2500 Suburban 6.0L (2007+) - how does it tow?

[Nubulin]

I have a 6.2L Yukon XL Denali now that is going down the road this fall. Tow performance is barely adequate in my opinion. I am looking at a 2012 2500 Suburban with the 6.0L and 3.73 gears as a replacement. How's the mileage and towing performance? West is 1100 miles one way for me and I pull a 7x27 inline (maybe upgrading to a 7.5x27). A diesel would be nice, but I need the suburban for the rest of the time, so no pickup in my future. I am not confident in this new trucks ability to get me out west much better than what I have now.

Thanks!

 

[Chubbydog]

The 6.0 has plenty of power for that. Might not have quite as much tq, and the wind might blow you around a little more, but you should be fine. You should be able to get 8-10mpg pulling, and 12-14 empty. Maybe even a little better if your easy on the gas. Those are very nice vehicles though!

 

[catrider800]

What didn't you like about the Denali? Looking at getting a Sierra Denali pickup to replace my car and duramax since the truck sits in the garage 95% of the time taking up space. Looking at the Denali as a compromise between nice daily driver while still being able to tow decently, not expecting diesel like performance.

 

[Highmarker]

I would say if you didn't like the 6.2.....then you definatly wont like the 6.0.

 

[Blk88GT]

http://www.youtube.com/user/DuraBurbinc

Best of both worlds!

 

[Nytroty]

Should be a little more stable pulling with the 2500 over the cushy denali but with less power it probably won't pull any better than the denali. You could just throw a supercharger on it Extra 125 HP and 125 FT. Lbs. Can't hurt

 

[Big_T_Roose]

You could always look for a burban with the 8.1 liter. It will get about the same gas millage as the 6.0 but will have the power you want.

 

[Nubulin]

Duraburb is the way to go if you can swing it. I have talked to them and a "new" one with no warrenty on the powertrain is around $90-95K. If I had a 2500 Suburban now that I wanted to do the conversion on with a 40K mile donor vehicle they source, its about $23K. For that kind of money, I might as well keep what I have and buy a duramax pickup.

As far as the Denali, power is OK, but lots of 4th gear and hills suck. It seems like its working harder than I am confortable with. I think the 2500 with a lower 3.73 axle and pulling in 2WD (vs AWD) would help some even though the engine is rated slightly less HP/Tq. Of course the transmission/axles/brakes are all stronger. My biggest issue is tongue weight and overall stability. Maybe I am a whimp since I have towed with a Diesel 2500 a few times and there is no comparison. I don't want to feel like I am pulling 90% all the time.

 

[tdblakes]

Do you need the 8 seats all the time? How much is a 2500 burb run these days... If it were me I would pony up for a '11 Denali HD w/ Dmax. $62K new off the lot. Comfort and towing. Put a topper on it if you want the headroom to store things dry in the bed, unless you need the seating then theres nothing you can do... maybe throw some bean bags in the bed? haha. The dmax will kill the gas on fuel economy in all situations. And if you really don't want a diesel or can't afford one, maybe you can just beef up the suspension in your denali now since the motors aren't going to be all that different between it and a 2500 burb... a cheaper option maybe?

 

[Blk88GT]

I had no idea the duraburbs were so much. What about finding a used one? I'm sure they're out there.

 

[Nubulin]

Do you need the 8 seats all the time? How much is a 2500 burb run these days... If it were me I would pony up for a '11 Denali HD w/ Dmax. $62K new off the lot. Comfort and towing. Put a topper on it if you want the headroom to store things dry in the bed, unless you need the seating then theres nothing you can do... maybe throw some bean bags in the bed? haha. The dmax will kill the gas on fuel economy in all situations. And if you really don't want a diesel or can't afford one, maybe you can just beef up the suspension in your denali now since the motors aren't going to be all that different between it and a 2500 burb... a cheaper option maybe?

Yeah, I need the Suburban no matter what for family, 2 100lb German Shepherds, etc. The HDs are sweet, but you give up a LOT to get the big towing capability that I need 2-3 times a year. I wish they would put the roumered 4.5L Duramax in the Suburban. I suppose I could buy an older Dmax pickup, but that's a lot of $$$.

How much of a difference is the 3.73 and 2WD pulling going to make over my AWD 3.42?

The most economical would be air bags and weight distribution hitch.

I hate compromises...

 

[Blk88GT]

I wouldn't consider pulling a larger trailer without a weight distributing hitch. You'd be surprised what a difference it makes for $300.....

 

[Coldfinger]

For towing difference 3.42 vs 3.73 check out the manufactures web site for two comparable vehicles. One veh may have both tow figures on the chart.

If you have the space, may consider buying a tow vehicle just for sledding. Get a used Diesel crew, so what if it is beat up and higher miles, the depreciation you'll save vs something else may add up........

I agree with the 8 liter engine vs the 6 liter, at least for vintage 2002. Can't speak for the newer ones. Not sure what year they stopped making the 8.
Hard to find though. I've looked off and on and not many out there.

 

[94fordguy]

Obviously this isn't really what you are going for, but they did put diesels in the Excursions - diesel power, SUV seating capacity. If you look around you can still find them with relatively low miles.... Just a thought.

 

[Mafesto]

Obviously this isn't really what you are going for, but they did put diesels in the Excursions - diesel power, SUV seating capacity. If you look around you can still find them with relatively low miles.... Just a thought.

With more interior room as a bonus!

 

[Nubulin]

Yeah, I have thought about that. Unfortunately the newest ones are now 7 years old and they seem pretty dated to replace my daily driver. Especially when I am already tired of my 2007 Denali which is MUCH nicer inside than the Excursion. Its a great concept and I am surprised they did not sell well. If Ford had an Excursion diesel off the current Super Duty pickup chassis, I would already have one!

I guess most people think diesel is the only way to go? That is basically where I am at too. I don't want the punishing mileage of the bigger Suburban as my only vehicle unless it tows better than what I have now.

I guess I better look at a 2nd vehicle in the form of a diesel pickup.