firstly, this ismy first post so Hi!

secondly, I'm thinking about making a switch from a V8 Grand Cherokee to a either a 1500, Avalanche, or Tahoe. my main reason for this is towing my boat and gas mileage. my jeep gets about 7 mpg while towing, and only 16/17 on daily driving (mix of city and interstate). i'm thinking i may be better off spending a little more money and saving gas mileage and wear and tear on my jeep. i'm looking at 2002's or newer. is there much of a difference in the gas milage between the tahoe/avalanche/1500 (ext. or quad cab). the boat is 3500 lbs, so i think i am safe to stay with a 5.3 liter, also i need it to be a 4x4. i tow about 15 miles about 4 or 5 times a week for 7 months out of the year, and drive 30 miles a day not towing. Thanks for any input & recommendations that you give!

 

i have a 2006 Z-71 with the 5.3. towing my 800 polaris isnt too bad if i use the tow/haul mode.
the 99-02 5.3 havea little less power than the 03-07 classics.
03- went to fly by wire instead of throttle cables so the throttle is a little better (in my opinion)

05- came out with the 5.3H.O. with 310hp (vs 295) but these were rare where im at in virginia. also started coming with electric fans. GM unfortunatly went to 3.42 gears instead of the 3.73 that were on previous years which is good on the highway (taking 18900rpms @ 70mph) but suck while towing.

06- 1/2 ton trucks come with the hood and front grills that the 05 hd trucks had (looks better than previous years IMO) and 3.42 gears,.

my truck is a non-HO truck but ive raced against an H) truck and there really wasnt any difference. the 5.3 is a good motor but if i had the choice to do again i think i might have gone with the vortec max. the new tundra and the titans smack me around like im their reheaded stepchild.

anyways my winter mileage has been between 13-14.5 mpg but thats probably 85%- city driving but whether im hard on it, easy on it, or towing i seem to get that mpg so i guess thats good.

summer time mileage usually goes up to about 15 in city.

i wish luck on your decision.

 

check the tow ratings on chevy/gmc trucks

You might get by with a 4.8 motor with 3.42 differential.

If so you might get 17-20 mpg and still be able to pull your 3500#s.

Bump up to the 5.3 motor with 3.73 gears will give you more tow capacity, but if you do not need that tow capacity, whypay for it everyday in lower fuel mileage.