Tow vehicle question

[rposton1]

Hello! I have another question. I have a '99 Expedition with a 4.6 & I'm towing a 22' Shockwave from San Diego to Yuma & back. Thru the mountains (on highway 8) on the way back, I get down to 38 mph. I am wondering if a Suburban with a 5.3 or 6.0 would be strong enough to go up the grade with no problem, or would I need an Excursion V-10 at minimun? I have a budget of $25,000, so I'm looking for a used vehicle that holds a family of 5+. Thanks in advance for your advice! -Robert

[Mandelon]

We used to tow a heavy 20 footer with a 5.7 liter Suburban. It did alright, but nothing great. We'd be down to the upper 40 mph's up the steep hills. I just bought a new one with the 5.3 and haven't towed with it yet, but I understand it has more HP and makes more usable power.

[dicudmore]

I've got an 02 Extended cab Duramax for sale...but that'd be tight with 5.
Seriously, the 5.3 or the 6.0 will tow a 22 OK, I've done it lots but bigger would definitely be a more comfy tow. V-10 pulls good if you don't mind 9 MPG. The 6.0 GM is also TERRIBLE on gas mileage. Does pull ok though. You would be better off in a sub line with an 8.1 than a 6.0, same bad mileage but way better power. Otherwise, strongly consider a diesel...

[rposton1]

We used to tow a heavy 20 footer with a 5.7 liter Suburban. It did alright, but nothing great. We'd be down to the upper 40 mph's up the steep hills. I just bought a new one with the 5.3 and haven't towed with it yet, but I understand it has more HP and makes more usable power.
Nice! let me know how it goes whith the new one

[PHOTOGLOU]

Check your PM's

[rposton1]

Check your PM's
Just emailed you talk you soon

[rposton1]

I've got an 02 Extended cab Duramax for sale...but that'd be tight with 5.
Seriously, the 5.3 or the 6.0 will tow a 22 OK, I've done it lots but bigger would definitely be a more comfy tow. V-10 pulls good if you don't mind 9 MPG. The 6.0 GM is also TERRIBLE on gas mileage. Does pull ok though. You would be better off in a sub line with an 8.1 than a 6.0, same bad mileage but way better power. Otherwise, strongly consider a diesel...
Thanks for Info Bud

[a catered life]

Hello! I have another question. I have a '99 Expedition with a 4.6 & I'm towing a 22' Shockwave from San Diego to Yuma & back. Thru the mountains (on highway 8) on the way back, I get down to 38 mph. I am wondering if a Suburban with a 5.3 or 6.0 would be strong enough to go up the grade with no problem, or would I need an Excursion V-10 at minimun? I have a budget of $25,000, so I'm looking for a used vehicle that holds a family of 5+. Thanks in advance for your advice! -Robert
ok first thing great boat sucky truck get a chevy or dodge i see more expeditons on the side of the road than anything else that motor wont take to much more strain for long

[Havasu Hangin']

I would consider how often you go up that hill.
I went from a Z-71 (5.3) Sub to an 8.1 and the gas mileage is horrific. I am averaging around 8 MPG on the 8.1 liter.
I have actually seen 1 MPG on the hills with the 8.1 liter. :jawdrop: And it was for almost the whole hill (on the 10 out of Indio)...not just a few seconds.
If it's an everyday driver, with gas prices what they are, I'd consider getting there 10 minutes later as a pretty reasonable option over $100/month more in gas for the everyday driver.

[voodoomedman]

I don't know about the hills on the 8 but my Silverado only has the 4.8 (I know I know but to get that crazy yellow color I had to settle for the 4.8 over the 5.3) and it tows my 24 footer up cajon pass with no problems. I am also lifted up 11" on 35" tires. I can do 60-65 easy up the pass. Won't do a whole lot if I gun it at those speeds but I don't want a nasty ticket anyway. So with the 6.0 litre and a 22 foot you should be just fine. My inlaws has a 2500 hd suburban with the 6.0 and have a 29 foot travel trailer. I tows that like nobody's business.

[rposton1]

Keep um comming ) and thanks for all the info so far ....Robert

[cc322]

i see more expeditons on the side of the road
That's because ford sell's twice as many expys than subs or tahoe's. I have a 00 expy and tow a 24 ft lavey 25.2 but it is stored at havi, so most of the time it goes to the ramp. I am currently in the market for a f-250 crew cab . I really would not want to tow all that often with the expy, cant beat a longer wheel base truck for stability.

[cc322]

I would go excursion for the family, but if possible get the diesel, the v-10 swallos fuel from what I hear.

[77charger]

I tow with a 6.0 chevy and it does a great job with my 21ftr.No less than 70 up the grades and i usually drive fast out to the river easily can maintain 75-80 and still avg 11-12 mpg(i normally get 13.5 avg all around driving).Also tow a toyhauler prob 6500 fully loaded i can tow this 65-70 on flats and little mild hills.The steeper hills i can still do 60-65 wide open revving 4000-4500 rpm.But imo does what i want it to do.My brother had a 99 with the 5.3 he towed about the same boat size i rode with him and thought it did a great job too and his had the 255hp back then before the 295hp version came out

[Lightning]

Hello! I have another question. I have a '99 Expedition with a 4.6 & I'm towing a 22' Shockwave from San Diego to Yuma & back. Thru the mountains (on highway 8) on the way back, I get down to 38 mph. I am wondering if a Suburban with a 5.3 or 6.0 would be strong enough to go up the grade with no problem, or would I need an Excursion V-10 at minimun? I have a budget of $25,000, so I'm looking for a used vehicle that holds a family of 5+. Thanks in advance for your advice! -Robert
Post a pic of your boat. By the way, I have an Avalanche with a 5.3 and it towed pretty good. Mid summer was a bit tough, tranny heat would rise a bit. You can probably find a used Chevy crew cab for about $25K with a Duramax - that would solve all your problems. Towing the grade at 65+ with the a/c on.

