Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban; Day 1

[aquadorhj]

adding some spicy here:

MT thinks the new Ford Expedition XL is a better ride...
The Expedition EL stops, steers, and rides better than the new Suburban. The Ford's 60-0-mph stopping distance of 121 feet bests that of the Suburban by 9 feet, and its more communicative and accurate steering makes it easier to place precisely on the road. The independent rear suspension ensures the cabin is a calmer place for passengers than in the live-axle Chevy on bumpy back roads, and helps the big Expedition track better through the twisties.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/2015_ford_expedition_king_ranch_el_first_test/

Gawd that thing looks old...


the new GM twins look so much better it's not even funny.   surprising and funny that Ford kicks a$$ with that old thing though.

[wing]

So I was wondering about the ground clearance given the front valence on this rig that seems incredibly low to the ground...

According to GM's website, it's 10.5" up front, and 9.1" in the back.  Correct me if I'm wrong here, but from the pictures, there is no way that the front valence has 10.5" of clearance.

I'll measure for you tonight.

[dutch]

So I was wondering about the ground clearance given the front valence on this rig that seems incredibly low to the ground...

According to GM's website, it's 10.5" up front, and 9.1" in the back.  Correct me if I'm wrong here, but from the pictures, there is no way that the front valence has 10.5" of clearance.

I'll measure for you tonight.

Just the truck please

[Noto]

So I was wondering about the ground clearance given the front valence on this rig that seems incredibly low to the ground...

According to GM's website, it's 10.5" up front, and 9.1" in the back.  Correct me if I'm wrong here, but from the pictures, there is no way that the front valence has 10.5" of clearance.

I'll measure for you tonight.

^^^ THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wing]

So yeah those numbers make no sense.  It's about 14 inches in the rear from the spare tire underneath and about 8 inches in the front.

And that's after hooking up my trailer with neon inside.

 

[Benhaze]

Checking your blind spot manually is nearly impossible with a C-pillar over a foot wide.

Wing, you should be adjusting the side-view mirrors properly (even if small) and not look over your shoulder to check out the blind spots. 

[pg2676]

The biggest issue I see with the Suburban and the towing results you experienced is that you've got a 5800lb vehicle (base curb weight) and you're loading it to 75% of its rated tow rating.  In addition, let's be honest, a 3.42:1 axle ratio combined with a 16.25:1 power/weight ratio (33.25:1 with the trailer), is not an ideal setup for towing anything substantial.  I wish GM would start adding the 3.73:1 axle to their Max Tow Packages in all truck based vehicles as standard.  You're lucky you didn't end up with the 3.08:1 rear that comes standard. Your economy numbers would have been horrific.

[Fobroader]

The biggest issue I see with the Suburban and the towing results you experienced is that you've got a 5800lb vehicle (base curb weight) and you're loading it to 75% of its rated tow rating.  In addition, let's be honest, a 3.42:1 axle ratio combined with a 16.25:1 power/weight ratio (33.25:1 with the trailer), is not an ideal setup for towing anything substantial.  I wish GM would start adding the 3.73:1 axle to their Max Tow Packages in all truck based vehicles as standard.  You're lucky you didn't end up with the 3.08:1 rear that comes standard. Your economy numbers would have been horrific.

That why they should offer the 3/4 ton Suburban with the Dirtymax/Allison combo. No more power/economy issues.

[Noto]

So yeah those numbers make no sense.  It's about 14 inches in the rear from the spare tire underneath and about 8 inches in the front.

There's still 8" under that nose??? It looks like 4" from the pictures.

Shocking, but not bad.

I can't fathom 30L/100km. That's...insane (to a Corolla-driving non-towing guy)

[mixmanmash]

So yeah those numbers make no sense.  It's about 14 inches in the rear from the spare tire underneath and about 8 inches in the front.

There's still 8" under that nose??? It looks like 4" from the pictures.

Shocking, but not bad.

I can't fathom 30L/100km. That's...insane (to a Corolla-driving non-towing guy)

I did 25L/100km today in a 350Z that was twin turboed....   Of course, I was at the local road course for the last event of the year.

[Noto]

So yeah those numbers make no sense.  It's about 14 inches in the rear from the spare tire underneath and about 8 inches in the front.

There's still 8" under that nose??? It looks like 4" from the pictures.

Shocking, but not bad.

I can't fathom 30L/100km. That's...insane (to a Corolla-driving non-towing guy)

I did 25L/100km today in a 350Z that was twin turboed....   Of course, I was at the local road course for the last event of the year.

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the childrenfuel economy?! 

I've just never seen it.  Highest I've ever done was 19.2L/100km in the Forester.  It made me die inside, a little.

[bridgecity]

I've just never seen it. 

Just by a half ton and something heavy to tow, then you can see it whenever you like.   

Towing a light boat (2500lbs) I see 16-18L/100km on the highway.  With the travel trailer, it can vary anywhere from 22-32L/100km depending on wind conditions.  30+ is really ugly and makes me want to cry. 

