Tahoe vs Suburban
We like the Tahoe for general use around town but when towing is the Suburban or Yukon XL a better choice. Anyone experience both SUV's and notice any major differences towing. Our RV or TT weighs...
Forum Discussion
Hi Guys,
I used to have a 2002 K1500 Tahoe and replaced it with a 2003 K2500 Suburban. Both where good trucks, the Burb even had rear wheel steering (Quadrasteer). I sure miss that truck, we just grew out of the towing capacity. I have measured both and here is the differences concerning wheel base and rear overhang.
If I put my Reese HP WD shank in the truck receiver I had this:
2002 K1500 Tahoe:
- 116" wheelbase
- 58" rear overhang (rear axle to tow ball)
2003 K2500 Suburban:
- 130" wheelbase
- 65" rear overhang
One would think the shorter rear overhang would give the Tahoe an advantage, however the math says no.
A rule of thumb for towing stability is the rear overhang is no more than 1/2 the wheelbase. So lets see.
Tahoe: 116/58 = 2 Or the rear overhang is exactly half the WB
Suburban: 130/65 = 2 Or the rear overhang is exactly half the WB
so the ratio of rear overhang to WB is the same.
Now lets look at the force moments if we apply a 500# side load agasint the tow ball. What is the force of resistance at the front axle?
(Summating forces around the rear axle)
Tahoe: 500# x 58" = Y# x 116" Solving for Y, 250# seen at the front axle.
Suburban: 500# x 65" = Y# x 130" Solving for Y, 250# seen at the front axle.
According to the math, as far as WB and rear overhang there is no difference in stability between the Hoe and the Burb.
If the Burb with 130" WB had a 58" rear overhang, it would be better.
From what I have found, tire sidewalls flex will have a significant effect on towing stability, even in the 2500 Burb. Been there and felt/proved that. The wrong tires, LT E load range or not can make or break the stability of a tow rig. It was more of a factor then the rear overhang concern in this case.
Hope this helps
John
I used to have a 2002 K1500 Tahoe and replaced it with a 2003 K2500 Suburban. Both where good trucks, the Burb even had rear wheel steering (Quadrasteer). I sure miss that truck, we just grew out of the towing capacity. I have measured both and here is the differences concerning wheel base and rear overhang.
If I put my Reese HP WD shank in the truck receiver I had this:
2002 K1500 Tahoe:
- 116" wheelbase
- 58" rear overhang (rear axle to tow ball)
2003 K2500 Suburban:
- 130" wheelbase
- 65" rear overhang
One would think the shorter rear overhang would give the Tahoe an advantage, however the math says no.
A rule of thumb for towing stability is the rear overhang is no more than 1/2 the wheelbase. So lets see.
Tahoe: 116/58 = 2 Or the rear overhang is exactly half the WB
Suburban: 130/65 = 2 Or the rear overhang is exactly half the WB
so the ratio of rear overhang to WB is the same.
Now lets look at the force moments if we apply a 500# side load agasint the tow ball. What is the force of resistance at the front axle?
(Summating forces around the rear axle)
Tahoe: 500# x 58" = Y# x 116" Solving for Y, 250# seen at the front axle.
Suburban: 500# x 65" = Y# x 130" Solving for Y, 250# seen at the front axle.
According to the math, as far as WB and rear overhang there is no difference in stability between the Hoe and the Burb.
If the Burb with 130" WB had a 58" rear overhang, it would be better.
From what I have found, tire sidewalls flex will have a significant effect on towing stability, even in the 2500 Burb. Been there and felt/proved that. The wrong tires, LT E load range or not can make or break the stability of a tow rig. It was more of a factor then the rear overhang concern in this case.
Hope this helps
John
