Suburban as a tow vehicle

[2Bargos]

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.

[Bionic_Man]

falconbrother wrote:
A local dealership had a 2001, 2500 Burb with the 8.1 on their lot recently. They were asking over $10,000 for it. It had something like 165,000 miles on it. It was real clean with fabric interior. Looked like a towing machine. I thought the price was too high but, it was sold in a jiffy.

I sold my 2003 last June for $14,000. It had 140,000 miles, and it sold in less than two weeks. When in good shape, they are pretty desirable for someone who knows what they are looking for.

[falconbrother]

A local dealership had a 2001, 2500 Burb with the 8.1 on their lot recently. They were asking over $10,000 for it. It had something like 165,000 miles on it. It was real clean with fabric interior. Looked like a towing machine. I thought the price was too high but, it was sold in a jiffy.

[PAThwacker]

I have a 2004 6.0 2500 sub. as my second vehicle and tow vehicle
Tows fine. Single digits empty or towing.

[KD4UPL]

I've never heard of any frame problems. The factory GM hitches on Suburbans, Tahoes, Trucks, etc. in those years were supposedly weak. However, I often had over 10,000 pounds on the factory hitch of my '05 dually with no problems.
The 8.1 is a great engine; it's smooth, quiet, and powerful. I had one in an '01 dually and it was ALMOST the equal to my Durmax. I got 10 mpg period; towing, empty, loaded, highway, off road, it didn't matter.
I'm also currently looking for Suburbans form those years. 8.1s are more plentiful than you might think. I'm watching several on ebay right now.

[Madmartigan]

My pop towed extensively with a '93 1500 and his current '04 or '06 (can't remember) 1500 and he loves them. He had aftermarket hitches on both. In my opinion his 1/2 ton burbs always looked like they were squatting in the dirt when he towed, but never seemed to bother him. Towed like that for years and thousands of miles. No frame or axles issues.

[Mortimer_Brewst]

I had an '05 Burb with an 8.1. Great tow vehicle! I never had any nor heard of any frame issues. I do recall hearing that some people had problems with the factory hitch though. I believe 2006 was the last year the 8.1 was an option. I miss our "Beast" but I don't miss the trips to the gas station.

[Ajones42]

I have an '04 2500 4X4. It has been used extensively for towing and has been hooked to loads (not RVs) in the past that were excessive. Basically, anything we could hook to the aftermarket Class V hitch, we would tow it.

The frame IS bent downward behind the wheels- maybe an inch. After that event many years ago, the hitch was further reinforced and I continue to tow my 32' travel trailer without concern.

FWIW, I will never sell this Suburban. It is a beast and they aren't making any more.

[Bionic_Man]

I used an 2003 8.1 to tow my boat for a year. I changed the factory hitch to a Class V, and was amazed at how light weight the OEM was.

Very good tow vehicle (much more stable than the 2011 Yukon XL that replaced it. No frame problems, nor have I heard of any.

[the_happiestcam]

See sig - I always heard abut hitch failure with the factory one, so got an after market. Never heard about frame issues.
It drinks heavily (gas and oil) but is a towing beast.

[Nomadac]

I have a 2001 Chevy Suburban 2500 2wd 8.1L with original hitch and never had any problems with it period. I towed a 33' Avion that weighed 7600# it is a great tow vehicle.

[Trackrig]

I towed a lot with a 2500 that was around a 2000 year. Towed fine and had no issues with it.

Bill

[carringb]

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.