will help increase the longevity of your vehicle's transmission and the kit comes with everything needed for installation.

I have attached several review/install videos on the above for you as well.