I've had my Envoy since 2002, has adequate towing capacity for my needs. However I'm looking at a slightly newer vehicle and I know the MPG's will take a hit, but this won't be the daily driver.I may look into a 24-26' boat in the near future, possibly other items that may tip the scales at 7000-8000 lbs or more and I would like something that can tow these weights with some comfort margin.Diesel vs gas, always a good debate, not sure where to look but I like the fact the 8.1 is gas and has a very respectable tow rating. The suburban would serve as the family hauler on occasions so the 7 seats are welcome.I want to say if I pursued the 2500 suburban, I could find some low mileage/well kept examples....just not sure what to expect price wise and maintenance items.I've always been fond of the 8.1 burb, was overkill at the time. If I had to pull the trigger on one, I would like to get a 2006 or possibly a 2005 based on refinements.Now the question I have is...what about a 6.0 suburban/yukon, do these have tow ratings in the 9-10K range? This would get me into an even newer vehicle but I would like to stay under $10K but could go $12K....I"m just not going to buy a new vehicle.One option is a Tahoe, 2012 or newer, maybe even a 6-speed but the 5.3 doesn't give me warm fuzzies.I like the suburban for it's size and capabilities, location isn't a real issue if I can get what I want. I could travel out of state, ideally south, below the rust belt. I'd rather make the effort to travel and get what I want than work locally for a lesser vehicle if it came to that.Just looking for some good constructive criticism, all input appreciated.

"One option is a Tahoe, 2012 or newer, maybe even a 6-speed but the 5.3 doesn't give me warm fuzzies."I'm happy towing my 5k wet TT with my 2015 6 speed Tahoe, plenty of power up the steepest grades in California but I wouldn't want to put seven people in it...three in the middle seat and two kids in the third? Very uncomfortable.AND you'll need to be careful about the Tahoe's payload...1,595 on 2015s. Tongue 600 and people other than you 600. With "stuff" you would be pushing it.

Towed around with our 2007 5.3 Tahoe installed A Hayden trans cooler beefier shocks in the rear and new tires it did great. Dry weight was about 5k. That 8.1 will be sucking gas down, one of my customers has one as a daily driver he happily said "oh I watched my gas gauge suck down all that gas".

I had a 01 2500HD with the 8.1, can honestly say that the fuel economy is horrible, 10 mpg around town 12 on the freeway. Pulled just fine but with the hammer down it could run the tank dry in a little over 20 minutes! Glad I switched to diesel.

It drinks a lot (oil and gas) but can pull like crazy.

I had an '05 Burb and a 30 ft, 7200 lb travel trailer. I had to get a ProPride hitch to get the sway under control. On the plus side it had very comfortable seats, which I still miss. It was very comfortable on a long trip. As with any gasser expect to be running high rpm's in the mountains (4600 was common). My DW didn't really care for that, which is part of the reason we will be getting a diesel down the road. Some things to consider: Gas usage as you know is a big negative. If gas prices go back up, will you be willing to pay the price? Parts can be expensive. As an example our Burb had electronic shocks in the rear, which went for $550 each at the time. Leaking oil cooler lines are a common problem. Be sure to check these as well as the transmission cooler lines when shopping for one. The oil cooler is inside the radiator by the way.I guess the bottom line here is that a Suburban with an 8.1 is a great tow vehicle, but expect to sink cash into it and be prepared to fill that 39 gallon fuel tank at least a couple times a day on a road trip.

Questions on tow vehicle, considering 8.1 Burb | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2017
"One option is a Tahoe, 2012 or newer, maybe even a 6-speed but the 5.3 doesn't give me warm fuzzies."

I'm happy towing my 5k wet TT with my 2015 6 speed Tahoe, plenty of power up the steepest grades in California but I wouldn't want to put seven people in it...three in the middle seat and two kids in the third? Very uncomfortable.

