I have a 2012 Suburban LTZ and I'm looking for more power when towing my toy hauler.
I've been told to change air intake and purchase a tuner. Is this a good or bad idea?
Does anyone have a tuner or K&N air intake that can tell me if it's worth the investment?

 

Don't waste your money on a CAI. First of all, you already have one and second, any HP they may add is at the top end. Check out Blackbear Performance for tuning your ECM.

 

Not sure if this review is biased, but this video shows a 20hp increase.



You can also change the gears in the rear axle to provide more torque.

 

Thank you for the advice!!
At this point the truck pulls but I'm running in 4th and 5th gear around 2500 rpm. It's a bit of a struggle on larger inclines.
I'd like to be able to have the extra ponies when needed.

 

Tuning and a CAI are not going to make a noticeable difference in towing performance. I had my Burb tuned for better all-around driveability and better throttle response, not for improved towing.

How big/heavy of a toy hauler? The half-ton Suburbans aren't anywhere near the towing monsters that people think they are. Be careful of that rear axle if you're towing on long trips.

 

I wouldn't... if GM could get 20 more HP, with reliable cost effective parts, I'm sure they would have. As for a tune, you're basically changing the ratio of foot sensor to throttle position (actuator?)... which isn't adding power, it's just making it feel more powerful.

Also, the engine torque, shifting, etc, is all aligned to ensure system longevity. Messing with it, and adding or feeling of adding 20-30HP or quicker shifts... at what expense? the transmission lasts 50,000 vs 150,000?

Obviously that may be an exaggeration, but if you need to tow, diesel is where it's at.

 

I'd say so.

My Burb has 155k miles on it, including 20,000 miles of heavy towing all over the country (including the Rockies) since the odo hit 100k. These are trailers weighing at least 7,000 lbs, up to 8600 lbs. Still runs perfectly; original engine and transmission. Like I said, the tune isn't for towing, but it does make it more responsive in everyday driving.

Our latest trailer, 8600 lbs:

 

another no for the cai. removing the factory resonator box from the air duct will reduce air flow as a turbulent baffling air flow effect will set up. Second it can create fuel trim dtc as the air flow is tuned from factory. 3rd the oiled filters can contaminate the hot wire in the maf. 4th the filters do not meet oem filtering standards and create potential dust out conditions that could promote oil consumption.

other than that i love them. If i had a speed density fuel metered vehicle that was already burning oil...I would get one.

 

I bought a slip at a marina for 2017... Now only towing 2x a year vs every weekend at 250 miles round trip

 

All the advice is trending towards not spending unnecessary money on CAI or a Tuner.