2006 Suburban for towing?

I had that combo (model year earlier) with 3.73 that I used to pull: 1) a 19' TT, as-towed weight circa 5500#'s; and b) a 28' TT, as-towed weight circa 7800;

Simply wouldn't do the job on the bigger trailer, IMO. Yes it would tow it, yes it would really rev up; yes it would drink the gas.....but even with all that, it would crawl up hills, always had to watch the tranny temp with any sort of load, and if the 'burb was loaded, it had an immediate and direct impact on how hard the rig worked to move the trailer.

I didn't like it and switched the 3.73's to 4.10's. That made a bit of a difference, but I wasn't about to tackle anything except pretty flat terrain. DW and I decided to go big on the trailer (going up to a 5th wheel) so for a month or so we pulled the 28' TT with an F350 with 4.3's. Literally didn't know it was there except by looking in the mirror.

It's okay if the engine turns more than 2000RPM, and the transmission shifts out of overdrive once in a while. Really, it is.

U should have no problem pulling that load with that drivetrain combo. Always remember that ur pulling a huge parachute behind u. Diesel is not always the cure all, each has their own personal preferences. I have owned both the 6.0/4 speed combo and now the current 6.0/6 speed combo. Yes with the 4 speed u will drop to 2nd on grades and run 4k. Totally normal and will not hurt anything at all. On the 6 speed trans I pull in 5th and drop into 4th sometimes 3rd but not much. The extra gearing helps out any gas engine. When I had the old 4 speed I would pull in 3rd, so hence 2nd gear would put it in the peak of its TQ band. Regardless the 6.0 will do the job. If u want diesel then buy one, but for that load it's really not needed unless u want it. I have pulled with diesel and stayed with gas for personal reasons. Just remember at 4k rpm that engine is in it peak TQ rating. U are not hurting it or need to back down on speed. Keep it there, it won't blow up....and ur not hurting it at all......

bfourman wrote:
It will get the job done. 4.10 would be better than the 3.73s I have, I usually leave mine in 3rd with tow/haul on pulling a ~7500lb TT.

I typically tow around 65 mph @ 2500-2700 rpm.

Good to see actual numbers. I was only able to compare the hp/torq curves between the 2003 8.1L and the 2006 6.0L.
It looks like the 6.0L with 4.10 and a 7500# TT is a good match for the OP.

It will get the job done. 4.10 would be better than the 3.73s I have, I usually leave mine in 3rd with tow/haul on pulling a ~7500lb TT.

I typically tow around 65 mph @ 2500-2700 rpm.

I have a 2500 Sub with 8.1 and 3.73. Tows my 7200#TT at 62mph @ 2200rpm. It only shifts out of 4th on decent grades.
If the 6.0 shifts too often with your load, leave it in 3rd.
For the same 7200#TT and speed, the 6.0L will need to run @ 3200rpm for the same hp.

2004 k2500 sub. 6.0. 3.73.


Tow a 5000lb hybrid. Works well as designed for that load. 3.73 only has 7600lb rating

IBcarguy wrote:
Thanks for the response. I also read that these motors like to rev so don't back off when it sounds like it's winding up pretty tight. He also warned me that I can expect 8mpg when towing, which I expected. I wish I could afford a Duramax, they just can't be beat as a tow vehicle.

2700-3000 rpm is the sweet spot for me towing and its where it feels the torque is at. I wouldn't call these motors high reving. I rarely ever go to 4K. Not a big fan of the tow hauling mode so I rarely ever leave it in automatic when towing. Shifting in the manual mode is easy and it keeps the transmission from searching for a proper gear thus reducing trans temps.

A lower gear may make the shifting less and better per say. A 6 sp will be better than the older 4 sp frankly. BUT, as noted, with 3.73 gears, the DOD/6th will be useless unless you can get or have 4.33 or 4.56 gears. Otherwise it is too tall, you will not have enough rpm to make the HP needed to move the load.

I move 6-8K with my 2000 C2500, a vortec 5.7, 255/330 hp torque spec, 4.10's and a 4 sp auto. I am usually no slower than 50 on the steeper 3-4% freeway grades, in 2nd, doing 4-4.5K rpm. I can go faster, but for what I have drivetrain wise, not sure the extra strain is worth it.

I drove similarly with my 05 dmax, and 96 6.5td, and my IDI 7.3 in my navistart dumptruck. I find a gear, rpm that pulls the hill at a given speed, but not losig speed, overheating etc.

I personally would pull said TT with a 6.0 sp 4.10 setup

Marty

I have an 03 Suburban with the 8.1, and use it to tow a 6500 pound boat. Less weight and wind resistance, more motor, and the transmission does shift down into 3rd often, and 2nd sometimes.

Nothing wrong with letting a transmission work, but if you don't want to do a lot of shifting, I would keep looking.