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Any opinions whether the Suburban 3/4 ton is the better way to go over the half ton as a tow vehicle? I tow a 5500 lb. boat/trailer 1400 miles to Florida and back each year. Looking at the Chevy towing capacities, there really isn't a huge amount of difference between the two in the 4X4 version. 7400 lbs. with the 3/4 ton/ 6.0 liter engine vs. 7000 lbs. with the 1/2 ton and 5.3 liter. Although it looks like the 3/4 ton is really much beefier with heavy duty components. I know I'd be sacrificing gas mileage with the 3/4 ton so don't know if it makes sense since most of the time I won't be pulling the boat.
Go with the 3/4 ton. Especially if you are towing over long distances the bigger engine, Bigger better brakes, stronger transmission, bigger rear end, beefier suspension, bigger frame. are all built for towing. You'd be much happier with the 3/4 ton.
I pulled a similar sized boat back from Fla. with a half ton and it was not a strain. It was a one time thing and I didn't have to go through the mountains. As you said most of the time you aren't pulling anything. A good trailer , well maintained vehicle and proper safety when towing should get you there in good order.
I tow our 24' Albe (approx. 7,000 lbs) with a 1/2 ton, not nearly as many miles as you, and it does fine. Sure more power would be great, but I like getting 19 mpg on the highway for the 95% of the time I drive without a trailer.
Also, I highly recommend the Autoride suspension, everything is always nice and level.
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1998 Albemarle 247
Fairfax, Virginia
I tow a similar sized boat with my 1/2 ton. Longest tow was 250-300miles. It handles it fine. Unlike my last 2500lb boat you will not really forget that the boat is back there....you can feel it. Towing 2800miles per year with that boat I might be inclined to go for the 3/4 ton. OTOH, if you are the kind of guy who flips their car every 3 years when the lease runs out then you should be OK with the 1/2 ton.
What is the difference in up-front cost between the cars. If it is $1000 then it is a no brainer. If it is $9000 then it might sway me to the 1/2ton.
BTW, everyone talks a lot about braking but with the surge breaks on my trailer this boat stops easier than my smaller boat with no breaks.
I tow my 25 Maycraft (~6000#) with a 1/2 ton chevy. I have no issues what so ever.
Actually I have 2 half ton chevies that I tow with and I will say make sure you get the 3.73 rear. I have a suburban with the 3.73 and a silverado with a 3.23 rear and the 3.73 is fantastic with not a big difference in fuel mileage when not towing. The 3.23 and the 3.43 are dogs compared to the 3.73..
I will say my father has a 6.0 in his 2500HD and it is GAS HOG even when not towing...
Any opinions whether the Suburban 3/4 ton is the better way to go over the half ton as a tow vehicle? I tow a 5500 lb. boat/trailer 1400 miles to Florida and back each year. Looking at the Chevy towing capacities, there really isn't a huge amount of difference between the two in the 4X4 version. 7400 lbs. with the 3/4 ton/ 6.0 liter engine vs. 7000 lbs. with the 1/2 ton and 5.3 liter. Although it looks like the 3/4 ton is really much beefier with heavy duty components. I know I'd be sacrificing gas mileage with the 3/4 ton so don't know if it makes sense since most of the time I won't be pulling the boat.
the simular tow capacities are with the 3.73 rear end. The 4.10 will tow 8K on the 1/2 ton and 9.4K with the 3/4 ton.
If you don't plan to get a heavier boat, I would go with the 1/2 3.73 rear end. However, if you plan to change boats, the 3/4 ton, 4.10 would be the way to go.
Gas milage? are you kidding me? They are all going to suck.... but you are right, the 3/4 will not do as "good"
Just sold a 2004 Yukon XL 2500 about a week ago. It had the 4.10 gears and the 6.0 litre engine. enjoyed the truck, just got very tired of the fuel bills. With the 37 gallon tank and 3.05 p/g fuel, the $100+ fill ups were no fun. Make sure that you are going to justify the extra fuel and hauling ability all the time. I think that I was in the Mid 13 mpg range and I do a good bit of Highway driving. Oh, and I am sure that you know, but the ride is considerably stiffer than a 1500.
I see all these folks quoting how much their rig (boat, motors, & trailer) weighs and I was right there with them quoting what my dealer and the factory had said ....I was taken aback when the kind lady handed me the weigh slip and instead of something around 6000 ilb.s it said 8200 ilb.s and I didn't even have a full tank of fuel. My advice is to first, actually find out what your average rig weight is then go from there. Plus...do your own math..the salesman always says that what he has will do the job.
3/4 ton uses a real rear end with much heavier wheel bearings..1/2 ton uses mediocre load capacity bearings riding on the axle shaft. Rear brakes are bigger, plus you can get real tires that will carry the load with no problem.I went from a HD 6200# gvw 1/2 ton to an 8600#gvw 3/4 ton for towing my 24' Blackfin..wouldn't go back. Sure the 1/2 ton would DO it, but not comfortably.
I get 16mpg with the 2500 2005 Sub 6.0 373 rearend, tow rating is one thing but it's the combined gross weight of both that the 2500 out does the 1/2er. but the 2500 ride is stiff when unloaded!
I do the NJ-FL run every year with a Tahoe, my rig weighs about the same when I'm making these trips. I think a lot might depend what else you haul in the Suburban, I know I can get my Tahoe to squat, and you have another 18" to load stuff.
On my runs with cruise punched 65 - 70 best I ever saw was less than 11mpg. Best I ever get is just under 15mpg (not towing). 5.3 w/3.73 gears
I vote for the 3/4 Burb. I've had both and feel much more comfortable in the 3/4. There is a real difference in comfort and safety while towing. BTW... a 3/4 ton with a 6.0 is a little like kissing your sister :-) Given the choice of a 6.0 with 4.10 or an 8.1 with 3.73 the choice is easy. Of course Chevy could have done the right thing and made the 3/4 ton Burb available with a diesel but that didn't happen :-(
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Newburyport, MA
Eastern 35 FB
Door#3
I've had 5 new subr. all 1/2 ton. The 01 and present 03 are identical w/ 5.3 and 373 rears. My present boat weighs about 5500lbs. My old 31ft. tr.trl. weighed 7000lbs. I towed them all up and down the east coast with never a prob. Do not use the tow haul gear. Just put it in third and keep on going. I av. 10.5 towing and 15-18 otherwise. You'll run about 2300rpm at 60mph. worked for me for years.
I have the 8.1 4.10 autoride 4x4, its great for towing. 10 mpg around town 14 highway, towing stays in the same range. Years back I had an S10 with the V6 it was 18 city 25 mpg highway & 12-14 mpg towing a 16ft light weight aluminum boat. The 8.1 is made for towing & heavy loads like no other gas engine.
__________________ Avenger 23TE by Marauder Marine inc.
DF250 Suzuki & Owens & Sons Trailer
Suburban tow vehicle 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton 
