Family tow vehicle?

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
Just thinking out loud here. Eventually I will need a new daily driver and family hauler.

What is everyone’s thoughts on a 1500 Suburban/Yukon XL with a 5.3 pulling my 20’ trailer with my TJ on it? Probably 7k pounds.

i still have my dodge for main towing duties, this would be for the once or twice a year that I could get the whole family to go on a wheeling trip.
 
I want a 2015-2020 Suburban/Yukon XL 5.3 max tow package for my wife and go back to a midsized truck. Problem is her 2005 Yukon XL with 196K miles on it is in such good shape we don't really want to get rid of it.

You'd need a weight distributing hitch, but they're rated for 8K.
 
NickMaul said:
Nick
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:lol: oh how I love 12v fanbouys like Ryan King

Clay, how many times did we have to pull over for that 12v on the first kairos trip?
How many times did you outrun him?

:handed:
 
CasterTroy said:
:lol: oh how I love 12v fanbouys like Ryan King

Clay, how many times did we have to pull over for that 12v on the first kairos trip?
How many times did you outrun him?

:handed:
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Lol. I went to FB because I knew most of the NC4x4 community tow with trucks. Towing 8-10 times a year does not financially point to owning and maintaining a diesel. Ryan King was just being a dick for fun.

Anyways back to the topic. It seems reasonable with max tow and WD hitch to tow with a Yukon XL with the 6.2 liter motor. I haven’t read up on how the rear 6 lug axle would hold up to heavy loads. That would probably be a weak link.


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wife has a 1500 suburban.
I would want a weight distributing hitch to try it. Just super soft rear suspension
 
Excursion or 2500 Suburban. If you hold out you may be able to find an 8.1 Suburban, that would be the ultimate family rig. I would stay away from half ton stuff just due to the fact they're rated limits are close to what you're wanting to do with it. That and a 4l60e doesn't have all the memes about it for no reason.
 
CasterTroy said:
Nick, Your solution is in the for sale section
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Me since ever with that thing

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Buy the 2500 Suburban. 6.0, 6L90, 14 bolt on leafs, 8 lug rubber.

The 1500s have problems with the rear axle when towing heavy all the time, but it doesn't sound like you're in that use case. Given the choice, I'd buy the 2500 regardless of the MPG hit.

The problem is finding a low-mileage one. Suburbans average over 25k miles/yr, fleet-wide. I think the number is around 28k. The Yukon, Yukon XL, Tahoe, etc take the other top spots.
 
What about a mega cab with a topper? Even the 1500's are rated to tow 8800lbs, I seem to remember them being glorified 2500 chassis even in 1500 trim.

I pulled well over 8k with my 5.7l hemi and it was more than up to the task.
 
NickMaul said:
Lol. I went to FB because I knew most of the NC4x4 community tow with trucks. Towing 8-10 times a year does not financially point to owning and maintaining a diesel. Ryan King was just being a dick for fun.

Anyways back to the topic. It seems reasonable with max tow and WD hitch to tow with a Yukon XL with the 6.2 liter motor. I haven’t read up on how the rear 6 lug axle would hold up to heavy loads. That would probably be a weak link.


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The 5.3 max tow is rated a little higher than the 6.2 and doesn't recommend premium. I'm sure the 6.2 would pull better though.
 
BigClay said:
Just thinking out loud here. Eventually I will need a new daily driver and family hauler.

What is everyone’s thoughts on a 1500 Suburban/Yukon XL with a 5.3 pulling my 20’ trailer with my TJ on it? Probably 7k pounds.

i still have my dodge for main towing duties, this would be for the once or twice a year that I could get the whole family to go on a wheeling trip.
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Forget a 2500, then. A 1500 will be fine for your purposes.

That's a big problem with all of us in this type of hobby....we talk ourselves into WAY more "whatever" than we actually need. More roll cage, more engine, more tow truck. Hell, if we all sat around and talked about it long enough, we'd have you needing a 1-ton before it was over.

If you're going to tow it every other weekend...then yeah, get a 2500, definitely. "Once or twice a year"? F-that, get the smaller truck. It'll do fine and cost you less money.

Look at that Burb towing a tractor right above this post. That's probably more than you'll be pulling, and that one does fine, especially for "once or twice a year".
 
Pacfanweb said:
Forget a 2500, then. A 1500 will be fine for your purposes.

That's a big problem with all of us in this type of hobby....we talk ourselves into WAY more "whatever" than we actually need. More roll cage, more engine, more tow truck. Hell, if we all sat around and talked about it long enough, we'd have you needing a 1-ton before it was over.

If you're going to tow it every other weekend...then yeah, get a 2500, definitely. "Once or twice a year"? F-that, get the smaller truck. It'll do fine and cost you less money.

Look at that Burb towing a tractor right above this post. That's probably more than you'll be pulling, and that one does fine, especially for "once or twice a year".
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I agree with you in premise, but...A deere 820 is a 2 ton tractor OP wants to pull 7k. Almost double.

But Id pull it with a half ton with a WD hitch, (might add air bags) and good trailer brakes.
 
When I was looking at tow ratings the expedition had the highest rating. My ‘15 Expidition has the eco boost Has a towing package. Electric brake controller and 3.73 gearing. With WD hitch it’s rated at 10600#
 
Futbalfantic said:
When I was looking at tow ratings the expedition had the highest rating. My ‘15 Expidition has the eco boost Has a towing package. Electric brake controller and 3.73 gearing. With WD hitch it’s rated at 10600#
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Yeah, but those are Ford numbers ;)

I think technically that's only 2-3000lbs less than my F250 with 800ftlbs, 13" brakes, 10.5" ring gear full float rear axle. I don't know how Ford gets away with their half ton numbers sometimes.
 
I know my capacity in my 1500 is 9400lb

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I see the direction this thread is heading...


:popcorn:
 
jeepinmatt said:
Yeah, but those are Ford numbers ;)

I think technically that's only 2-3000lbs less than my F250 with 800ftlbs, 13" brakes, 10.5" ring gear full float rear axle. I don't know how Ford gets away with their half ton numbers sometimes.
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regardless of numbers....I hate towing with an IRS vehicle.
I towed 1 time with our old expedition and it was...different. I felt out of control
 
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