AND you'll need to be careful about the Tahoe's payload...1,595 on 2015s. Tongue 600 and people other than you 600. With "stuff" you would be pushing it.
eDUBz
Explorer
Apr 21, 2017
Towed around with our 2007 5.3 Tahoe installed A Hayden trans cooler beefier shocks in the rear and new tires it did great. Dry weight was about 5k. That 8.1 will be sucking gas down, one of my customers has one as a daily driver he happily said "oh I watched my gas gauge suck down all that gas".
Trailblazer87
Explorer
Apr 21, 2017
I had a 01 2500HD with the 8.1, can honestly say that the fuel economy is horrible, 10 mpg around town 12 on the freeway. Pulled just fine but with the hammer down it could run the tank dry in a little over 20 minutes! Glad I switched to diesel.
the_happiestcam
Explorer
Apr 21, 2017
It drinks a lot (oil and gas) but can pull like crazy.
Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2017
I had an '05 Burb and a 30 ft, 7200 lb travel trailer. I had to get a ProPride hitch to get the sway under control. On the plus side it had very comfortable seats, which I still miss. It was very comfortable on a long trip. As with any gasser expect to be running high rpm's in the mountains (4600 was common). My DW didn't really care for that, which is part of the reason we will be getting a diesel down the road.
Some things to consider: Gas usage as you know is a big negative. If gas prices go back up, will you be willing to pay the price? Parts can be expensive. As an example our Burb had electronic shocks in the rear, which went for $550 each at the time. Leaking oil cooler lines are a common problem. Be sure to check these as well as the transmission cooler lines when shopping for one. The oil cooler is inside the radiator by the way.
I guess the bottom line here is that a Suburban with an 8.1 is a great tow vehicle, but expect to sink cash into it and be prepared to fill that 39 gallon fuel tank at least a couple times a day on a road trip.
Dick_B
Explorer
Apr 21, 2017
Head to Texas where there are many Suburbans (so I understand) and they don't use salt on the roads. I'd trade in my 6.0 for an 8.1 in a heartbeat if they were still made.
My current Suburban 6.0 gets better local mileage (10 - 12 mpg), and really good highway mileage (16 mpg) but the towing mileage is equal or not as good as my old 8.1 (in the 9 mpg range)
Good mileage and Suburban don't belong in the same sentence.
captnjack
Explorer
Apr 21, 2017
I think finding one with low miles and well kept for 10-12k will be a challenge.
gmcman
Explorer
Apr 22, 2017
I never understood why GM never offered the duramax as a factory option for the suburban...even if it were to be in small numbers, it would have surely sold.

Well, my 8.1 quest is looking gloomy with all the mpg facts. Even though it would be used sparingly...I'm sure we would use it on occasions and the thought of using 80 gallons of fuel to go to the beach is crazy.....lol.

The 8.1 isn't ruled out, but a 2500 Ram 5.9, pre 08 is looking better. I have friends who see 20 MPG easy at 60 MPH, not towing.... regularly.

What does the Ram 2500 need to be outfitted with for a 10K towing capacity?
Thom02099
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2017
I have the '03 Tahoe with the 5.3L and tow package and WDH, towing the trailer in my avatar, at 5900lbs fully loaded. It tows fine. Tow limit on the 'hoe is around 7400lbs, I'm sure the newer ones have a higher weight limit than the '03. You won't win any races towing in the mountains, but it does the job for me in the high Rockies.

If the 'burb with the 8.1 would meet your needs and you can find one at the price point you're looking at, if it were me, I'd sure consider it. You may be disappointed with the Tahoe regardless of the year, in comparison to the 'burb. If I knew then what I know now, I probably would have gone with a Surburban with the bigger engine.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Apr 22, 2017
gmcman wrote:
I never understood why GM never offered the duramax as a factory option for the suburban...even if it were to be in small numbers, it would have surely sold.

Well, my 8.1 quest is looking gloomy with all the mpg facts. Even though it would be used sparingly...I'm sure we would use it on occasions and the thought of using 80 gallons of fuel to go to the beach is crazy.....lol.

The 8.1 isn't ruled out, but a 2500 Ram 5.9, pre 08 is looking better. I have friends who see 20 MPG easy at 60 MPH, not towing.... regularly.

What does the Ram 2500 need to be outfitted with for a 10K towing capacity?

Because the Allie tranny was the only one to hold up to the torque of the Dmax and the Allie won't fit in the burb. They would have to redesign the whole package and they didn't want to do that for the amount of sales they would have gained.