Veloce Raptor

Yup, I have been there, too. There's another one here in Texas. They both do stellar work.

analogmike

Is 4 wheel steering available? A guy borrowed my trailer and had that on his GM truck and ot was AMAZING how much easier it was to maneuver the traiiler

Veloce Raptor

Not any more.

Chris M.

Let us know how it tows.

Veloce Raptor

The one ****ty thing I am learning about the 2011's: there has been some significant change in the emissions systems for 2011, and these are now OBD2 vehicles....and there is as yet no aftermarket for reliable engine flashes & higher capacity/lower restriction air clener assembles. Both made a big difference in my 2007 model (same body style/engine).

docwyte

OBD2 has been required and been on all cars since 1996...

Veloce Raptor

Yes, but not on 3/4 ton trucks and SUV's until 2011, it seems.

MarkPcar

I'm looking all over for just the right used Suburban 2500. I found a 2004 2500 with only 51k miles, BUT it has the 6.0L motor, not the 8.1L. Has anyone towed with this combo? It is rated to 12k pounds, 325 HP and 369 pf of torque.

My trailer is about 6,500 lbs loaded.

Veloce Raptor

IMO only, the 6.0 in the previous body style Suburbans (up through 2006 model year) is not up for towing 12,000 pounds or even 8,000 pounds.. Your 6.500 pounds would be really pushing it in hilly terrain. The 8.1 is worth holding out for. The current body style 6.0 (the only engine available, unfortunately, due to emissions laws) is notably better.

FrankyV

I towed 7,000 with this combo with no problems, even in the mountains, but it had the optional 4.11 gear ratio.

MarkPcar

In searching around the Internet for info on the various years, motors, transmissions, I came across this info that could be valuable to future readers of this post. Based on this info, I'm going to focus on finding a used 2008 -2010. Thanks everyone for your help!

"The 2006 6.0 Suburban had 335 hp and 375 tq. The 2007 6.0 Suburban had 352 hp and 383 tq. The 2006 and the 2007 both had the same 4 speed tranny... The 2007 should out pull the 2006.

BUT, if you want close to 20 mpg for gas mileage and the pulling power of the 8.1, buy the new 2008 with the 6 speed tranny."

Veloce Raptor

You will never see 20 MPH with the 6 speed and the 2500's 6 liter motor. But I regularly see 16-17 (unloaded, no trailer) at 70-75 MPH on the highway. And that is me calcuulating it, not the OBC (which is a bit optimistic).

jonmacs22

I've seen this thread go on for a while so I thought I would ask this question here:
I had a 2008 Denali and it had a great motor/trans set-up, but the suspension (air shocks in the rear esepcially) and brakes were sub-standard for towing my 7500lbs worth of enclosed trailer and gear. I have always wondered if anyone had ever installed the upgraded leaf-spring axles on a tahoe/yukon short wheelbase. I know it is a random question, but I thought I would ask the masses here if they had ever heard or seen of such a set-up.

I wish back when I bought the denali, we'd been smart and purchased the 2500 yukon instead as we loved the interior.

Rick

Problem solved! Seats my family of 6 very comfortably when needed, drives much better than my previous SuperDuty and tows my trailer like it isn't even there. Mileage has really improved...I got 21 on the highway coming back from Chicago last week and 16 towing to Michigan.

Eifeler

Wise choice.

I also have a family of six and we love the truck. You must have one of the rare front bench models. Since you can't get the bench in the F150's, it is one of the excuses I used to justify the F250.