Expedition vs Suburban

Of the two, the Expy for the 6-spd trans. But I would look for an Expy EL or 2009+ Suburban with 6-spd. Verify anything has the HD towing package with trans cooler and shortest available axle ratio. Some 2009+ Suburbans only have 5000 pound tow ratings.

We have a 6.0 4l80e 2500 sub and tow a 5000lb hybrid tt. The 6 liter roars on the highway and the trans temp climbs in north eastern PA.

We have two Expeditions that we tow a 4200# dry weight trailer in the Rockies and have no problems doing it. There is no 3/4 ton class of Expys but there are Expys that have that kind of payload. Our 03 has a 1565# payload and the 07 has a 1746# payload. The highest I've seen is over 1800#.

The 03 will slow down on the steepest hills but it has the less powerful motor and 3 speed tranny. The 07 does better with the better motor and 5 speed tranny. On the flat either has more than enough power and I have to watch Keeping the speed of the rig down as I tend to keep up with traffic.

I've never towed with a Burb but my family does and they like them as much as we like the Expys. Renting a Burb the last time we were home, it seems like a nice truck.

A fair comparison would be the Expedition EL to the Suburban 1500. The regular Expy has a shorter wheelbase similar to a Tahoe/Yukon. A Suburban will have more room than an Expy but about the same as the Expy EL.

The 3/4 class SUV, which include the 2500 Suburban and Excursion are far superior tow vehicles for a long trailer. Although if you are happily towing that 30'er with a Land Rover you will be happy with any of the above.

We have the Avalanche, which is very similar to the Suburban. We've been towing our KZ Jag which is 4700 lbs dry weight, and now will be towing the Bullet with 5200 lbs dry weight. We had no issues with the Jag and don't expect any with the Bullet.

Having just upgraded from a 1/2 ton Burb to a 3/4 ton Burb, I would go with the Burb. Expy is a smaller class of vehicle. Only the Excursion can be compared directly with the Burb. Expy is same class as Tahoe/Yukon.

The 2500 Sub's payload is 740# higher than the Expy. Best tool for the job.

Well, your kids and wife will eat into the tow rating of the vehicle. Typically when they assume max-tow rating, it's with a full tank of fuel/fluids and a 150 to 170 lbs driver. So anything over that is "Payload". So you need to factor your wife and kids (and any of their friends) and subtract that from your "Max Tow" capacity. I would be more incline to select the Expy because of that fatter cushion it offers.

Be sure to check VEHICLE tongue weight rating. Not receiver rating, the VEHICLE. Ask Chevy. I'll bet it is 810#. Since you want 13% to 15% of TOTAL TT weight on tongue, if its 810# the max loaded TT would be 6230#.

Assuming Exp tongue rating is 910# (mine is) your max TT weight is 7000#. I know what I would choose, in fact I made that choice!

I have had both. First was EXpy and now pull with 3/4T 2003 Suburban.I did not like the feel of my EXpy, felt top heavy and did not have the power. My 3/4T burb now has 160,000 miles and at least 60,000 mile are towing a BP TT Toyhualer 29 foot. I would not give up my Suburban even if I have to rebuild it. Best tow rig I've had.