Anyone tow with a Suburban 2500

have '06 3/4 burb w/6.0 towed 5800lbs and you move right along, have lots of space. Also have also pulled 8500-9000 and it's getting a work out, but still pulls and handles well.

Backing up carringb's post. GM's 6.0L has about the same torque as Ford's 3V 5.4L. It has about 50 more HP, so when it downshifts and hits 4500rpm, it will pull stronger to about 6000rpm. Ford's 6.8L V10 would be better.

Going to a newer TV will benefit from more trans gears. A modern 6-spd/3.73 will offer about 60% more wheel torque in first gear than your current 4-spd trans. You end up with 5 usable towing gears vs. 3, lower engine speed on flat highway, and better FE.

I had a 2003 F-150 5.4L (2V) before that was good. But my current 6.0L is better, and the 6-spd trans makes great use of it. And I get use about 15% less fuel under all circumstances as my prior F-150.

A Ford V10 van would be better towing than a current GM van/Suburban 2500 while using more fuel unloaded.

Payload for my check-almost-every-option-box Suburban 2WD is 2051. That's about 650 more than a similarly equipped half ton Burb, but a far cry from 3/4 and 1-ton vans. It's plenty for our needs giving the 1000 pounds receiver limit.

If you want an SUV, the Suburban is absolutely the best choice.

That said... What do you mean by "struggle"? The 5.4L isn't exactly underpowered, however like all small blocks it has to rev to make power. But the 6.0 does also, and even makes peak torque at a higher RPM.

Basically, if you expect to be able to tow without down-shifting, the 6.0 is not going to solve your issue. In fact, even the V10 is a high-revving motor, and will downshift frequently unless you re-program it (it will pull nicely a low RPMs if you add a tuner).

Another point to keep in mind... A 'burb 2500 will give you about 200-300 pounds more payload over your E150, assuming it is a factory wagon and not a conversion van. An E350 van (or Express 3500) will give you nearly double the payload of a suburban 2500.

Same thing in my sig - best tow vehicle I have ever had (previous was '03 Dodge 2500 Crewcab long bed 5.9 Cummins, '10 Ford F-250 Crewcab short bed 5.4 gasser, '03 Ex 6.0L PSD).

Since I have Burb that I love. If you have need of it, it's a great vehicle.. Can load it down with people and gear for a wide variety of uses.

But my heart would go with a crew cab ford f350 with the v-10. It would be an amazing tow beast for a long time. It will have different uses but some of those are needed also. Saying that I won't be getting rid of my Burb anytime soon. It's paid for and I probably will never have another.

I've had experience with both engines and you'll be happier with the 6.0L Chevy but it's not a huge jump. The V10 would be nice but of course the mpg are not great.

I'm guessing a 4900# dry TT rolls down the road around 6-6500 so it's not really that much weight. I'd say if you're looking for some reasonable mpg go with the 6.0L. If you don't care that much get the V10.

Ours has been a great tow machine for 12 years and counting, first with the 34' TT and the current 32' TT. Very stable, comfortable and easy to drive when not towing. Ditto on the new hitch receivers, they are not replaceable so you are limited to 1000 tongue weight.

I have a 2007 Suburban 2500 LTZ which is rare. It doesn't have the new 6 speed. We have 105,000 miles on it. It's a great vehicle. On mountains I put mine in third gear and it does great. All gas engines you know have to rev higher thank diesels.

I'm also a big fan of the ford V-10. Loads of power. You will have no problem with either vehicle towing.

We love ours! 40k miles in 27 months. Its is our main family vehicle, wife's daily driver, as well as TV. A 2008+ with 6.0L/6-spd is great! If you like vans, GM makes a 3/4 and 1-ton full size vans with 6.0L and 6-spd. They will be far less costly and maybe easier to find than 3/4 ton Burbs. Don't forget the Yukon XL 2500 as well to about double the small inventory.

Keep in mind the 2007+ GM SUVs have a limit of 1000 pounds of TW. But I'd tow 8500 pounds loaded without question with mine as long as the TW is within spec.!

Our '03 Yukon XL (same as Suburban) 2500 has the 6.0L and 4.10 gears. TT dry weight is 7,600lb.(oem specs, I have not weighed it) and the Yukon gets around 8mpg towing it. The extra trans gears of the newer ones would be helpful, I think. 2nd row captains chairs and 3rd row bench are a nice option if you do not need the 2nd row bench. It makes 3rd row access much easier for the kids. I use the 4wd/low range frequently when parking the tt. It makes it easier to control and is less strain on the drivetrain. That could be one thing to consider, as most vans do not have 4wd/low range. I do like the chevy/gmc conversion vans with the duramax, though.