MPG for a 2500 Suburban?

[KD4UPL]

With another baby on the way I'm thinking of upgrading our family sedan to a Suburban. I want to be able to use it for towing so I'm going to go for a 2500 model. I know mileage towing will be single digits and I'm fine with that.
What kind of mileage might I expect just hauling the family around as a daily driver?
If I get an early Sub with the 4 speed auto I think I'd like to have the 8.1L. Or, I may get a newer one with the 6.0 but it will have to have the 6 speed auto.
Either way, what kind of MPG are you getting just running around town or on the highway with no trailer and now big heavy payload?

Thanks,

[ksu_j]

I've had both a 2004 3/4 Suburban with the 8.1 and 4.10 rear end and now have a 2008 3/4 ton Suburban with the 6.0/6speed and 3.73 rear end.

The 8.1 would get 10 mpg no matter what. Empty in town, 10mpg. Empty on the highway, 10mpg unless under 65mph, then would "jump" to 12mpg. Pulling a 6,000lbs camper, still between 9-10 mpg.

The 2008 is way more broad on what it'll get.

Empty in town, 13-14. Empty on the highway, 15-17 depending on speed and wind. Towing I have yet to get better than about 8.5-9.

All that said, I prefer the newer one to the older one. It doesn't pull nearly as hard as the 8.1, but it is MUCH easier/relaxing to drive on the highway. Those 4.10 gears were just so wound up at about 70mph. And I live in a state where 75 is the normal highway speed limit.

[Jayco-noslide]

I had 2 half-ton Chevy V-8 trucks as a daily driver and the overall average ran around 13. I expect a 2500 would be 1 or 2 lower. My little Chevy Sonic more than doubles that. Can't tow anything but I tow it.

[Dadoffourgirls]

The 8.1 and 4.10 would be at least one and close to 2 mpg less than what Krobbe listed for the 3.73. Tires make a huge difference. I could pretty much count on 10 mpg (12 on all highway, posted speed limits), and 6-8 when towing.

APT will be along to tell you how good the 6.0 and 6 speed is.

[krobbe]

Looking at Fuelly.com, the 6.0L 6speed will only gain about 1-2mpg mixed driving. Towing could be the same or worse for a heavy(6000 - 9000#) TT.
It is so much more fun to press the go pedal(at speed) and actually go. :C

Still thinking about one of these for daily driving?

[Bionic_Man]

I had a 2003 2500 with the 8.1 for a year and about 13000 miles. Tracked all the fill ups. I did not tow a travel trailer with it, but did tow a 6500 pound boat.

[krobbe]

2003 Suburban 2500, 8.1L, 3.73 axle ratio, 4x4.
12 - 14mpg highway.
10 - 12mpg mixed driving.
9 - 9.5 towing my TT across country.
Worth every gallon of gas to tow with no worries.
Not my daily driver.

[whjco]

I had two 2500 Suburbans, one with a 350 and one with a 454. Towing a 11,500# enclosed car trailer, I got about 6 mpg. Normal driving, 10 - 12 mpg in town and about 13-15 mpg on the highway.

[austingta]

You'll get about what a Silverado 2500 of those years does... 17 on the highway and 11 in town driving easy.