We are looking at a 1998 k2500 suburban. We will be towing a boat and trailer over 4000lbs. The reason we are looking at the 2500 is because all our towing will be in the hills on a steep grade.

We've heard that there are brake problems with 92 to 99. Are the problems the same in the 2500 as with the 1500 model? And how bad is the brake problems you have experienced?

We had thought of buying an older model also too (89 to 91), but these only have a 350 instead of 454.

Could we tow with a 1500 on steep grade if we went with year 2000? I've heard the brake problems were fixed on the 2000 year.

Thank you

I have an '89 with a 454 2500 w/ a turbo 400 tranny....The early models didn't come with 4x4 untill '92 w/a 454.....I'm not sure if you were looking for a 4x4. As far a towing the 454 2wd should and most likely do the trick. Have fun

The brakes suck on the 92/99 (and also pre 92). Figure new front pads every 10k & rotors every 2nd or 3rd time (they are cheap though). Rear brakes last forever, probably need some kind of balancing. I now have a 2001 k2500 with 33K on the original brakes. Like night & day. Get the new model. I have the 8.1L. See my post about stalling. If to do again I would get the 6L. I think.

I agree with posts regarding the Brakes... I tow a 17 foot Deep V Fish and Ski type Boat that sits on a wide single axle trailer... Total Trailered weight is approx 3000 lbs... Previously I had a new Body Style 01 Suburban that had front and rear Disk Brakes.. It stopped far better than my Current '99 1500 4X4 with Disk and Drum... weather towing or not.. Although I have Low Miles, 40k, I upgraded my Drums and Shoes to Premium Raybestos and Front Rotors and pads to Bosch Ceramic Super Heavy Duty. It still stops quite well, but no comparison to my '01.. I do not have trailer brakes, but tow mainly flat land.

I had a 1992 and the brakes were very poor. The rear drums just don't do that much. I have a 01 K2500 8.1L and the brakes are awesome. You would do well to step up to the newer model because of the mechanical improvements in the vehicles.

The 98 vortec 454 will pull the door handles off of the newer 5.3 L 1500's. The brakes are too small for the rig tho. Shows how responsive GM is. They had the problem for well over a decade.. Just get ready to change front pads every 10 to 18k mi and you'll be ok. If you don't ride em hard and get em b4 they go to metal they only take an hour to change.

Be sure to get a Banks Power Pack for it. It just frees up that motor and you'll think you can pull a freight train with it. Just be sure that one of the freight cars is full of gasoline. Probably 8-10 mpg with the trailer.