A 2002-2005 Suburban or Avalanche 2500 with the 8.1L 496 and 4speed auto M32 4L85E transmission, with either 3.73 or 4.10 gears would also be fine for your application.

However, it does not trump an Ex.

Sydwayz, if I recall, you once had an 8.1 Avalanche. What kind of everyday MPGs did you see, non-towing? And what rear?

Don't ask.

4.10, and I had K&N intake, true dual exhaust, and a Diablo Predator PowerTuner just setup to fix my speedo and shift points with bigger (265/7x/17) tires on 17x8 inch wheels. I also had a bug deflector and the front end slightly raised with the T-bars. (All of these affect gas mileage.)

I didn't drive it for a daily driver. It got 11 in the city and 14 on the highway.

BUT, it had ALL KINDS of power and would leap off the line.

If I had it do do all over again, I'd have a modern turbo-diesel from the start. I wasn't a diesel fan either, until I bought one.

Holy crap! These things are the IROC/Trans Am/5.0 GT-LX of yesteryear. You can have way too much fun with them, and they are not the big, ugly, dirty, smelly, rattling work trucks that they once were known as.

Let me ask you this since you seem well versed in towing applications.... My Formula 303 is appx. 7300lbs dry, my trailer is a steel Eagle that I would estimate to be appx. 1500lbs, fill up the boat before hitting the ramp and tack on another 800lbs, giving us a total of 9600lbs. Yikes.

My question, if I upgraded the hitch on a 2500 6.0 Suburban, how do you think it would do? 90% of my towing will be from my house to the ramp which is about 5mi. of back roads. A friend uses one for his 29 PowerQuest with small blocks, but I think it is quite a bit lighter than my old Formula. He seems to think it does pretty good.

Thoughts?

I would LOVE one, trust me. My dream truck is a Chev/GMC NBS 2500 CC/SB Duramax/Allison, white with black leather, 6in. suspension lift and 35s, but.............

I drive a ton for work and can't swing a $30K+ (used) truck and a car for work. So I am looking for something adequate and a little older (cheaper $$$) to do my towing.

Thanks Sydwayz. Didn't know the Ex had that much towing ability I always figured it was equal to a 1/2 suburban. I've been trying to find a 3/4 Avalance but the prices seem high to me.

No way.

Pick up a truck that does the job right and buy a Grand Prix 3.8L V6 (has a big interior) for $3-5K with a 100K miles on it for a daily driver. They run forever and are easy to work on.

Expeditions would be equivalent to a 1/2 ton Suburban in most cases.

See the first post in this section which will tell you everything you need to know about tow ratings of these vehicles.

The 2500 Suburban (and AV) with the 8.1L (slightly older) is a hoss, but it's no modern turbo-diesel.

The 2500 Suburban with the 6.0L is not much better than a 1/2 ton with a 5.3L when it comes to power. The extra weight that the 2500 brings with it pretty much negates the extra power you have with the 6.0L.

Neither of these vehicles compare to the 3/4 & 1-Ton pickups though. When they have the 8.1L in them (gas) they have the ALLISON transmission which is the shiznit for towing. (The 2500 AV & Sub only have a 4 speed Auto M32 4L85E tranny which is a beefed up version of the H2/Tahoe tranny.)

That said, the Excursion is the only true Heavy Duty SUV, period. While it is rated to tow as much as the 2500 Suburban/Avalanche, it is a much more solid platform than the GM offering. It basically a 3/4 ton F-250 with an enclosed & finished bed. Hence, it has a slightly less tow rating capacity due to the extra weight (compared to a like optioned F-250).

I have a 2003 Excursion 4x4 Eddie Bauer Edition. with a 6.0 Diesel and its a AZ truck. its a non smoker and EVERYTHING has been done to this truck I will ship the truck to you for $350.00 anywhere in the U.S with 100% satisfaction if the truck is not as described send it back THATS HOW NICE THIS EXCURSION IS. give me a call will send pics to you. 941-321-8952 Chris