Chevrolet Suburban 3500 Questions

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
6,434
Reaction score
15,955
Location
Richmond, VA
@Geotrash, since you will be joining the exclusive club of 3500 ownership. I would like to let you know that as a parts bin special it does come with two terrible Chevy traits: no wireless CarPlay/Android auto and headlights that can be outclassed by a matchstick (unlit). Never discussed this here yet, but bought a wireless adapter to plug into the secret cubby off Temu for $25 (identical to the one on Amazon for $60) and also a set of LED bulbs for $8 that make night driving actually feasible. Would love to get Morimoto lights but not in budget right now.
Thank you, kindly! If you happen to have any links, I'd be grateful. Can't wait to get that big beast home! We have a camping trip planned for Thursday night through the weekend, and I'd love to be able to take it.
 
OP
OP
B

Bigburb3500

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2024
Posts
203
Reaction score
360
Thank you, kindly! If you happen to have any links, I'd be grateful. Can't wait to get that big beast home! We have a camping trip planned for Thursday night through the weekend, and I'd love to be able to take it.
You will need the H11 connector if memory serves correct. But if you haven’t used Temu - it’s great. It’s like discount Amazon. Just double check stuff as sometimes it’s a bit wonky. I have gotten some good deals on things tho - CarPlay is one of them. I think these links should work.


I can’t wait to hear how it tows! How much does your current trailer weigh?
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
6,434
Reaction score
15,955
Location
Richmond, VA
You will need the H11 connector if memory serves correct. But if you haven’t used Temu - it’s great. It’s like discount Amazon. Just double check stuff as sometimes it’s a bit wonky. I have gotten some good deals on things tho - CarPlay is one of them. I think these links should work.


I can’t wait to hear how it tows! How much does your current trailer weigh?
Thank you!

Our current trailer weighs 7500 lbs, but we plan to get one that weighs closer to 9K in a few years.
 
Last edited:

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
6,434
Reaction score
15,955
Location
Richmond, VA
You will need the H11 connector if memory serves correct. But if you haven’t used Temu - it’s great. It’s like discount Amazon. Just double check stuff as sometimes it’s a bit wonky. I have gotten some good deals on things tho - CarPlay is one of them. I think these links should work.


I can’t wait to hear how it tows! How much does your current trailer weigh?
Drove it 3.5 hours home tonight and it’s comfortable for long drives, just like our GMT900s are. We love it! Had to pick up our daughter from volleyball practice tonight at the high school, and my wife and I rolled up in front looking like CIA. The windows have a super dark tint.

The guy we bought it from was a fanatic. He kept it in a climate controlled garage and it’s indistinguishable from new. Truly. It even smells new. It’s never been driven in snow. I’m over the moon and feeling super lucky.

You can tell it’s a 3500 on rough roads but it’s smooth as can be on the highway. I’ll install the trailer brake controller tomorrow and go pick up the camper.

IMG_0371.jpeg
IMG_0367.jpeg
 
OP
OP
B

Bigburb3500

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2024
Posts
203
Reaction score
360
Drove it 3.5 hours home tonight and it’s comfortable for long drives, just like our GMT900s are. We love it! Had to pick up our daughter from volleyball practice tonight at the high school, and my wife and I rolled up in front looking like CIA. The windows have a super dark tint.

The guy we bought it from was a fanatic. He kept it in a climate controlled garage and it’s indistinguishable from new. Truly. It even smells new. It’s never been driven in snow. I’m over the moon and feeling super lucky.

You can tell it’s a 3500 on rough roads but it’s smooth as can be on the highway. I’ll install the trailer brake controller tomorrow and go pick up the camper.

View attachment 433502
View attachment 433503
That is awesome! Super excited for you and I think you hit it right on the head in how to describe the ride/handling. CIA/Govt life is the best hahaha!

That mpg tho is not sustainable… I’m averaging about 13-15mpg with mixed driving.

Your truck looks GREAT!
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
6,434
Reaction score
15,955
Location
Richmond, VA
That is awesome! Super excited for you and I think you hit it right on the head in how to describe the ride/handling. CIA/Govt life is the best hahaha!

That mpg tho is not sustainable… I’m averaging about 13-15mpg with mixed driving.

Your truck looks GREAT!
Thanks!

Yeah that was just highway. I'm expecting 13-15 based on what our other two 6.2L trucks are doing.

Also, if it's okay with you since it's your thread, I'd like to keep posting questions and information here in order to consolidate it to one place for 3500 owners who might visit in the future. The existing title is already perfect. Would that be okay?
 
OP
OP
B

Bigburb3500

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2024
Posts
203
Reaction score
360
Thanks!

Yeah that was just highway. I'm expecting 13-15 based on what our other two 6.2L trucks are doing.

Also, if it's okay with you since it's your thread, I'd like to keep posting questions and information here in order to consolidate it to one place for 3500 owners who might visit in the future. The existing title is already perfect. Would that be okay?
100% ok with that! I’m super excited you bought a 3500 so close in time with my purchase so we can compare notes and experiences. We can treat it like our own “mini-forum” for the 3500 Suburban and hopefully we can see if there are other owners out there.

We will be doing a ~1000 road trip in a week or so. No towing but will be loaded down for a 2 week trip for camping/fishing for the family + parents.
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
6,434
Reaction score
15,955
Location
Richmond, VA
Installed a Tekonsha P3 trailer brake controller this morning, and went to pick up the camper this afternoon. The 4.10 gears are perfect for holding 5th on the highway up and down modest rolling hills - exactly what I was hoping for. Essentially zero squat (1/4” or so) from the 750 lb tongue weight.

Throttle response is more restrained, requiring much more pressure on the pedal than the GMT900 Yukon XL Denalis for the same result, but when I do give it the boot, the 6.0 holds its own with the 6.2’s quite well.
 

89Suburban

Bull in the china shop
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2013
Posts
15,111
Reaction score
41,875
Location
SE PA
Drove it 3.5 hours home tonight and it’s comfortable for long drives, just like our GMT900s are. We love it! Had to pick up our daughter from volleyball practice tonight at the high school, and my wife and I rolled up in front looking like CIA. The windows have a super dark tint.

The guy we bought it from was a fanatic. He kept it in a climate controlled garage and it’s indistinguishable from new. Truly. It even smells new. It’s never been driven in snow. I’m over the moon and feeling super lucky.

You can tell it’s a 3500 on rough roads but it’s smooth as can be on the highway. I’ll install the trailer brake controller tomorrow and go pick up the camper.

View attachment 433502
View attachment 433503


So happy for you brother!!! Good luck with her!!! :)
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,361
Posts
1,866,707
Members
96,984
Latest member
Scpori
Top