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The Chevrolet Suburban is one of the most popular vehicles on the road. People love its comfortable interior and spacious design. But what many people don’t know is the Suburban towing capacity also makes it an excellent towing vehicle.
In this post, we’ll examine the Suburban’s towing capacity and the various trim packages available. Read on to learn how this SUV could be your go-to towing machine. Let’s get started!
About the Suburban
The Suburban is a full-size SUV from Chevrolet. It is the longest continuous-use automobile nameplate in production in the world. One of the first SUVs the Chevrolet brand produced, the Suburban, has been under the Chevrolet, Holden, and GMC brands.
Chevrolet launched the first generation in 1935 as a carryall Suburban. It has been in production for over 86 years and seven generations. It remains one of Chevrolet’s most popular models.
About Chevrolet
Chevrolet, or Chevy, is an American brand of automobile that General Motors (GM) manufactures. Starting in 1911 as the Chevrolet Motor Car Company, GM acquired it in 1917.
From its earliest days, people knew Chevrolet for offering a wide range of vehicles, from small economy cars to large trucks and SUVs.
Today, the company offers many cars, trucks, and SUVs under its Chevy brand, as well as numerous other vehicles under its GMC, Buick, and Cadillac brands.
Where are Suburbans Made?
Until recently, Chevy made their Suburbans at different plants around the world. In the U.S., they largely assembled them at plants in Flint, Michigan, and Janesville, Wisconsin.
Since the 2009 model year, GM has assembled the Suburban at GM’s Arlington, Texas, plant. They consolidated production of all GM’s full-size SUVs to Arlington after the closure of its Janesville plant.
The Suburban Lineup
The Chevrolet Suburban comes in six trim packages, offering a range of options and a similar range regarding towing capacity.
People widely regard it for its various engine options with 10-speed automatic transmission, towing capacity (which properly outfitted can reach 8,300 pounds), and spacious interior.
The trim packages start with the LS model at the low end, adding features and options as the packages ascend to the High Country trim package at the top end.
High Country
MSRP: Starting at $77,100
Towing Capacity: 7,400 to 8,300 lbs
Seats: 7
About: Sitting at the top of the Suburban food chain, the High Country is the only trim with a 420-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine, providing a massive 460 lb-ft of torque.
This model is the most luxurious of the Suburban’s six trim packages. It comes with 22-inch alloy wheels, a surround camera with a 360-degree view around the vehicle, and a head-up display.
A head-up display is a projector that displays critical driver information on the lower portion of the windshield just below the line of sight.
The High Country is also one of two trim packages with the option for Super Cruise. This is Chevrolet’s autonomous driver-assistance system, which can accelerate, brake, and steer the car without driver input on certain roads.
Premier
MSRP: Starting at $70,300
Towing Capacity: 7,400 to 8,300 lbs
Seats: 7
The Premier trim package comes with a 5.3L V8 engine. It features 20-inch alloy wheels, a 10-speaker Bose surround sound system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The towing capacity for this Suburban has a similar range to other models in this selection.
It also comes with Magnetic Ride Control, which automatically adjusts to the road surface for a smoother ride.
The optional Premier Package includes adaptive cruise control, a panoramic sunroof, a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and a digital rearview camera mirror.
Premier is the only other trim beside the High Country to offer the optional Super Cruise autonomous driver-assistance system.
Z71
MSRP: Starting at $67,000
Towing Capacity: 7,400 to 8,300 lbs
Seats: 8
Though it’s optional on all other Suburban trims, the Z71 includes four-wheel drive. It also has 20-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, skid plates, a 2-speed transfer case, recovery hooks, and other features that make the Z71 the best Suburban off-road option.
Aside from the standard off-road features, the Z71 also has an optional Off-Road Capability Package. It adds adaptive air suspension, an electric limited-slip differential, and Magnetic Ride Control.
Keep in Mind: Are you interested in a Chevrolet Silverado 3500hd as your next tow vehicle? Learn more about its Towing Capacity!
RST
MSRP: Starting at $65,000
Towing Capacity: 7,400 to 8,300 lbs
Seats: 8
The RST trim package is where the Suburban turns toward luxury. This Suburban has a standard towing capacity and comes with the 5.3L V8 engine but adds some shine with 22-inch high-gloss black-painted aluminum wheels with all-season tires.
It also has Jet Black perforated leather seats with red stitching, a monochrome black grille with Black Ice accents, black roof-mounted side rails, and black assist steps.
LT
MSRP: Starting at $62,400
Towing Capacity: 7,400 to 8,300 lbs
Seats: 8
The LT trim package is another that comes standard with the 5.3L V8 engine but builds on the features of the LS with a 9-speaker sound system, wireless charging, a hands-free power liftgate, and auto-dimming rearview mirror that detects and reduces glare from approaching headlights.
The optional LT Luxury Package adds safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, surround-view camera, and rear pedestrian detection. It includes a heated steering wheel, heated outboard mirrors, and power-folding second and third-row seats.
LS
MSRP: Starting at $56,900
Towing Capacity: 7,400 to 8,300 lbs
Seats: 8 (optional upgrade to 9)
The LS is the only trim package with a front bench seat option that bumps the seating capacity up to 9. Though it starts off the low end of the Suburban trim packages, it still has a similar towing capacity.
The LS includes a 5.3L V8 engine, premium smooth ride suspension, 18-inch wheels with all-season tires, a 6-speaker sound system, keyless entry, remote start, rain-sensing wipers, hitch guidance, and trailer sway control.
What Suburban Has the Highest Towing Capacity?
The maximum towing capacity of the Suburban is 8,300 pounds. This holds for any two-wheel drive Suburban with a 5.3L V8 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Max Trailering Package. That covers four trim packages: the LS, LT, RST, and Premier.
The High Country trim package comes standard with the 6.2L V8 engine and does not have the 5.3L V8 engine as an option. The High Country with the Max Trailering Package tops out at 8,200 pounds of maximum towing capacity.
Likewise, the Z71 trim package only comes with a four-wheel drive option. With the Max Trailering Package, it tops out at a maximum towing capacity of 8,000 pounds.
Can You Add Max Trailering Package to Suburban?
Chevrolet’s Max Trailering Package makes towing more manageable and more capable. It increases the amount you can pull and adds essential safety features.
This upgrade can be added to any Suburban, regardless of the trim package or engine option. Whether two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the Max Trailering Package will enhance a Suburban’s towing capabilities.
Are Chevy Suburbans Good for Towing?
Suburbans are big, beefy SUVs that can tow a lot of weight. With the Suburban’s towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds, it can easily handle boats, trailers, and even most pull-behind RVs.
The Suburban also has heavy-duty suspension and a powerful engine to handle heavy loads. The Max Trailering Package adds many safety features and functions that make towing more manageable and safer.
Keep in Mind: What Is a Safe Transmission Temperature When Towing? Click the link to find out!
Put Your Suburban Towing Capacity to the Test
The Chevrolet Suburban has come a long way since its debut in 1935. It’s bigger and better than ever, with six trim levels and an impressive maximum towing capacity of 8,300 pounds.
If you’re looking for a vehicle that can handle all your towing needs, the Suburban is worth considering. Put your Suburban’s towing capacity to the test by taking it on a weekend camping trip or hauling a boat to the lake.
No matter what you need it for, the Suburban is up to the task. Which model would you prefer?
