Advantage AWD Denali XL vs. Suburban

Chris97K1500 · October 3, 2006

I'm about to buy a Suburban with the 6.0 and 4speed or a Denali XL. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to having AWD when it comes to towing. Even though I like the Suburban better (looks), I just can't get past it only having a 4speed. I'm even considering looking into the new larger Expedition because it has a 6speed and folding 3rd row seats. This will by my wife's vehicle and since the 100lb rear seat weighs about as much as her, the ability to lower it with a push of a button sounds nice to her. But, if there are advantages to the AWD Denali, I'm going to push for the Denali. Thanks, Chris

ChrisNJ · October 3, 2006

I'm about to buy a Suburban with the 6.0 and 4speed or a Denali XL. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to having AWD when it comes to towing. Even though I like the Suburban better (looks), I just can't get past it only having a 4speed. I'm even considering looking into the new larger Expedition because it has a 6speed and folding 3rd row seats. This will by my wife's vehicle and since the 100lb rear seat weighs about as much as her, the ability to lower it with a push of a button sounds nice to her. But, if there are advantages to the AWD Denali, I'm going to push for the Denali. Thanks, Chris

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I haven't checked the specs for you, but they're probably on the websites. What usually is true is the Denali is derated for towing because it only comes with AWD. AWD and heavy towing is not a good mix, at least in the past it hasn't. Has or had something to do with the the mechanism (clutchs or torque converter?) that is always on vs. selecting 2 or 4WD in the non-Denali's. How much are you towing? I've been towing 6 and 9K#'s trailers for years and my 6.0 doesn't like the 9K# even though my 6.0 is rated for 12K. I also have a 8.1 burb that is rated to 12.5K and it tows like a dream, but you currently can't get the 8.1 in any new truck. I wouldn't worry too much about the 4sp, it's a proven trans, and in my last 6 trucks have performed flawlessly. I believe the Expedition is rated to tow even less than the burb 6.0? In my experience you should have at least a 20-30% margin compared to the tow rating to be safe. If you do go with the burb 6.0, and will be towing more than 7-8K, get the 4:10 gears for sure. We leave the 3rd seat in all the time, it folds towards the front up against the 2nd row seats pretty easily to get bigger stuff in, and has good room even with it in and upright. we've never had to remove it. good luck.

Frank Sub · October 3, 2006

Hi Chris97K1500--I have towed our 1973 27' Airstream with a loaded weight of 6400lbs, with 10 Suburbans, all with 4spd (currently 2001 1/2ton 5.3ltr 4.10 rear). The 6.0ltr is the same engine with a 4.00in bore, rather than the 3.78in (both have a 3.62in stroke). I always tow in 3rd gear (1 to 1 ratio). The best rear is 4.10 (only rear in my opinion), which keeps you in the sweet spot of the torque curve at interstate speeds. 4spd ratios are: 3.06/1.63/1.00/.70, while the new 6spd ratios are 4.02/2.36/1.53/1.15/.85/.67. As a side light, the Allison 5spd avaliable with the 8.1 ltr, or the diesel is 3.10/1.81/1.41/1.00/.71. I'm not so sure more gears really makes a real life difference. With the four speed tow/haul I can comfortably move my Airstream, up to speed. I pull the tough hills in 2nd gear. This means that on hills the 4-spd would be in 2nd at 1.63, and the 6-spd would be in 3rd at 1.53. Thats a slightly higher ratio for the 6-spd, which might not be of any advantage. The 4-spd 1st 3.06 is already a grunt gear, and the 6spd 4.02 is over kill. Towing on the highway the 6spd would be in 4th or 5th, which is both sides of the 4spd 3rd. On the highway without the trailer, there isn't much difference between 6spd 6th and 4spd 4th. Just thought I'd give you a few more things to think about.--Frank Sub

Chris97K1500 · October 6, 2006

That makes sense, but I don't like the fact of pulling a camper in 2nd or 3rd gear at 4000+rpm. I hate that about the 5.3 with 4sp. The 6.0 may be better with the 4sp, but the 6.2 just seems perfect with a 6sp. I would almost consider a 6.0 and 4sp equal to the 6.2 and the 6sp, only because I like the Suburban more for the exterior. I'm getting a new HD next summer, so it will eventually become my main tow vehicle, but it would be nice if both could pull a 7000lb camper. But the AWD in the Denali concerns me when it comes to towing. Thanks, Chris

the blur · January 2, 2007

I tow 6500 lbs with my 03 Denali. The AWD is fine for towing, not for off-roading.

