My work rented me a 2015 Suburban for the weekend. My work event is 340 ish miles from the office so I got to spend some good time behind the wheel today. Initial observations are that this is a (obviously) very nice ride. The 5.3 is smooth and powerful. On my trip from a full tank I was able to get the lie-o-meter to reach 22.1 MPG... If that's within 2-3 mpg accurate I would say that this is impressive for a vehicle of this size. Mostly interstate travel though. This is a 2wd and has under 1700 lbs of payload. Something I found interesting in the under floor compartment in the rear of the SUV was a bundle of 4 wires with a connector.... I saw the wire colors and recognized that this is a vehicle side pig tail for an aftermarket brake controller. I thought this was interesting as I assumed that a $50k plus 2015 Suburban would have an integrated brake controller. I assumed wrong. The coolest "doodad" in this truck is the 'secret compartment' behind the Navi screen. Very cool. While not even close to my best choice for a family vehicle I know a lot of families will buy them to pull light weight travel trailers with the 8300 lb tow rating. And do other suburban chores. My only concern is that the rear end feels squishy. If anyone who has any specific questions or would like specific measurements or pictures or anything like that, let me know and I'll try to post them up. I don't have a good pic yet but I will post one when I get a chance if you all are interested. Thanks!Jeremiah

I am a suburban nut !! I love them. Yes mileage seems pretty good and I think will get better as more miles add up. I would never buy one like that because my 2000 burb with 200,000 miles still does what that can also do for me. Not saying I don't want one though. lol. I prefer GMs small block v8s because of their dependability, great fuel mileage, and low maintenance. Don't think I would want a high mile twin turbo motor out of warrenty. Too much high dollar stuff to fix.

We are all different and different in different ways.... :BToo many folks think in a 'one size fits all' and/or 'theirs is the best'Yes, the best for them, but not necessarily for everyone...even one sizefits all socks do NOT fit me well...Folks forget or never knew that the OEMs have a host of specificationsand requirements from both the regulatory agencies and their owninternal groups (mainly service when it comes to vehicles)GMT400 TBI could be made to have high MPG's, but that required removingseveral computer safeties. Mainly thermal set point, or increase thoseset points so that power mode could be kept for longer periods of timeThis is what tuners mainly do...change the OEM setpoints to allow higherPSI's on the piston top and remove safeties (this includes EPA stuff)This thread is an example of why I'll be keeping my K3500 Suburban tillthe wheels fall off...Most folks today think of a Suburban more as a 'car' than a truck, ofwhich is was originally derived from. Several hundred K miles is nothingto a well kept 'truck'...they are designed for 'work', not groceryand soccer mom runs...

All of the full size SUV's are great buys for the very long term. You can put 250K miles on one and re-engine them for another 250K miles. If you trade every 2.5 years, they're going to be very expensive vehicles.I ordered an Expedition once that got 19.75 mpg on its first tank of gas. But it didn't have the power to pull a travel trailer. With a full load of passengers and a large engine SUV pulling an RV, they're still going to get dismal fuel mileage.Question is whether you're willing to put up with that fuel mileage for having so much room?

OP here,Great comments everyone. I do want to clarify one thingI'm in a 2015 suburban rental. I am not personally interested in a Suburban at this time. My point in posting this was to serve as a resource for anyone interested in anything on the 2015 Suburban since I have this thing until Monday morning. Any measurements or pictures I will be happy to post. As far as the capability of this thing I have no doubt that the truck can pull up to its max rating on trailer weight. The tires would have to be aired up to max PSI to get the squishy feeling gone. I may do that when I fill up and just see how it rides. I agree with BenK, a 2500 Suburban is well suited to pulling a heavy trailer. But those searching for new will have to accept the limitations of the new Suburban. FWIW this LT Subutban (loaded with a lot of options) has a little over 1600 lbs of payload and an 8300 lb tow rating. Many of the older 2500 Subs that I looked at had 1800-2200 ish lbs of payload and 7,000-10,000 lb trailer weight rating. Not a huge disparity in capability Especially when you compare semi float rear axle 2500 Subs to these new ones.I've taken some pics and I'll try to post them up for review. Thanks!Jeremiah

