Suburbans

[John N]

Good morning to all. Here I am nibbling on a new vehicle for the fall. Presently have a Chrysler T & C Minivan for me and the kids and the 2500# boat. Thinking a bit about a 2000 Tahoe, or possibly a 2000 Suburban. I see the Suburban is EPA rated 14/16 with the 5.3 liter Vortec. My van is rated much higher, but at the end of the tank when I look at the electronic gadgets, I usually average around 18 or so on a tank of mixed driving. What do you Suburban/Tahoe drivers actually find yourselves getting for overall mileage, overall without towing, and towing? Any other pros and cons? Thanks. John.

[RocFish]

I have a 97 Suburban with 2 wheel drive and posi-traction. I get 18mpg highway and am pleased with performance. Probably around 14 with my boat which is a little larger than yours.
Good Luck ...RocFish

[jeff reed]

Is that minivan rated to tow 2500 pounds with front wheel drive? Or is it rear wheel drive? Just wondering?

[Phil T.]

Older Suburban, 350 cu. in. V8, 3:73 axle ratio, 4X4, limited slip differential. 16mpg highway, 10mpg towing a 2500 lb boat/trailer. Do not buy any Suburban without a towing package. If the truck has one, it will be listed on the window sticker. Just the extra weight of the vehicle puts enough of a strain on the drivertrain that the extra coolers really increase the truck's durability. Mine has 180,000+ miles, and no transmission problems at all. A couple engine gaskets (intake manifold), and axle seals are the only >$100 maintenance I've done.

[Phil T.]

How did a colon and 7 become a yellow face?

[John N]

Hi Jeff. My van didn't come with a towing package. To make it more suitable, I put some very heavy duty Monroe sensitrack shocks on the back, the kind with an external overload spring. Had Chrysler put a mopar hitch on, and a tranny cooler. It's my understanding that if you get the trailer package from the factory, they're rated for 3000#. The van is a '98 with front wheel drive, with the larger motor, 3.8 liters I believe. It pulls the boat pretty well. John.

[cisco]

After a 4x4 Suburban just about destroyed my bank account and retirement program I got smart and started buying full-size conversion vans. The first was a 91 GMC with towing package (5500 lb boat, motor, trailer) -- The Suburban gave me about 10 mpg with that rig, the van gave me 15. Both, incidentally, had the usually dependable GM 350 V-8. After the 91`died (well over 100K), I bought a '96 Ford conversion van (on 1500 chasis). As much as I liked the GMC van, I like the Ford better -- 65K and going strong.

I'm one former owner who would never own another Suburban.

[K1esoxhtr]

Get what you want, but the suburban is the all around pulling,camping,family,snow going machine.
If you want to play #1, your gonna pay #1, but there's no other way to go. Take it for what its worth.

[JET]

I have an '87 suburban with 135,000 mi., 2 wheel drive. Went to Grand Rapids, MI. last year for a seminar and got 16 mpg. It drops way down from there 12mpg in city and worse towing. Have Chevy 350 under the hood with no complaints except the cost of gas this year.

[jeff reed]

Cool

[Mostltmuskies]

>After a 4x4 Suburban just about
>destroyed my bank account and
>retirement program I got smart
>and started buying full-size conversion
>vans. The first was
>a 91 GMC with towing
>package (5500 lb boat, motor,
>trailer) -- The Suburban gave
>me about 10 mpg with
>that rig, the van gave
>me 15. Both, incidentally, had
>the usually dependable GM 350
>V-8. After the 91`died
>(well over 100K), I bought
>a '96 Ford conversion van
>(on 1500 chasis). As much
>as I liked the GMC
>van, I like the Ford
>better -- 65K and going
>strong.
>
>I'm one former owner who would
>never own another Suburban.

