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2Bargos's avatar
2Bargos
Explorer
Feb 10, 2017

Suburban as a tow vehicle

Have been looking around at a few Suburbans to use as a tow vehicle.
Im looking at a couple in the 04-07 range.2500 series with 8.1 litre engines.

Anyway,,, A customer of mine (Frame and body shop owner )and I were discussing them today and he mentioned that the suburbans had frame issues ( weak in the rear behind axle) when towing campers and box trailers.

Has anyone heard of frame issues on the suburbans or was my customer probably taking about an isolated incident or repeating something told to him.
Tow Vehicles

12 Replies

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  • Trackrig's avatar
    Trackrig
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2017
    I towed a lot with a 2500 that was around a 2000 year. Towed fine and had no issues with it.

    Bill
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2017
    8.1L Suburbans do not have frame issues. However '06 was the last year and the 8.1L was a pretty rare option. They do have a weak factory hitch receiver, but that is easily upgraded.

    The newer 2007+ Suburban 2500 did go through a chassis change, which includes an integrated hitch receiver limited to 1,000 pounds tongue weight. That effectively limits towing to about 7500 pounds, for a travel trailer. This cannot be replaced.

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