Rippem,
Any idea what the total weight of boat and trailer is? I was shocked when I pulled mine on the scale today.

S&B....... My boat is a bit less than yours in weight, but the 3/4 Avalanche 4x4 is about the same configuration with 3:73s. (compared to Suburban)

On a "steeper" ramp I use low anyway to save on the tranny, but for all other driving it has no problem at all.
That motor has all sorts of pull in it! (plus remember you have the trailer setting for higher shift points). Also, I never see the transmission temp gauge ride high, or even close)

As for fuel economy.........put masking tape over the digital readout. (it will say 8mpg around town, and 15-16max on the highway).

Bob

my best estimate is 12K+ on the trailer w/some fuel and gear.

Not really able to give you a fare comparison but I just bought a Chevy 2500HD with a 8.1 and 4.10 gears.
I have not towed with it yet but I can't believe the power and I just traded up from a 454.
I was going to go with a 6.0 motor until I started to research it and talk with others here. It was rated to pull around the 10 K range and I probably could have gotten buy with it.

I decided to go with the bigger motor/gear that way I never have to second guess myself and I know I can get the job done.

I pull close to 11K with all the stuff added together and your right that most people have no clue what there boat and trailer weigh + all of the extras. When they figure the weight they give the driver at 150lbs then you have to include all of the other people that you take along in the weight formula and that can add up especially with all of the cloths and food ect.

I bought the truck to be a tow vehicle and if I wanted economy I guess the smart thing to do would be to rack store the boat and buy a 4 cylinder car and drive to the marina.

Either way you go that 8.1 rocks.

Cordell

You can't do that with newer vehicles. It screws with the computer too much.


I have a 2500HD with 8.1, Allison, and 3.73's. Pulls my 28 Pantera with ease. Way better than my 3500 with a 454 and 4.10's. Its about 7500 fully loaded. Hardly shifts out of overdrive when using the tow/haul mode and downshifts automatically to slow down. Both 4th and 5th are OD gears. If you downshift manually, you have to go to 3rd.
I regularly get 12mpg around town and have seen 14 on the highway. Usually about 8mpg towing at 75-80 mph.

Thanks for all the input. I test drove the 2500 HD lat night with a diesel and 3.73 - nice truck. I can't convince my wife to drive it around town though so it looks like its most likely going to be the Suburban with the 8.1 and 4.10's.

Splashandburn,3.73.BOB

Go with the 4.10 I have 2001 3500 with 8.1 and 4.10 gear pulling 11.700 lbs and it knows its there. I had a 2000 dodge with 8.2 V 10 4.10 gears and it did not care what you pulled with it same speed only problem was did not accelerate worth a crap even by itself,and if we really cared about gas mileage we would sell the boat.

I have a 2003 gmc 1/2 ton 5.3 3:73 gears and i pull 10,000 lbs everyday down the highway just run it in 3rd gear the tranny will make up the diffrence my truck runs 80mph easy and tacks about 3000 @ 80 mph

oh ya i forgot to tell you i get 8-10 mpg