3/4 ton Sub..anybody drive one?

[Heypal]

This year our riding group grew to five people. With an 18 hour drive, 5 guys stuffed in a pick-up will be a struggle. My parents have owned 1/2 ton Suburbans for years and I believe they are an awesome vehichle. However, a half ton simply will not be up to the task when pulling a 29' trailer. How about the 3/4 ton models? They have a #10,000 tow rating that should be up to the task. I priced them out on Auto Trader and they seam much less expensive than the 1/2 tons?? Anyway, just checking to see if anyone has towed with one.

Thanks,
Pal

 

[Highmarker]

5 people with an 18 hour drive? I would take two trucks!!! Even a suburban would suck in the back seat for that long!
Or try a motorhome

 

[Vern]

i dunno how old your lookin at but if your lookin between 01-06 you could find one with the 8.1L and be sure u can tow anything you put behind it.

 

[Dogmeat]

i dunno how old your lookin at but if your lookin between 01-06 you could find one with the 8.1L and be sure u can tow anything you put behind it.

If GM would have still been offering that motor I'd have bought a GM truck instead of a Dodge, I'll put it that way. I LOVE that motor.

 

[fastmnstealth]

i dunno how old your lookin at but if your lookin between 01-06 you could find one with the 8.1L and be sure u can tow anything you put behind it.

I've got an '01 with a 8.1. Absolutely love it. Pulls like crazy and comfortable.

Can't go wrong. I don't care about the mileage, it is a tool. 12.5 unloaded on highway. ~8-10 pulling sled trailer. 7ish pulling my 9K lb 32' travel trailer.

I pulled my 7x29(24+v) Aluma with 4 sleds to Tog. My buddy pulled his 8.5x27(20+v)? Featherlite with his 2012 Dodge Diesel PU. We'd stop every 220-240mi. I'd always put in a few more gals then him, but his bill was always higher. He'd kick my *** on the on-ramps though!

 

[IDspud]

I always traded burbs every two years, in 2004 I bought an 8.1 3/4 ton. I still have it with no plans to trade. Rear suspension is MUCH beefier than a 1/2 ton. Biggest difference is side to side rear sway, much more stable and has no problem with the enclosed on it.

 

[IDspud]

A 496 BB with headers and straight pipes makes a great family rig as well.

 

[Mafesto]

I wouldn't rule out a nice clean '99 7.4 2500 if you can find one.
They are DIRT CHEAP and last forever.

 

[Heypal]

I always traded burbs every two years, in 2004 I bought an 8.1 3/4 ton. I still have it with no plans to trade. Rear suspension is MUCH beefier than a 1/2 ton. Biggest difference is side to side rear sway, much more stable and has no problem with the enclosed on it.

I was hoping to hear somebody chime in to say the rear suspension was beefier. My parents half rides like a dream, but it just doesn't have the back bone to tow such a big trailer. You guys also mentioned that you also run the 8.1 L. I was thinking of shooting for a 6.0 to save at the pump a LITTLE bit, but by what you fellas have said the bad *** 8.1 L is the way to go. Keep the comments coming.

 

[Heypal]

I wouldn't rule out a nice clean '99 7.4 2500 if you can find one.
They are DIRT CHEAP and last forever.

Correct. The C/K Subs are great trucks as well. Leaf sprung rear end and old school motors. Thanks for the tip.

 

[IDspud]

My 2500 has the leaf spring rear as well, main part of the stability. I have had three 6.0's in our work trucks, the mileage gain is minimal, the power loss is very noticeable when compared to the 8.1.

 

[maddog21]

what about 6 doors truck with box??? I know a guy that own one (ford), I think it was custom made because he has like 6 kids.

 

[donbrown]

Look at a diesel Excursion. They pull pretty good.

Also a 94-97 Ford crew with 7.3 turbo diesel is a great truck.