Import Hater · January 3, 2007

Here's a major advantage...the auto leveling rear suspension. It doesn't take much weight to sag the rear when you are hanging it off the very back of the vehicle, such as a trailer with a 500lb tounge weight. A sagged suspension will ride rougher since you used up some of the availble wheel travel to soak up bumps, and the headlights will be aimed too high.

Sure, you can get the Suburban with Autoride too. But only in the LTZ trim level. Which puts it's MSRP right at the same as the Denali XL. And with the Denali you get the bigger engine, 6 speed automatic, and all those little Denali luxury touches. That said, a properly equipped Suburban with 4.10 gears is rated to tow almost a full ton more than the Denali if you're just looking for ultimate trailering capacity.

ChrisNJ · January 3, 2007

And now with the 100K warranty it makes the AWD 'issue' (granted my issue) not as valid anymore.

TheGrouch · January 3, 2007

The lastest issue of Truck Trends has a Suburban vs. Expedition EL towing comparison. They like the 6 speed and 3-valve motor of the Expedition.

Big Al · January 5, 2007

I have an 03 Denali and it tows great up to 6000 lbs., but I am going away from the Denali because of the AWD issue. My front differential was just replaced at 40,000 miles. That is pretty discouraging considering I even had all my diff's changed with full synthetic at 30K. With AWD, the gears up front are constantly turning and can't handle the torque lon-term. I asked the technicians if they see this a lot on the Escalades and Denalis, and they said "yes".

the blur · January 5, 2007

big al,

What happened to your front diff?

Mine is making rubbing nosies on Decelaration, and the dealer "can't duplicate" the noise..

Did it just suddenly fail? or was it just noisy?

did it leave you stranded?

thanks !

Also own 2003 Denali XL

ChrisNJ · January 5, 2007

I have an 03 Denali and it tows great up to 6000 lbs., but I am going away from the Denali because of the AWD issue. My front differential was just replaced at 40,000 miles. That is pretty discouraging considering I even had all my diff's changed with full synthetic at 30K. With AWD, the gears up front are constantly turning and can't handle the torque lon-term. I asked the technicians if they see this a lot on the Escalades and Denalis, and they said "yes".

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It just makes mechanical sense, that to be attempting to turn the front diffs on trucks all the time is silly, expecially through a viscious coupling. I can see it on little cars, but even those are dumb when we drive dry conditons most of the time. On our trucks, these AWD systems have to endure a lot of abuse from the torque, and differential turning radius's, expecially the 6.0's, 6.2's, etc... I stand by my opinion that AWD is sillly, not necessary, and costly, and gm should make it optional on Denali's. I'd love to buy a Denali, but my dislike for AWD has kept me out of them. The little button that said 'auto' in the last 4 gm trucks i've had has been all my wife and i have ever needed, and benefitial to her as she doesn't understand the dry vs. snow, and NOT to drive in 4H in the dry ever. Again, with the 100K warranty, who cares.

Fyrcaptain · January 5, 2007

You could wait until the 08 Chevy comes out with the 6speed if it does'nt come out before the model change as a mid production change

I hated AWD on my 05 Denali

I like to have the control over my 4wd

pwall · January 5, 2007

That was the major reason I did not consider a Denali...I didn't want the AWD with towing.

Big Al · January 6, 2007

big al,
What happened to your front diff?

Mine is making rubbing nosies on Decelaration, and the dealer "can't duplicate" the noise..

Did it just suddenly fail? or was it just noisy?

did it leave you stranded?

thanks !

Also own 2003 Denali XL

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Mine started making grinding noise with acceleration which worsened over a couple of weeks. It did not leave me stranded because I didn't drive it much when I realized there was a problem, and I had it replaced (the main bearing) before it failed. Fortunately, I had an extended warranty.

Chris97K1500 · January 7, 2007

Well rumors are flying around about a Diesel Suburban within a year or so. At this point I'm going to wait and just get a CC D/A GMC later this year and my wife will just have to wait until then at the earliest. At least then we'll be buying two vehicles at once, maybe a better deal between the two vehicles. Time will tell if the diesel Suburban pans out, GM would be stupid not to. That size of vehicle needs more than what a 6.0 will put out when towing. If they don't, the Denali will be fine. Chris