In March, we confirmed with General Motors that the upcoming 2016 Chevrolet Suburban Heavy Duty will be offered exclusively to fleet customers. What we didn’t know back then and up until today were the specifics of the heavy-duty Suburban, such as which engine it will use as well as the features and equipment that it will offer. Luckily, GM recent released the order and reference guides for the heavy duty SUV, shedding some light on the subject.
To start, the big boy will officially be called Suburban 3500HD and be powered exclusively by the 6.0L V8 Vortex L96 engine mated to the 6-speed automatic heavy-duty transmission (MYD). To note, the L96 is the same motor that currently powers the 2500 HD and 3500 HD variants of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, where it makes 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. What’s more, all 2016 Suburban HDs will be equipped with 4×4 and have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg). Curb weight, payload, as well as the Front and Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) have yet to be published.
Additionally, the 2016 Chevy Suburban 3500HD will be available exclusively in LS and LT trim levels, with 17-inch machined aluminum wheels, a high capacity air cleaner, 220 amp alternator, external engine oil cooler and auxiliary transmission cooler.
Outside of those unique items and features, the 2016 Suburban 3500HD is just like any other Suburban. See the highlights, colors, and full list of RPO codes below.
- Engine, Vortec 6.0L L96 Variable Valve Timing V8 SFI
- 4×4 All-Wheel Drive
- 220 amp alternator
- External engine oil cooler
- Auxiliary transmission cooler
- GVWR – 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg)
- (G1E) Siren Red Tintcoat exterior color
- (TC2) Hands free power liftgate
- (K47) High capacity air cleaner
- Forward Collision Alert
- Lane Departure Warning
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Front seat center mounted airbag
- Side Blind Zone Alert
- Enhanced Vehicle Security Package with glass break sensors, vertical movement sensors, interior movement sensors and door lock shields
- Fold flat rear seats with power option
- Passive Entry Passive Start
- Memory Power tilt & telescope steering column
- Full USB/SD card and iPod support, auxiliary jack, speech recognition, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio support, Internet radio (Pandora)
- 110V power outlet (3 prong)
- Rain sensing wipers
- Auto leveling suspension for enhanced trailering package
- SiriusXM Satellite radio without HD
- Slate Grey Metallic
- Siren Red Tintcoat
- Sable Metallic
- Silver Ice Metallic
- Summit White
- Black
- Champagne Silver Metallic
- Brownstone Metallic
- Tungsten Metallic
Option Code Description A31 Windows, power A45 Memory settings A95 Seats, front bucket AG1 Seat adjuster, driver 6-way power AG2 Seat adjuster, front passenger 6-way power AKO Glass, deep-tinted AL0 Automatic Occupant Sensing System, sensor indicator inflatable restraint AN3 Seats, front bucket with leather-appointed seating AQQ Remote Keyless Entry ARN Seat, third row manual 60/40 split-folding bench AS8 Seats, third row 60/40 split-bench AT6 Seats, second row 60/40 split-folding bench ATH Passive Entry System ATN Seats, second row bucket ATT Seats, second row 60/40 split-folding bench AU3 Door locks, power programmable AYQ Air bags, frontal and side-impact for driver and front passenger, driver inboard seat-mounted side-impact and head curtain side-impact for all rows in outboard seating positions B30 Floor covering, color-keyed carpeting B58 Floor mats, color-keyed carpeted first and second row BG9 Floor covering, rubber BTM Keyless start BTV Remote vehicle start BVE Assist steps, Black C25 Wiper, rear intermittent C49 Defogger, rear-window C7E GVWR, 11,000 lbs. (4990 kg) CE1 Wipers, front intermittent, Rainsense CJ4 Climate control, tri-zone