Which Year Suburban 2500?

[azwildcat99]

We are thinking about getting rid of the truck in sig and moving to a 3/4 ton Suburban. We've taken two cars on occasion to accommodate family/friends in addition to my family of 5 and expect to do it more often. My dilemma for the burb is which year?

I like the NBS ones and think it will pull my trailer well with the newer 6sp tranny but I have heard the hitch is a weak spot. My trailer has a GVWR of 9000lbs and last I had it weighed with my truck and WDH attached the trailer axle showed 7k. I was at 15.5k total and my truck weighs about 6850 unloaded (2350 payload per yellow sticker). Unfortunately, I didn't weigh the trailer by itself, but let's assume I'm at least at 8k (yellow sticker shows 6600 empty).

Is my trailer too much weight for the hitch of the newer ones? Do I need to look for the classic with the 8.1? I worry that the older 6.0/4sp will make climbing the hills out of Phoenix not fun, even with a 4.10 rear. Especially coming from my current Duramax.

If anyone thinks payload will be an issue, let me know your thoughts on that too. I think I'll have about 300lbs to play with once family and trailer are hooked up with a payload cap of about 2100 in the newer burb. Do the older ones have more payload?

Also, I will be getting a 4x4 so a van is out of the question. Plus I don't want a van. Also, I am not sold on the Excursion either so let's limit the posts to the GM twins 🙂

Thanks in advance for the responses!

[Dadoffourgirls]

I agree with APT except for an 8.1 being a superior towing vehicle. It would handle more tongue weight, but I believe that the new model is much more comfortable, and provides better fuel economy when not towing. APT has posted that the 6.0 and 6 sp is a better combination. Additionally, 8.1s will be 8 to 11 years old, and may hit you for maintenance.

[APT]

I love my 2011 25000 Burb. I looked for a long time for a 03-06 8.1L. I was very selective/picky, but could not find many I'd be willing to purchase over the course of about a year. If you can stay under the hitch limit of 1000 pounds (you are close), then a 2008+ is great. 6.0L + 6-spd rocks. Decent compromise of power/performance and fuel economy. You might want to invest in a Sherline scale if you are leaning towards a 2007+ one. My payload per tire and loading sticker is 2051 pounds, heavily optioned 4WD LT.

If this will be a dedicated TV, I'd look harder for an 03-06 8.1L. It is a superior towing vehicle than mine.

Similar powertrains/capability in 3/4 and 1-ton vans will cost far less to purchase.

[carringb]

NBS 'burb has a tongue weight limit (hitch limited) to 1,000 pounds. Your numbers indicate you are way over 1,000 pounds on your trailer tongue.

[CliffordG]

Oh, and as for the older (classic) with the 8.1 it's not going to be much better.

Here's a copy of the capacities page from the owners manual of an '05.

http://chevroletforum.com/forum/attachments/tahoe-suburban-25/5705d1374424408-need-help-w-towing-capacities-2005-suburban-2500-2005-burb-owners-manual-jpg

Sorry it's so small and blurry, it's a rehost from another website. In 2005 the 2500 'Burb with the 8.1 had a max trailer weight of 10,300 and a payload of 2500ish. Those numbers are still very close, some would say TOO close, to what you're actually wanting to do.

IMHO you shouldn't do this. I don't think you're going to be happy with it if you do.

[CliffordG]

If I followed all that correctly your hitch weight is 2,000 lbs or more. The 2013 2500 'Burb has a payload capacity of 2100ish. http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/suburban/2013/features-specs.html?style=200427774

You're going to right at the payload limit before you add any passengers or luggage! Max Towing is listed as 9400lbs and you're trailer is very close to that with a GVWR of 9,000.

On paper your trailer and expected load is too much for the 2500 Series Suburban.

With that said if you decide to move forward on it I can make you a lowball offer on your diesel truck! 😉

(FWIW I think the 2500 would do it but I don't think you'd be happy coming from a D/A combo).