Anyone out there care to comment on what it's like towing with a Suburban? I have a XJ that I want to tow on a trailer but would enjoy the space of a suburban for family things. Would see tow duty maybe 6-8 times a year. Mostly freeway towing.

How does it tow? would you recommend it (PSD's are really an option right now althought would much rather have)?

any dislikes?

thanks guys.:beer:

That's what I use. I used to have an 89 1/2 ton 4x4. It did ok, but it was not geared for towing.
I currently use an 01 1/2 ton 2wd. It works really well. I towed my FJ40 from Dallas to Moab and back. It did great. My buddies with the Cummins rigs lost me a few times on the really long hills, but otherwise it did fine. Had the AC blastin and was cruising at 75-80 on the flat stretches.

If you're only towing a few times a year and you aren't going through any mountain passes, a 1/2 ton will do just fine.

My dad used his 3/4 ton Burb to pull his 33' Airstream all over the US with no problems. You should be fine;)

My main ride is a 98 1/2 ton. I also tow with a YJ with it. I tow in 3rd gear only (3.42). I'm always worried I'll blow the 10 bolt. It tows better with more that 500lbs tongue weight which makes the back squat a little. If you did more towing than you mention then I'd say move up to 3/4 ton. If the price was right I'd like to get a stock 6 lug, 14bolt SF at 3.73 and the regear the front.

does the 3/4 ton have the 454 in it or was it also avail with the 350? I've seen conflicting info in for sale ads. do the 3/4's have the same creature comforts as the 1/2 tons or is it more of a work type rig?

Thanks

My dads has the 454, and it's just as comfy (same interior) as the 1/2 tons;)

I towed my buddies CJ (on a trailer) to the Rubicon from Denver with mom's old '89 1/2 ton 4x4 (350 w/3.73s), worked fine. Flat towed it to Moab a couple times, too. Its no comparison the Cummins I tow with now, but it certainly got the job done.

AFAIK, 1/2 and 3/4 tons were available with the same trim packages. On the older ones, the Silverado was the nice one. Not sure what the upscale package is called on the newer ones.

1/2 ton was 350, 3/4 ton was 350 or 454. (Late models, anyway). Fuel injection (TBI) started '87, Vortec came out in '96. Diesels were available in 1/2 or 3/4 tons. If you must get a Chevy diesel, make sure its a 6.5 turbo.

Pete

Any hints on a early 80's Sub 4x4?

pcorssmit: Thanks for the info. That's the kind of info I've been looking for. I think I'm interested in a FI suburban so it looks like 87+ is my year

I have a 02 Z71 Sub with the 5.3L auto. I tow my TJ and 21' tandem axle trailer just fine to Moab and back. The last time we headed to Moab I stopped at a local weight station and put it all on the scale. I came in at about 13500lbs. I can run 80mph with no probs however I tend to keep it around 70mph. Up in the mountains I was suprised as to how well it held its own. Granted at the higher passes above 10000' it slowed way down but it managed it. I would definately get the new Vortec motor either a 5.3L in the 1/2 ton and in the 3/4 tons you can get the 6.0L or the 8.0L big block gas guzzler.