07 Denali: Large Roadtrip Upcoming. Advice?

[ken in md]

OP has a half-ton Denali. I have a 2500.

A 2500 should pull your trailer with no issues whatsoever. And there's no need to get a second transmission cooler. Dex VI fluid can handle much higher temps than older fluids. 200° is normal operating temperature after 30-60 minutes of driving. The "transmission hot idle engine" warning only comes on at 265°. I never got higher than 241°, and that was with a GCW at 16,300 lbs driving up to almost 10,000-foot altitude, with the A/C running.

The 2500 Suburban/Yukon XL are actually "sleepers." Because they share the same body as the half-tons, everybody thinks they're the same, but just beefed-up a little. The truth is that under the shared body is a completely different truck - bigger/thicker frame, bigger axles, bigger brakes, heavier-duty transmission, different/more-durable engine, heavier-duty suspension. They're completely different animals from their wimpier, half-ton cousins. You've made a great choice upgrading to a 2500. It will serve you well for many years and miles. Mine is at 170,000 miles and is still PERFECT. I've spent exactly $23 in repairs over the last three years, all the while beating the snot out of the truck.

Thanks Burbs...very encouraging! I am going to look at the 2500 Yukon tomorrow. I will miss a few of the Denali features, but this one has most of the goodies.

 

[intheburbs]

Thanks Burbs...very encouraging! I am going to look at the 2500 Yukon tomorrow. I will miss a few of the Denali features, but this one has most of the goodies.

My 2500 is a rare 3LT that has a ton of options including power/tumbling middle row captain's chairs. The tipoff is two pairs of switches in the roof console, not just one pair if you have a sunroof. Compared to my '09 Denali, the only difference is the Denali has a heated steering wheel.

My Burb has quad heated seats, remote start, power tailgate, touch-screen/nav, reverse camera, sunroof, DVD/entertainment system, adjustable pedals, memory/easy-exit seats, power folding mirrors, auto-dimming rear and driver's side mirrors and the power folding/tumbling 2nd row chairs. I call it my 3/4-ton Escalade. Of the 5,867 trucks built in 2008, 1028 had option code 3LT. They're out there, but they are rare.

ETA: Look for the pair of switches circled in red. That's your tipoff that it's the top trim level 2500. In all honesty, I look for 2500 trucks for sale quite a bit, and I've never seen another one besides mine. If you do find one, grab it. It's a super-rare unicorn.

 

[ken in md]

Very cool. I think I have found one, don't want to say where exactly as that is classified LOL but will know more tomorrow. The one I am looking at has a window sticker; I should have taken a picture of it; don't remember seeing if it was 3LT or not but it does have nav and two DVD screens, and power folding second bench. I like the quads, my wife likes the bench (kids and friends) so I am good with that. Being a 13 it also has the newer radio. I was on the fence yesterday but your comments help me understand what a rare find this is. Great for our towing family, with three kids, their friends, a dog, and all our stuff.

One thing that surprises me - maybe you can answer...Yukon XL Denali vs. Yukon XL 2500 - Denali has MORE horsepower AND torque...but rated to tow much less. I assume because of its 1/2 ton chassis and rear end ratio?

 

[ken in md]

Also, how do you tell how many were built in a specific year? Curious here.

 

[intheburbs]

I got a build sheet on my truck from a friend who works at GM. It lists all the RPO codes and the total number of 2500 Suburbans with a given RPO code for that model year.

Yes, the Denali has a bigger/more powerful motor. But the 2500 has bigger everything else - brakes, suspension, frame, axles, transmission, etc. Towing isn't just about horsepower and torque.

And yes, the 2500 trucks are so rare, that I'm actually considering buying a low-mileage '13 while I can, and putting it in storage until my current '08 finally dies. If I don't put that many miles on it, it will hold its value indefinitely.

 

[swathdiver]

Almost bought an '09 2500 out of Kentucky in May but it had rust rot already, it too was an SLT3, special ordered (E2C, SLL) with everything, even the tow mirrors and rainsense wipers and 2-way advanced start remotes (VBS). Still have the RPO sheet.

Ken, you can pay a couple bucks to compnine.com and they will decode whatever VIN you type in and in many cases, not all, show you how many other vehicles that year had the same options. What was it, $10 for 5 VIN checks? Or $5 for 5?

Sorry Ken, I meant SLT3, corrected above.

 

[ken in md]

Thanks, good stuff guys. I guess in my case since its a Yukon, it wouldn't be 3lt, or lt3, anyway...its an SLT, so maybe an SLT2. This one does have second row power folding, but it is not up on the roof console (IIRC). Still having a hard time giving up our Denali, it is a great truck. And we honestly are not towing 95% of the time. But still...more is more, and when we go across the country on a northern route this coming summer, I don't want to worry about watching temps, turning off AC, all of that that makes travel less enjoyable.

 

[intheburbs]

The rear axle of my half-ton Suburban failed TWICE while on a family vacation. Try explaining to your young children why you're spending 4 days in Mitchell, SD, visiting the corn Palace instead of Rushmore and Yellowstone.

 

[ken in md]

Wow that sucks. Yeah my greatest fear traveling through Utah in 100 degree heat this summer was that we would get stranded, broken down in some area on a two lane road with no cell coverage. My eyes went back and forth between road, mirrors, engine temp, trans temp...the whole time. Cutting AC when engine got warm, sometimes blasting heat to pull heat off the engine. I never let the engine temp get over about 240. We never broke down, the Denali hung in there. I had just changed ALL fluids, maybe that helped. But I was worried about it, being so close to our maximum. If I do this 3/4 ton, my rationale will be that I won't need it every day, but when I need it, it'll be there.

 

[intheburbs]

One of the big upsides is the durability of the components.

I bought the truck with 100k miles on it 4 years ago. I haven't had to replace anything, not even a brake job, and it now has 170k on it. How's that for cost of ownership? Only additional cost to me over my '01 half-ton is slightly worse gas mileage.