Axel weight ???

[Mik68]

Hello, I am enquiring about a 2005 Chevy suburban 2500 that is for sale in Dallas Texas. They are asking $9,995. It's done 120,000 miles and was a one owner vehicle with a very good Carfax history. (I am finding it very hard to find a 2500 series SUV, especially in Texas) this is our preferred choice as we need a 7 or 8 seater.
The TT we are very keen on purchasing is a Dutchman Aerolite 250KBHS with a GVWR of 7600 lbs. I asked what the tow capacity was for the vehicle and this was the response.
"The maximum towing capacity depends on the axle ratio of the trailer used. With an axle ratio of 3.23 the maxium towing capacity is 6,700 lbs and with an axle ratio of 3.73 your maximum towing capacity is 7,700 lbs."
I am waiting on a response from Aerolite for the axel weight.
How does this all sound to you guy's? And am I cutting it fine in regards to towing capacity?

[ktosv]

Congrats, should be an excellent tow vehicle. Also looks like it was in really good condition...

[Mik68]

APT wrote:
Yay! I was just wondering about you yesterday if you found something yet. Thankfully you have a 39 gallon fuel tank to stretch the towing miles!

I dint know that! 39 gallon is pretty descent. I have a 47.5 gallon (180 litre) tank in my Toyota prado which is standard.
So at roughly $3.50 per gallon for gas X 39 = $136.50 to fill. Cheaper than Oz. Costs me $270 to fill my prado at $5.67 per gallon.
And at roughly 9 miles per gallon I should be able to travel 350 miles, more than I plan to travel in one day.

[intheburbs]

Awesome! Congratulations! That's a monster TV. You're going to love it.

[APT]

Yay! I was just wondering about you yesterday if you found something yet. Thankfully you have a 39 gallon fuel tank to stretch the towing miles!

[Mik68]

intheburbs wrote:
That one has the 6.0 motor. 8th digit of the VIN is the engine - U is the 6.0, G is the 8.1.

Here's another one I found, not too far away than this, over in AR. It has the 8.1 motor and lower mileage: CLICK HERE

FYI, I ended up buying this vehicle. Thanks for the link Intheburbs. Got a 172point vehicle inspection done on it, good Carfax report, not bad mileage. Can't wait to drive this big sucker. Hope the gas stations aren't to far apart. 😉

[Mik68]

intheburbs wrote:
That one has the 6.0 motor. 8th digit of the VIN is the engine - U is the 6.0, G is the 8.1.

Here's another one I found, not too far away than this, over in AR. It has the 8.1 motor and lower mileage: CLICK HERE

Thanks for this, good find. I'm trying to have it checked out. quite difficult being on other side of the world.

[APT]

All gas engines of 2000-2005 era in 3/4+ and 1-ton trucks/SUVs get about 8-10mpg towing. You should budget for 8mpg, maybe 7mpg towing. You might do a little better, maybe up to 10mpg. But you'll be a lot happier if you budget for 8 and get 8-9 vs. 10 and get 8-9. 8.1L or 6.0L, 8mpg towing. Not towing the 8.1L will get more like 10mpg city and 12 highway. The 6.0L is better, 12/15mpg.

Ford Excursion V10 is a very good option. I personally do not like the Excursion as much as Suburban of same years. But many people love theirs. The V10 is similar power to the 8.1L and gets closer to GM 6.0L fuel economy non towing.

[Mik68]

Ok guy's, just so i can get a clearer picture of how much gas the 8.1 actually guzzles and sorry if I'm starting to bore you. But,
How does it fair against other tow vehicles like the 250/2500 trucks for example?
I want to be able to tow with ease obviously but don't want to spend half my budget on gas, it would be nice to have a filet mignon for dinner occasionally. 🙂
P.S. These car salesman are slow at replying to emails, no doubt they want me to phone.

[APT]

I love my 6.0L 2500 Burb. But I have a newer one, a tiny bit more power, and far better gearing of the 6-spd. The older 4-dps with 6.0L I personally do no recommend. The 8.1L with either axle ratio are just that much better for towing. Everyone that has the 6.0L says towing is acceptable performance. Everyone with the 8.1L says towing is a dream.

Towing fuel use is the same. Non towing the 8.1L does suffer quite a bit from the 6.0L. I would say 20% more non towing fuel cost for 8.1L. So if you expect a lot of non towing miles, the trade off may be worth it for you. Plus there are far more 6.0L available.

Movies on the road? Uou can buy a single portable DVD player for about $60 and dual screen systems with velcro straps to the headrest for under $100. The integrated is nice as parents can control easier. And today's mobile devices like iPods/iPads offer a lot of versatility to entertain the kids while traveling. Anyway, they are nice. We had OEM DVD in our last 3 family vehicles and still use it. But there are other solutions so I would not prioritize it in the already low inventory of your target vehicle.

I cannot comment on independent vehicle assessor. Maybe find a local mechanic in the same area as the vehicle?

[intheburbs]

6.0 vs 8.1

Roast beef vs filet mignon

Both will get you protein. But you'll enjoy one much more than the other.

Yes, the 8.1 is a gas hog. But it's a 496 cubic inch monster that will run on regular gas, and outpull a lot of diesels.

6.0's mileage is bad. 8.1 mileage is REALLY bad.

[Mik68]

APT wrote:
I agree with intheburbs. Only 3.73 and 4.10 axle ratios for 2500 Burbs of that year. Tow ratings for the 6.0L are about 7500/9500 and 8.1L are 10.5k/12k. You can determine the engine based on the VIN. Either character is 'G' for 8.1L, I think 'U' for 6.0L.

IMHO, if this is primarily a TV for your US travels, find an 8.1L.

The 6.0 would be ok, would it not? with the right axle ratio & tow at 9500? And probably a lot less thirsty than the 8.1?

[Mik68]

intheburbs wrote:
That one has the 6.0 motor. 8th digit of the VIN is the engine - U is the 6.0, G is the 8.1.

Here's another one I found, not too far away than this, over in AR. It has the 8.1 motor and lower mileage: CLICK HERE

Thankyou! I just had a look, it looks in pretty good shape. They're stating it as an LS, but it has all the styling of an LT. Bonus for the kids is the DVD player. Have made enquiries. Is the 8.1 a thirsty gas guzzler? Who would be a good independent vehicle assessor to use?
Thanks again. 😄

[intheburbs]

That one has the 6.0 motor. 8th digit of the VIN is the engine - U is the 6.0, G is the 8.1.

Here's another one I found, not too far away than this, over in AR. It has the 8.1 motor and lower mileage: CLICK HERE

[B_Sjulestad]

That Burb is a towing machine, especially if it has the 8.1 and 4:10 I would have someone check it out for you and all checks out good then go for it.