Suburban 6.0l questions

KachFam · 05-25-2013, 06:13 PM

How many on here are towing with a 6.0 equipped Suburban 2500? We are starting to feel awfully cramped in the Ram (geez, that happened quick...). I'm looking at possibly getting my wife into a Suburban to be the family road trip/camping car and I can get a beater for a while (her current car is about done for). I'm looking at anywhere from 2001-2007ish burbs. I know the '07+ would be cutting it close on our hitch weight although I've heard some custom fab could improve the ratings. We had a Tahoe in that body style and really like the truck. I think '08+ would be out of our price range for a 3/4 ton.

For those using a Suburban, what do you think about the 6.0. We tow a 29QBH Jay Flight - about 8k-8500 loaded for camping depending on the trip (we don't dry camp or haul with full tanks). I know it will definately be revving hard compared to a diesel or big block for that matter. The reality is we don't tow all that much and a lot of it is close to home. A more comfortable daily driver sounds pretty good about now for our family. I still go back and forth on the idea because the Cummins is pretty awesome. I know we will be giving up some power, but don't want to be totally miserable towing.

clutch · 05-25-2013, 08:42 PM

My son pulls a similar size trailer with a 3/4 ton chevy crew cab with the 6.0, 3:73 gears and a 5 sp automatic. He has no complaints other than gas mileage while towing. Get a 3/4 ton and a 5 or 6 speed transmission and you should be good.

82corvette · 05-25-2013, 09:09 PM

We towed with a 6.0 4spd auto 4:10 gear GMC for 8 years. It towed great. 13mpg empty, 7 mpg towing 8800#

drfife · 05-25-2013, 09:14 PM

I towed 70K+ miles with a 2002 Suburban K2500 with an 8.1 ltr with 4.10 gears. Most of that towing a 9K lb travel trailer. It was a fine towing machine.

I have no experience with the 6.0 ltr. We have a 2011 Yukon with a 6.2 ltr. It has a lot of pep, but it has never towed.

If you find a well maintained 8.1 for a reasonable price, jump on it.

KachFam · 05-25-2013, 11:31 PM

I would really like the 8.1, but it's going to be our primary family car. I'm a bit worried the milage might be a bit too harsh. The 6.0's seem to really last a long time too. The 07+ leaves only the 6.0 and I have a feeling my wife will want the rig that looks like her beloved former Tahoe :hihi:

**FPM III** · 05-26-2013, 10:51 AM

Is there any particular reason you're leaning toward a Suburban rather than a crew-cab (outside of maybe you need seating for more than six)? There's more crew-cabs on the market to choose from and they're generally less expensive to buy than a comparably equipped Suburban. If you put a topper, cap or whatever you call it in your neck of the woods on the bed, you have a great enclosed cargo area, plus you're not heating/cooling the cargo area as you would be with a Suburban. From the outside and with a covered bed, a pickup can look as nice, if not even better, than any Tahoe/Suburban. Tell the DW to get over it! Have her look at the truck below. How does it look that different from a Surburban (and that's the cheap (work) truck)?

Dadof4Girls · 05-28-2013, 09:43 AM

If you find a 6.0 in the pre-2007 era, it will need to have a 4.10 rear axle to tow that weight. The 3.73 with the 6.0 was only rated to 7900. If you can find a 2008 in a price range you can afford, it would be a great family vehicle.

I sure do miss my Yukon XL compared to the CC truck.

robo59097 · 05-30-2013, 02:13 PM

I drive a 2500 YUKON XL as my daily driver. The truck is sometimes challenged in parking lots and requires a bit of manuvering. The mileage is about 12-13mpg around town, 17 ish on the freeway not towing and I get about 7.5mpg towing a 28BHS but I have seen 6.5 on a trip to Florida. I have 3 kids so the CC was not an option to help keep my sanity. The 2500 drives alot heavier than the 1500 and my wife doesn't like driving it. The trick is finding a 2500, they seem to be harder to locate so if you find one in your price range don't wait to long.

KachFam · 06-02-2013, 09:56 PM

I think for now we're going to stick with the Ram 2500 and look for a used SUV for the wife to drive. It's hard to beat a Cummins for towing. We camp a lot, but usually within 2-3 hours of home so it's bearable in the truck. We are looking at Tahoes and Expeditions for the wife to drive and for us to use as a non-towing family car (have a road-trip to Disneyland coming up).

Thanks everyone for the input. I did contact a local business about improving the hitch on a 2007+ Suburban 2500. It is very doable but they would need to see the rig to quote an exact price. We still might consider a newer Suburban as our kids grow in the future.

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