Is that trailer a barbecue wagon? I'm just guessing from your handle.
An AD Suburban has 116 inch wheelbase, and rear track width of about 62 inches. Stock it weighs less than 4000 pounds and is rated as a 1/2-ton truck. Length and width contribute to stability when towing and those dimensions are all a little small to be pulling a 4500 pound trailer at 70 mph. Smaller trucks are often rated to pull as much as 5000 but they are scary doing it.
I'm sure that trailer has brakes, but I'd start by planning to put brakes on the Suburban that would stop the trailer even if it's brakes had failed. Since the trailer weighs more than the truck, its always going to be marginal.
The GM 14-bolt comes in two versions, the smaller one (semi-float) has six lugs and brakes that are probably about big enough to do this job. And you definitely want good big disks up front. Ignore the 10-bolt, it isn't big enough. The full float 14-bolt or a Dana 70 would have bigger brakes, but are overkill for your truck.
Next step is the tires, you want tires and wheels rated for the max load including the trailer.
I start with those issues, because those things add quite a bit of weight, and the heavier it gets the more power you need under the hood even without the trailer. I'd pass on the 305 and look for a 350, or maybe go with a 383 stroker motor. Look at the later motors, the 5.3 seems small, but everyone I know who has one loves it, even pulling a trailer the size of yours.
The 700R4 will probably be adequate, but most recommend you stay out of overdrive when towing.
My 4200 pound (empty) 350 powered 3/4-ton pickup with a 700R4 shifts down to second so often when pulling a loaded trailer that I wonder if it would ever go into overdrive. But I've never tried either.
Last edited by OldSub; 07/11/2008 6:05 PM.
