New (to us) 2500 Suburban

[EnzoColorado]

After towing with the 1500 Suburban for 6 years, we're upgrading to a 2500 Suburban. Finally found a mint 2012 in Georgia, no rust, with less than 100K miles.

We debated between upgrading to a 3/4 truck vs. the burb. Finally settled on continuing with the burb so we can keep the dog in the back in comfort. Dog in the back seat of a truck is bad since kids are constantly snacking on road trips and there is hardly room for the dog.

We also need the ski gear stays warm in the back instead of frozen in the truck bed. Never put on ski boots when they're frozen LOL.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/N7yJbCiwtt9sfa169

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nSCnBWhn53Y8sfdU9

[Bionic_Man]

Looks like a nice rig. There are days I regret selling my 03 2500 Burb.

[JBarca]

double post error.. deleted.

[JBarca]

PAThwacker wrote:
Burb that generation has 1000lb max hitch weight capacity. That capacity is what killed the 2500 series. You could not tow more than a 1500 sub. That’s the bad news.

Hi,

You are absolutely correct on the 2007 re-designed Suburban, 1500 or 2500 both had the 1,000# WD receiver. And it stayed that way.

As to towing, 1500 had the 5.3 V and 2500 had the 6.0 V8, towing wise 2500 had more tow rating.

I don't have a 2012 manual but I have a 2013 manual. It seems they had 3 tow ratings on 1500 with the 5.3 V8.

3.08 rear axle = 5,500# tow rating, and 11,000# GCWR
3.42 rear axle = 6,000# tow rating, and 11,500# GCWR
3.42 rear axle with the HD cooling package = 8,500# tow rating, and 14,000# GCWR

They only offered one rating on the 2500,
3.73 rear axle = 9,600# tow rating and 16,000# GCWR

2500 offers better brakes, a beefier truck, a higher power-rated transmission, more payload, and more tow rating. But you are still on a 1,000# loaded tongue rate limited receiver that no aftermarket receiver company will touch, which on a travel trailer can be a very limiting factor on a 2500 truck.

If you have kids and their "stuff", the 2500 allows more weight in the truck before you reach the GVWR or the GAWR-RR. The 1500 with kids and stuff can go over the GVWR and the GAWR-RR quickly with an 800 to 1,000# TW

And yes, when GM changed the receiver to a 1,000# limit and stopped the 2500, they made the big statement, If you want to tow a heavy trailer, get a pickup or HD van. Ford caved in 2006. The Excursion ended in 2005.

I do not recall when the last 2500 Avalanche was made, I think it may have been dropped in the 2007 lineup. The Avalanche and the Burb are the same wheelbase/setup, just the back of the truck cab is different. My son has and still uses a 2001, K2500 Avalanche with an 8.1 L and a 3.73 rear axle. It handles his 8,600# TT just fine, with the 1,200# TW. But we had to deal with GMT-800 receiver issues. I had to do the same receiver upgrade on my 2003 K2500 as I had a 1,200# TW camper back then.

Sad to see the Suburban now watered down in capability.

[PAThwacker]

Burb that generation has 1000lb max hitch weight capacity. That capacity is what killed the 2500 series. You could not tow more than a 1500 sub. That’s the bad news.

[opnspaces]

Nice looking Suburban. I didn't even know they made a 2500 that recently. I thought they stopped around 2006

[Grit_dog]

Perfect vehicle! LS and 6 speed trans…..
And folks say they wouldn’t sell if someone made a HD suv again….

[JBarca]

You found a good one! The 2500 Burb used within its ratings, is a great tow vehicle. We had a K2500 Burb with the Quadrasteer rear steering. What a great truck. I miss that truck, but the next camper we bought had too much tongue weight and GVW for the Burb. Thus the F350 crew cab came.

Your new burb will do well with your current camper. Have fun!

John