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Thinking about getting a new Suburban. Not sure between the 1/2 or 3/4 ton. Any insight would be great. Mostly will be wife's daily vehicle, but will probaly drive on the beach a couple times a year since I will end up selling my 07 sierra classic. If I get the 3/4, I can tow a friends boat when/if needed... but is that enough reason to get the 3/4? Any pros and cons would be greatly accepted.
Don't buy the 3/4 just to tow a friends boat... you have to really NEED the 3/4 ton to justify the rougher ride and poorer gas mileage. Get the 1/2 ton no question.
Last edited by Tuna Truck; 10-14-2009 at 01:52 PM.
I had a 2008 4WD Suburban LTZ with 5.3L 3.73 rear end (awesome car) - just traded for 2009 Suburban LT2 2500 6.0L 4WD 3.73 rear end - needed more guts for towing.
Key differences I know of are:
Autoride : awesome on LTZ - not availble on 2500 (2500 has bumpier ride due to leaf vs. coil rear end
Steering : little better on LTZ due to rack & pinion (vs torsion on 2500)
engine : LTZ flex/fuel (who cares worse mileage) & cylinder deactivation
2500: bigger engine (more HP more torque), bigger brakes, more springs, bigger tires (pressure), more towing capacity, more trans coolers, sits higher, bigger gas tank, can get bigger mirrors (do not recommend unless needed - no power fold) etc.
1500 LTZ vs 2500 LT cosmetics : some chrome, some fake wood, wheels
2500 LT2 vs. 1500 LTZ has many of same creature comforts (no air conditioned seats, no heater ww wiper fluid, etc. in 2500)
Drove a 2007 Suburban 2500 LT with the 4.1 rear end - great for towing - gas mileage terrible - so went with the '09 to get 6 speed trans, and 3.73 rear end for better gas mileage when not towing. Average 15 MPG no load (2K RPM / 75 MPH) - 9-10 MPG with 9K lbs towing
If you don't need to tow over 5/6K lbs go for the 1500 LTZ (drives much nicer). I was not comfortable (or legal) with 9K lbs - now feel very comfortable with the 2500
07-09 2500's properly equipped are hard to find - but used 07's starting to hit market (most have 4.1 rear end). I understand 2009's are only what’s remaining on lots or was alreday on order .. and 2010's can not yet be ordered.
I would go with the 2500, you will get used to the ride and wont know any different after a week or so. Along with getting a heavier duty frame, and drivetrane, you also get heavier brakes....much heavier. This was the selling factor to me when I bought a 2500 truck over a 1500.
Towing an Albe might feel a little squirmy with the 1500...they arent exactly the lightest boats around
Find yourself a '02-'06 2500 w/ the 8.1,4wd,4.10 gears and 8.1.Sure it's thirsty, (I get 9/11 but I have 295 BFG's instead of those stock 245's), but the ride is still good, especially with some weight in it. Mine's an LT w/ Autoride and while it hasn't been perfect, it is a blast to drive and it's a monster on the beach. I tow a similar sized boat (25 SeaVee) and it tows it like a johnboat. IMO, having beefier components if you're towing or going on the beach is the way to go. I'm up to 120k, and have towed the boat as far as FL,and it's a great tow platform.
Just stay away from that Quadrasteer option-what a POS!
You know you'll be towing that Albie down here this winter,might as well get the 2500!
If your goin new just get the 3/4 ton --all bells and whistles are same as 1/2 ton interior wise etc. . The rides a little rougher then the 1/2 ton but I usually dont drive from the 2nd or 3rd rows ( thats where you feel it ). If you tow NETHING your gonna be happy you got the 3/4. Its the difference between feeling the trailer and not.
How often, and what distance you tow your Albe. would be the deciding factor for me. If your only towing once in the Spring and once in the Fall for 10-20miles from ramp to house, the 1/2 ton Suburban will work fine for you. If your towing the boat every weekend and/or for hundreds of miles, I think you would be better served with the 3/4 Ton Suburban.
As another member said, Albe's aren't light. My 248xf is 5,100 dry. Plus hard top, fuel, water, safety and fishing gear, ice, food, etc. My estimates are 6,500lbs for the boat, plus 1,750 for my tandem trailer. That's 8,250 give or take your pulling around. If you do go for the 1/2 Ton, I'd look into buying this:
I just got through renting one for 3 weeks a 1/2 ton version with cloth seats.
the good: outstanding fuel milage
very good ride (we drove it over 4000 miles)
the bad: felt underpowered to me
overall I was very impressed with the vehicle overall, fit and finish was great and was a soli riding vehicle.