automatic D07 Console, floor DD8 Mirror, inside rearview auto-dimming DL8 Mirrors, outside heated power-adjustable DNU DVD screen, third row FE9 Emissions, Federal requirements G80 Differential, heavy-duty locking rear GT5 Rear axle, 4.10 ratio IO5 Audio system, Chevrolet MyLink Radio with 8" diagonal color touch-screen, AM/FM stereo with seek-and-scan and digital clock IO6 Audio system, Chevrolet MyLink Radio with Navigation and 8" diagonal color touch-screen, AM/FM stereo with seek-and-scan and digital clock J95 Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc JF4 Pedals, power-adjustable K05 Engine block heater K34 Cruise control K47 Air cleaner, high-capacity K4B Battery, 730 cold-cranking amps K4C Wireless Charging KA6 Seats, heated second row KC4 Cooling, external engine oil cooler KI4 Power outlet, 110-volt KNP Cooling, auxiliary transmission oil cooler KW5 Alternator, 220 amps L96 Engine, Vortec 6.0L Variable Valve Timing V8 SFI MYD Transmission, 6-speed automatic N33 Steering column, Tilt-Wheel N38 Steering column, power tilt and telescopic NB8 Emissions override, California NB9 Emissions override, state-specific NC7 Emissions override, Federal NE1 Emissions, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state requirements NP5 Steering wheel, leather-wrapped NQH Transfer case, active, 2-speed NZ4 Wheel, 17" (43.2 cm) full-size steel spare PCW Driver Alert Package PQF OnStar 6 months of OnStar Protection Service PQG OnStar 18 months of OnStar Protection Service PQH OnStar 30 months of OnStar Protection Service PQI OnStar 6 months of OnStar Security Service PQL OnStar 18 months of OnStar Security Service PQM OnStar 30 months of OnStar Security Service PQP OnStar Additional 6 months of OnStar Fleet Guidance Service PQQ OnStar Additional 18 months of OnStar Fleet Guidance Service PQT OnStar Additional 30 months of OnStar Fleet Guidance Service PYQ Wheels, 17" (43.2 cm) machined aluminum QXT Tires, LT265/70R17E all-terrain, blackwall ROV OnStar with 4G LTE for Fleet (12GB/12 months) ROW OnStar with 4G LTE for Fleet (24GB/24 months) RWI LPO, Chrome bodyside moldings RWK LPO, Painted body-side moldings S0P LPO, Console insert S1V LPO, Rear seat headphones SAF Tire carrier, lockable outside spare SFE LPO, Wheel locks SFJ LPO, Reflective Window Shade T3U Fog lamps TB4 Liftgate, rear manual TB5 Liftgate, power TC2 Liftgate, power TG5 Audio system feature, single-slot CD/MP3 player U2K SiriusXM Satellite Radio U42 Entertainment system, rear seat UD5 Front and rear parking assist UD7 Rear Park Assist UDD Display, driver instrument information enhanced, multi-color UE1 OnStar Guidance Plan for 6 months UEU Forward Collision Alert UFG Rear Cross-Traffic Alert UFL Lane Departure Warning UG1 Universal Home Remote UJM Tire Pressure Monitor System UK3 Steering wheel controls, mounted audio and cruise controls UKC Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert UMN Speedometer, miles/kilometers UQ3 Audio system feature, 6-speaker system UQA Audio system feature, Bose premium 9-speaker system UTJ Theft-deterrent system UVC Rear Vision Camera V54 Luggage rack side rails, roof-mounted, Black V76 Recovery hooks, 2 front, frame-mounted VAV LPO, All-weather floor mats VK3 License plate front mounting package VKW LPO, Front console organizer VLG LPO, Rear-fascia closeout VLI LPO, Rear cargo mat VPV Ship Thru, Produced in Arlington Assembly and shipped to Kerr Industries and onto Arlington Assembly VQK LPO, Molded splash guards VRS LPO, Cargo shade VV4 OnStar with 4G LTE YF5 Emissions, California state requirements Z82 Trailering equipment Z85 Suspension Package, Standard ZXT Tire, spare LT265/70R17E all-terrain, blackwall
Comments
Wow! This is great news. Chevrolet is making sure that the Suburban reaches all masses with the 2500 and 3500 versions, just as long as they don’t overkill the brand, plus offering it as Fleet only vehicles would make sense.