Here is a few pics of the Burb and some of the important dataHere is a shot of the lower front a-arm Here is the front suspension looking from the rear of the front wheel well looking forwardsHere is the payload sticker... interesting that the payload rating is at 35 PSI... the tires max out at 51 PSI. Here is the tires themselves... they are Goodyear Assurance tires and are rated to a max load rating of 2469 lbs each. Here is the ratings on the receiver...more than enough for properly matched travel trailers. 800-900 lbsI'll try to get some pics of the rear suspension when I get home and can back it into my car port. Thanks!Jeremiah

2015 Suburban LT | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

APT
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
fly-boy, do you have a 2015 Suburban? You can check your RPO sticker and look up what each one means. A 2015 with integrated brake controller means you have the HD trailering package and 3.42 axle.
fly-boy
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
Our new Suburban came with an integrated brake controller- My guess is that it was an option- Hence the wires you found.

I think ours has a 3.73- pretty sure its not 3.08. Would I use it to tow? Maybe to put the boat in and out of the water or something.

It's basically a really big passenger car with four wheel drive. Great for getting groceries, driving kids around, and getting to and from the ski hill.
Tystevens
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
I really like how the new 'Burbs look. I know we have been beyond happy with the two we've owned ('05 and '10).
APT
Explorer
Sep 23, 2014
3.08 axle with 6-spd - the first 4 gears are close to older 4-spds with 4.10 so it can feel good.

The 3.08 tow rating is in the 6000 pound range vs. 8000 for 4WD Suburbans.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2014
Yes! The area behind the rear seat is very useful. The third row folds flat into the floor so there is no moe wrestling the bench in and out of the vehicle. That feature may have been around for some years, I am not sure.

As far as towing, I wish I had a TT to try it out with. I would have for sure. The 3.08 rear axle is rated for 8300 lbs. what I can say is this thing will flat run and it doesn't feel like the 3.08 rear gears of old. I am not sure if there is something to the 6 speed or not.

However the 8300 lb rating is nothing to sneeze at.

I was concerned about the mirrors too. They are adequate but do have a fisheye blind spot mirror built in to the drivers side mirror. I would prefer a set of dumbo ear mirrors but that's just me.

The drivers seat wasn't nearly as comfortable as 90% of the chevy seats I have used. GM seats are generally VERY comfy however this seat is the exception. The seats were stiff and after 300 miles one way I was thankful my trip was over. Even my wife commented about how uncomfortable the seats were.

The 2015 Expedition will have a HD version that will be rated to pull over 9,000 lbs from what I understand. I'm not sure how much payload it will have but if it's close to 2000 lbs then it may be a suitable replacement for many 2500 Suburbans...just with the wrong nameplate.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
MegaCab_PL
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
Did you look at the compartment behind the third row seats ? Is it useful ?

Also, I think those mirrors are so small, were they adequate ?

Thanks for posting that.
T_in_Michigan
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
GU4, 3.08 rear axle ratio.

C6A 7300 GVWR

This vehicle is not really set up for towing for the most part.

P tires, smaller axle ratio, when I buy a Suburban I want one that can haul the kids and the 30' camper.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2014
APT wrote:
How about the RPO sticker? I bet it has 3.08 gears. In fact, I think the only way to get the 3.42 is the HD trailering package which does include integrated brake controller.

Sure, I turned te Suburban in this morning but I did think to grab a pic of the RPO sticker. I am pretty sure that the 3.08 rear axle is what this one has.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
APT
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
How about the RPO sticker? I bet it has 3.08 gears. In fact, I think the only way to get the 3.42 is the HD trailering package which does include integrated brake controller.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2014
Here is a few pics of the Burb and some of the important data

Here is a shot of the lower front a-arm

Here is the front suspension looking from the rear of the front wheel well looking forwards

Here is the payload sticker... interesting that the payload rating is at 35 PSI... the tires max out at 51 PSI.

Here is the tires themselves... they are Goodyear Assurance tires and are rated to a max load rating of 2469 lbs each.

Here is the ratings on the receiver...more than enough for properly matched travel trailers. 800-900 lbs

I'll try to get some pics of the rear suspension when I get home and can back it into my car port.

Thanks!

Jeremiah