Tow rig advice needed...
We're looking into upgrading our tow vehicle... We currently drive a '93 Suburban 2500 4wd 7.4L... We tow a 28' Arctic Fox... about 10k lbs... Our old rig tows it well, a little slow up the m...
Forum Discussion
Wishin wrote:
I found my 8.1L Suburban by doing a nationwide search and with the willingness to go where necessary to buy it. It took some time but I eventually found the one I wanted. It was 2013 when I found my 2003 with 134,000 miles on it. I paid $9800 for it and have probably spent another $5-6,000 on it including the sales tax, flight costs, hotel, gas to get home and a lot of fixing up and repairs since. Fuel pump left me stranded and I've also replaced the water pump, hoses, radiator, oil pressure sensor, plugs, wires, power steering pump, power steering lines, oil cooler lines, tie rod ends, added Weather tech floor liners, new sway bars front and rear. My 2nd choice was to buy a newer Suburban with the 6.0L and 6-speed (2008+) but that was going to cost me closer to $25,000 and it would have had over 100,000 miles on it also. A Duramax 2500HD crew cab was going to cost $25-30,000 as well (looked at 2006-2007 LBZ models). For the money I have into it, it is a great tow vehicle that is now in great mechanical condition. It doesn't drip any fluids, looks spotless underneath (it came from the south) with no rust anywhere.
Buying an older vehicle has its downsides, but it is much cheaper and if you plan to keep it for 10 years, all the mechanical repairs to get it in good condition are well worth it. For me I preferred it over the newer Suburbans as the hitch is replaceable with a Class V hitch and the newer ones are only rated to 1000 lbs of tongue weight. A big issue in my mind. It also has more comfortable seats and better head restraints for the 2nd and 3rd rows compared to the 2007+ models.
I went a similar route. Bought a 2002 in 2013 with 99000 miles for $10,000. Put some money into it (brake lines, AC condensers, shocks, fuel pump). Changed all fluids and tuned it up right away.
It has been a good tow rig. Put 9000 miles on it two summers ago with one minor glitch (axle seal). Engine is still strong and we love the interior space even though we don't really need it.
I got lucky and found it about 30 miles from my home. Dealer said the 2500's usually sell within a day or two when he gets them in.
