2017 Chevy as tow vehicle

ktosv wrote:

I am not towing a large travel trailer but I would take my 3.08 equipped grocery getter over the towing 3.42’s any day unless I was going to be towing at the limits. On a recent non towing trip on two lane roads at 60mph I was pushing 29mpg. Memorial Day weekend with eight of us and a roof top carrier I was getting over 22mpg on the highway. I never saw those numbers with my 3.42 equipped Yukon XL. The Suburban also gets 2mpg better towing than the Yukon XL did.

I also have a 2018 Suburban Z71 (4WD) with the 3.42 diffs that gets about 22 mpg on long trips. When towing my 4500 lb travel trailer, i get about 12 mpg with the 6 speed tranny set to manual 5th so it stays on V8 all the time. I don't use the tow/haul on drive because it still shifts to 4 cylinder which is not good when towing.

Thanks to all who replied. I did buy the 2017 Silverado 5.3. Will take my trailer out at the end of the month and see how it goes.

Before the current truck, had a Yukon with the 5.3 and AFM. Ran great, no issues with the AFM or anything else. Sold it in 2014 with just shy of 100K. Did not tow with it, but since you are concerned about the AFM, I would say it is nothing to worry about.

We had over 120k miles on our 2012 Yukon XL when we replaced it two years ago with the 2017 Suburban. No mechanical issues with the Yukon XL when we replaced it. The Suburban now has over 70k miles on it and again no mechanical issues.

When the AFM first came out there might have been some issues, but if you stay up on the maintenance there shouldn’t be any problems today. Other than a slightly different exhaust note the change from 8 to 4 cylinder and back is nearly unnoticeable in our Suburban.

I am not towing a large travel trailer but I would take my 3.08 equipped grocery getter over the towing 3.42’s any day unless I was going to be towing at the limits. On a recent non towing trip on two lane roads at 60mph I was pushing 29mpg. Memorial Day weekend with eight of us and a roof top carrier I was getting over 22mpg on the highway. I never saw those numbers with my 3.42 equipped Yukon XL. The Suburban also gets 2mpg better towing than the Yukon XL did.

bazar01 wrote:
I have a 2001 Suburban 1500, 5.3L 2WD, 3.73 rear end with 280k miles.
I tow a 18 ft, 4500 lb travel trailer 30% of the time.
Still shifts very smooth.
It's all about maintenance.
Rear end gear oil change every 50k miles. Synthetic 75W/90
Transmission fluid/filter change every 50k miles. Synthethic ATF.
Oil changes every 5k miles. Mobil 1 synthetic 5%/30

Literally a completely different drivetrain,save for engine long block is very simliar and the axles.
But I agree, 01s are good trucks.

I have a 2001 Suburban 1500, 5.3L 2WD, 3.73 rear end with 280k miles.
I tow a 18 ft, 4500 lb travel trailer 30% of the time.
Still shifts very smooth.
It's all about maintenance.
Rear end gear oil change every 50k miles. Synthetic 75W/90
Transmission fluid/filter change every 50k miles. Synthethic ATF.
Oil changes every 5k miles. Mobil 1 synthetic 5W/30

Not sure about the new 5.3L but my DB has 256K on his 2000 chevy with a 5.3L which is his daily driver.

A quick search on Autotrader or Cars.com shows many 200k+ mile 5.3L. I have a 2011 6.0L which is the same engine design (minus AFM) with 125k trouble free miles. I expect another 125k if I choose to keep the vehicle that long.

60k for shocks, brakes etc, sound normal from y 40 yr experience with GM rigs.
Granted most of mine have been 8 luggers, I get 150-200k miles over 10 years generally speaking with no major issues using in construction.
My son has an 05 4.8 with 130k no issues. My 2000 C2500 I use more like a half ton now, no issues other than 20 yr old sensors etc going haywire.....

Just remember, frontal area and aerodynamics of a trailer can effect performance towing etc more than weight. 25k lbs with 70 SQ ft of frontal area needs 135 HP to gon60 on a level. 15k lbs with 90 SQ ft of FA ALSO needs a whopping 135 HP.
Marty

I have a 2016 5.3, 3.42 truck. It does well for what it is.
Yes, occasionally hook 10k plus and typically pull over Snoq or Chinook pass.
Reliably? Truck has 85k miles. Had it since new, only "early maintenance" has been shocks and struts around 60k. And brakes wore out about the same mileage. But this is a company truck, work truck so it gets used like a truck or at least for the first coup,e years it did.
Reliability? Trans went out at 60k under warranty. Torque converter something let loose which fouled the valve body. Warranty ended up replacing transmission, but the dealer was not too competent. Maybe due to how I used the truck but I think there was something wrong with the torque converter from new. It always had an odd shutter when taking off with a load.
We have a fleet of the same or similar trucks from 2016 up. Mostly all old body style. 4.8s and 5.3s. Many approaching 100k lime mine and no other major repairs that I'm aware of.
AFM is seamless and hasn't been a problem on the newer ones. Older trucks we've had issues with it.
I've driven some of our trucks that don't get "worked" hard and 60-80k they drive as tight as new. Mine drives great still too but I can tell the subtle differences of being worked.
I wouldn't hesitate getting one for your use, unless you're towing 50% of the miles or more maybe.