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Stclairm's avatar
Stclairm
Explorer
Feb 21, 2013

Avalanche/Suburban 2500 with 8.1 towing mpg

Anyone who has one or had one, please chime in as to what kind of mpg you got while towing. I hate the idea of having 496 CI, but I'm planning to sell my 03 Suburban 1500 Z71 and am looking for an Excursion V10 or Avalanche/Suburban 2500. I would prefer the 6.0, but I keep finding 8.1's. I'm sure they're out there because of the horrid daily driving mpg. My Burban gets about 10-10.5 towing our 6000lb loaded trailer. Thanks for any help!
Tow Vehicles

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  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Feb 22, 2013
    Yup, 8.1 sure is nice. over 300 hp and 500 lb ft of torque.

    Simply an awesome towing rig.
  • mimalmo's avatar
    mimalmo
    Explorer
    Feb 22, 2013
    thorncrest wrote:
    It's actually a 596 cu in.


    Actually, it's not. 496 cu in. Your owners manual can confirm.



    To the OP: I usually get a little over 10 mpg empty and 8 mpg pulling my 2012 Jayco 267 BHS. Mine has the 3.73 gears. I'd pick the 8.1 over the 6.0 any day if it was for towing. The big block's torque just pulls so nicely.
  • thorncrest's avatar
    thorncrest
    Explorer
    Feb 22, 2013
    It's actually a 596 cu in. I pull a trailer pushing 10K. I get 8 although I stick around 60. 10 and 13 is typical mileage. It's an awesome truck, I looked 6 months for it, I pull twice a year from Milwaukee to Durham NC. The mountains are not any problem. I'll be selling the package soon. Moving to a Mobile Suites and selling the house.
  • Nomadac's avatar
    Nomadac
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2013
    With my 2001 Chevy 2500 Suburban 8.1L 4:10 rear axle ratio,I used to avg. 9-10 mpg round trip towing from Central Indiana to Murrells Inlet, SC which was 1600 miles. Traveling 70 mph towing our 32' Avion weighing 7600#. It had plenty of power for climbing the mountains, etc. with a 12K towing capacity. I would not trade mine for a 6.0L.
  • Stclairm's avatar
    Stclairm
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2013
    I guess for the much better towing ability and stability, 2mpg less wouldn't be too bad. I go from the Raleigh area to the mountains and to the beach. Mine will be for towing only.
  • the_happiestcam's avatar
    the_happiestcam
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2013
    Towing 8-9, 55-60 MPH. Around town empty 12. It is NOT a daily driver, sits all weekdays unless towing. Best tow vehicle I have EVER had.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer II
    Feb 21, 2013
    My 8.1L is in a dually but I'll post anyway. I get about 10 mpg lightly loaded running highways but not interstates. Towing it really doesn't drop much.
    It is a great engine. It is smooth, quiet, and powerful. I wish GM still offered it. It would be my choice for a vehicle used for towing for sure.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Feb 21, 2013
    I tow at 65-70 mph and usually get 7-8 mpg. Empty around town is 10 and a good day on the highway lightly loaded is 13. Good news is the 38 gal tank means you still get good range between pit stops when towing. It's also nice when you drive it around all week and think "Gee I only used 1/2 tank". Bad news is when you go to fill up that 1/2 tank will cost you $65....
  • TECMike's avatar
    TECMike
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2013
    I have a friend who is a Dentist and he owns a 8.1 Avalanche with a 4.10 axle. He gets 8.0 MPG towing on flat and hilly land. Makes no difference. However he tows about 65-70 mph, which is faster than I tow.

    He said he does not know the trailer is even back there. He says it has an incredible amount of torque for towing and will pass anything except a gas station.

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