I need to tow when I need to tow and be comfortable when driving. Trying to decide between YUKON XL vs. Suburban and New vs. Used. Need to be able to tow 7,000 lbs, fit 3 big dogs, carry furniture and junk and be trouble free. Concerned the 2015 with fold flat seats and higher deck may be a challenge for dogs and cargo. I will likely put on about 8,000 miles a year mostly local non towing. A pick up truck will not work so Trying to decide between YUKON XL vs. Suburban and New vs. Used. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.

 

Maybe I need to alter the title?

 

I think that in 2014 and 2015, they only offered the 1500 versions so engine wise, there's no difference. You have the 5.3L only.

For 2014 and 2015, you'd have to go with the XL Denali to get the 6.2L if you want more power.

2013 and prior you have the 2500 series with the 6.0L.

Which ever way you go, make sure to get all the towing add-ons if you'll be towing regularly. You don't want to have to add things on your own later. It's a real pain.

Dogs can scratch leather seats but their fur can get all woven into cloth seats. My dogs just lay on the floor between the two second row seats or we cover the third row with a blanket and they lay back there. My lab mix was almost 100lbs and I had to help her into the Suburban but she'd just out on her own.

I pull a 4,000 lb high wall popup and the 5.3L feels like it's a little underpowered. I only tow maybe 4 times a year. I did pull It from Maryland to South Carolina when I bought it and it did just fine except for the swaying as I didn't have the sway bar ball on my hitch.

 

Welcome to the Forum Psyc.

In a nutshell...
Suburban's are bigger and carry more.
New is better than used, but
Sounds like you'll need a 3/4 ton, with Towing Package.
You'll get a few more pound ability if you choose a 2 wheel drive (not a 4WD).

As for me...
I just layed my 2nd and 3rd row seats down, bought a large piece of Astro Turf (looks like grass), trimmed it up for the three levels, and my 6 dogs have LOTS of space (even a potty area in the rear)

 

A 7,000 lb trailer is kinda pushing the limits for a half-ton truck.

The 3/4 ton trucks' last production year was 2013.

Yukon XL is identical to the Suburban, except for the Yukon XL Denali, which is unique to GMC with the 6.2 engine. But it's still a half-ton.

Biggest limiting factor with these trucks is their payload. The half-tons have about a 1500-lb payload, and the 3/4 tons have about 2000 lbs. Calculate the weight of passengers and dogs, plus the weight of the trailer tongue and hitch, to see how much truck you need.

As the owner of a 3/4 ton Burb, I have no regrets. I have better/bigger brakes, a bigger engine, stouter frame and heavier-duty axles. And an extra 13 gallons in my gas tank. Mine has been mechanically flawless.