[BarryMac]

I have an 01 2500HD Crew Cab 2WD with the 8.1L motor that I am considering selling, it has just over 40k on it and I am very anal about service and what not, probably going to be looking for something around $21,000. If I decide to sell would you be interested?

[BoatPI]

I have a 00' Expedition, with a 4.6. Great vehicle, but I did some modifications to make it much better. So if you are keeping it, think if this: The original 2wd axle ratio was 3.31, I changed it to 3.73, and have 19" rims running smooth 265/60-19 tires. What a difference. Much faster, and added a Flowmaster. I do not tow out to the lake, just drive the highway with it, and tow to/from Moabi on accassion. Yet these two changes made a significant diff.
And although it can get 19 MPG, it gets about 17 on average.
SPAM!!! I use this loaded leather all white (no chrome) EXP very little. SO it may be up for sale soon. Nearly showroom fresh, kept inside or under custom cover, 360 watts with Polk speakers, and ONLY 38,000 miles. Always run with Mobil 1 oil. Many other extras too. NEVER dented. And insurance since it not 4wd is very cheap.
Send me a PM if anyone may be interested.

[OGShocker]

We brought our 27' Dana back from Havasu yesterday. We used my wife's 2003 Suburban w/ the 5.3. It pulled fine all the way with power to spare. We normally use my HD2500 Duramax but, the Suburban did real well.

[cdog]

I've got a o3 Suburban with the 8.1 and tow a 29 ft. Shockwave. I'm in OC so I tow out the 10 to the river and go through the palm springs windmills and chrico summit. My sub does better than I thought it would. Up the summit out of indio I go 65-70 up the hill as long as I don't get cut off by truckers. Seems that is the speed where I have the best powerband with 4:10 rear gears. On the way back the biggest hurtel is through palm springs where the wind mills are and I do very well there also. I'm still waiting for the Duramax Suburban and was starting to get ancy and was thinking about buying a truck but decided against it because the sub does OK. It averages about 9-10 MPG while towing. I've got a Flowmaster and a chip. My wife drives a Tahoe with the 5.3 and we used to tow our Shiada 20 Ft with it no problem on the same route. If you buy new order it with at least 3:73 gears.

[jbone]

Rposton1
Step up to the V-10. You know how it goes, you get the little engine and your buddy gets the big one. You'll never be happy. Plus you won't be able to keep up on the way to the river.
Get the V-10 Excursion 4x4, lift it 6 inches, throw the 35 inch tires on it with the fox double shocks and you'll be good to go.
Don't settle.
Your buddy with the vehicle listed above,
Jbone

[Excessive Force]

Cant go wrong with the bigger motor. Bad mileage w a gas motor is a given. Go diesel, its well worth the $$. I have a lifted f250 on 38's and get 17 mpg. just a thought

[BajaMike]

As BoatPI indicated, the most important thing is the rear axel ratio. Many of those Expeditions had 3.31 rear axel ratios, which sucks for towing......no matter what you get (Chevy, Ford, Dodge), make sure you get a 3/4 ton chassis and a 3.73 axel (better) or a 4.10 (best) axel......and forget about the over sized tires.....that just kills you on the hills.
:D

[Tom Garcia]

Team,
I have had 2 subs with small blocks and 1 with a big block they pull good but get bad gas milage I have had a F-250 V-10, and it pulled ok but gas was really bad. I got a new diesal and love it. I would look for a Exscursion diesel, you will get around 17-20 MPG and pull anyhill you want. I will never buy a gas truck again. Love my 2004 F-250 6.0.
Thanks TOMMY GEE!!!!!

[rposton1]

As always you all have been a great help, thanks again

[rposton1]

[QUOTE=jbone]Rposton1
Step up to the V-10. You know how it goes, you get the little engine and your buddy gets the big one. You'll never be happy. Plus you won't be able to keep up on the way to the river.
Get the V-10 Excursion 4x4, lift it 6 inches, throw the 35 inch tires on it with the fox double shocks and you'll be good to go.
Don't settle.
Your buddy with the vehicle listed above,
Jbone
Yeah I know, V-10 it is ;)

[Umongus]

If you've got the $$$$$ go with a diesel. My truck is the first diesel Ive owned and I'll never buy a gas truck again. You can't beat the power, torque and MPG combination. You can get a ton of extra HP/torque from a diesel with way less money than it would cost to get an equal jump in power and torque from a gas motor. All that and it will outlast a gas motor probably 3 to 1.
Tony
2000 F-350 7.3PSD
http://www.freepichosting.com/Thumbs/421574033/0/1.jpg

[SchellSchock]

2003 Suburban 3/4 Ton, 8.1L Power Programmer, 4:10, 4x4, Flowmaster.
Once I learned to keep my lead foot out of it during daily driver I average 11.4 mpg around town.
Freeway will get 12.5-13.5 IF I stay between 60-65mph. Over that drops to 10-11.
Pulling a 21 foot boat it does well between river and San Diego 60mph up the 8 no problem.
Down side mileage isn't the best. Up side comfortable to drive ride in holds 6 or more people and a ton of gear without worring about it get dirty or wet during the trip.