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 boat, and something to drive when the weather was bad.Well, Mrs Bionic Man decided that she really likes the size and function of the Burb, and wanted to get a newer one for her to use as a DD. While I would have been happy with the Burb for a long time to come, it is her turn for a newer car.So, after about a month search, I found a 2011 Yukon Denali XL in our price range with the lower miles I was looking for. We will be taking it out this afternoon on the way to the lake. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the 8.1. The 6.2 has less torque, but quite a bit more HP and 2 more gears.So, pretty soon the Burb will be making someone else a very nice to vehicle.The Burb.And the new ride. I should be able to get some better photos this weekend.

mbutts wrote:I'm drooling over your garage!X2 - Bad A$$ congrats.

I know that Denali is way ahead comfort wise, interior, and handling.But those 2500 Subs from 2000-2006 look so cool. I love those wheels and higher stance than 1500.

That's not a garage, that's a shop. Nice!

IMHO you will regret getting rid of the 8.1 even tho the new one smells nice. I made it to 60K miles on my `Burb' and it remains to be seen for how many miles the transmission will last. When towing your 6-speed transmission really only has 5 speeds.

Upgraded from my 2500 Burb | Good Sam Community

mbutts
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
I'm drooling over your garage!
eDUBz
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
mbutts wrote:
I'm drooling over your garage!

X2 - Bad A$$ congrats.
MegaCab_PL
Explorer
Jun 18, 2016
I know that Denali is way ahead comfort wise, interior, and handling.

But those 2500 Subs from 2000-2006 look so cool. I love those wheels and higher stance than 1500.
bucky
Explorer II
Jun 18, 2016
That's not a garage, that's a shop. Nice!
Dick_B
Explorer
Jun 18, 2016
IMHO you will regret getting rid of the 8.1 even tho the new one smells nice. I made it to 60K miles on my `Burb' and it remains to be seen for how many miles the transmission will last. When towing your 6-speed transmission really only has 5 speeds.
ktosv
Explorer
Jun 19, 2016
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.
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Jun 20, 2016
I miss my 8.1 SUV. I would love to come get yours. Then ktsov brings up fuel economy, and I remember that I am getting 60 percent better mileage not towing, and over 90 percent of my miles are not towing.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jun 20, 2016
eDUBz wrote:
mbutts wrote:
I'm drooling over your garage!

X2 - Bad A$$ congrats.

Thanks. If only it were 4' wider, life would be sooooo much easier....... :)
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jun 20, 2016
Dick_B wrote:
IMHO you will regret getting rid of the 8.1 even tho the new one smells nice. I made it to 60K miles on my `Burb' and it remains to be seen for how many miles the transmission will last. When towing your 6-speed transmission really only has 5 speeds.

We shall see. You are right, the Yukon spent most of our tow (probably around 350 miles round trip) in 5th. It shifted from 5 - 4 probably a similar amount of times that the 2500 shifted from 4 -3.

And, using cruise control (waiting for the tow experts to say I shouldn't), the 2500 would shift into 3rd, and I had to speed up a little and let off the gas to get it to go back to 4th.

I am of the opinion that transmissions are made to shift, so I doubt that will hurt reliability.

I did buy a 3/36 extended warranty, so I am good for a while.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jun 20, 2016
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.