Mickeyfan0805 wrote:intheburbs wrote:
Um, the Suburban HD is a current model. I can get a 2018 now, and I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get a 2019 next year. Yes, the 2500s are dwindling, but the HD is new/current manufacture.
Perhaps I'm missing something, but from what I have seen the HD Suburbans are limited to fleet customers and have an extraordinarily limited towing capacity (3k) because of the overload on payload capacity. The highest tow capacity I've seen for any current Suburban is 8,300, which is more than 30% less than our 2006.
There are varying theories on why the HDs have such a low tow rating. Yes, they are for fleet/government customers to buy new, but used ones are already out there. I've seen used ones for sale with anywhere from 5k to 20k miles.
Not sure if this link will work, but HERE is one for sale. 4.10 axles, would be a beast of a TV.
The HD is a true one-ton truck. It's the same 2500 frame as has been used since 2000, but with one-ton axles and brakes. So again, assuming you get a proper receiver attached to the truck, it should be able to tow similar to the 2000-2006 trucks, and with more payload capability. Yes, it's not "rated from the factory," but all the necessary hardware is there for such a tow rating.
The GMT900 2500 trucks, like mine, have a lower tow rating only because the receiver is now integrated into the bumper. The receiver is somewhat weakened because it's part of the crumple zone. That being said, I'm pulling a trailer with 1120 lbs tongue weight with no WD. Several friends of mine are engineers at GM, and they've allayed my fears about this trailer/truck combo, and I would similarly not hesitate to tow a hell of a lot more than 3000 lbs with an HD Suburban.
Payload/weight rating stickers...Can only post one pic, but the payload rating of this truck is 4,267, and notice the 11,000-lb GVWR.
Doing simple math, and I come up with a curb weight that's only 200 lbs heavier than my 2500, but it has more than double the payload. Pretty impressive.
carringb wrote:
What about a VanTerra? The Ford 350 cutaway chassis is still being made, and many Outdoors outfitters have moved to Vanterras since Ford stopped making van bodies. It's a good alternative when a Transit or Sprinter doesn't have the needed towing capacity.
Starting with 2016 models, they now have the 6-speed TorqueShift transmission, and the 6.2L V8 is finally available as well.
Good point - vans are absolutely an option for some. For us, vans are simply a non-starter with the wife!
Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
The only problem with this strategy is finding a replacement vehicle down the line.
What about a VanTerra? The Ford 350 cutaway chassis is still being made, and many Outdoors outfitters have moved to Vanterras since Ford stopped making van bodies. It's a good alternative when a Transit or Sprinter doesn't have the needed towing capacity.
Starting with 2016 models, they now have the 6-speed TorqueShift transmission, and the 6.2L V8 is finally available as well.
