Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon Rear Doors

[Zed2]

We are interested in purchasing a either a Suburban, Tahoe, or Yukon and have the choice of either the rear cargo panel doors or liftgate with liftglass configuration. Will either of these configurations allow the doors to clear the LP tanks without unhitching the trailer? (We use a W/D hitch that adds about 3" to the distance from the receiver to the ball.)

Thanks for your input.

Keith

[blucloud]

Originally Posted by Zed2

We are interested in purchasing a either a Suburban or Tahoe and have the choice of either the rear cargo panel doors or liftgate with liftglass configuration. Will either of these configurations allow the doors to clear the LP tanks without unhitching the trailer? (We use a W/D hitch that adds about 3" to the distance from the receiver to the ball.)

Thanks for your input.

Keith

We have the liftgate doors on our suburban with plenty of clearance between door and trailer.

Dave

P.S. If you have a choice go for the Burb...much nicer ride. JMO.

[Davis]

Hi,
I have a 2004 Yukon XL ( same as Suburban) and have plenty of clearance and you won`t have a blind spot on the rear window either.I also would recommend the Suburban/Yukon XL over the Tahoe/Yukon for ride quality and stability for towing.Good Luck Davis

[Tin Hut]

I have a Sub with the barn doors and it clears fine. Likewise, if you have a choice go with the Sub or XL for longer wheelbase, towing....

[hhuber]

My Tahoe with lift gate clears fine. It also rides and tows great but I have a tiny trailer.(17 feet- I can make U-turns when I'm lost! )
Heidi

[InsideOut]

We also have a Yukon lift gate...the clearance is fine with propane tanks, electric jack & even a flag holder in front of that. We're like Heidi...small trailer (19'), so the shorter wheel base is fine...

The blind spot on the barn-doors wouldn't be a problem while towing 'cause we have a huge blind spot (the trailer!)...but otherwise, just around town or non-towing conditions...I think it would bother me.

Shari

[overlander64]

Greeting Keith!

While I can't comment on the current style in liftgate/hatch configuration as my Suburban pre-dates the current redesign (it's a '99), there is another reason to consider this configuration. If you ever drive the rig in bad weather in city traffic, the rear window wiper/washer/defroster setup is an absolute positive - - you can always have a clear view out of the rear window - - without the wiper/washer/defroster the rear window can quickly become obscured especially with the deep tint. As a side note, the drop-gate on the '99 clears the hitch assembly on both the '64 Overlander and the '78 Minuet.

I too would recommend the Suburban/Yukon XL - - it handles either of my coaches effortlessly (7400 VORTEC/4.10 differentials) - - those three seating areas come in quite handy for those times when you wish to carpool with five or more adults. Just completed 375 miles with the Minuet in tow and the trailer never made itself known - - gas mileage was 12.2 MPG (was able to tow in overdrive as most of the terrain was gently rolling hills or nearly flat plains) - - this with a drivetrain having 131,000 miles. Needless to say I am sold on the Suburban, but not on the Automatic Four Wheel Drive System - - the only thing on the entire vehicle that has caused me even the least trouble since taking delivery of the vehicle when it was new (my next Suburban will be two-wheel-drive, but not before this unit reaches at least 300,000 miles).

Good luck in your search!

Kevin

[uwe]

My Suburban has the split door rear doors. I prefer them over the tailgate style because I can reach farther inside the cargo compartment. Both doors clear the electric jack and propane tanks.
The split does not bother me one bit. i got used to it very soon afer buying the truck.
Get as new as possible, my 97 has poor brakes and handling. The Suburbans with the 6-lug and 8 lug wheels have bigger and better brakes.
I can see Kevin's point on the rear wiper, but we only get a few days a year when it rains in SoCal.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by uwe

I can see Kevin's point on the rear wiper, but we only get a few days a year when it rains in SoCal.

Just goes to show you, different regions have different priorities...besides the windshield wiper being an advantage here in CO, it's nice to sit on the dropped tailgate to put your ski boots on. It stays much cleaner than the barn-door set-up would...just one more reason they offer both!

Shari

[59toaster]

I am totaly over tail gates. They stink in the rain because you have to mess with the window before you can drop the gate. Opening a door and having direct access to the load floor instead of having to load over the tail gate is so much nicer. On my coach I doubt I will clear the gate. I wish I could convert my Bub to barn doors but it would be pretty intensive process. The Pre 80's it was a bolt on.

[Over59]

Rumor is that displacement on demand engines will begin to show up May 05 and a whole new redesign for 07. I'm holding out for the indash nav system. But I'll be getting the barn doors. Like how they look and easier on the back than getting stuff over the tailgate like I do with the truck.

[Tin Hut]

You're right on the 2005 Suburbans. I have one on order and it has the in dash nav system. Got the 3/4 ton, 8.1 liter, 4.1 gear ratio as well. For 2005 the barn doors were not an option, only the liftgate.

[hhuber]

I am totaly over tail gates. They stink in the rain because you have to mess with the window before you can drop the gate. Opening a door and having direct access to the load floor instead of having to load over the tail gate is so much nicer. On my coach I doubt I will clear the gate. I wish I could convert my Bub to barn doors but it would be pretty intensive process. The Pre 80's it was a bolt on.

Lots of ya'll mention the "tailgate" - mine is a lift up door from the floor level. No actual tailgate that flips down. This is actually easy to load because you walk right up to it. Also the lift gate is a little umbrella when loading in the rain. (Often for us in New Orleans.) You can lift just the window or the whole door with ease. I think the doors might get in the way while you're hitched to the trailer.

Heidi

[JmesDean]

I love my Yukon XL with the liftgate. Wife and I were looking at the barndoors but decided against them (also, for some reason we were not able to get the 2nd row as Capt. chairs...).

Question for the mechanically inclined though: as the newer models (90s and above) have the self-adjusting rear suspension/automatic level control rear suspension how is it towing 25+' trailers? This weekend will be the first time towing ours with a self-equalizing hitch and sway bars... doesn't that defeat the purpose?

[FireFighter]

Originally Posted by JmesDean

I love my Yukon XL with the liftgate. Wife and I were looking at the barndoors but decided against them (also, for some reason we were not able to get the 2nd row as Capt. chairs...).

Question for the mechanically inclined though: as the newer models (90s and above) have the self-adjusting rear suspension/automatic level control rear suspension how is it towing 25+' trailers? This weekend will be the first time towing ours with a self-equalizing hitch and sway bars... doesn't that defeat the purpose?

from what my dealer tells me they are not offering the barn door style any more just the lift gate style.

[Over59]

2005 has Nav? That's one monster SUV you have on order. Did you get displacement on demand?

[overlander64]

Greetings JmesDean!

Originally Posted by JmesDean

I love my Yukon XL with the liftgate. Wife and I were looking at the barndoors but decided against them (also, for some reason we were not able to get the 2nd row as Capt. chairs...).

Question for the mechanically inclined though: as the newer models (90s and above) have the self-adjusting rear suspension/automatic level control rear suspension how is it towing 25+' trailers? This weekend will be the first time towing ours with a self-equalizing hitch and sway bars... doesn't that defeat the purpose?

While I haven't had experience with the current version of GM's automatic level ride, I have had quite a bit of experience with the version used through 1990. I have had it on two of my tow vehicles and haven't experienced any unusual problems so long as the factory (GM's) recommendations regarding hitching up are followed. There should be a section in your owners' manual that describes the process to be followed when hitching your automatic level ride equipped tow vehicle to a trailer equipped with weight distributing hitch.

Good luck with your automatic level ride adjustments!

Kevin