ccamut

I am sure this has been covered, so apologies for being redundant. My question is around the real experience of those who have trailered with a full size diesel GMC, Ford vs a full size gas suburban.

For crazy reasons (wife and 3 kids) I need to trade my 2011 GMC 2500 Denali )DuraMax, 6sp Allison) for a full size New or Newer suburban or equivalent.

My trailer is a 24ft ATC, aluminum trailer, approximately #6000 lbs, with car. There are no issues with the diesel, What are your experiences with a full size suburban, Denali, Escalade, 6.2litre, tranny etc.

My wife drives the larger vehicle to accommodate the kids and all the crap. They are forbidden to ride in my Cayenne GTS for obvious reasons. Id like to avoid buying a third car (Minivan).

Real life experiences appreciated. Thank you!

Veloce Raptor

Get the Suburban or Yukon XL 2500 (3/4 ton). I tow with one...and while it is no diesel, and will struggle slightly on steep hills pulling 6,000 pounds (as will any gas engine), it is a very stable comfortable platform

ccamut

I live in Denver, going West is a concern. Any tongue weight issues? Meaning I have seen a few trailers and Suburbans go down the road with the tongue too heavy and the springs compressed on the Suburban.

The Caddy has air suspension. Good or bad?

multi21

MB GL Bluetec diesel. Three rows of seats, long wheelbase and 7500# tow rating. 455 lb ft. torque in a package that will get 20 city and 24 highway miles (not towing). MB has air suspension. Price point should be comparable to Caddy

aj986s

I tow a 26' enclosed trailer with my 2001 2500 Suburban with an 8.1L gasser. The 2500's have a large Dana solid rear axle, big 4-wheel disc brakes, 8-lug wheels and leaf springs instead of coils. MPG not great (around 11 by itself, and 8-9 with the trailer). But the 8.1 has good power, and handles most roads just fine. I've got it Hypertech tuned running 93 octane. I also took it to a truck suspension shop and had another leaf spring added to the rear set. It tows the loaded 26' trailer (car + tools + tire rack + cabinets + fuel jugs + etc) very well. Although, I'm probably at the limits of its safe towing ability. Proper setup of the load distribution hitch is also helpful. It would tow your 24' even easier.

IMHO, the OEM coil springs & air suspensions are not well suited to towing a large trailer. Nor would be an independent rear suspension. My 2500 Suburban is rated to tow 10K from the factory; with the added leaf spring, it's over 11K according to the shop. However.......I am on the second tranny; was replaced at 135K miles with more than 60% of those miles towing something. Replacement tranny is supposed to have some longevity upgrades. The motor has 180K miles now and is still a beast.

Veloce Raptor

the 2500 models have a very stiff rear suspension + live axle + a higher ride height especially in the rear specifically to address this issue that the 1500 models have. In addition, properly loading the trailer fixes it.

No more 8.1 motors, unfortunately: I agree this was a fantastic towing drivetrain for a non-diesel.

Scootin159

Just picked up a diesel Ford Excursion for towing purposes. I haven't had a chance to tow with it yet, but I am getting ~18mpg just driving it around town (probably 75/25 city/highway). It's built on an F250 chassis, so it's got the same 11k tow rating and upgraded running gear. It does have slightly softer rear springs, so you need to watch tongue weights, but you can also swap in F250/350 rear springs pretty easily, or just add airbags. The hitch itself has the same capacity as in it's truck brethren.

The 3/4 ton Suburban is much the same vehicle (well, except being GM and all), but you won't find the diesel in any of them since '99 or so. If you're willing to go for the gas option (slightly less power, much worse mpg), it's likely a perfectly capable tow vehicle.

Quinlan

I towed my 24 foot steel enclosed (total weight approx. 9,000 lbs.) with my 2006 Suburban 2500 (6.0 liter).
The platform seemed to be fine for the weight, but the motor was a little shy for it.
As an aside, I now have an F150 club cab with the ecoboost engine. According to the dashboard display, I get up to 25 mpg without trailer (waaaay better than the 'burb), but only about 8-9 towing (about the same as the 'burb).

pontifex4

Is that trailer really 6000# loaded?

I'm tuning in, as I just picked up a Suburban to tow my portly 968 on an open Trailex. I'm surprised by how much I like the truck. Mine's an '03.

U4EEAH

I tow with a 2012 2500 Burb.It is the equal of any 3/4 ton pickup, except you can't spec it with a diesel. The 6.0 litre has a far higher torque peak than the older 8.1, so it is busier, but gets the job done just as well. The six speed automatic lets you keep it at pek torque when you need it, like I said, busy but works. Has a very short first gear resulting in low final drive ratio. Add a better trans cooler because the higher revs will generate more transmission temperature than the lazy grunt of an 8.1 or diesel. The comfort and versatility can't be beat. Twice the "truck" of any 150/1500.

ProCoach

Agreed, the 2500 Suburban is fine. I had a 1984, then a 1992, then a 2007.

The 2500 Suburban has leaf springs in the rear and torsion bar front suspension, real heavy duty.

The 1500 Suburban has coil springs all around. Not so much. The 6.0 liter is adequate.

The extra amenities (weight, axle ratio) of the Escalade and Yukon XL more than offset the extra .2 liters...

Veloce Raptor

I tow a 2900 pound M3 on an open aluminuum trailer that weighs ~1400 pounds, and carry ~300 pounds of tires/jack/tools/etc with my 2011 3/4 ton Yukon XL (can't get air conditioned seats on 3/4 ton Suburban LOL) and get 12 MPG at 70 MPH on flat terrain.

ccamut

I was skeptical of the suburban but spounds like its very doable. The info is great thanks.

BC

I have never towed more than 6000 pounds, but with my previous 8.1 Yukon XL, it was as if it actually felt BETTER while towing. It didn't so much affect driving the truck as much as it actually improved it. Lol.

I will be looking again soon for a 2004 or 2005 8.1L unless I go the riskier route and see if I can customize one and put a diesel in it like many have.

BC

raspritz

I also wonder about 6000 lbs GVR. My trailer is an enclosed 19' aluminum Look, weighing ~4000 with trailer and car together. I pull it west with a V8 Landcruiser, no problem.