Good morning.

I am considering selling our 2009 Suburban LTZ to get a 2015/2016 Suburban. I like all the features of the LTZ, but apparently the Max Trailering Package is only available on the LS and LT trims levels (per Edmonds, this package adds air suspension, increased load capacity and leveling). Strange, as all of those features for towing are included on my LTZ.

We tow a 35 foot travel trailer, so beefed up towing capabilities are a must (even though it's only a few times a year). I am also looking at a GMC Yukon XL Denali. The Denali has the bigger 6.2L V8...yet, the lower trim levels over there seem to have beefier towing capabilities. Seems very odd to me that the best trim package actually has the weaker tow package.

Thoughts on this? Am I missing something? Thank you.

 

Just a shot in the dark here because I don't have the brochures and that would be that the higher trim level comes with the trailer package standard. You can probably go online and check this out however.

 

For a 35-footer, if it was me, I'd look for a 2011-2013 2500. The plain truth is that a half-ton truck is not up to towing that large of a trailer. If you're going to acquire a new vehicle, get one that is properly suited for the task. Going from an '09 half-ton to a '15/'16 half-ton, in all honesty, would be a negligible upgrade. A 2500, however, would be a huge upgrade.

Most people mistakenly believe that the 2500 is the same as the 1500 with just a few beefed up items. In actuality, once you remove the body, it's a completely different truck -frame, axles, engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, etc. are all different and upgraded compared to the 1500.

This is the behemoth we pull, and we've taken it into the Rockies on multiple trips. Here we are at Powder River Pass, elevation 9666':

 

Yeah, I know and I get it. We're not really trying to upgrade the towing capabilities so much as the vehicle with 160k miles (I should have been more clear...wanting a newer vehicle with less miles, better amenities...and within that realm, want to the best towing capabilities). We only use it to tow the TT a few times a year, and all pretty close to home. So I'm well aware that it's too much trailer for the 1500, but it does OK for what we're using it for and I don't want to buy a vehicle primarily for the towing ability versus the other 99.7% of the time that its just being used to haul the kids, their stuff and their friends.

That said, within the realm of 1500, I do want to do the best I can.

 

I would've thought the same, but can't see any information to confirm that. The opposite, actually, where this feature is only mentioned on the two lesser trim levels.

 

The bottom line is that no package is going to change your payload or rear axle rating. Those are the important numbers. Trailer tow rating is a meaningless/worthless number, especially with SUVs. Looking in the owners manual, the only difference in trailer rating is whether you have two or four wheel drive, and what axle ratio you have. There is no differentiation for any type of trim or tow package. A less-optioned vehicle is going to have a higher payload rating because things like heated/cooled seats and a sunroof add weight, which subtracts pound-for-pound from your max payload.

You're probably overloading the rear axle and payload anyways, so you might as well get what you want and not compromise just to get some alleged benefit from a towing package.

This is from the 2015 owners manual:

 

Point received. thank you.