[Firm]

The biggest issue I see with the Suburban and the towing results you experienced is that you've got a 5800lb vehicle (base curb weight) and you're loading it to 75% of its rated tow rating.  In addition, let's be honest, a 3.42:1 axle ratio combined with a 16.25:1 power/weight ratio (33.25:1 with the trailer), is not an ideal setup for towing anything substantial.  I wish GM would start adding the 3.73:1 axle to their Max Tow Packages in all truck based vehicles as standard.  You're lucky you didn't end up with the 3.08:1 rear that comes standard. Your economy numbers would have been horrific.

That why they should offer the 3/4 ton Suburban with the Dirtymax/Allison combo. No more power/economy issues.

Amen!

[tooscoops]

i love these.. because i get to bring them up when customers with 4-5 kids come in and say they don't want a van... so i show them these online and say it's pretty much the only other viable option... price usually makes them say, ok fine.. i guess i can handle being a minvan person...

i'm one who would go truck if i wanted a big truck for towing or whatever and get a van for the people moving. hemi big horn crew, roughly 38 to buy... sxt grand caravan about 24... so a total of 62 grand... the savings will pay for the added insurance.

not a true comparable of course... but i really wonder how many buyers of these actually need them. there definitely are some who do.

[Fobroader]

So yeah those numbers make no sense.  It's about 14 inches in the rear from the spare tire underneath and about 8 inches in the front.

There's still 8" under that nose??? It looks like 4" from the pictures.

Shocking, but not bad.

I can't fathom 30L/100km. That's...insane (to a Corolla-driving non-towing guy)

I did 25L/100km today in a 350Z that was twin turboed....   Of course, I was at the local road course for the last event of the year.

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the childrenfuel economy?! 

I've just never seen it.  Highest I've ever done was 19.2L/100km in the Forester.  It made me die inside, a little.

You havent lived till youve gone less than 250KM and used 80+ L of fuel because youre hauling 10,000lbs of rock buggy up and down hills with a wicked wind 

[EV-Light]

I've just never seen it. 

Just by a half ton and something heavy to tow, then you can see it whenever you like.   

Towing a light boat (2500lbs) I see 16-18L/100km on the highway.  With the travel trailer, it can vary anywhere from 22-32L/100km depending on wind conditions.  30+ is really ugly and makes me want to cry. 

Geez...at 32L, wouldn't it be easy to just drive a smaller car and rent a hotel room?

[Firm]

i love these.. because i get to bring them up when customers with 4-5 kids come in and say they don't want a van... so i show them these online and say it's pretty much the only other viable option... price usually makes them say, ok fine.. i guess i can handle being a minvan person...

i'm one who would go truck if i wanted a big truck for towing or whatever and get a van for the people moving. hemi big horn crew, roughly 38 to buy... sxt grand caravan about 24... so a total of 62 grand... the savings will pay for the added insurance.

not a true comparable of course... but i really wonder how many buyers of these actually need them. there definitely are some who do.

Fair point, some people don't like having too many vehicles, but it wouldn't bother me if I needed both. That said, what if I want to tow AND move people - Suburban is really the only answer. I tested a similar Suburban to the one Wing has now only a few weeks ago. I ended up using it mostly as a commuter in the GTA and it did fairly well in the daily grind....I averaged a respectable 13.6L. Not at all the intended purpose of this truck, but the reality of it is that many buyers will end up using these things mearly as personal commuters and for hauling a kid or two to soccer practice - and if someone's going to insist on using it like that, it's actually very livable.
Shameless plug: http://www.doubleclutch.ca/16289/2015-chevrolet-suburban-ltz/

[Oldsguy]

i love these.. because i get to bring them up when customers with 4-5 kids come in and say they don't want a van... so i show them these online and say it's pretty much the only other viable option... price usually makes them say, ok fine.. i guess i can handle being a minvan person...

Someone needs to start making the RWD 9-passenger station wagons for these people again...

[bridgecity]

I've just never seen it. 

Just by a half ton and something heavy to tow, then you can see it whenever you like.   

Towing a light boat (2500lbs) I see 16-18L/100km on the highway.  With the travel trailer, it can vary anywhere from 22-32L/100km depending on wind conditions.  30+ is really ugly and makes me want to cry. 

Geez...at 32L, wouldn't it be easy to just drive a smaller car and rent a hotel room?

Lets not get into that discussion again 

[Noto]

So yeah those numbers make no sense.  It's about 14 inches in the rear from the spare tire underneath and about 8 inches in the front.

There's still 8" under that nose??? It looks like 4" from the pictures.

Shocking, but not bad.

I can't fathom 30L/100km. That's...insane (to a Corolla-driving non-towing guy)

I did 25L/100km today in a 350Z that was twin turboed....   Of course, I was at the local road course for the last event of the year.

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the childrenfuel economy?! 

I've just never seen it.  Highest I've ever done was 19.2L/100km in the Forester.  It made me die inside, a little.

You havent lived till youve gone less than 250KM and used 80+ L of fuel because youre hauling 10,000lbs of rock buggy up and down hills with a wicked wind 

Invitation?

that'd get me out there to visit you pretty quickly!