Suburban 2500 or Yukon XL Denali?

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doc5339

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Replacing a 2005 Yukon XL 1500 w/ 5.3 3.42 2WD that has been wife's DD and our TV that is used to pull 28ft 7Klb TT 6-8 times per year typically only a couple hours each way with no real mountains, also loaded with 3 kids, a dog and gear. I added a Tru Cool 40K trans cooler, Powerstop K36 HD brakes pads/rotors, 10 ply tires, and use a WD hitch. It tows OK but works hard going up any grades and will wind 2nd gear up to close to 4K RPM's - but temps stay OK, no super long grades typically.

Considering:

2007 Suburban 2500 w/ 6.0L and 4spd trans & 3.73 4WD, or

2009 Yukon Xl Deanli w/ 6.2L and 6 spd trans & 3.42 2WD

Leaning towards the Denali since it will be mainly a DD for the wife, but want to make sure it tows fine too. I'm thinking with the 6.2 and 6 spd trans (I'll add the Tru Cool again) I should be fine. If i was towing more often I would definitely go for the 2500, but prefer the Denali for daily use.

Thoughts?
Get the 2007 Suburban 2500
 

EvergreenZ71

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The bottom line to using all of this information is to make sure you stay within the limits of your vehicle's cababilities, and that you keep your family safe, and the others on the road, and that you don't break anything on your vehicle. It's a lot more than, "How much trailer can I pull?"

Any questions?
Even though this is an older thread overall, it’s a good review for towing between 1500s and 2500s so I’ll add my experience.

While my 02 Z71 (with e load rated tires & a transmission cooler) pulled my 26’ Toy Hauler over the hills on US 101 through Oregon & Washington and I90 over Snoqualmie pass, it came at the cost of a bent axel and heavy wear on the brakes. Actually went out and found the old 92’ K2500 and never looked back at the 1500 for towing more than my 10’ flat deck; even though I put a brake controller in the 09 Tahoe LTZ. If it takes a 2-5/16” ball, it should have at least a 2500.
 

swathdiver

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Even though this is an older thread overall, it’s a good review for towing between 1500s and 2500s so I’ll add my experience.

While my 02 Z71 (with e load rated tires & a transmission cooler) pulled my 26’ Toy Hauler over the hills on US 101 through Oregon & Washington and I90 over Snoqualmie pass, it came at the cost of a bent axel and heavy wear on the brakes. Actually went out and found the old 92’ K2500 and never looked back at the 1500 for towing more than my 10’ flat deck; even though I put a brake controller in the 09 Tahoe LTZ. If it takes a 2-5/16” ball, it should have at least a 2500.

This is one reason why I'm putting in a 14-bolt, to bullet proof the rear axle for towing.
 

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