I may get one as we do a ton of driving and need a big vehicle when on site etc. When going down the road there was very little road noise and had a rock solid feel to it. I'd give the surban a thumbs up
__________________ "God is not our side because he hates idiots" TGB and U
"There are 2 kinds of people in this world those with guns and those who dig..........you dig"
A buddy has a 08 Tahoe LTZ 5.3 2wd and tows his 24' Pursuit maybe twice a year with it. I drove it before I across town one day for him with the boat on the back and was amazed at how squirley the truck felt at just 40 mph! I think 1/2 ton trucks are ok for light work or hauling people, thats about all theyre made for anymore. The 3/4 wont really ride that much worse and everyone knows theres always a bigger boat in the future, Id go with the 3/4!
Also had a buddy that towed his 31' Contender with a 05 3/4 Suburban with the 6.0, it was slow starting from a stop, but other than that handled it fine. We've towed around 7k lbs with our old 1993 3/4 Subaburban 454, didnt do it like my Duramax, but handled it safely.
__________________ 1999 27' Sea Ray Sundancer Special Edition
1988 34' Luhrs 342, Sold
1978 20' Robalo w 1993 225 Yamaha, 8 month rebuild, including Alexsealed, wiring, electronics, canvas, For Sale
1984 18' Regal bowrider, Sold after 14 years
1967 12' Jon Boat w 1967 Mercury 5 hp, family has had since new
You can get a 8.1 motor on the 2010 2500 Suburban which is supposed to be a better motor than the 6.0
Since when? I thought Gov Motors discontinued the engine due to emissions around 04...?
To the OP, I am in the process of going through the same questions, though I am looking at 03-06 MYs due to price. The ride will be the biggest difference for your wife. The 1/2 tons ride like a caddy on the road. The 3/4 tons ride a little bit more like late 90's burbs. They are a little rougher but will tow the hell out of anything. You can have the exact same interior creature comforts on both models. If you get the 3/4 ton, get the tow mirrors.
Main reason I am looking at the 3/4 ton is if I get a wild hair, I might convert it to a Duramax and Allison tranny...
Good luck with the buy. Take your wife and drive both trucks back to back if you can.
ALB
__________________ ALB
1985 BW Montauk
1996 Evinrude 90
Give me oysters and beer for dinner everyday of the year and I'll feel fine - Jimmy Buffett
Find yourself a '02-'06 2500 w/ the 8.1,4wd,4.10 gears and 8.1.Sure it's thirsty, (I get 9/11 but I have 295 BFG's instead of those stock 245's), but the ride is still good, especially with some weight in it. Mine's an LT w/ Autoride and while it hasn't been perfect, it is a blast to drive and it's a monster on the beach. I tow a similar sized boat (25 SeaVee) and it tows it like a johnboat. IMO, having beefier components if you're towing or going on the beach is the way to go. I'm up to 120k, and have towed the boat as far as FL,and it's a great tow platform.
Just stay away from that Quadrasteer option-what a POS!
You know you'll be towing that Albie down here this winter,might as well get the 2500!
I Have the same truck.. Mines an 04 4 wheel drive and I see more like 8MPG.. I have 33" terra's. Its a pig but it does ride good and tow well. No problems towing my 9600# Glacier Bay and trailer. The stock hitch is the weak link.. Too much tongue weight will bend the frame. I upgraded my hitch after learing the hard way with another trailer.
Both the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton Suburbans have towing rating of up to 9600 pounds. The 1/2 ton model can be had with either the 5.3 or 6.0L engine. The 3/4 has the 6.0L. Until the 2500 gets the D-Max/Allison combo, get the 1500.
If I was dropping that kind of coin, I would go for the 3/4 ton. I currently have a 96 2500 with the older 6.5 turbo diesel and 4:10 rear end. Say what you might about the 6.5 once you get the bugs worked out of it, and fix what the engineers f'ed up, I've got myself a dependable truck that I can actually work on.
The burb is supposed to be out with a new diesel later this year. From what I've read, it is not the duramax. That might be worth waiting for.
If I was dropping that kind of coin, I would go for the 3/4 ton. I currently have a 96 2500 with the older 6.5 turbo diesel and 4:10 rear end. Say what you might about the 6.5 once you get the bugs worked out of it, and fix what the engineers f'ed up, I've got myself a dependable truck that I can actually work on.
The burb is supposed to be out with a new diesel later this year. From what I've read, it is not the duramax. That might be worth waiting for.
They were set to roll out a 4.6L Dmax in the burbs but GM canned it when DC took over the company. If they put a diesel in the burbs, it will be a detuned Duramax but dont hold your breath.
ALB
__________________ ALB
1985 BW Montauk
1996 Evinrude 90
Give me oysters and beer for dinner everyday of the year and I'll feel fine - Jimmy Buffett
sub 1/2 or 3/4 
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