 

[Heypal]

The Excursion I always felt way short in terms of style and comfort. Not to mention, they are almost TOO large. Diesels are fine when they run, just too damn expensive to fix when they go down. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Matt_Van]

Correct. The C/K Subs are great trucks as well. Leaf sprung rear end and old school motors. Thanks for the tip.

Not sure if you're aware of this, but the 2000-06 3/4 ton suburbans, as well as the avalanches, are leaf sprung in the rear. It's just the half tons that have coil springs in the rear.

I'll second what others have said about a 3/4 ton burb beaing an awesome tow vehicle. I've seriously kicked around the idea of picking up one myself.

And if you really want an awesome Burb, there is a company that converts them to a duramax and allison setup. I've got to believe that would be a great setup for pulling sled trailers. Plenty of room and power to spare.

 

[Vern]

i think the 8.1 was the best gasser towing motor ever put in a truck from the factory, hence the reason i brought it up. i used to own an 01 2500hd with one and loved it, the ONLY reason i traded it for my dmax is because I'm a power junkie and its cheaper and easier to get big power out of the diesel and was to the point with the 8.1 that the only thing i could do for more power was go into the engine and at that time there was basically only one company makin performance parts, cams, heads and such so it was expensive. as to the fuel mileage between the 8.1 and 6.0 it is basically identical so i don't know why anyone would pick the 6.0 over the 8.1 and have half the power with the same cost in fuel. if i ever had to give up the dmax I'd definatly go back to the 8.1.

 

[donbrown]

The Excursion I always felt way short in terms of style and comfort. Not to mention, they are almost TOO large. Diesels are fine when they run, just too damn expensive to fix when they go down. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Yeah I understand.

Our 97 F350 crew 4x4 7.3 has 683,000 miles and starting to show its age plus gone thru 2 trannies and 2 alternators so far.

The F250 is holding up and still tight with 2xx,xxx miles

Our 99 Burb has been sitting around since it only gets 9 MPG. Took the blower off the Burb and MPG increased 25%. The 7.3 gets twice the MPG and only goes to 12 MPG City when pulling 12K.

A 8.1 seemed pretty nice with a supercharger but the gas mileage sucked and it ate to many brake pads.

Yep they are heavy and have a poor turning radius ... unless the front end is modified. They sure dont ride ontop of the snow like a JEEP!

 

[Heypal]

Not sure if you're aware of this, but the 2000-06 3/4 ton suburbans, as well as the avalanches, are leaf sprung in the rear. It's just the half tons that have coil springs in the rear.

I'll second what others have said about a 3/4 ton burb beaing an awesome tow vehicle. I've seriously kicked around the idea of picking up one myself.

And if you really want an awesome Burb, there is a company that converts them to a duramax and allison setup. I've got to believe that would be a great setup for pulling sled trailers. Plenty of room and power to spare.

I have seen these on the web. Wow, what a nice truck but super spendy. It is too bad GM didn't provide this option from the factory.

 

[catrider800]

Went from an 03' Duramax crew cab to an 04 Yukon XL with an 8.1. At lower speeds 65 mph or less I actually prefer the 8.1 as it gets up to speed faster and handles the load fine. At freeway speeds I miss the torque of the diesel, but that's to be expected. With little headwind it held 75 mph fine and ran about 8 mpg pulling a 7.5 x 27' enclosed. I wish they would have put the 5 speed Allison in the Burb/Yukons like they did in the trucks. The extra range of the 5 speed would be nice as 4th seems a bit high in some cases and its running high rpm in 3rd with 4.10 gearing and 285's. No sway or problems with the trailer pushing you around. Paid half of what I got for my diesel when I sold it as well. Go for the 8.1, dont wasted your time with the 6.0.

 

[Heypal]

Guys, from what I have read so far I think there will be a new truck sitting in my driveway very soon! I have found an 03 with the 8.1 that looks to be very nice. The crazy part? I should be able to sell my wife's 04 Colorado crew cab and come out just about even. Nuts! I am pretty excited, I will keep you guys posted. Thanks for the input!