Tow Vehicle Options

[skippabcool]

I am wanting to get a new tow vehicle so that we can travel more comfortable in, whereas most of the places we go are 2 hours plus away and there are 6 of us. Just a fact, my Dodge tows the boat just fine and I am keeping it.

I am looking at GMC Yukon XL, Suburban XL, or Excursion. I want to be able to store stuff in the vehicle as well. On the GMC / Chevy is it is necessary to get the 2500 or are the 1500's fine for towing a Tige? On those as well I am guessing the 6L engine. 5.3 too small and 8.1 too big (I had a '98 Sierra with the 454 and it drank gas), correct? On the Excursion I am looking at the Diesel not the V10 or the other little engine. Is the 7.3 better than the 6.0? If it is the 6.0 is the best year the '05?

On any of these is there a year to stay away from? Is there something that I need to make sure that it has? One thing that I can think of is that tow package. Is there a mileage limit that items tend to go out on any of these?

The intent is not to start a tow war thread but facts about these vehicles. If there is something out there that I missed that will carry at least 6, preferable 7, and have room for stuff inside and will tow, I am open to other suggestions as well.

[lohe]

Love our excursion best boat tow vehicle, plenty of people + cargo space.

the 7.3 is the better motor for reliability you can find FEW 03's with this motor mine is a 02 Limited comes with leather/power etc. The 02 + got new head lights and more digital cluster.
I would not consider the gas motor. I was getting around 18-19 combined driving and 14 towing the boat. Put a lift and tires on it this winter so it should be droping this year... Ya for higher gas/diesel :P



First time out with the 21V



After the lift/tires

[Wickedcummins]

Buy a new Mega cab there hella roomie and will tow it like no ones business!

[lohe]

you will also find a 7.3L usually cost more then the 6.0L Sadly a 01 with the 7.3 can cost more then a 04 with the 6.0L with all the other options the same.

[ajholt7]

I vote excursion. 7.3 if you can find one, but don't be scared of the 6.0. The 6.0 can be a good engine if it was taken care of and not hooked to a tuner.

[Timmy!]

You definitely don't want a 5.3L chevy up here. I have heard the 6.0L is ok in the Chevy's but still not the greatest ever. The newer 6.2L is supposed to be awesome but 8mpg towing...yuck!

[ajholt7]

When I said 6.0 I was talking Ford Diesel. Sorry if I confused anyone.

[knottsindy]

We live in Alberta and go to interior BC for a month every year; I pull the fifth wheel and the Mrs. pulls our 07 RZ2 behind her 04 Tahoe with the 5.3 in it. We have never had any problems whatsoever and in fact she usually passes everything in sight on the hills where there's a passing lane. Mileage is only 12mpg (converted to US) though....Biggest thing I would look for is proper transmission cooler for towing.

[Wickedcummins]

lol we are talking about a guy that lives at 5280 ft with DA of 7,000+ normally... Gases suck for towing here period

[robert theisen]

The 7.3 is bulletproof the 6.0 is most reliable 2005 and later.

[Ewok]

lol we are talking about a guy that lives at 5280 ft with DA of 7,000+ normally... Gases suck for towing here period

NA engines suck there, forced induction is the answer whether it is gas or diesel. There are not many FI trucks with a gas option, turbo diesel from the factory would work best, but you can slap a turbo or supercharger on almost any V8 too.

[Wickedcummins]

you cant slap a turbo or charger on a V8 and get mileage. Being runs of detonation and makes tons of toque you wont beat its mileage period. I get 15.3 mpg on a 870hp tune driving or towing!

[knottsindy]

lol we are talking about a guy that lives at 5280 ft with DA of 7,000+ normally... Gases suck for towing here period

My apologies, I'll just go back to lurking.

[Ewok]

you cant slap a turbo or charger on a V8 and get mileage. Being runs of detonation and makes tons of toque you wont beat its mileage period. I get 15.3 mpg on a 870hp tune driving or towing!

Absolutely true, more air mixes with more fuel to produce more power, no matter what type of engine is being operated. You and Audi are also proving that diesel is a good alternative power source for performance applications as well as towing. I wish diesel was cheaper though. I just did a comparison with my gas Jetta and and my buddies diesel Jetta. He gets better milage but diesel is more expensive here than gas. I figured out that we pay the same $/mile driven so unless diesel gets cheaper, in passenger cars, it's a wash.

BL: I wish diesel fuel was cheaper.

[Ewok]

My apologies, I'll just go back to lurking.

Don't lurk, keep posting, it keeps things interesting and we all learn stuff.