Wondering which of these would be a better tow vehicle?I currently have a 2003 X V10 with 4.30 gears. I tows our 10,500 lb TT just fine.Problem is that three weeks ago it rolled on its side. The insurance company totaled it. I could come out 1,000 to 2,000 ahead buying it back and having my body shop fix it.My biggest concern is that it ran for 1-2 minutes while on its side and I am bit concerned that may cause some future problems.I am trying to decide between fixing it, finding another X with 4.30's or an 8.1 suburban. I know the X's take some mods to tow that kind of weight. I installed a RAS, 6.0l tranny cooler and got a 5-star tune. It also rides a bit rough unloaded.How do the 8.1's compare in the towing dept? Do they require many mods to tow that kind of weight with about 1,200lbs tongue weight?How do they feel when driving around town unloaded?Thanks in advance

One thing to remember is the X is a true 3/4 ton chassis versus the 2500 sub. Being a heavy duty half ton with the 3/4 axles. Power wise it's similar from what I read.

The GMT800 GM twins are generally a bit more car-like than the Excursions. Both are very comfortably at your weights. The GM need an aftermarket receiver and watch out for the air ride equipped ones at that age.If you can find wither on in good condition/low mileage, jump on it!

If you have full leaf springs under the Excursion, then you might not be happy with the side to side 'wiggle' of a car like suspension with coil springs. I am glad to hear that you survived the Excursion rolling over! Even happier to know that it is repairable. Thought it will probably have a 'salvage' title, and most insurance companies will not offer full coverage on a vehicle with a salvage title on it. Check first. . You can keep the tuner and install that into any Excursion. The tuner is like leaving your cell charger in the car, then need to give it back to you.Good luck,Fred.

A concern the OP has is that the truck was on it's side and the engine ran for a couple of minutes.I'm no mechanic but I would wonder if there was any damage to the engine, due to possible oil starvation.I would want that checked out first, before making a decision.

Comparing the 8.1 to a V-10 X I would call it a draw or give the edge to the Burb.The X can be finicky and requires suspension mods to make it a good tow vehicle.The Burb may have a bit more power but more importantly a 3/4 ton Burbs tows well right out of the box no mods required. The Burb also has ample payload 2500 pounds or so vs. 1800 pounds or so for the X.Either will get the job done and are superior tow vehicles. I have owned 2-X's but would not hesitate to buy a 8.1 2500 Burb

Suburban 8.1 vs excursion v10 | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jan 01, 2016
I have owned a 8.1 2003 Burb since Spring. Bought it as a winter vehicle, and something to tow my boat.

I looked at the X before I bought the Burb. I can't comment on towing, but non-towing, the Burb was significantly more comfortable than the X. The Burb feels much smaller, and is more car like in its mannerisms. The X felt like a big truck.

As far as running a few minutes possibly without oil, I only have anecdotal evidence, but I would guess you are likely fine.

I had a friend that had a Grease Monkey change his oil, and forgot to fill it. Ran the car for a couple minutes before they figured it out. It is still running fine. I think Mythbusters did something on that as well, and it took a long time running an engine without oil before it failed.

Good luck with your decision.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jan 01, 2016
I don't think you could go wrong with the Burb or the X. I like my X but have never owned a Burb. Maybe a mechanic will chime in on possible engine damage, I would not think of a couple of minutes idling would harm the engine because of the oil film. Good luck with your decision.

I did drive a company truck that had the 8.1 with the Allison transmission that ran well, only issue was it always used a little oil between changes.
spadoctor
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2016
I just sold my 2000 X v10 with 4:30's and bought a 2003 X v10 with 3:76 from AZ. My old X needed nothing to tow my 36 ft TT at 10,500 lbs and I expect the same from the new one. If your hitch is set up correctly the X needs no changes. Find one like I did...11K with 61000 miles.
mrad
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2016
One issue I am finding is that it is very difficult to find an X with 4.30's. I am trying to explain that to my insurance company, but I think it is over the adjusters head. She keeps stating that the comp vehicles they are using have the heavy duty tow package.

One thing leaning me toward the burb is no mods needed to the suspension or tranny cooler. This would add 700-900 the price of an X. I would probably prefer to fix my X as I know how it has been maintained. Just worried about engine damage. Mechanic didn't think he could diagnose that.

I am guessing unload mileage would be the same. I get 9.- 10.5 with the X unloaded with the 4.-30's
Lantley
Nomad
Jan 01, 2016
APT wrote:
4WD 8.1L Burbs are more like 2000-2100 pounds of payload according to those that own/weigh. V10 Excursions have about the same, and PSD Excursions 1500-1600. The rear springs are weak on Excursion by comparison to the GM twins, but OP knows that already. There are solutions. V10 uses less fuel non towing than 8.1L

APT I stand corrected. I was forgetting that my X payload figures were based on a PSD X
APT
Explorer
Jan 01, 2016
4WD 8.1L Burbs are more like 2000-2100 pounds of payload according to those that own/weigh. V10 Excursions have about the same, and PSD Excursions 1500-1600. The rear springs are weak on Excursion by comparison to the GM twins, but OP knows that already. There are solutions. V10 uses less fuel non towing than 8.1L
Lantley
Nomad
Jan 01, 2016
Comparing the 8.1 to a V-10 X I would call it a draw or give the edge to the Burb.
The X can be finicky and requires suspension mods to make it a good tow vehicle.
The Burb may have a bit more power but more importantly a 3/4 ton Burbs tows well right out of the box no mods required. The Burb also has ample payload 2500 pounds or so vs. 1800 pounds or so for the X.
Either will get the job done and are superior tow vehicles. I have owned 2-X's but would not hesitate to buy a 8.1 2500 Burb
Lessmore
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2016
A concern the OP has is that the truck was on it's side and the engine ran for a couple of minutes.

I'm no mechanic but I would wonder if there was any damage to the engine, due to possible oil starvation.

I would want that checked out first, before making a decision.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Jan 01, 2016
If you have full leaf springs under the Excursion, then you might not be happy with the side to side 'wiggle' of a car like suspension with coil springs.

I am glad to hear that you survived the Excursion rolling over! Even happier to know that it is repairable. Thought it will probably have a 'salvage' title, and most insurance companies will not offer full coverage on a vehicle with a salvage title on it. Check first. .

You can keep the tuner and install that into any Excursion. The tuner is like leaving your cell charger in the car, then need to give it back to you.

Good luck,

Fred.
APT
Explorer
Jan 01, 2016
The GMT800 GM twins are generally a bit more car-like than the Excursions. Both are very comfortably at your weights. The GM need an aftermarket receiver and watch out for the air ride equipped ones at that age.

If you can find wither on in good condition/low mileage, jump on it!

Forum Discussion

Suburban 8.1 vs excursion v10

21 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Suburban 2500…6.0 vs 8.1 vs Excursion V10

Suburban Versus Excursion or something else???

Suburban SW12DEL Water Heater On/OFF switch melts???

Avalanche/Suburban 2500 with 8.1 towing mpg

2003 2500 Suburban 8.1