Magnetic ride worth it? 3.42 vs 3.08?

[Soon to burb]

Hi folks. I just test drove a 17 Suburban LT that was pretty well optioned out and included the max trailering package.

my question is should I hold out for the premier trim? I’m interested in the Magnetic ride to help control body roll and wallowing on the highway. I really liked the 3.42 gearing the max trailering gives you, but am curious if others find it hurts mpg vs the 3.08.

any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[hcvone]

If you do any trailering I found replacing my sway bars made the biggest difference, my towing was in the winter upstate NY and Canada where wind was always an issue, of course 3.42 gears and mag ride all help, still the biggest difference that made me feel the safest was sway bars, that why I did it on my 6 Suburban's, 12 Escalade's and on my callaway Tahoe

 

[91RS]

If it is the right truck, I would pull the trigger and immediately replace the shocks with Bilstein 5100.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

As you can see, folks are responding, and additional folks will chime in.

 

[Soon to burb]

Seems like a great forum! I may tow a small boat short distances on occasion, but my primary use will be family vacation road trips. Wondering if the magnetic ride suspension makes a big difference on the highway.

 

[DWTahoe]

Seems like the mag ride has had lots of issues for people. I haven't seen a lot of folks say there is a big enough difference in mpg with the max trailering pkg. But most like the gearing a little better with the 3.42. I like having 4 low with mine (max trailering pkg.). Good luck.

 

[gat0r]

mag ride is fine until the shocks lock up

depending on how you drive.... 3.08 will get you at least 2-3mpg better than 3.42...typically

3.42 is better for ease of towing.

 

[Jerry Rabenaldt]

Like others have said, Magnaride is very nice until it's not. You'll appreciate the 3.42's over the 3.08's if you're hauling anything. And it's easier to change the shocks than the gearing if you find something you really like.

 

[73Vetteman]

I have always bought the optional trailering gear ratio on my vehicles including my 96 Tahoe, 01 Yukon, 15 Tahoe, and several pickups. I have always experienced equal or BETTER fuel economy on road trips when driving at sustained speeds of 70 mph or more. I have friends, neighbors, and family member that have followed me to our cottage (180 miles) and second home (825 miles) with same or nearly identical year vehicles. In most cases my fuel economy is actually better at those higher speeds.

Another advantage seems to be longer transmission life. I had 260k miles on my 01 Yukon and no transmission failure compared to my neighbors 01 Tahoe that was on it's 3rd transmission by that number of miles. I never replaced the transmission on any of my trailer axeled Tahoes or pickups either. It makes sense since less torque is transmitted though the transmission because of the higher toque multiplication of the trailer ratio. Of course the extra fluid cooler in the towing option has to help also.

 

[Prospect62]

depending on how you drive.... 3.08 will get you at least 2-3mpg better than 3.42...typically

I have to disagree with that based on personal experience. Maybe it's the way I drive.

If you plan on doing ANY towing, and even for folks that don't - I can't recommend the 3.42 gears enough (and it's really a bit sad that 3.42's are considered the "towing gear" on these trucks but I digress).

The 3.42 is key, but the towing package also gets you a better T-case and other nice additions. As far as gas mileage, it's going to be not great anyway - regardless of the rear gear. In fact, the 3.42 might even do better for you overall.

Concerning the magnetic ride I can only say that my truck DOES NOT have it and it rides quite nicely whether loaded or unloaded. I am very happy with it, and there's something to be said for having less stuff to break in the long run!

 

[gat0r]

^ i mean just daily driving (not w/ towing in mind)

my buddy has a burb w/ 3.08's & he always gets 3 or more mpg better on the highway than i do w/ 3.42s

 

[73Vetteman]

Daily driving is completely different for everyone so impossible to compare.
Driving in stop and go city driving compared to catching all green traffic lights can change city gas mileage considerably. If anything, the 3.42 should help in stop and go traffic as well, especially if you have a lead foot. I find about the only place the 3.08 is better is with very gentle acceleration or sustained lower freeway speed like 60mph.

I typically average 21 mpg at 75mph on cruise control. With wind behind me or at slower speeds will be slightly better. Driving in mountains or driving into a strong head wind or higher speeds will reduce it.

 

[exp500]

My buddy that always claimed his mileage was great had a tank 4 gallons larger and never did the math. Another poster here was converting KMs/Miles based on his dash display and didn't do math till confronted..... Just sayin. Way back I had alot of problems related to 308's, 373's on new rig and love em.

 

[Prospect62]

Way back I had alot of problems related to 308's, 373's on new rig and love em.

Between the AFM and the horrible mileage-minded tune on these trucks, I am shocked that any Suburban (a 5600 lb. vehicle) ships from the factory with anything higher (numerically lower) than 3.42's.

My 1989 K5 Blazer with a TBI 350 and TH700R4 had...are you sitting down...2.73's! Man that was a great truck but I was shocked when I found out it came with airplane gears.