Upgraded from my 2500 Burb
Two years ago we bought a bigger boat. After one tandem pull, we decided that it was too big to pull behind the 5er, so I bought a 2003 2500 Burb with the 8.1. The idea was to use it to pull the boa...
Forum Discussion
ktosv wrote:
Congrats, I would think you should find the Denali as a good replacement for what you are towing. I too really liked the GMT800 SUV's, but you can't beat the improvements and additional safety features with the newer trucks.
As mentioned, that 6.2L has 60+ HP and two extra gears while only being down 33 #-ft of torque. I am thinking the extra gears and HP will offset the slight decrease in torque. The 6.0L in my Express was happy towing in 5th gear all day long towing a 7200# TT.
I am guessing you will also appreciate the increased fuel economy too. When we got our XL this past November I would have liked to have gotten a Denali, but I decided I really wanted the selectible transfer case more than the 6.2L.
The 8.1 would get 7 - 8 MPG towing the boat at 70. Towing to the lake, the Yukon got 10.59 hand calculated, which was the same as the computer showed. I have not filled up since we got home, but the ride back was a slow and steady climb, gaining around 1500' elevation, and the computer shows 9.6.
The prior owner never reset the trip computer, and over the last 25,000 miles it showed a history of 15 MPG. The 8.1 never got more than 13.
I think it will be a good replacement. I will say that the 2500 did feel more stable. With wind gusts behind the Yukon I could feel a little wiggle in the trailer. Never felt that with the 2500.
Sure is a lot more comfortable going down the road, but it should be with the difference in cost.
