New tow rig

[bohica]

It's been a while since I last looked for a new tow rig. We're downsizing and won't be needing my CC 4x dually anymore.
Looking at the 1/2 and 3/4 ton Suburbans. The new boat will be a Conquest Top Cat deckboat. Dry weight said to be 4800lbs.
Will a 3/4 with only the 6.0 be enough to handle this boat. What about the 1/2 ton. Will definitely get 4x4 for the ramps. Most of the towing will only be from the havasu pad to the ramp. An occasional trip to Mead & Powell.
What about the Tahoe with the 5.3L?

[77charger]

Def go with the 3/4 ton.I just bought a 2500hd with the 6.0.I tow a 18ft baja toybox 1 atc 250r 1 blaster,Plus all the things for the weekend,firewood,food,clothes,gear,tools,gen,compr essor,full water,tanks of gas and when i leave home.I have no probs towing i can do 65 thru the canyon on the 60frwy,same on the whitewater grade on the way back from glamis and 60-65 up the hills on the way to pismo.
I am sure you are familiar with the weight of my set up since you are familiar with snad toys.Mine is a 4x4 but i do have the 4.10 rear gears which helps but i think i am probably still heavier than your boat

[Havasu Hangin']

My Z-71 (1/2 ton) Sub towed my 6,000 lb boat no problem. I went with the 1/2 ton because it was going to be a daily driver, and the towing was only going to be a small part of what I used it for.
You might want to look into the difference in gas mileage between the 5.3 and 6.0...that was the deciding factor for me.
The 1/2 tons are rated up to 8,100 lbs, and the 6.0 3/4 ton is up to 10,000 lbs (I think).
I went from a Hoe to a Sub- the longer wheelbase made a big difference in how much the truck moved around when towing.

[77charger]

Jeff the only drawback with the 5.3 1/2 ton is the trans.My neighbor had a sub also he towed a weekend warrior fs26 very hard on trans and rear end.They dont hold well to frequent towing
But the mpg is defintely better on the 5.3 and i think when said and done the hp to the rear wheels is very close.the 3/4 ton trans 4l80 has a taller first gear and takes more hp to turn

[LUVNLIFE]

I'll back Robert up. Don't get the half ton.

[77charger]

Originally posted by LUVNLIFE
I'll back Robert up. Don't get the half ton. But we will be against that gigarette owner ole HH. :D :D

[Havasu Hangin']

I think it depends on how much you tow. If you don't tow much, the 1/2 ton is much more comfortable (softer ride) and way better on gas.
How do I know? I happen to have both a 2003 1/2 ton Sub and a 2004 3/4 ton Sub sitting in my driveway right now- the neighbors must think I'm collecting them.
With the 1/2 ton, all I would do is get there 10 minutes later than if I pushed hard or drove the 3/4 ton. Easy decision, and as a bonus...saved some gas.
Patience is a virtue.
Then again, everything else in 77discharger's life is screwed up (golf cart stuff in a boat, right angles on subs, etc.), so why not make the wrong decision on the truck, too?

[Dr. Eagle]

Originally posted by LUVNLIFE
I'll back Robert up. Don't get the half ton.
I'll back that up and also say get the big block. I have the big block and the gas mileage is about the same as the small blocks as long as you don't have a lead foot. Regardless, between the 5.3 and 6.0 get the larger engine. You won't have your foot in the gas as much, and the running gear axles, drive shafts, bearings, etc. are so much more robust.

[cc322]

the differance in mileage is about 1 or 2 mpg , get the big engine,my next truck will be a 250 crew, but its not a daily driver.

[Mike67rs]

You'll probably be close to 7500-8000lbs with trailer and load. I think you will tear a 1/2 ton apart if you plan on climbing any steep grades. IMO go with the 3/4 ton 6.0. (or a diesel) You can go 2WD as long as you get the limited slip differential. Mike

[dicudmore]

I would opt for the half-ton ONLY if never leaving town w/the trailer. If you're towing across the desert w/a 1500 please let me send you my business card. I have these transmissions in stock

[77charger]

Originally posted by Havasu Hangin'
Then again, everything else in 77discharger's life is screwed up (golf cart stuff in a boat, right angles on subs, etc.), so why not make the wrong decision on the truck, too?
How could you say you towed didnt your old tug boat sit in the driveway the whole time :D :D :D

[Havasu Hangin']

Originally posted by cc322
the differance in mileage is about 1 or 2 mpg , get the big engine,my next truck will be a 250 crew, but its not a daily driver.
It's more than that. My 1/2 ton 4x4 is getting high teens, and the 3/4 ton 4x4 stuggles to get 10 MPG
Originally posted by 77charger
How could you say you towed didnt your old tug boat sit in the driveway the whole time :D :D :D
Naw...on the off chance you might want to go, I just didn't tell you guys when I took it out.

