1/2 Ton Suburban in steep grades with TT
I've read a bunch of different posts in several forums about towing with a 1/2 ton Suburban and how it will struggle on steep grades and that you should really have a 3/4 ton. Here's my situation:...
Forum Discussion
Ok, so the Suburban was able to tow the trailer to California and back. I went the northern route on the way there and took I70 on the way back. The hottest the transmission fluid ever got was 219 and that was going up the Vail pass during construction so I was in 1st going about 10mph, the majority of the time it stayed around 150. A lot of the time I didn't feel like I was towing anything unless it was going up steep grades or just watching how crappy of gas mileage I was getting, 9.5mpg for the full trip (spent $900 in gas for the trip). So the gas mileage is to me the biggest upset of sticking with the Suburban.
So now that I have gone through that, I have started to think of upgrading my tow vehicle, but only if it makes sense to do so. My thoughts would be to get a 3/4 ton diesel but I have never owned a diesel vehicle. I would love some opinions on what I should go for.
Is it worth the upgrade? Will I get better gas mileage towing with a diesel to make it worthwhile? If so, what truck would you recommend? I have read that the 6.0L F250's are to be avoided like the plague.
Thanks again for any help.
So now that I have gone through that, I have started to think of upgrading my tow vehicle, but only if it makes sense to do so. My thoughts would be to get a 3/4 ton diesel but I have never owned a diesel vehicle. I would love some opinions on what I should go for.
Is it worth the upgrade? Will I get better gas mileage towing with a diesel to make it worthwhile? If so, what truck would you recommend? I have read that the 6.0L F250's are to be avoided like the plague.
Thanks again for any help.
