I am about to pull the trigger on a 98 GMC Suburban 2500 with a 454 and 4x4.

I currently pull a 32 ft travel trailer with my F150.

I got a 5.4 e40D and 2wd, extended cab.

Truck needs some work. Rear limited slip is sticking going around curves from a standing start.

Time for plugs and brakes

God I am going to miss my f150 if we do this. But I got two growing boys and a 1200 mile camping trip coming up.

I can invest the cash in the truck and have a solid F150. Or I can Sell my truck and buy the suburban out right and have a more capable tow vehicle.

Ahh I hate that ford didn't make a HD suv back in the 90's. I can't afford an excursion.

Thanks

 

32 foot RV is way to much for an F150 anyway.
Did you not ever chack out max gross vehichle towing weight for your F150?

 

You could go to a F250 S-Crew 4 door, but you wont find one in the price range of a 98 GMC.... Your rear axle vibration on the F150 is the limit slip clutch not releasing going around a corner.. Just add a 7 oz bottle of "friction modifier" from Auto Zone for $10.

 

Yup sure did, bought the F150 after I bought my trailer.

1997 F150 in my configuration is a 8000 lbs tow rating. The F150 handles it beautifully. Towed it all year last year.

My RV doesnt have a slide and only weighs about 6000-6500 loaded.

I need more room for my boys though.

Thanks.

 

#1 if you mean pull the trigger as in, 357 magnum, i think you'll need a bigger gun.
#2 real men don't wear bow-ties.
hope i talked you out of it. as of towing, all these guys are right, thats a big trailer for your truck.

 

Keep the truck and add a sun roof and a roof rack. $175.00 FOR BRAKES AND PLUGS. and it'll keep you smiling with that extra doe for the kids!

 

Thanks! I appreciate that. I may just keep it. The extended cab really isn't all that small. My buddy has an 04 SuperCrew (ironically, he tows a Travel Trailer too) The rear legroom is a little more on his truck but not a whole lot more.

I don't look forward to changing the plugs, but the brakes should be no problem. I think I need to change the brake fluid too.

I love how it tows and it does a beautiful job with this LIGHTER WEIGHT travel trailer. It tows level and does not sway.

Want to see a picture of it all hitched up? I will be more than happy to post one

Thanks!

 

Post the pic. Get that roof rack installed and you'll have way more room.

 

Thanks! Here are a few small pics. Not the clearest.





The truck tows this trailer like nobody's business.

It has a hidden hitch rated to 1100 lbs tongue weight under weight distribution and I added a b&m stacked plate transmission cooler.

The tires are p rated but they are six ply and are very stiff when aired to the max psi of 44 psi on the tire sidewalls.

3:55 rear end,

Husky weight distribution hitch and dual sway control.

This combo rocks!

Oh and it's close to 200k miles. Lol

Thanks

 

DW and I talked tonight. We decided to keep the truck and just fix it instead of buying a garage queen (aka Chevrolet)

I really love my truck.

So I made a short list of what I need to do.

1) Add the friction modifier to see if a $10.00 fix is going to work for the rear diff
2) Get brave and change the spark plugs myself
3) Redo the brakes. Change front pads, and replace all the rear drum hardware and replace the drum shoes, turn drums and rotors if needed
4) Replace the shocks with heavier duty shocks
5) Fix the odometer


I just got through with number 1, took about $10.00 and 10 minutes (took longer to figure out what tool I needed and where the fill plug was)

Took the truck out for a quick spin, and I can already tell a difference. The rear end is much quieter with no "shutter" to speak of. Probably will get better over time (hopefully) I was ready to spend 1k or more to fix it or sell it. Good thing I came on here first.

Brakes over the weekend! Woo Hoo!

Should I call it the Ultimate F150 Tow Vehicle thread? lol

Thanks!

 

If it were mine I'd replace the rotors and drums instead of turning them. Just my preference.

 

Is that because of the age of the drums and rotors?

Please do share.

Jerem0621

 

Perfect choice! Your list is pretty easy. Even the plugs...once you do them...you will be like what was all the hype about..

I agree. I would just buy new rotors and drums. But don't buy them from Autozone! I've personally have had nothing but bad luck with there crap. I always go to Advance Auto. Plus the employees seem to have there chit together too.

 

$1000 rear end - $10... you owe me $990 ? In all seriousness, most of the "grabby"rear ends that occure when turning can easliy be fixed with the friction modifier.

 

You have no idea how much I appreciate that little tip. I was ready to drop a good chunk of change to make it better.