Tow vehicle question - Chevy 6.0L questions

[FlyingBison]

I have been looking and looking to find distinct differences between the various vehicles in the Chevy lineup that have the 6.0L and it is very challenging. First let me start by saying what I have right now and what I would like in the possible future. I currently own a 27ft flagstaff bunkhouse with a GVWR of 6450. I tow it using my 2004 Expedition Eddie Bauer, 3.73 gears 5.4L 2V. What I have been trying to figure out is the differences from a 2005 GMC Yukon Denali with the 6.0L and a Suburban 2500 6.0L. Near as I can tell, they are very similar except for the Suburban having the beefier 2500 frame and suspension. I Need a new tow vehicle. The Expedition is a little gutless despite it advertising a tow capacity of 8650 on mine. I've heard good things about the 6.0L. I don't want a diesel, shouldn't need one. I tow this thing maybe 6-10 times a year with my family (wife and 3 small children). I need to third row for a possible 4th. I would love to get a truck but not enough room. I have found a lot of the Denali's available in my area but the 2500 suburbans are very rare. I really don't want to go with Ford again, specially not the newer 3V 5.4L with all the issues that they are having and not real keen on the Excursion. My only real options are something with the Chevy 6.0L. I have been looking for weeks on this site, other forums and I can't seem to figure out if the Denali would suit my needs just fine or if its really worth looking for the Suburban 2500. Anyone knowledgeable on their major differences in towing this size trailer would be very helpful. We are currently trying to sell our Expedition so that we can move into something that can handle towing a little better. I shouldn't say that it tows poorly because on a good day it does fine, if there is any kind of wind or hills, it just drags. Living in the midwest, there's plenty of wind, and where we live, plenty of hills.

[FlyingBison]

normal_dave wrote:
Mercy.

That much money for that much rust? I know I'm spoiled by living in the South, but take a look at this '03 LT 2500 Branson, MO.
2003 2500 Suburban 8.1 LT

Yeah rust is pretty common up here on anything over 100k miles. I prefer minimal rust and prefer to undercoat to prevent further damage but sometimes it's unavoidable. The Expedition we just sold had the rockers completely rusted out and it only had 112k on it. A lot of people don't wash their cars to get the road treatment salt off of them and so they just sit for long periods of time, rotting away.

[normal_dave]

Mercy.

That much money for that much rust? I know I'm spoiled by living in the South, but take a look at this '03 LT 2500 Branson, MO.
2003 2500 Suburban 8.1 LT

[FlyingBison]

normal_dave wrote:
Do a "fly and buy" for the right truck...
2009 Suburban 2500 LS 6.0 4WD
What was your budget again...?:C

Oh I wish I had the time for that. We are only looking to spend around 10k, more if it's the right vehicle, less is preferable so that there is some left for any required maintenance since we are buying high mileage. I'm headed to check out the that Kansas City area 2500 burb today, it's only about 2hrs away. It's not so far away that if I find something wrong with it that I don't feel too invested in making things work and buying today. We are still considering a 2500HD truck I found in Iowa. We were originally looking at just the Suburbans because we have kids but since we were only able to find 1 decent one at the time of position, I didn't like being limited to 1 option. I even expanded our search when we first started looking to 500mi around us. This one in KC looks perfect though, the 8.1L is awesome and I hope it's not garbage. I like having another option though so that if it's not what we want, we can walk away pretty easily.

[normal_dave]

Do a "fly and buy" for the right truck...
2009 Suburban 2500 LS 6.0 4WD
What was your budget again...?:C

[fallsrider]

I have an '05 1500 'burb, but sometimes wish I had a 2500. I will do a search on craigslist occasionally, and the 2500s are definitely hard to find. Not many come up for sale.

But I'm not trying real hard, as I don't really plan on trading anytime soon. More curiosity than anything.

[FlyingBison]

hornet28 wrote:
Foolish me I just realized I sent the wrong link it was supposed to be this one that's why I made the flashy comment


https://jonesboro.craigslist.org/cto/d/chevy-suburban-2500/6251822113.html

Yeah I was wondering if you had sent the right link. That one is a bit out of the way for us, we'd have to get a hotel on the way back lol it's also a little too flashy for may taste. The other in Kansas City though looks goods and I will be checking it out.

[hornet28]

Foolish me I just realized I sent the wrong link it was supposed to be this one that's why I made the flashy comment


https://jonesboro.craigslist.org/cto/d/chevy-suburban-2500/6251822113.html

[FlyingBison]

hornet28 wrote:
I don't know where you are in Ia. but if it were me I'd be looking at this one
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/ctd/d/suburban81-v8good-miles/6274059297.html

unless it's a little too flashy for you. But at a year newer $500 less and 86,000 mi less it looks like a better deal to me and worth the extra driving.

Yeah, Kansas City is definitely within driving distance for us. My apprehension on buying out of state is the lack of used car lemon laws that Iowa has. I'm definitely going to Kansas City to check it out the 8.1l, already talked to the dealership which is basically a man with a garage, not a huge lot. I think he only has 5 cars for sale on his website. Anyway, I talked to him and asked him about it, there's no Carfax on it but he said he's been driving it for a few weeks and it's been driving fine. It looks clean to me. He said he checked it out and said it was one of the good ones.

