Which of these would tow a car the best?

[mojocoggo]

I'm looking for a daily/tow vehicle to haul ≈6500 lbs (normal car on a trailer) once a week, and occasionally up to ≈8000 lbs (another GMT400 Suburban 2500 on a trailer). Roads would be mostly flat (northern California) but I don't want do have to do 40 mph on the highway to go up a hill.

My goals are:
1. Keep it as close to stock as possible
2. Maximize fuel economy as it will also be a daily driver
3. Purchase price of around $4-6k

Can you rank the following in order of what would be best for this type of use? Assume all have good paint/interior/mechanicals and around 150-200k miles.

GMT400 Suburban 2500 6.5L Turbo Diesel
GMT400 Suburban 2500 7.4L
GMT800 Suburban 1500 6.0L
GMT800 Suburban 2500 6.0L

Anything else I should look at?

 

[98chevy2500SS]

That is a tough one, both the 6.0L and 7.4L are good engines. Personally, I'd choose the 7.4L. Don't get a 6.5L if you're going to be towing a lot, as they were mainly an economy engine, I'd get a Duramax if you're really wanting a Chevy diesel.

 

[Dravec]

I'm looking for a daily/tow vehicle to haul ≈6500 lbs (normal car on a trailer) once a week, and occasionally up to ≈8000 lbs (another GMT400 Suburban 2500 on a trailer). Roads would be mostly flat (northern California) but I don't want do have to do 40 mph on the highway to go up a hill.

My goals are:
1. Keep it as close to stock as possible
2. Maximize fuel economy as it will also be a daily driver
3. Purchase price of around $4-6k

Can you rank the following in order of what would be best for this type of use? Assume all have good paint/interior/mechanicals and around 150-200k miles.

GMT400 Suburban 2500 6.5L Turbo Diesel
GMT400 Suburban 2500 7.4L
GMT800 Suburban 1500 6.0L
GMT800 Suburban 2500 6.0L

Anything else I should look at?

I have a K2500 Burb with the Vortec 7.4, and it is pretty damn good. Of course it's nit quite in the same league as the newer stuff, just due to technology, but is solid and reliable.
Stock rating of 290 HP & 410 ft. lbs.
I also had a K3500 with the same engine, and with a K&N intake and dual exhaust it was in the neighborhood of (calculated based on 30% loss through the 4L80E) 328 HP & 443 ft. lbs. Dyno sheet claimed 229 HP & 310 ft. lbs at the wheels. So take those numvers with a grain of salt. But that truck pulled like a freight train. So I personally believe the numbers.

The 6.0 in my grandad's 2002 1500 HD didn't pull near as well, and barely got another 2 mpg.

The 6.5 isn't a bad motor, but I personally would pick the big block. Unless better fuel mileage is worth sacrificing some towing capability for you. The diesel will most definitely get better mileage. But it gives up a lot on towing. My 7.4 is rated at 10k on towing. The '99 6.5 is rated at 7.5k max towing.

 

[stutaeng]

The diesel and the 1500 are definitely not going to cut the mustard. Well the diesel may, assuming you get all the aftermarket stuff done correctly. I would not put my bets on the 4L60 on the 1500, even with the 6.0. Also, the 1500 rear coil spring set up is for soccer Moms, not so much meant for towing...too soft.

Between the 7.4 and the 6.0 is going to depend on gear ratio. I'm thinking the 7.4 with 3.73s and the 6.0 with 4.10s should be a good combination.

The 2500 GMT 800 got front torsion bar suspension on the 2wd, not sure what the C2500 GMT 400 suburbans got? Not sure if that matters. Also have rear disc. Again, not sure if that really matters.

Although a bit more rare, might as well throw that 8.1 in the mix, LOL.

Edit: you said DD, so I'd vote for 2500 6.0/4.10. That's my DD/family hauler.

 

[Supercharged111]

I don't see the 350 up there. If you're hauling open deck the 350 can get it done at a lower elevation especially on flat ground so don't write it completely off. I don't foresee the 6.0 being significantly better until the need for a downshift arises, that's be here the 6.0 will shine. As far as tow pigs per your list I give the nod to the 454. The 6.5 is no powerhouse and has its share of issues.

 

[stutaeng]

Yeah, I was thinking the 5.7 would also handle that load just fine... Looks like a C/K2500 Suburban with 5.7/4.10 is rated to tow a 7,000/7,500 lbs, which are respectable numbers. Of course, the 7.4 even with 3.73 is rated at 8,000/8,500 lbs. I think those numbers back then were honest, conservative numbers, unlike the bloated numbers of today and everyone advises you "tow 75% of rating."

Another vote for the 2500 series is the 14 bolt rear axle and the 4L80e tranny and larger brakes over the 1500. I believe they also got a tranny cooler, engine oil cooler, and P.S. cooler as standard equipment. Depending on the engine/generation, may also have the hydroboost brakes. Basically, a towing rig from the factory!

Page 4-47

https://my.chevrolet.com/content/da...t/suburban/1997_chevrolet_suburban_owners.pdf

 

[Supercharged111]

For years I've towed my 8500-9000# enclosed car hauler with my 1500 even before the blower. Of you open up the exhaust and give it a tune the 350 punches a lot harder than stock. If you must leave it 100% stock, which is lame, the 350 can still get it done but you'll be in 3rd the whole time. I advocate 100% for a 2500 over the 1500.

 

[Dravec]

I guess an important question (that I may have missed) is: are you looking for 2wd or 4wd? Because that will affect your tow rating.
Also, 350 equipped Burbs can be either vacuum or hydroboost brakes, 454 Burbs are almost exclusively hydroboost. 6.0 Burbs I think are hydroboost? Not 100% sure. My grandad's 1500 HD is hydroboost.

I personally like the 400 platform better than the 800. But that's just subjective to the person. I think the 400s make for a tougher truck overall, but the 800s may possibly be more comfortable as a daily driver (I don't think so, but again, subjective).

 

[Edward Case]

Any truck with the 4.10 will work for once a week hauling.

 

[stutaeng]

The 2500 GMT 400 Suburbans with 5.7 got the vacuum brakes (and 9.5" SF 14 bolt) and the 7.4 got the hydroboost (10.5" FF 14 bolt.) Both rear drums.

The 2500 GMT 800 Suburbans with 6.0 got hydroboost brakes (and 9.5" SF 14 bolt) and the 8.1 also got hydroboost (10.5" FF 14 bolt.) Also, the 8.1 got the 4L85e vs the 4L80e of all other 2500. Both rear discs.

I think the 400 and 800 are both really good options. I honestly can't tell the difference between the disc and drum brakes, but this is a comparison of hydroboost disc vs hydroboost drum. I also have a 00 K3500 GMT400 CCLB with the 5.7/4.10 and really like that truck as well. Yeah, the 400 is a bit older, but the later 400 (96-00) interiors are not that far behind the early 800s. I think it would be a mater of finding one that has been maintained well and not beat to death.