100 towing vs 80

[TrekboxX]

Tow with the Suburban.

Agreed. The 100 is cool, and we all want to think it's great at everything, but the truth is it's no match for a chevy towing. The 100, even with a 5 speed, winds out just getting itself up an incline. Anything more than ~2000 lbs I'd choose the suburban, unless you need the offroad capability upon your arrival. And yeah, it's better than an 80, blah blah. But it's no match for even a chevy 5.3. Reliability, though, is perhaps another story...

 

[triskelion]

youre not towing everyday

get the 100, tow when you need to and drive it daily

wouldnt want to get the chevy and be happy towing 15 days a year and feeling like you shouldve gotten the 100 the rest of the 350 days of the year

 

[Romer]

I have had a camper for years. My stock 80 was a fog going up the Mtn passes and that was a 97, faster than your 92 with the 3FE. I supercharged it and that was much better, I could maintain 50 - 55 in the steepest parts. My 2004 100 is easier than the SC'd 80 and doesn't get to the high revs and I am able to maintain 65 in the same pass no sweat. I am talking the road up Eisenhower tunnel (I-70) which is about 12 miles of incline from Georgetown to the top

 

[arbetrader]

I tow our 3500lb trailer while fully loaded with the whole family and gear many times/year - especially in the summer. Average hwy fuel economy towing is 11-11.5 mpg which is pretty good I think all things considered. I can usually hold 60-65mph except up the steepest grades, then it drops in speed quite a bit. Of course, that's only in the very steep parts. Overall I think it handles the weight quite well. I love how planted it feels while towing given the full time 4wd and weight distribution.

I have a 1999 LX470 with 205k miles and I'd trust it towing anywhere.

 

[jakesiar]

I really will only be towing on occasional weekends and some them will only be a few miles to the lake (tough getting time with soccer, lacrosse etc...). I have had Suburbans in the past and yes they have all the capabilities no doubt. I love the over engineered LC's!

 

[APKhaos]

For the kind of stuff everyone here seems to be towing, the longer wheelbase of the chebbys is not a key factor. When I have to tow a 28' enclosed trailer the relatively short LC wheelbase is not safe.
Must say I agree completely with Jake. For the <30 days a year towing the chebby may be better [power + wheelbase] but the other 300+ days with the LC more than makes up for that.