We currently have a 09 burb with the 5.3 and 3.42 gearing. We just got a camper which is about 7500 pounds fully loaded, so we are looking to upgrade towing vehicles. I would likely trade the 09 so this would be my daily driver. Would the 6.2 denali xl pull the load fine, or should I look at a 3/4 ton with the 6.0? It looks like the 3/4 tons came with either 3.73 or 4.10. What gears are available for the denali xl?
Denali vs. Suburban 2500
- Thread starter Moxiedog
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
The starter was also replaced at 68k. I'm wondering if they were throwing parts at a non start issue. If it were overheating related, I'd expect to see water pump, t-stat, radiator and the like. Am I on the right track? I left a message for the shop that did the work to see if they could shed any light on the issue. This truck is about an hour away. Worth checking out, or run away?
OneTwo
Full Access Member
I have a 2000 Suburban 2500 with the 6.0L and 4L80E combo and it has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. 212,000 miles on (as far as I know) the original engine and transmission. It is terribly slow and gets about 11 MPG when you aren't towing anything and are keeping your foot out of it. Single digits if you're towing anything or trying to get somewhere in a hurry.
I recently bought a 2007 Denali with the 6.2L and 6L80E and that is a fantastic combination. It's far more enjoyable to drive than the 6.0/4L80 and regularly returns 14-15 MPG. I haven't towed much of anything with it yet, but my friend took it on a 1000 mile trip with a '64 Bel Air on a trailer behind him and said it did fine.
Since it's going to be your daily transportation, I'd say go Denali. It's rated to tow 7900 lbs and you will enjoy driving it to work every day (and putting gas in it) MUCH more than a 2500 Burb. I would consider adding helper bags in the back and a trailer brake controller, just to make towing that much easier.
I recently bought a 2007 Denali with the 6.2L and 6L80E and that is a fantastic combination. It's far more enjoyable to drive than the 6.0/4L80 and regularly returns 14-15 MPG. I haven't towed much of anything with it yet, but my friend took it on a 1000 mile trip with a '64 Bel Air on a trailer behind him and said it did fine.
Since it's going to be your daily transportation, I'd say go Denali. It's rated to tow 7900 lbs and you will enjoy driving it to work every day (and putting gas in it) MUCH more than a 2500 Burb. I would consider adding helper bags in the back and a trailer brake controller, just to make towing that much easier.
That mechanic called me back. He said they replaced the intake gasket because the person who replaced it before screwed it up. He said it didn't start when it came in, and they couldn't even get the alternator to turn because of the ECM being spiked. They saw that the head gasket was leaking, so they took the head off, and sent it in and had a valve job done and put a new gasket on it. Is it weird or is it bad that they only did one head? That was 10000 miles ago. Give it a look or run away?
OneTwo
Full Access Member
I'm no mechanic, so I don't know if only doing one head is okay or not...
Typically, I'd say any maintenance/repairs is good maintenance/repairs, but the fact that it was obviously worked on by an amateur who messed things up makes me wonder what else that guy might've "fixed."
I would go look at the Denali first, then go check this thing out if you don't like it.
Thanks for the input. I have a buddy who is a mechanic at a Chevy dealership, so he is going to give it a look.
