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phbarnhart · 03-05-2014, 01:01 AM

While I was down at the local Chevy dealer the other day I noticed the new 2015 Tahoe and was able to take it for a little spin.

My impression from my short drive with no towing was that the thing is much quieter than before, handles better and is quite a bit more comfortable inside. I'm told the new Suburban will be at the dealer in a few weeks and I plan to take that for a spin.

The new 5.3 Ecotec V8 has similar power numbers to my 6.0 Vortec and is phenomenally better on gas.

What's more, it seems like they've increased the payload capacity to actually be able to handle towing my 25EB. We also use the Suburban as a ski vehicle in the winter and driving the 3/4 ton over the pass solo is rough and expensive. I'm quite intrigued by the magnetic ride control option.

Specs here: Clicky

Discuss please.

field & stream · 03-05-2014, 06:34 AM

Thanks for the report. We have a 2001 Yukon Denali with an earlier version of the magnetic ride control (called Autoride) and it is wonderful. Smooths out the bumps and corners with almost no leaning -- does not feel like a truck.

subfan1 · 03-05-2014, 07:55 AM

I was at my GMC dealer for some maintenance yesterday on our 08 Tahoe and was looking at the Yukon's. There was only one mpg better than previous year. They do look very nice but the 3 they had there had the tow package but could not find a external transmission cooler. Did you notice that?

Silvertwinkie · 03-05-2014, 08:58 AM

What I found interesting is there appears to be no more 3/4 ton Burbs anymore. Seems they've upped the 1/2 tonners (that do have a more comfortable ride), but if you want/need anything more that 1/2, you gotta go pickup?

If true, that's sad, I really like the hauling ability the 3/4 SUV allowed. It's really better family oriented with that back space available for the younger ones. Mine has about a 9600 or 9800lb rating. If I read the current specs correctly, this means that if you tow a larger vehicle behind you, say much beyond 27-28', you gotta buy a pickup if you want 4x4 and haul more than around 8000lbs? Seems 3/4 ton vans, even with diesel are still available, but no 4x4?

I've always like the 31' Classic Dinette, but the 2015 Burb, decked out might not even be able to safely tow that rig's dry weight if you go by the numbers exclusively.

How CAFE has shaken up the marketplace.

andreasduess · 03-05-2014, 09:30 AM

That's supposed to be good on fuel? I get that number whilst towing. Some of the Jeep diesels report 20mpg and up, whilst towing.

How can they justify releasing a car, in this day and age, with such lousy mileage?

phbarnhart · 03-05-2014, 09:48 AM

It's something of a matter of perspective. Remember that the Suburban has more seating and luggage room than the Jeep. Also, the new 5.3 produces the same power as my 6.0... Which gets 10/15 and is averaging 12 at the moment.

That said, I would love to see something like the Jeep/Dodge/Ram ecodiesel in the Suburban.

As far as the impact of CAFE on the 3/4 version. I think it's simply that people weren't buying them in a large enough quantity to justify the expense of developing the second vehicle. It's not just a bigger engine after all.

murreywalker · 03-05-2014, 10:11 AM

I wonder what happened to the 2014's.

My 3/4 is eleven months old and was built to order. Oh well, time flies when you're having fun.

With a towing capacity of 8000 (4w drive), I guess you're good to go if you're a flat lander. I'm not, and appreciate the extra capacity of the 3/4.

Big disappointment though, is the 3/4's don't seem to be in much of a demand.

phbarnhart · 03-05-2014, 10:15 AM

I live in Oregon so no dice on the flat part. While the gear ratio is slightly reduced, 3.42 vs 3.73 the power output is the same between the new 1/2 and my 2012 3/4.

Silvertwinkie · 03-05-2014, 11:42 AM

There was a bit more to the 3/4 Burb than just engine. I got 4.10s in mine, upgraded tranny, bigger hubs, larger differential, etc. None of these are available or standard on the new Burb line and only with 8k tow rating.

It's not like GM had to custom the 3/4 ton to make it happen. It's basically upgraded components. Maybe a frame difference (which they stole from the pickup line and chopped IIRC). I agree sales were low, but it really was (and in my case is) a great truck.

Guess when I get tire of it, I'll have it converted my existing to a Duraburb or perhaps when junior gets big enough, move up to a duramax quad cab 2500HD.

Either way you slice it, 10mpg for a gasser is painfully normal be it in 1/2 ton 5.3L or 3/4 ton 6.0L. Parting is such sweet sorry I suspect.

phbarnhart · 03-05-2014, 03:42 PM

Oh, I know the 3/4 ton is not just a bigger engine (see above) I was thinking about it's ability to climb hills. Then again, going DOWN the hills is, I imagine, made easier/safer with the greater displacement and brakes of the 3/4.

I think the last 3/4s were 2013 models, IIRC, and by then they had stopped offering anything other than the 3.73 gearing, which is what I have in mine. Then again, it came with a 6 speed transmission which I think made up some for not being geared quite so low.

I guess the big picture, for me, is that the new 1/2 ton could realistically tow a 25' or 27' Airstream where as the previous model wasn't quite there. Sure the 3/4 gives a large margin with those trailers but if it's not a dedicated TV there are some serious tradeoffs. While I lament the death of the 3/4 ton SUV I'm pleased that Chevy decided to make the 1/2 ton ones more capable.

subfan1 · 03-05-2014, 03:52 PM

The New Denali with the 6.2l engine should be rated in the plus 8000 lb range which is more than enough for the 25 footers.

