I need an inexpensive SUV tow vehicle for a 2009 Wildwood 22RB-XLITE Backpack Edition TT with a UVW 3619 GVW 5400 lbs. I have narrowed the search down to the Tahoe, Expedition or Suburban from 1999-2003. They seem to fall in my $4-5000 price range and have enough tow and payload capacity with a WDH. Is the wheelbase on the Tahoe and Expedition long enough? Thoughts on the 5.7 vs 5.3 vs 5.4 engines? Tranny's? I know axle ratings vary so I will be looking at 3.55-4.10. The Suburbans all are 1500 series. A pick-up won't work because I need the cargo space heated and cooled for hauling dogs. Input from anyone using or has used one of these vehicles for towing would be appreciated.

The Suburban may do well for you with added room when the middle seat is down. I had a 98 that I pulled a 32ft. trailer with. With the 3.73 gear, it gave me a 7000lb. tow capicity and also was a 1500 with 5.7l. Just make sure the a/c works in the rear, cause they are prone to lines corroding and leaking.

I wouldn't mess around with a Tahoe if you need the space.My dad had a '99 Suburban w/ 5.7 that he ran to about 350k miles. Good engine, solid vehicle, seemed to have more low end power than my '05 Suburban 5.3. He didn't tow a lot with it, but it did fine when called on. I think he had a couple transmission issues in the 200-300k mile range, but that wouldn't be unexpected for any auto transmission from that vintage, I wouldn't think.

Do the 'Burb, although any of them will be fine.I'm assuming the Tahoe/Suburban's you are looking at are C or K 1500s. Those use the 4L60E transmissions. They are not bad but are prone to damage due to over heating. Fluid should be changed every 50k miles, so if you find one with service records, all the better. In either case, change the fluid immediately and use Dex VI, not the Dex III that they came stock with. Dex VI is a synthetic blend and runs much cooler than Dex III, and is backward compatible with the older 4L60Es. It would not hurt to add an axillary transmission cooler. Stacked plate type is best, but any extra cooling is better than just stock.

Does the 99 Suburban and 2001 Suburban use the same transmission? What is a stacked plate cooler?

I would go with Burb or the Expedition el for the room and longer wheelbase. I would buy witchever was the lowest miles and the cleanest.

Tahoe vs Expedition vs Suburban to tow 5400 GVW TT

17 Replies

_tpc_
Explorer
Apr 09, 2015
Yes the longer wheelbase will help to control sway issues if you were to have any. Very generally speaking, the longer the trailer, the more likely the sway, the less effective the shorter wheelbase is.

I tow with a 07 tahoe. Do I wish it was a burb? Maybe. Tough to say. I love my tahoe. If I had a burb decked out in the same fashion, and it would fit in the garage (im sure it would be maybe not as easy), then I'd probably be just a little happier with it.
marquette
Explorer
Apr 09, 2015
Any thoughts on the 12-14 in difference in wheelbase between the Suburban and Tahoe/Expedition?
colliehauler
Explorer III
Apr 09, 2015
I would go with Burb or the Expedition el for the room and longer wheelbase. I would buy witchever was the lowest miles and the cleanest.
marquette
Explorer
Apr 09, 2015
Does the 99 Suburban and 2001 Suburban use the same transmission? What is a stacked plate cooler?
Campfire_Time
Explorer
Apr 09, 2015
Do the 'Burb, although any of them will be fine.

I'm assuming the Tahoe/Suburban's you are looking at are C or K 1500s. Those use the 4L60E transmissions. They are not bad but are prone to damage due to over heating. Fluid should be changed every 50k miles, so if you find one with service records, all the better. In either case, change the fluid immediately and use Dex VI, not the Dex III that they came stock with. Dex VI is a synthetic blend and runs much cooler than Dex III, and is backward compatible with the older 4L60Es.

It would not hurt to add an axillary transmission cooler. Stacked plate type is best, but any extra cooling is better than just stock.
Tystevens
Explorer
Apr 09, 2015
I wouldn't mess around with a Tahoe if you need the space.

My dad had a '99 Suburban w/ 5.7 that he ran to about 350k miles. Good engine, solid vehicle, seemed to have more low end power than my '05 Suburban 5.3. He didn't tow a lot with it, but it did fine when called on. I think he had a couple transmission issues in the 200-300k mile range, but that wouldn't be unexpected for any auto transmission from that vintage, I wouldn't think.
mhsmith
Explorer
Apr 09, 2015
The Suburban may do well for you with added room when the middle seat is down. I had a 98 that I pulled a 32ft. trailer with. With the 3.73 gear, it gave me a 7000lb. tow capicity and also was a 1500 with 5.7l. Just make sure the a/c works in the rear, cause they are prone to lines corroding and leaking.

Forum Discussion

Tahoe vs Expedition vs Suburban to tow 5400 GVW TT

17 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Tahoe vs Suburban

Tahoe, Yukon EL, suburban or expedition EL

Expedition vs Suburban

expedition or tahoe for 33' TT

Tahoe vs Suburban