If you are needing a vehicle to tow larger items, being aware of its towing limits is critical for your safety and the safety of the vehicle. Should you be wondering how much you can safely tow with a Chevy Suburban, we can help you with that answer. We researched this popular SUV from multiple professional sources so that you'll know for sure how much weight you can pull behind it.
The 2022 Chevy Suburban can tow up to 8,100 pounds. The older 2500 trim levels have a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,600 pounds. What your Suburban can tow will depend upon the trim level, drive train configuration, and type of engine under the hood.
Now that we know how much a Chevy Suburban can tow, werf'll take a closer look at towing with this popular SUV. You might also be curious if the Suburban can safely tow a camper, or if the Suburban is a good vehicle for towing. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has discovered.
Towing limits with each model Suburban
Here, we'll break down each model Chevy Suburban for the 2022 model year by trim level.
LS
The base trim level will tow 7,800 pounds with the 5.3L engine. The four-wheel-drive version can handle up to 7,600 pounds. Equipped with a diesel engine, it will tow 8,100 pounds with two-wheel drive and 7,800 with four-wheel drive.
LT
This trim level will tow 7,800 pounds with the 5.3 engine, and 7,600 with four-wheel drive. The diesel engine models can tow 8,100 with two-wheel drive and 7,800 with four-wheel drive.
RST
This trim level will tow up to 7,800 pounds with either the 5.3L or the 6.2L engine. Equipped with four-wheel drive, it can tow up to 7,600 pounds. With a diesel engine, the two-wheel-drive towing capacity is 8,100 pounds, while the four-wheel-drive can tow up to 7,800 pounds.
Premier
The Premier trim level will tow up to 7,800 pounds with the 5.3L or 6.2L engines under the hood. The four-wheel-drive versions of this trim level can tow up to 7,600 pounds. The diesel engine models can tow 8,100 pounds with a two-wheel drive and 7,800 pounds with a four-wheel drive.
High Country
The 6.2L engine will tow up to 7,800 pounds, with the four-wheel-drive version capable of up to 7,600 pounds. The diesel engine models can tow up to 8,100 with a two-wheel drive and 7,800 with a four-wheel drive.
Z71
This trim level is only available in four-wheel drive. Whether you have a 5.3L or 6.2L engine under the hood, its maximum towing capacity is 7,600 pounds.
Chevy Suburban 2500
A fleet vehicle that was not available to the general public, the Suburban 2500 offered a bigger towing capacity. Only manufactured for a short period, this version was discontinued after the 2020 model year. The 2500 can be found occasionally on the used vehicle market. Some rental car companies also offer this to consumers.
The maximum towing capacity was between 9,300 and 9,600 pounds.
How much can a Chevy Suburban 2021 tow?
The 2021 model year Chevy Suburban has a towing capacity between 7,400 pounds and 7,800 pounds. How much this vehicle can tow will depend upon the trim level selected and the type of engine that is under the hood. We've broken each version of the 2021 Suburban down here, and listed the maximum towing capacity of each one:
- 2021 Suburban LS 5.3L towing capacity is 7,800 pounds
- 2021 Suburban LS four-wheel-drive 5.3L towing capacity is 7,600 pounds
- 2021 Suburban LT 5.3L towing capacity is 7,800 pounds
- 2021 Suburban LT four-wheel drive 5.3L towing capacity is 7,600 pounds
- 2021 Suburban RST 5.3L towing capacity is 7,800 pounds
- 2021 Suburban Z71 four-wheel drive 5.3L towing capacity is 7,600 pounds
- 2021 Suburban RST four-wheel-drive 5.3L towing capacity is 7,600 pounds
- 2021 Suburban Premier 5.3L towing capacity is 7,800 pounds
- 2021 Suburban Premier four-wheel-drive 5.3L towing capacity is 7,600 pounds
- 2021 Suburban High Country 6.2L towing capacity is 7,800 pounds
- 2021 Suburban High Country four-wheel-drive 6.2L towing capacity is 7,400 pounds
Adding the Max Trailering Package to any of the above will increase the overall towing capacity. It will increase this capacity by 500 pounds. If you are purchasing a Chevy Suburban in the used vehicle market, inquire if the one you are considering has this package.
Can a Suburban pull a camper?
The ability to pull a camper behind your vehicle really opens up a multitude of traveling possibilities for you and your family. Campers s are a great way to see the country and give you the ability to stay in the outdoors without losing the creature comforts that we've grown accustomed to. Fortunately, the Chevy Suburban has more than enough towing capacity to haul many model campers safely behind it.
Keeping the towing capacity in mind that pertains to your year's model and trim level, you can select a camper that will more than suit your needs. As the lowest towing capacity for a Suburban is still north of three tons, you'll be able to find a model that will be equipped with a full bathroom, more than one bed, and full kitchens.
The Suburban is also capable of towing many models of travel trailers. These do tend to be heavier than the average camper and require RV hookups in most cases. But they are still a great option for those who might want a few more modern conveniences while they travel.
Is a Suburban good for towing?
The Chevy Suburban has proven itself as a great full-sized SUV for towing. While you can always get a lot more towing out of a full-sized pickup truck, families that have a need for the onboard room that an SUV provides find that the Suburban can still meet their towing needs as well. With a towing capacity that is just south of five tons, there is a lot of possibility with this popular vehicle.
To optimize your Chevy Suburban towing experience, it's recommended to have your vehicle equipped with the Max Trailering Package. Doing so will not only increase the amount of weight your Suburban can tow, but it also adds some great conveniences that most drivers value over the road.
The Max Trailering Package will add the following to your Chevy Suburban:
- Hitch Guidance with hitch view to make trailering easier
- Trailer brake controller
- Enhanced cooling radiator
- 2-speed transfer case for the LT trim level [four-wheel drive only]
- advanced trailering system
- Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert for Premier and High Country trim levels
What size camper can a Chevy Suburban 1500 tow?
Depending upon the engine and drive train configuration, the Chevy Suburban can tow a camper that weighs up to 8,100 pounds. Consult your owner's manual for your model's towing capacity, and do not exceed their recommendation.
Finding model campers and travel trailers that are under this weight is relatively easy, as there are many available that weigh less than 5,000 pounds. Keep in mind that the total weight of all cargo on board the camper or travel trailer should be factored into your calculations. Every pound counts!
Exceeding the towing capacity can result in some serious problems. Towing too much weight can cause an accident, resulting in injury or death. It can also severely damage the tow vehicle.
Excess weight puts undue strain on the transmission, radiator, and engine. It can also damage the frame, tires, suspension, and brakes. To avoid these issues, always abide by the manufacturer's towing capacity guidelines, and always know the weight of what you are towing before you attach anything to your trailer hitch.
In conclusion
The Chevy Suburban remains a popular full-sized SUV in both the new and used vehicle market. The towing capacity of both the standard 1500 editions and the 2500 fleet versions is more than adequate for safely towing many model campers and travel trailers behind it. Because of this, many families still rate the Suburban as one of the best in its class for cross-country travel. Drive safe!
If you enjoyed reading this post on the Chevy Suburban, we believe you'll find the following posts on the Suburban to be helpful:
Can A Chevy Suburban Pull A Travel Trailer?