I'm just looking for some opinions here.Current situation is:2005 GMC yukon XL 2500 8.1 big block with 180,xxx miles.2017 coachman Freedom express 320bhds probably around 9.5k -10k loaded up ready to camp.We live in Oklahoma and really want to start venturing out west in another 2 years or so. That equals Rocky Mountains and others as well. The 8.1 handles the 37' TT pretty good around here and small mountains but I'm not sure its up to multiple long trips in the high elevation mountains. What to do?option #1 Keep the 8.1 and slap a Raylar intake modification and A tune. big Hp and Tq gains for about $1700 or so. Probably close to 500 WTQ. pros: 3 row seats and comfort, low pricecons: not forced indutionoption#2 Get a 2011-2012 cummins or duramax truck.(before DEF)pros: plenty of powercons: cost of purchase, cost of ownership, and cramped with 6 people.option#3 A diesel excursion.pros: 3 rows of seats, and forced induction, should be able to get OK power out of the 6.0 or the 7.3.cons: cost of purchase, cost of ownership, an older truckThoughts? What would you do?

I’ve been going back and forth on what to do as well. I’ve look a lot at Raylar’s products - they really know what they’re doing with the 8.1s. To get their super charger installed I was quoted ~$10k - $12k. Not sure it would be worth it for me...I live in Colorado and the 8.1 has pulled in the mountains pretty well. Our previous TT was 35’ and around 9,000 lbs.Have you talked to Duraburb? Then can put a Duramax in your Suburban. They won’t/can’t put one in my Burb because it’s too old. They only work on 2003 MY and up. If I had a 2003+ I’d seriously consider converting it to a Dmax.I’m not convinced a Express 3500 6.0 would do well out west, could be wrong though. They de-tune the engines in the Express vs the pickups too.

What is your diff ratio?Depends how much you wish to spend and how long you will keep your Suburban "....What would you do?......"I'm keeping my 1996 K3500, 7.4L Suburban and going to rebuild it when the day the 7.4L needs itHere is the link to my thoughts and plans...https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29728820/gotomsg/29729047.cfm#29729047Duraburb is another option...https://www.facebook.com/duraburbinc/

Diesel Ford E350 van in 10 passenger configuration. Somewhat tough to find but they are out there...probably not as rare as a good used Excursion.

option #4 . Keep what ya got and give it a try . Spend the saved money for a extra week or two of vacation .

All good points. I love the duraburbs but super rare and hard to find as well as the high price tag. The Vans are pretty much out of the picture because the are 2x4 (unless its a quigly conversion or something) and I use 4x4 quite often. The 8.1 has 373 gears right now and 33" tires. I could improve towing by regearing and going to stock tire size as well. I like option #4 to because I'm so cheap.

Family of 6 future tow vehicle. | Good Sam Community

anw7405
Explorer
Oct 15, 2018
Right. I would never buy a 6.0 diesel unless it has been "bulletproofed."
Trackrig
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2018
I like Excursions, BUT....... The 6.0 is a good diesel if you put money into it. I had to put $8,000+ into it after the head gasket went, the oil cooler clogged and other modifications were done such as ARP studs.

Some people have no problems, but most do. The neighbor's truck is sitting in his back yard at the moment while saving money to repair the engine and a friend keeps having problems with his. Since mine is running well, I'll keep it until I go to a new F450 in two years.

Bill
anw7405
Explorer
Oct 15, 2018
All good points. I love the duraburbs but super rare and hard to find as well as the high price tag. The Vans are pretty much out of the picture because the are 2x4 (unless its a quigly conversion or something) and I use 4x4 quite often. The 8.1 has 373 gears right now and 33" tires. I could improve towing by regearing and going to stock tire size as well. I like option #4 to because I'm so cheap.
wanderingbob
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2018
option #4 . Keep what ya got and give it a try . Spend the saved money for a extra week or two of vacation .
Dave_in_TN
Nomad
Oct 15, 2018
Diesel Ford E350 van in 10 passenger configuration. Somewhat tough to find but they are out there...probably not as rare as a good used Excursion.
BenK
Explorer
Oct 15, 2018
What is your diff ratio?

Depends how much you wish to spend and how long you will keep your Suburban

"....What would you do?......"

I'm keeping my 1996 K3500, 7.4L Suburban and going to rebuild it when the day the 7.4L needs it

Here is the link to my thoughts and plans...

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29728820/gotomsg/29729047.cfm#29729047

Duraburb is another option...

https://www.facebook.com/duraburbinc/
mrgrim007
Explorer
Oct 15, 2018
I’ve been going back and forth on what to do as well. I’ve look a lot at Raylar’s products - they really know what they’re doing with the 8.1s. To get their super charger installed I was quoted ~$10k - $12k. Not sure it would be worth it for me...

I live in Colorado and the 8.1 has pulled in the mountains pretty well. Our previous TT was 35’ and around 9,000 lbs.

Have you talked to Duraburb? Then can put a Duramax in your Suburban. They won’t/can’t put one in my Burb because it’s too old. They only work on 2003 MY and up. If I had a 2003+ I’d seriously consider converting it to a Dmax.

I’m not convinced a Express 3500 6.0 would do well out west, could be wrong though. They de-tune the engines in the Express vs the pickups too.

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