[hornet28]

I don't know where you are in Ia. but if it were me I'd be looking at this one
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/ctd/d/suburban81-v8good-miles/6274059297.html

unless it's a little too flashy for you. But at a year newer $500 less and 86,000 mi less it looks like a better deal to me and worth the extra driving.

[FlyingBison]

hornet28 wrote:
Take a look at these. Even a couple of 8.1's and they 8.1 doesn't really do any worse for mileage than a 6.0 and a lot more power

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2005-chevrolet-suburbanwd/6275300449.html

https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-chevy-2500-suburban/6255815664.html

https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-chevy-2500-suburban/6255815664.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ctd/d/2008-chevrolet-suburban-ls/6278570686.html

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/ctd/d/suburban81-v8good-miles/6274059297.html

https://jonesboro.craigslist.org/cto/d/chevy-suburban-2500/6251822113.html

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/2008-gmc-suburbanseater/6278711948.html

Wow! those are some nice finds! That one that is near kansas city is probably the closest and definitely one to consider, it looks very clean. Rust isn't very bad either and it's $1k cheaper than the 6.0L 2500HD we were looking at. I know the 8.1L is a good tow motor but they are hard to find and sought after which is why I've mostly been looking at the 6.0L. You've now made my decision making very difficult again lol. I was sold on getting the 2500HD for various reasons, transmission being the main one (4L80E) and axle ratios but the 8.1l in a suburban is awesome.

Edit: oh dang, the 8.1L in the suburbans didn't get the 6 speed allison transmission, that's a bit disappointing. They got GM's 4L80E, which is a good transmission, just not as nice as the allison. Still, the 8.1L would be nice to have, it produces more torque and at a lower RPM as well as horsepower for only a marginal difference in MPG.

[hornet28]

Take a look at these. Even a couple of 8.1's and they 8.1 doesn't really do any worse for mileage than a 6.0 and a lot more power

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2005-chevrolet-suburbanwd/6275300449.html

https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-chevy-2500-suburban/6255815664.html

https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-chevy-2500-suburban/6255815664.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ctd/d/2008-chevrolet-suburban-ls/6278570686.html

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/ctd/d/suburban81-v8good-miles/6274059297.html

https://jonesboro.craigslist.org/cto/d/chevy-suburban-2500/6251822113.html

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/2008-gmc-suburbanseater/6278711948.html

[FlyingBison]

DANO65 wrote:
Hold out for the 2500. You won't regret it. Been there done that. Yes the Denali has the same engine but the lighter duty 4L65E trans rather than the heavier duty 4L80E. As well the Denali is on the 1500 series chassis with only a 7400lb GVWR. The 2500 is 8600lb GVWR. I pulled mine with a 1500 Sub at first. The 5.3 would pull it fine in 3rd, but the weight, trailer 6500lb, just didn't feel good on that truck. Found the '03 2500 and what a world of difference. Locks up in overdrive at 2100 rpm @ 60 mph, cruises nice and steady, can run up to 70 no problem when needed. It does like fuel, avg 9 -10 US mpg pulling, and 15 - 16 empty hwy.

For some reason my sig won't update to show the 2003 Yukon XL 2500, 6.0, 4:10 rather than the 1500

Just sold our Expedition for our asking price and we were all already to find a 2500 suburban as we figured it's best to be overpowered than under or right on the edge of tow capacity and found a 2500HD Crew Cab pickup for the same price that was in great shape, the burb only offered one additional seat over the truck. Undercarriage was relatively free of rust as it had been sprayed with bed liner and was a one owner with good maintenance records. After much discussion with my wife doing pros and cons on the burb 2500 or the 2500HD CC, both with the 6.0l, we figured the truck might be the better way to go. It might be a bit more cramped but will have more utility outside of towing as well since we already have a van for people moving everyday. The 2500HD CC has the better 4L80E transmission and 4.10 gears, should be more than enough for our trailer.

[DANO65]

Hold out for the 2500. You won't regret it. Been there done that. Yes the Denali has the same engine but the lighter duty 4L65E trans rather than the heavier duty 4L80E. As well the Denali is on the 1500 series chassis with only a 7400lb GVWR. The 2500 is 8600lb GVWR. I pulled mine with a 1500 Sub at first. The 5.3 would pull it fine in 3rd, but the weight, trailer 6500lb, just didn't feel good on that truck. Found the '03 2500 and what a world of difference. Locks up in overdrive at 2100 rpm @ 60 mph, cruises nice and steady, can run up to 70 no problem when needed. It does like fuel, avg 9 -10 US mpg pulling, and 15 - 16 empty hwy.

For some reason my sig won't update to show the 2003 Yukon XL 2500, 6.0, 4:10 rather than the 1500

[normal_dave]

Road Trip?
V-10 Limited, stored during winter, 2WD, 310HP @ 4,250 and 425 ft/lbs torque at 3,250. It will do the job...easily, and offers almost unbelievable reliability. (Now they are proud of theirs, but it appears to be a museum piece).

2001 Excursion Limited V10

Ford Fleet Excursion specs
🙂