[Flying Tiger]

The Nissan Armada is good and the dealers are giving deep discounts.
Excellent trans, and drive line.

[cc322]

NISSAN =fugley

[FRENCHIE]

Originally posted by cc322
NISSAN =fugley
what he said!:yuk:

[HighRoller]

Get a diesel. Twice the power of a gas motor and twice the mileage too! Why anybody would tow with a gas motor anymore is beyond me!!

[bohica]

Would love a diesel but wife won't drive a truck as a daily driver. Right now we've got 2 cars and a dually that's only used to tow the boat. Since wife works real close to home, I figured I could get rid of her BMW and the dually and pay cash for the Suburban and get rid of insurance on the extra vehicle.
I'm a Chevy guy with 3500 GM points to blow, so Suburban is it. Only wish it came in a diesel.
:D

[Jordy]

Originally posted by bohica
I'm a Chevy guy with 3500 GM points to blow, so Suburban is it. Only wish it came in a diesel.
:D
You and lot's of others. It's my understanding that first of all there is a clearance issue with the Allison in the transmission tunnel. That's why all the HD trucks have a factory body lift, for clearance. The second issue is the supply of engines and transmissions. They're being bought up as fast as they can be cranked out in the existing models, add the Chevy and GMC 'burban crowd and things might just grind to a halt. That's a good problem to have though. :D

[captainauti]

Nissan? everyone here is saying to upgrade to a 3/4 toon, and someone sats foreign? what do you tow with rice truck. i dont get it.

[Moe_Havi]

With the high temps at the river, I would go with a 3/4 ton and a big block. Your looking at 8,000 lbs. plus the sub is a big rig in itself.

[SchellSchock]

Go with the 8.1. The mileage difference between it & the 6.0 is neglegible, in some cases the 8.1 might even get better mileage. The Trans behind the 8.1 is an Overdrive 400 and is rock solid. I pulled my boat, 4500#s, from San Diego to Mead and back and "Cruise Controlled" it at 70 most of the way. Average MPG 10.7. AC blowing whole nine yards. The 3/4 ton LT package with Autoride Suspension drive and rides like a dream. Also does very well around town as my "Daily Driver" arund 12.5 to 13.0 if I keep the Lead foot in check

[Lightning]

Originally posted by jordanpaulk
You and lot's of others. It's my understanding that first of all there is a clearance issue with the Allison in the transmission tunnel. That's why all the HD trucks have a factory body lift, for clearance. The second issue is the supply of engines and transmissions. They're being bought up as fast as they can be cranked out in the existing models, add the Chevy and GMC 'burban crowd and things might just grind to a halt. That's a good problem to have though. :D
If you hold out, they are going to offer the Diesel in the Suburban in late 2005 or 2006.

[welk2party]

I have the 2500 HD with 6.0 and tow my deck boat. It tows fine, but sucks the gas. Does not have a ton of power for going up grades and you lose a ton of power in high heat. My buddy towed my boat in his truck with the 8.1 and it hardly noticed the boat. He has a 6" lift with 35's too.
Next truck is diesel for sure.

[USCHater]

Diesel is the way to go... Stinky, smelly, smokey, better mileage, better power, and hey, you don't have to smog the biatch.... And, diesel is cheaper than 87 right now, damn!!!
Also, you get to piss off your friends camped next door because of your obnoxious rod knock, clankity, clankity, clankity...... you gets the pics...

[bohica]

Bought a 3/4 ton 4x4 with the 8.1, LT package with autoride and the works. Deal was too good to pass up, 52.5K sticker, I got it for 40K out the door including 5 year 75K extended warranty:D

[mtndewdrops]

I have a 1/2 Ton Yukon XL with 5.3L 4X4 and the MAX tow rating is 7600 lbs, the 2WD is 8600. I suppose the shorter Tahoe would get a few extra lbs.
Bottom Line, Don't push the limits of the CGVW or you will pay.

[plaster dave]

well like some people said get the diesel but if you dont "wyi" the 6.0 is a small block 400 guys:D