'10 2500 Suburban towing thoughts

I looked for about a year for either a 03-06 8.1L or 08+. Never found one I was willing to buy. I was being too picky for the older ones and the discount compared to new was not worth it for the 08+ at the time. So I found one almost exactly how I would have ordered it.

Not much to worry about in general. It's a solid, reliable vehicle.

Examine the receivers as 600/1000 pounds without/with a WDH is easy to exceed. I can/have towed my TT from storage to home without the WD bars because the suspension has no problem with it, unlike my prior half ton.

I really wanted the 2nd row captain chairs. Much easier access to the 3rd row and more legroom for adults to stretch out between those seats. Works well for our family of 5 plus guests at times. If you regularly have 7 people, 3 in the 3rd row is tight, 3 in the middle bench is wider.

Consider the Yukon XL 2500 to almost double the limited inventory. Yukon SLT has optional cooled seats which I wanted but not available on Burb. Not every leather trimmed seats are heated, which seems important for Canada.

Weathertech digital fit liners are worth every penny of $400 to cover the whole floor.

APT wrote:
JN_B, I'm not sure what years you are interested in. I believe all 2500 GM SUVs since at least 2000 have the HD towing package standard. I know 2008+ 2500s have the HD towing package standard including integrated brake controller, trans cooler, 7-pin wiring harness. You may need to add some relays in the distribution box. The larger towing mirrors are optional by the factory, or you can purchase clones from several places including Ebay. KL5 is the RPO code for GM's HD trailering package. KNP is the Trans cooler and KC4 the engine oil cooler, but they are standard on 2008+ (maybe 2000+) 3/4 tons. Half ton optional.

Sorry should've been a little clearer..lol.. I'd be looking at the newer 08+. I kind of figured they'd come standard with the HD towing package, but I know that Canada sometimes gets different packages for some reason. What may be standard down there, might not be. Better to be safe than sorry. Thanks for the help.

Is there anything you recommend I look for? issues?

I'm pulling a ~6500 lb TT with my 08 2500.

Just dragged it down to Gulf Shores over New Year's. The 6.0 with the 6 speed is a great combo. Over the 2000 mile roundtrip I never found myself wanting for more power. The truck did everything I asked, including a pull from 35 mph to 70 up a 5-6% grade.

We're heading to Grand Canyon this summer - should rack up 5000+ miles on that trip. I expect no issues going over the Rockies.

ETA: I do NOT have an integrated brake controller. I believe that started with 09 or 10 model year.

This was just about the best deal I could find on the tow mirrors:
CLICK HERE

They're more of a PITA to install compared to GMT800 because you have to rip apart the whole door to get to the connectors.

JN_B, I'm not sure what years you are interested in. I believe all 2500 GM SUVs since at least 2000 have the HD towing package standard. I know 2008+ 2500s have the HD towing package standard including integrated brake controller, trans cooler, 7-pin wiring harness. You may need to add some relays in the distribution box. The larger towing mirrors are optional by the factory, or you can purchase clones from several places including Ebay. KL5 is the RPO code for GM's HD trailering package. KNP is the Trans cooler and KC4 the engine oil cooler, but they are standard on 2008+ (maybe 2000+) 3/4 tons. Half ton optional.

APT.
I am also starting the search for a replacement TV, The burb/yukon 2500 is high on my list.

I can't seem to find much information on the codes for the tow package & whatnot. I know there was an option for larger tranny cooler, and something else. Would you be able to help me out?

GM makes a hitch closeout cover for the 2007-2014 SUVs if appearance is an issue. Google Suburban closeout cover along with your paint code.



The GMT900 hitch design (which is similar to all competitors) provides improved safety and crash protection. But it is not stronger as the prior OEM frame mounted below bumper receiver supposedly could handle 1200 pounds and 1500 pounds of TW.

Focus on the receiver improvements. Buy the TT you like. Then, test pull before deciding to regear. 6th gear is tall. With stock 32" tires, mine turns 73mph @ 2000rpm. It does not even use 6th gear below 50mph, and 60mph in Tow/Haul mode. Guess that's how we get 18mph non towing highway.

I hesitate to regear at this time because I haven't towed the TT yet since we don't even own it and I don't know how it will behave. The only reason I even consider it is because the previous owners leveled it and put slightly oversized wheels and tires. It works because we do tend to hit off-road and trails wherever we go. If I at least to to 4.10 I change back to the original ratio overall but if I can go 4.56 I figure it won't hurt too much with 6 spd mileage wise when I'm empty.
I am going to have to figure out what Duraburb does. I was looking at an upgraded hitch for my Ram and had to hunt down a hitch that didn't mount below the factory one. I think that looks like complete crap. That is just my opinion. But I can understand the integrated factory hitch not bein able to be swapped and why GM did it, it just makes for a weak setup.
Now I was under the impression that the newer body style with the integrated hitch was actually a better overall design and setup than the previous version? Is this not true or is it just not that much of an upgrade over the old one?

HaulinBass02 wrote:
I could've sworn that the owners manual had a tow rating for both 3.73 and 4.10 gear ratios.

What year is your Suburban? If it is 06 or older what engine do you have? The newer ones with the 6 speed were not available with the 4.10, but the previous generation with the 4 speed were.


I see in the topic it is a 2010...so no 4.10 was available from the factory.

Duraburb uses a Curt XD 15324 receiver. It is not clear to me if they had to modify it, weld it, or just bolt it on. I emailed Curt directly if it fits my 2011 Suburban to which No was the answer. Second hand info says it bolts right on. This receiver would mount to the bottom of the frame below the OEM one and bumper cover, so you get two. The OEM cannot be removed as it is integrated into the frame. Every 2007+ GM SUV has the same one, half ton and 3/4 ton. Thus no aftermarket needed to make one.

I have now spawned off emails to Etrailer, CanAm RV and Duraburb. Hopefully one of them answers. Also, Amazon Prime $179 shipped might just be worth trying. Donations for the greater good of GMT900 SUV owners? LOL

I haven't spent too much time crawling around my suburban since it isn't or wasn't the primary tow vehicle. Duraburb says they can upgrade the receiver hitch for a better tow rating with their Tow max package. Is this an add-on hitch that goes on WITH the factory hitch or is their a replacement available? With those numbers you posted I wouldn't really hesitate at towing in the 9000lb range given that with a trailer like that it might push the TW over 1000.