It’s only the 3500, there is no 2500.
And it would be ok as fleet only if the Burban offered the new 6.2L. Since it doesn’t and the 3500 is fleet only, it keeps many customers who need to tow out of this vehicle.
WHAT no Duramax
Please someone at GM Authority tell me why Chevy is doing this???? And for fleet use only, why why?? Why not make it available to the public.
Suburban needs a diesel!
With competition upping diesel power to 900 lbs. ft. Of torque (2016 Ram), next Silverado HD will have at least that much power. Although more power doesn’t hurt, GM should offer a 2500 Silverado with (shelved) 4.5 duramax and suburban (call it 2500). Why is because 1 ton trucks are over capable for most consumer, and now require a CDL if towing tandem single 7k axle trailer (even if it’s empty) that means cowboys with this trailers now can’t tow their horse trailer in a new 1ton trucks and forced into 3/4 tons. GM should also offer a 3500 LD (light duty) with this 4.5 duramax that should have their rating of 2008 1 ton trucks. Therefore this will spread the manufacturing cost of new engine.
Definitely need a smaller diesel engine for their GMT900 trucks and their variants. It would give GM a competitive advantage in the full sized SUV market.
So they’re gonna just have a 1500 and 3500? Alright, I can get behind that. Fleet vehicles usually end up in public hands. But they need the 4.3L in the 1500.
I’ve driven a 2015 Silverado 1500 regular cab short bed 4×4 with the 4.3L and the new 6 speed trans, and I think it is a great combination. Great gas mileage, and decent power when empty. Load it up, and it feels overwhelmed. I think that with the 1500 Suburban’s additional weight, the vehicle would not perform very well. I don’t think that would go over very well. Ford has put their 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in the Expedition/Expedition XL and it performs well, 420 ft-lbs at 2500 rpm (which isn’t bad for a gas engine) and still only needs regular gasoline, not premium. But it is turbo charged. Hey that reminds me … does any one remember the old turbocharged GMC Typhoon/Cyclone? Sold from 91-93 and made 350 ft-lbs. I’ll bet with the new upgraded 4.3, GM could easily get the power/economy they need to not only beat the EcoBoost, but to just annihilate it. Even though GM has struggled to keep up the the competition on interior fit/finish/quality, they one area where they have always EXCELLED at is in their design/engineering of their drivetrains. But only then would I think that the 4.3L V6 would have adequate power for the Suburban. I don’t think that would be an expensive addition for GM to add to their full sized Truck/SUVs.
Speaking of the V6 in a GM truck. Why did GM put the wrong V6 in the midsized Colorado/Canyon. Wrong move GM. It should have been the 4.3L not the 3.5L. Dumb accountants.
Hopefully they’re getting a better hitch. The 08-13 Suburban 2500s had an integrated hitch that could only carry 1000lbs. There was no way to install an aftermarket hitch with a higher rating. This really limited their towing ability, since travel trailers that weigh 6000lbs are easily over 1000lbs hitch weight when loaded for camping.
Funny, the towing capacity is listed as 6,000 lbs. That’s less than the half-ton. If that’s the case, why make a one-ton version?
Maybe a tax break since the GVWR is over 10,000?
I tried looking all over the place to find a source that said a 3500 Suburban would only tow 6K. When you look at the RPO Codes listed you would see that GM would use the 6.0L V8 and only the 4.10 axle ratio. On the 3500HD Silverado, this engine, and axle ratio have a conventional max tow rating of 13,000. So I was confused with your 6,000 lbs max tow rating. What source did you use for that number.
I would love to have a 3500 Suburban with the 6.0L, 6L90E transmission, and the 4.10 axle ratio, but only if GM puts the rear axle under it with the gross axle weight rating of 7050 lbs. My wife and I have 6 kids (Holy Crap! That’s a big family!), and we have had out eye on a 33′ camper trailer with a GVWR of 11,320 lbs for years, but NO ONE builds a vehicle that will pull this trailer and safely carry all of the kids, and dog.
