Deciding on a Tow Vehicle

[Blueone]

We had a 2005 Suburban 3/4 ton with 8.1L and the low geared rear end... We pulled a 2005 260 Sundancer...totaling around 10k lbs. For the most part the engine and drive train was fine we still lost speed up moderately steep hills...gas miledge pulling was around 8mpg. The problem was it was my wife's truck when not pulling...the ride was aweful very stiff suspension and the miledge was not much better at around 11-12mpg. I wouldn't have been happy with less than the 8.1L....I would have preferred the Duramax... I think ideally you buy an older 3/4 ton pickup with a Powerstroke, Cummins Turbo Diesel or Duramax...use it for towing and all the other stuff you can use a pickup for but not as a daily driver

 

[berth control]

Okay - I will agree with these guys that the 6.0 gasser will be screaming to pull some hills, but I would still recommend it over the diesel for a vehicle that does double duty - a daily driver 95% and pulling the boat 5%. Sure, my diesel pulls the boat with WAY more power and ease than the gas does, but who cares? Say you tow the boat 2,000 miles a year. About 10% of that drive will be up hill at the most, so you are going to go slower and over work your engine for 200 miles a year. So what? isn't that better than having a gas hog motor for the other 15,000 miles you drive annually?

If you were looking for a vehicle that was going to only pull the boat, then of course, get a dually with a diesel, it will be the best choice. But for dual duty, not needed.

 

[berth control]

Also, here is another thought:

1 Ton dually pickup in 1994 with a 454 : 235-240 Hp
3/4 Ton suburban with current 6.0l gas : 366 Hp

 

[390pi]

I've towed my 290 with several vehicles:

'05 F250 CC V-10/auto/4x4 4.10 gears: 7mpg towing, good midrange torque, low maintenace, and lower price since no one wanted gassers then. Long wheelbase was hard to park as a daily driver. Power equiv. to 8.1 IMHO.

'01 GMC 2500HD EC 8.1/Alison 5spd auto/4x4/3.73 gears: 7mpg towing,also. Good low end torque, low maintenace. Extra cab was easier to park but only small kids fit in rear cab area.

'07 Chev 2500HD CC 6.6Duramax/Allison 6spd auto/4x4/3.73 gears: 11mpg towing. Plenty of power all around. Big $$$ inital cost (although a good buy, now) costly maintenace.
Probably no payback on the extra initial cost.

'00 Chev Suburban 2500 6.0/4spd auto/4x4/4.10 gears: 7mpg towing. Slow up grades. (but then again I drive 55 when towing) Low maintenace. Easiest vehicle to have as backup/daily driver. Can't beat the room for people either.

My analysis:

It is dissappointing that the new Suburban's ratings do not make it to 10,000lbs. The 6.0 is very capable, but is limited to only 3.73 gears (4.10's not avaiable) plus the factory hitch is not upgradeable since it is an integral, structural part of the bumper system now.

Any of these engine combos that I have mentioned will work just fine, in my experience. The higher tow ratings in the Suburbans were only available in the '00-06 2500 models with 4.10 gears. The 8.1 in the Suburban never got that Alison 5 spd trans; the 4 spd is just fine, though. The last year for the 8.1 in the Suburban was 2006.

The Excursion w/ V-10 and 4.10 or 4.30 gears would be fine. This motor makes its power a little higher up the powerband than an 8.1L. Like the Suburban, Ford never put the 5spd auto in the Excursion. I like how the Excursion/Suburban have 44g/38g gas tanks.

As for the newer diesels: they are all capable, but probably not worth the extra $$$ if you rarely tow.

Bottom line:
I think used V-10 Excursions and 8.1L Suburbans are good buys with the recent $4.00 gas and may never come back into vogue except for people like us who actually need such a vehicle.