I have a Chevy G-20 Van with a 350 V-8 and towing package,now at 118,000 miles and still going strong.I will buy another GM Van when this one dies ,to pull the Targa 2000. Capt. Larry D. Jones

[Monte]

As a owner of both the suburban and the new Ford Excursion, let me tell you that there is no comparison. The Suburban, my second is a 1999 1500 4x4 with the 350, my previous was the same vehicle,1998. Both of these trucks on their best days made 16.5mpg highway, 10 pulling my 18.5 foot walleye boat, as long as there wasn't a head wind. I have seen 5mpg in the wind, that was with the 98. My 1999 has 20,000 miles on it and has had 1 transmisson replced and is on it's 5th rear end, so now I use the Excursion which is equipped with the diesel engine. This combination produces, 19mpg highway and worts I have seen pulling the same boat is 15.5mpg in the wind.This truck handles so much better as a tow vehicle and all arround family vehicle that for my money, there is no aother choice. Just my opinion but once this 99 suburban has been surround by customer disservice from GM and the Excursion now has more miles on it, trouble free and more economical. Gas prices have shot up and diesel remains 10 cents a gallon less. Do the math.

[cmb]

I agree with the van guys, most bang for the buck if you don't need four wheel drive. As long as you get a decent engine (350-350 exc.) they will tow as good of better than most larger trucks and suvs. They are more comfortable for pasengers and offer more room for cargo(if you get removable seats the whole back can be used). My family has had fullsized vans since 1978, they work well for an active family with kids boat camper...

[cisco]

And to that, a great big AMEN. (Spoken Baptist style.)

With all my years in the upper US, I figured I needed the 4x4 when I bought my one Suburban. I didn't need it then, and have found that I haven't needed it over the past 175K miles in conversion vans. The only hassle vans give is for guys who can't back in using only rear view mirrors -- and I've seen a limit catch of those.

[curt quesnell]

i love 'em...i am on my second one...the first
was an 86 with a 350 (4x4)...got about 15 mph
with that one. retired it with 201 thousand miles
....then i bought a 4x4 ranger (not much for fords
but it was shiny)...then a full sized chevy with
the extended cab also 4x4 i didnt like that compared to the room and comfort of the suburban
so i went back to the best. the new one gets
17 mph i havent pulled much with it yet so i dont
know about mileage with a load.

what ever you do...make sure you get the towing
package.....

which ever you decide to go with...good luck and
good pullin

curt quesnell

[curt quesnell]

i love 'em...i am on my second one...the first
was an 86 with a 350 (4x4)...got about 15 mph
with that one. retired it with 201 thousand miles
....then i bought a 4x4 ranger (not much for fords
but it was shiny)...then a full sized chevy with
the extended cab also 4x4 i didnt like that compared to the room and comfort of the suburban
so i went back to the best. the new one gets
17 mph i havent pulled much with it yet so i dont
know about mileage with a load.

what ever you do...make sure you get the towing
package.....

which ever you decide to go with...good luck and
good pullin

curt quesnell

[curt quesnell]

i love 'em...i am on my second one...the first
was an 86 with a 350 (4x4)...got about 15 mph
with that one. retired it with 201 thousand miles
....then i bought a 4x4 ranger (not much for fords
but it was shiny)...then a full sized chevy with
the extended cab also 4x4 i didnt like that compared to the room and comfort of the suburban
so i went back to the best. the new one gets
17 mph i havent pulled much with it yet so i dont
know about mileage with a load.

what ever you do...make sure you get the towing
package.....

which ever you decide to go with...good luck and
good pullin

curt quesnell

[Dave in Mpls]

I absolutely love my Suburban, despite the fact that it needs a new AC compressor and exhaust as I type this!! Oh, and it needs a new rear door, but thats a different story!!

I have a '94 GMC, with a 350, 4x4, limited slip diff. I get between 14 and 15 hwy, and around 11 city and towing 2500# boat. I do not pull the boat in overdrive. 4x4 is your choice, but I wouldn't want to be without it, primarely for ice fishing reasons. Also, I fish 'Ol Miss in the winter, and the boat ramps tend to get a wee bit icey!

That said, I sure would like to see the price of gas come down....42 gal truck, 41 gal boat...OUCH!! Strong argument for a Geo Metro and a row boat!

Good luck in your choice!

Regards

[Walleye2k]

I just thought I would throw in a strong opinion for the Chevy Astro Van....Priced Right, Great for towing reasonable loads. Strong 4.3 V6 (a 350 with 2 cyls chopped off.) I get 16mpg towing 2500 pounds. I have 2wd Model. Also I find Excellent turning radius and great visibility with large mirrors and rear dutch door. Excellent Cargo Room too.