I’ve looked at every manufacture that builds large SUVs as well as vans. The GM vans with the Duramax is the closest thing yet, but it has a max trailer rating of only 10,000 and it is 2wd. There are lighter trailers out there that’ll sleep our family, but we like this one because of the high quality of construction of the frame, walls, roof, and slide out. We live in the Inter-mountain West, and love to go camping “off the beaten path” up in the mountains, so a 4×4 with a low range transfer case is an absolute must for us. Getting caught in a late spring or early fall snow storm isn’t uncommon. This 3500 Suburban would be perfect for us.
I would prefer a Suburban with a Duramax turbo diesel for the power advantage the force induction provides up at altitude (8,000 – 10,000 feet above sea level), but I think that a 3500 Suburban with the 6.0L and 4,10 ratio would be cheaper than a Duramax conversion. I think I will be watching government and fleet auctions soon.
I was in the same situation. I bought a nice Ford Excursion 4×4 with the 7.3 Diesel. I installed a tuner and a monster transmission. Tows the camper just fine.
Idk if you have ever heard of this vehicle but look it up they exist but are definitely few and far between it’s a one ton four door bronco aka a c350 they were specially made through centurion idk what they can tow but it’s a one ton with either the 460 big block or the 7.3l non turbo diesel plus removable top too, can’t beat that if you ask me other than the fuel economy
Its not the tax break, same for 6000lbs to 12000lbs. Its made for upfitting. These are designed for use in Law enforcement applications to be made bullet proof. That was the idea behind the 3500hd. Its designed not to tow but to withstand the armor which is very heavy. IE, Secret service, Other federal law enforcement agencies.
It’s already out. I’m surprised no one has a picture of it on the net yet. It’s on GM’s website. Google doesn’t find it, but here it is!!!!! http://www.gmfleet.com/chevrolet/suburban-hd-heavy-duty-suv.html
I still love my 1996 2500 Suburban with the Vortec 454, not the overworked small block. I really like the large windows and body styling. Please GM… quit cutting the guts out of vehicles for those of us that need large and heavy duty! Sure, there are pickups that have the ratings, but I DONT WANT A PICKUP! I want a CAPABLE (heavy duty drive train components, etc.) Suburban or Tahoe. Everyone else in the family has the econo-boxes, so who do they call when they need real work done? Also, I actually take my vehicle off-road for my Ham Radio hobby (search and rescue). The ‘trendy’ market swept in and then swept out, taking the real heavy duty work vehicle with it. Sales were probably back down to levels before the crowds. If market is a problem, offer it every 5 years then. Demand will pile up. Sorry for the rambling of a frustrated Suburban fan.
Guess I’ll keep my 06 2500. I like my big block. Chevy hasn’t built a Suburban that can tow since then!
Where we live we need the one ton package for towing&braking, the 3500hd suburban is the one for us . We are not in a position to go fleet, so the unit should be allowed to us , if the public wants it ,then the public should be allowed to own them 3500hd suburbans what’s good for one should be good for all.
Well that is great news for families who need to tow, not! That is OK Chevy, you missed the boat with the small cars – now playing catch up. Soon, you will be missing the boat on the ALL AMERICAN LARGE VEHICLE MARKET! Ford ditched the Excursion, you the Suburban, and now NISSAN is making the NV. I guarantee once Nissan puts the new Cummins V8 diesel into that vehicle you will, again, loose the market.
American car manufactures – – – – please give us a large tow vehicle again!
Wow what a joke. Starting at $79k for an LS basically stripped out 3500 with a 6.0 that can only tow 6300 lbs
For $80k you can have a fully loaded 4×4 super luxurious Denali XL with a 6.2 that can tow 7,900lbs. Seriously, who decides these things at GM? How hard is it to give people what they want?