Suburban Towing

[dco111]

I am looking at purchasing a Suburban or Yukon Xl, around a 2005. I will be towing a 7 x 18 enclosed trailer max of 7000# closer to 5000#, hauling Gokarts. What if any concerns will I have, is there any gear ratio options? Next what about any tunes? Git an 8.1 with a wait4me. I don't know much about the 1500 series stuff have alwys been with 3500. Thank you for the help.

[smattei14]

you will have no problem....just make sure your fluids are syn. and you upgrade your trans cooler.

 

I would make sure it has the 3.73 rear atleast...a 4.10 would be better.

[ScottyBoy]

A 1500 will be fine if it has the heavy duty trailering package with the trans cooler. Thats what my burban is equipped with, and its rated to tow up to 7800lbs. I've towed a vehicle on a tandem axle auto transport trailer(probably about 7000lbs total) over 300 miles (on two seperate occassions) and it didnt break a sweat. Oh, and mine has the 5.3 liter engine, with the 3.73 gears. IF you feel you need more towing power than that, you can step up to the 2500 suburban.

[2COR517]

If you tow just a few times a year, a 1500 should be fine. If you are buying this vehicle primarily for towing, look for a 2500. You will be much happier.

[grampadirt]

If you're gonna be towing 7800# on a regular basis I'd go with a 2500.Stronger suspension,tranny,brakes,cooling etc. My '95 K2500,7.4L, handles my fully loaded toy hauler easily.I tried towing it with my wife's '99 k1500 and it worked hard..even with 3:73 gears & 5.7L engine

[Spurshot]

Like the guys above said, once or twice a yr with a 1500 is ok, not my choice, but ok. Any more than that, I'd get a 2500 for sure. 1500s have car like brakes and drivelines and suspensions. The 2500 and up have larger everything, I mean everything from the frame to the axles, wheels, tires etc. If you loose a tire while towing that load, it'll be scary. 1500's have car tires or light duty truck tires. 2500s come from the factory with load range E tires that will give safe service when towing that heavy of a load. You'll feel an obvious difference, I can tell you from experience.

 

For that load, a 6.0L will be fine, an 8.1 will be great except at the pump, a Duramax will tow it like it isn't there.

[dco111]

After some more reading, what do you guys think of the Yukon Denali, with its 6 liter. I am not going to tow that much weight around 5,000# but I will tow alomost every other weekend during the summer . What about the AWD, does it hold up well?