Jammer · 03-05-2014, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreasduess

That's supposed to be good on fuel? I get that number whilst towing. Some of the Jeep diesels report 20mpg and up, whilst towing.

How can they justify releasing a car, in this day and age, with such lousy mileage?

Because it has room to seat 7 adults comfortably (4 of them in bucket seats), plus ample cargo space.

Compared to, say, a Chrysler 300, which will seat 4 adults, with the two rear seats being to small to be comfortable for long drives, for many people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by murreywalker

I wonder what happened to the 2014's.

The sales numbers were low and they just built up a substantial inventory of 2013s to sell. Not uncommon in the industry.

Quote:

With a towing capacity of 8000 (4w drive), I guess you're good to go if you're a flat lander. I'm not, and appreciate the extra capacity of the 3/4.

Big disappointment though, is the 3/4's don't seem to be in much of a demand.

3/4 ton burbs have fairly consistently made up about 25% of burb sales nationwide although that doesn't include the Escalade and Yukon XL numbers.

Some in the industry are hoping that a 3/4 ton burb will be released in the next few years. We'll see. I'm skeptical.

The popularity of crew-cab pickups, and the availability of up-level interiors, electronics, etc., has led many people who previously bought a 'burb for towing to move to a truck.

Jammer · 03-05-2014, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subfan1

The New Denali with the 6.2l engine should be rated in the plus 8000 lb range which is more than enough for the 25 footers.

Which makes it the most capable 4x4 tow vehicle with seating for 7 on the market at this point.

The only other alternative if you absolutely need seating for 7 is a van with a Quigley 4x4 conversion. Those have mfgr's rated towing capacities up to 10,000 pounds.

andreasduess · 03-05-2014, 04:18 PM

How about the Mercedes Bluetec? Seats seven, returns 26mpg, and an out of the box tow rating of 7500lbs.

phbarnhart · 03-05-2014, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreasduess

How about the Mercedes Bluetec? Seats seven, returns 26mpg, and an out of the box tow rating of 7500lbs.

The problem with the Mercedes GL350 is the same problem that Airstreamers run into with pretty much all European SUVs; tongue weight. For some reason, European trailers are set up to have 5%-8% of their weight in the tongue while American trailers seems to be more like 10%-15%. Airstream seems to like the ~12% area. According to the GL350's manual, the max tongue weight is 600 lbs, which is 8% of 7500lbs just as one might expect. If I'm wrong on this would someone kindly correct me?

My understanding is that some folks have had their hitches reinforced and have towed with the MB just fine. Without opening a whole can of worms (crosses fingers) I will say that, as an attorney, I think I would be a lot less likely to get royally sued in the event of an accident were I towing within the manufacturer's specifications. Please note that this is a personal choice that is right for me but may not be for you.

field & stream · 03-05-2014, 08:17 PM

In addition to "how much can it tow and stop", I've always considered a big advantage of the 3/4 ton to be "how much can it carry"? The 1/2 tons (which I have) don't allow for a whole lot of stuff to be loaded in. Kinda makes the older 3/4 ton models into a cult classic.

SafariSS · 03-05-2014, 09:09 PM

I have had 4 Suburbans, last three were 3/4 tons with the last one being a mighty 8.1 with 4wd and 4.10 gears..

All good vehicles, good value as well. I tow a Safari 30 and have 100k on it towing now. I just sold my Sub and bought a GL350. It tows great and gets upper 20s mpg when solo.

I hate to see the 3/4 tons go. They fit a role for the family man like no other.

New version Sub has some sad mirrors, much nicer interior though.

phbarnhart · 03-05-2014, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariSS

New version Sub has some sad mirrors, much nicer interior though.

You're not kidding about the ridiculously small mirrors. I'm sure part of that was to maintain fuel economy.

Roadtech · 03-06-2014, 12:45 PM

The new 2015 Suburban has 200 lbs. more trailering capacity (8300 lbs) than the 2014 model (8100 lbs). The GMC Denali XL with the 6.2L engine has 420 HP and 460 lb-ft torque versus the Suburban 5.3L at 355 HP and 383 lb-ft torque. The Denali though, has the same trailering capacity and payload as the Suburban. So, I guess that means that if you are towing the same load with each, the Denali will get up the hills quicker. Also interesting, with the bigger engine, the Denali gas mileage rating is only 1 mpg worse than the Suburban city driving and 2 mpg worse highway driving.

phbarnhart · 03-06-2014, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadtech

The new 2015 Suburban has 200 lbs. more trailering capacity (8300 lbs) than the 2014 model (8100 lbs). The GMC Denali XL with the 6.2L engine has 420 HP and 460 lb-ft torque versus the Suburban 5.3L at 355 HP and 383 lb-ft torque. The Denali though, has the same trailering capacity and payload as the Suburban. So, I guess that means that if you are towing the same load with each, the Denali will get up the hills quicker. Also interesting, with the bigger engine, the Denali gas mileage rating is only 1 mpg worse than the Suburban city driving and 2 mpg worse highway driving.

Yes, the new Denali is very interesting in that regard. My understanding is that the 6.2 is a really lovely engine. Now if I could just get over that Denali styling...