Best Complete Towing Setup for a 2003 Chevy Suburban 1500

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Question:

2003 Suburban 1500 Can you give me your recommendations for all the parts I will need for this vehicule? hitch, connector, brake controler, etc It is not pre-wired and I would like to tow around 8 000 pounds. Thanks!

asked by: Bruno L

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Expert Reply:

First thing you need to do is check your owners manual to determine if your vehicle has the capacity to tow 8,000 lbs.

Let's start with a hitch. For that I will recommend the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch # 41930. This would have more than enough capacity.

If you plan on doing some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not have the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, use the link I have included to the right that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

Since you do not have a factory trailer wiring you will need to start with a 4-way (if you do not have one). For that you would want the C59496.

From there you would need to convert the 4-way to a 7-way so that you can install the brake controller. For that you will want the Brake Controller Install Kit and 7-Way Adapter part # ETBC7. I attached installation instructions and an install video for this product as well.

For a brake controller I would recommend the Prodigy P2 Brake Controller part # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup.

Since you plan on towing such a large amount you will also want a weight distribution system as we recommend them any time the trailer you are towing weighs more than half of what the tow vehicle weighs.

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached an FAQ on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well.

Typically tongue weight is 10-15 percent of the total trailer weight, so you would most likely be looking at a tongue weight range of 800-1,200 lbs. The part # RP66542 would work great for this.

If you go with a weight distribution system you wouldn't need the # 989900 that I recommended previously.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

According to the owner's manual for your 2003 Chevrolet Suburban with the 5.3L engine and 3.73 gear ratio, the towing capacity of the vehicle is 7,400 lbs if you have a 2WD or 7,100 lbs of you have a 4WD. In order to tow a trailer with your…

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Answer 2

Thank you for including a photo of your 2003 Suburban 1500 and hitched Jayco toy hauler trailer. If your Suburban's suspension is still in good working order and not suffering sag from simply being well worn, and if the vehicle is being used…

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Answer 3

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 4

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 5

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 6

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 7

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 8

The difference between an load range C and load range D tire in the same size is the capacity and psi rating. The two tires will still have the same dimensions and fit on the same wheel. The D rated tire has a higher capacity. For a ST175/80D13 like…

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Answer 9

Hey David, from previous customers of ours who have the same 2020 Keystone Raptor 424 we have determined that your pin box style is the Lippert 1621 which means for a Gen-Y gooseneck adapter you'd want the #GY58GR that you referenced.

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Answer 10

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors which we…

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Answer 11

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 12

Load range B trailer tires are going to have a lower capacity than C load range tires. Basically that, psi rating, and the ply rating are the only differences. A higher load range tire would last a little longer than lower load ranges of the same…

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Best Complete Towing Setup for a 2003 Chevy Suburban 1500

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