Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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But most every Tahoe/Burb from GMT800s on has an auto setting which is effectively awd. But it’s switchable back to 2wd.
Some current platform GM 1/2 tons don’t have 4lo anymore. Guess not many use it much or at all. Me included. With the power and electronic control of basically any 4wd in the last few decades, 4lo is only really useful for crawling in steep country. Not something alot of snack wagons with full length running boards do…lol
None of which affects any of their abilities to tow, but to answer the OP more specifically
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opnspaces
San Diego Ca
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My 2001 Suburban. I think I put it in Auto once just to see if it worked.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/BcO2l8a.jpg)
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton
2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH
1986 Coleman Columbia Popup.
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ktosv
Grand Rapids, MI
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LVJJJ wrote:Our 94 Suburban cracked a head so were looking for a newer Suburban. Many of them seem to be all wheel drive, can you tow with those?
What vintage Suburban are you looking at? If I am not mistaken, the GMT800 (2001-2006) Denalis were AWD, or at least most of them were. There was a 2005/2006 Suburban LTZ that was AWD. Most others had the auto transfer case. The early GMT900 Denalis were also AWD.
With the exception of the 2005/2006 LTZ, I am only aware of the Suburbans being offered with the auto transfer case allowing the driver to put the truck in auto and for the truck to decide when it needs to be in 4wd or 2wd. With where I live, we use the auto mode more than the full time 4wd. Can’t say I have ever had to tow in either.
Kevin and my...
Wife and six kids
2017 Suburban (5.3L/6A/3.08)
6x12 Enclosed Utility
Sold...2011 Express 3500 (6.0L/6A/3.42)
Sold...2010 Passport Ultra Lite 2910
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LVJJJ
NW WASHINGTON
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Only kinda disappeared cause I couldn't remember if I posted or if I did where? I don't feel like 77 but my brain seems to work that way. Thank you all for responding, did not know that AWD was selectable, so that would be ok.
So far 1994 has been my newest tow vehicle, don't like the newer ones with all the OBDII computers, but may have to do that. So am not familiar with all the recent inventions. I'm stuck in the '60's, towed with a 1965 Chevy Van for years. Has 292 6 very torquey. Still have it, will still tow.
1994 GMC Suburban K1500
2005 Trail Cruiser TC26QBC
1965 CHEVY VAN, 292 "Big Block 6" (will still tow)
2008 HHR
L(Larry)V(Vicki)J(Jennifer)J(Jesse)J(Jason)
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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LVJJJ wrote:Only kinda disappeared cause I couldn't remember if I posted or if I did where? I don't feel like 77 but my brain seems to work that way. Thank you all for responding, did not know that AWD was selectable, so that would be ok.
So far 1994 has been my newest tow vehicle, don't like the newer ones with all the OBDII computers, but may have to do that. So am not familiar with all the recent inventions. I'm stuck in the '60's, towed with a 1965 Chevy Van for years. Has 292 6 very torquey. Still have it, will still tow.
Well fortunately for you there are still a lot of nice GMT400s in our area. And even more GMT800s.
Your paranoia about obd2, while wholly unfounded, will limit you to only earlier model 400s though. Think obd2 became standard around 95?
Nice thing is the old Tahoes and Burbs are way cheaper than the equivalent pickups. $5-6k will get you a pretty nice rig with relatively low miles.
I agree though GMT 400s are a great platform and drivetrain. Still old school simple and quite reliable. That said, early GMT800s are every bit as reliable as well IMo.
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whjco
Lexington, KY
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Check the tow rating of the vehicle you are considering. That should answer your question.
Bill J., Lexington, KY
2006 Starcraft 2500RKS 25' Travel Trailer
2015 Ram 2500 Big Horn 6.7 Cummins.
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APT
SE Michigan
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2007-2014 6.2L equipped Yukon Denalis have a different 4WD/AWD system than all the others with part time transfer cases. Anyway, reliability has been great for both types.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
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Bionic Man
USA
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APT wrote:2007-2014 6.2L equipped Yukon Denalis have a different 4WD/AWD system than all the others with part time transfer cases. Anyway, reliability has been great for both types.
I had a 2011 Yukon Denali XL. It was AWD, and I don’t remember it having a 4 Low setting.
Used it to tow my 7000 pound boat, and other than the tranny getting very hot over the Rockies, it was fine.
My 2022 Grand Cherokee L is full time 4x4 and has a 7200 pound towing capacity.
So I would say two things. First, yes AWD vehicles are fine for towing. And yes some full size GM SUVs were AWD.
2012 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW CC 4x4 Max Tow, Cummins HO, 60 gallon RDS aux fuel tank, Reese 18k Elite hitch
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 Cummins HO NV5600 with Smarty JR, Jacobs EB (sold)
2002 Gulf Stream Sea Hawk 29FRB with Honda EV6010
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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The newer stuff may have an AWD setting, then 4WD lock N and 4 low. But yes you can tow with them.
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wnjj
Cornelius, Oregon
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I think some of the confusion here is in what people are calling 'AWD'. My definition matches what is described on wikipedia:
"Particularly in North America for several decades, the designation AWD has been used and marketed - distinctly from "4X4" and "4WD" - to apply to vehicles with drive train systems that have permanent drive, a differential between the front and rear drive shafts, and active management of torque transfer, especially following the advent of ABS."
To me that means if you have a switch to select 2WD, you don't really have an "AWD" vehicle.
Since at least 1999, GM has offered an 'AUTO' mode which is really a conventional 4WD system with computer-controlled shift on the fly. Some vehicles like the Yukon I have offer 2WD,Auto,4WD and others have 2WD,Auto,Neutral,4HI,4LO. My '05 pickup has 2WD,Neutral,4HI,4LO like the old days which I assume is still available at least on the pickups.
There was also an actual full-time AWD option in 1998 called AutoTrac. Some version of that was likely still around in later years.
Any/all should be fine for towing if the vehicle is rated for it.
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