For your two trips a year, I would go with the 5.3 1/2 ton. I would make sure it had all the extra coolers though. The money you save on gas will pay for any upgrades you need to buy.

 

x2
if you towed all the time it would be different

 

Thanks to everyone for their replies. Much appreciated. I am going next Monday to look at a 06 Yukon XL 6.0, HD cooling towing pkg. Wish me luck. Frank

 

keep us posted

 

Frank,

If your putting on about 3,000 miles it sound like your driving from somewhere up north. I would not suggest the 09'-10' Suburban 5.3. I have an 09' LTZ 5.3 with the 3.42 rear end and pull a 8.5x20 v-nosed enclosed trailer with the equalizer distribution & sway control setup. The max total weight of the trailer, 4-wheelers, and gear in it is about 6,000lbs. I think the 6-speed transmission is nice for mileage with out tow but sucks for towing it is constantly shifting gears even in tow mode with the manual gear selector. At 70mph i'm turning about 3,200 rpm's, 75mph almost 4,000rpm's. Most of my trips are from Raleigh, NC to FL so not very heavy in the hills and it just doesn't have enough power. I borrowed a friends heavy duty open trailer 8x16 with 4 4-wheelers on it for a trip to the mountains in NC and between 70 & 75mph it screamed the whole time. I had a Nissan Titan before and the Titan was so much better. It's like i'm trying to pull my trailer with a 6cylinder and the only reason I got the Suburban because I was having a kid.

I would definitely look for the 3/4ton with the 3.73 rear end. Hope this helps.

 

Thank you Brad. Those are the concerns I have. Frank

 

Once you feel the Torque and smoothness of the 6.0 you will be sold!

 

1 thought - maybe consider slowing down to around 60 or 65mph? I can imagine at 75mph with 6000 lbs behind you the 5.3 will be working its **** off.
the Titan has a lot more power and TORQUE and I am sure geared even more for towing.

 

I would agree to : "not really - the axle ratio could help in the situation. if you have the 4 speed transmission a 3.73 or 4.10 axle ratio will improve the towing a lot."

Best Regards
Shreya Mehta
Check our interesting Chevy suv reviews on suvblogger.com

 

Finally to the 06 Yukon XL Denali for a ride. Extremely wonderful. Only problem was it was all I could do to stop the beast. Acted like the power brake switch was shut off. Waiting for the call back. Thanks Frank