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Veik's avatar
Veik
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015

OIder SUV for towing hybrid trailer

Looking to buy a third car that will tow around 7000#
I am looking at hybrid trailer, loaded weight will probably be around 6000-6500#

What would you recommend?
Older Suburban or Tahoe?

16 Replies

  • At best with a half ton you'll have adequate towing performance with the 5.3L and the rare 4.10 axle. And $10k doesn't seem to get a 2007+ 6.2L/6-spd. Wow, 250k miles $12k asking!

    Looks like V10 Excursions should have some options in the price range, but becoming rare.
  • APT wrote:
    How old are you talking or budget? Performance wise, anything with a 6-spd trans will greatly out-perform the 4-spds from 10+ years ago. If you can find a 2007+ Yukon Denali, you'll be very pleased with towing performance. Otherwise, I'd stick to older Excursion V10 or Suburban 2500.

    If you need 3-rows of seats, skip the short wheelbases, Tahoe/Yukon. Worthless and no cargo storage with 3rd row up.


    $10,000 reasonable?
    I have seen units around 7-8K, with 130+K on the ODO
    Suburbans, Tahoes...
  • How old are you talking or budget? Performance wise, anything with a 6-spd trans will greatly out-perform the 4-spds from 10+ years ago. If you can find a 2007+ Yukon Denali, you'll be very pleased with towing performance. Otherwise, I'd stick to older Excursion V10 or Suburban 2500.

    If you need 3-rows of seats, skip the short wheelbases, Tahoe/Yukon. Worthless and no cargo storage with 3rd row up.
  • I was just in the market looking about a month ago and found a 2001 Suburban 1500 4x4 132,000 miles for $4600. i also looked at Tahoes and Expeditions in the same year range but members on here convinced me I would be happier with the extra cargo space of the Suburban and they were right. 2500 Suburbans were hard to find and considerably more pricey. I also looked at and drove V10 Excursions because they are 3/4 ton and seemed more prevalent than 2500 Suburbans. Down side to me on the Excursion was the Dutch doors on the back. I had Dutch doors on a GMC Safari van and they were a pain in the butt. Too many motions just to get the back end open. The driving difference from a Expedition to a Excursion was night and day. A grocery getter vs a truck. I didn't feel that between the 1500 & 2500 Suburban. A little stiffer ride but not dramatically different driving. I'm towing 5-5500 lbs but if I was going to 7000 lbs I probably would have held out for a 2500 or Excursion. Extra power and extra suspension is never a bad thing.
  • Also look for an 8.1L engine. My 6.0 doesn't cut it much of the time towing 7500 lbs.
    We get the same towing mileage now as when we had our 8.1. The only difference is the 6.0 gets better mileage on the highway when not towing but that is 1% of our mileage.
  • I think you will do better with a suburban, but each one you look at may have different numbers. Maybe look for a 3/4 ton (2500) as opposed to the 1/2 ton (1500). Pretty sure the ratings are slightly higher on 2wd models vs 4wd ones.

    The 1/2 on could probably do it with the loaded weight you describe, but I think as often happens, you go in looking for one thing, come out with something else. The 2500 would give you a little extra cushion.