Long Haul with boat

Padraig · Sep 29, 2024

Have hauled my 6,000 # boat before but this time it will be to Bolton Landing NY, about a 420 mile haul. I will be leaving it there for a engine rebuild and a few more added horses . I have filled up the DEF and have a spare 2.5 gallon container packed. I have read that hauling a load increases DEF use. Am I covered with a full tank and a spare? Driving a 2023 Suburban. Longest trip, till now has been 120 miles.

Padraig

shadeandsound · Sep 29, 2024

I don't tow and likely won't, but it seems to me that the additional DEF usage others have indicated is nowhere near what you are already prepared for. With a full DEF tank and a spare 2.5 gallon container, it seems like you should be perfectly fine outside of a malfuntion like an incorrect level reading (which I guess is possible).

Stbentoak · Sep 30, 2024

I'd probably just plan on refueling at truck stops where you can get diesel and DEF at the same dispenser. With a heavier tow I would probably fill both of them up at every stop. It's pretty simple and eliminates the possibility of running out of each. Keeping a 2.5 in the back never hurts, but as long as you fill both at each stop there shouldn't be any problems.

Padraig · Sep 30, 2024

Thanks everyone. Just got back. Trip was about 850 miles. With mostly 4 lane roads. Much of it hilly. Drove, mostly on cruise at 68 while towing boat. Coming home, dead head at 73 mph. DEF was no problem, used only 1 bar. LOL I guess I worried needlessly. Very pleased with this Duramax! Hauling the boat about 420 miles the avg mpg was 17.5. Avg for with and without boat was 22 mpg. I have had Suburbans since the early 90s but this is the best

Padraig

JKeller · Oct 4, 2024

Do you mind sharing the type of boat? I'm mainly interested to hear if it's a bass boat style where there is virtually no wind resistance or something more like a center console that rises above the vehicle and has some wind drag. 17.5mpg if it's something with wind drag is excellent. However, I'm surprised your unloaded mpg was only 22mpg; my 6.2L gets 18-19mpg unloaded. I am toying with the idea of the baby duramax on my next vehicle but I tow a lot and have some concerns about what the actual mpg is when towing something with a good bit of wind resistance.

Padraig · Oct 4, 2024

JKeller said:
Do you mind sharing the type of boat? I'm mainly interested to hear if it's a bass boat style where there is virtually no wind resistance or something more like a center console that rises above the vehicle and has some wind drag. 17.5mpg if it's something with wind drag is excellent. However, I'm surprised your unloaded mpg was only 22mpg; my 6.2L gets 18-19mpg unloaded. I am toying with the idea of the baby duramax on my next vehicle but I tow a lot and have some concerns about what the actual mpg is when towing something with a good bit of wind resistance.

The boat is a 29 foot Velocity VR 1. A go fast style. It sits fairly high has a small cabin. You can google it and get an idea. I would guess that it has less wind resistance then a boxy travel trailer. The 22 mpg is the combined mpg. I hauled the boat to Lake George and returned empty. Without the boat I usually get 28 to 29 mpg. Could do better but I have a heavy foot.

Padraig

89Suburban · Oct 4, 2024

Padraig said:
The boat is a 29 foot Velocity VR 1. A go fast style.

@mountie

martinajm · Oct 4, 2024

I too was surprised at that MPG while towing. A lot of variables here though. I have a 6200# "boat" that scales out at about 8250# once on the trailer, with a bit of fuel, etc. It also is not made for speed, so I am sure adds more drag than the OP's rig. It also sits up pretty high. I get 11-12 MG while towing on highway trips. If driving those same speeds on a similar highway trip without towing, I would get 29-30 mpg. However, I drive faster without the boat...

mountie · Oct 4, 2024

89Suburban said:
@mountie

I appreciate go-fast boats..... ( My old job when I lived in San Francisco Bay Area)

mountie · Oct 4, 2024

Getting up to speed looking forward.... My view into the other canopy.

( He will trim up, the surface props, raising the rooster tail, to "wash" the cars on that bridge!!

Later that year, we had a visit from the Highway Patrol. Our stunt, cracked them up.... But they asked to tone down the 'playing around', please....

Long Haul with boat

Padraig

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shadeandsound

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Stbentoak

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Padraig

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JKeller

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Padraig

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89Suburban

Bull in the china shop

martinajm

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mountie

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