Engine choice for suburban for towing?

[Nautiqueusername]

I’m coming out of a 6.2 L Sierra which towed my 230 extremely well and a 2014 suburban with a 5.3 which could hardly get out of it on way so as we prepare to buy a new large SUV we are wondering if the 5.3 in the new suburban is adequate any input is appreciated thanks

[Tigerxj]

i'm curious to read this as well.

we have an 07 suburban with the 5.3, I think they were rated at 295, maybe 300hp. my dad's 2017 with the 5.3L has something like 355hp. I don't recall the torque curves. I'll say, his pulled the 2017 GS20 (4500lb) we picked up in Minneapolis and towed it all the way to upstate SC at 80mph the whole way with no trouble. It pulled much better than our 07 suburban would pull the 2004 SNOB 206 (~3000lbs).

BUT, I bet coming from the 6.2, you are going to be disappointed in the 5.3 in a suburban. Its great you can finally get the bigger motor in the chevy, but you have to go to the top trim level to get it on the new ones, which is around $80k.

[bird_dog0347]

I have a 2020 Sierra with the 5.3 and we just got a P23, but I will only have to tow it on rare occasions as it lives on a lift... picking it up last weekend and towing it to the lake and I was not disappointed in the engine at all. I'm pretty much at the max tow rating for my truck (9500) but it did just fine, that said it's pretty flat here in DFW and if you live at higher elevation or with hills you may want the 6.2, but I'm also not sure what your 230 and trailer weigh?

[bturner]

Honestly, what do you think? When has ever moving down in HP been a good idea? Do you really think you'd be happier with less HP/torque or more for towing? If you can afford it always but the bigger engine.

[kylant]

can you get the 6.6 gas in the suburban? if not, go with the 3.0 Duramax

[Nautiquehunter]

Are you trying to save on gas mileage? You wont with the smaller engine towing. I tow with a 1 ton and a 6L it tows my 67 Mustang[2500 lbs] and my dump trailer loaded with stone[7500lbs] and doesn't care . Go big you will never regret it.

[HollywoodBall]

First, I know a 97 Sport Nautique and single axle trailer are going to weigh a lot less than your setup... and a Tahoe is obviously less truck than the Suburban...

But, I was very pleased with how my 5.3 equipped 2019 Tahoe handled the nearly 400 miles of towing today from NC to WV. Tow mode kept it at cruise speed, even up mountains, the entire trip.

I was very pleasantly surprised at my first go at towing with it. But it was probably at the max of where it would perform like that, if I had to guess.


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[HollywoodBall]

Also, 11.4 MPG average.


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[Nautiquehunter]

Honestly, what do you think? When has ever moving down in HP been a good idea? Do you really think you'd be happier with less HP/torque or more for towing? If you can afford it always but the bigger engine.

What he said.