Little vs big V8 2025 Tahoe

[petethepug]

Oh yea, what he said. The 6.2L does kinda give a certain feeling. Can’t put my finger on it

 

[DontTaseMeBro]

I have two 2024 Tahoes. 1 with 5.3 the other a 6.2. They are identical otherwise. Both z71, airride.

1. Towing - air ride is a must. Don't think you don't need it. It helps in every possible way.
2. If towing 6.2 or Diesel. Honestly around town the 6.2 just costs more because you have to run 93 octane. Otherwise there isn't a huge difference, but there is when towing. I am picking up my 2025 Tahoe z71 later today. I ordered it with the 5.3 due to the reason I just stated. I have a 3500 Sierra I use when I tow, so in my case I didn't need the 6.2. If i could have ordered the diesel I would have, as I like diesel engines.

Air ride is a good thing to have but to say it’s a must is a bit of an exaggeration. A properly setup WDH can get rid of the majority of the squat. My XL tows our Sundance 24BH like it’s not even there up here in the mountains of Idaho.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Gotta tell you, took a 240 mile road trip to mom’s for thanksgiving yesterday evening…several 2 lane roads where I needed to pass, and every time, that 65-90MPH after the downshift, coupled with the 6.2 V8 growl, and the smile factor was real. BTW, filled up w/ 92 octane at Costco and got 20.9 MPH over these 240 miles, with my Blizzaks on and doing 75MPH on the mostly interstate drive.

6.2 is super fun to drive…yes range is 400 miles vs 600 in the babymax. Yes it needs premium….but the smile is worth it when you mash the gas.

 

[WVBKW]

Air ride is a good thing to have but to say it’s a must is a bit of an exaggeration. A properly setup WDH can get rid of the majority of the squat. My XL tows our Sundance 24BH like it’s not even there up here in the mountains of Idaho.

I understand what you are saying. The OP asked specifically about options of a vehicle with the future towing of a travel trailer in mind. If I was buying a new Tahoe with towing in mind I wouldn’t want one without air ride, same as I wouldn’t want want without max tow and trailer brake switch.

Can you tow without these things, of course. Is it easier to already have them from the factory, yes.

Same with air ride. I would argue there is no comparison in comfort and stability when towing with air ride vs non- air ride. You can do it and not saying your setup doesn’t work well. I just feel if I was checking boxes to tow I would want that box checked. My experience is if the vehicle is already level when setting up the WDH it puts far less stress on components than if your trying to use the WDH to raise the rear suspension to level it.

 

[DontTaseMeBro]

I understand what you are saying. The OP asked specifically about options of a vehicle with the future towing of a travel trailer in mind. If I was buying a new Tahoe with towing in mind I wouldn’t want one without air ride, same as I wouldn’t want want without max tow and trailer brake switch.

Can you tow without these things, of course. Is it easier to already have them from the factory, yes.

Same with air ride. I would argue there is no comparison in comfort and stability when towing with air ride vs non- air ride. You can do it and not saying your setup doesn’t work well. I just feel if I was checking boxes to tow I would want that box checked. My experience is if the vehicle is already level when setting up the WDH it puts far less stress on components than if your trying to use the WDH to raise the rear suspension to level it.

I agree with one exception. If I was shopping for a new vehicle I would look for one with air ride. The way you worded it made it sound like it’s a deal breaker without it. It’s not if the deal is a very good one for one that say has max tow but not air ride. Back when I was in the market for my XL, it came with everything except air ride. Couldn’t pass up on an exceptional deal so I bit. Have zero regrets.

The stress on traditional suspension components is moot considering air suspension is not known for being the most reliable thing. And it too will experience additional stress/wear from towing.

 

[fondupot]

I've never driven the 6.2. But my Yukon has the 5.3. It seems powerful enough for me. But for towing sake, I would definitely go with the 6.2 or the 3.0.

The most towing I will do with my Yukon is the occasional utility trailer around town.

 

[GoNoGo]

Duramax is my #1 preference.. IF my local stations (here in the boonies) didn’t have nasty diesel pumps plus positioned further away and spillage for me to stand in.

 

[blanchard7684]

Any oil soaked wet belt in any engine, regardless of where is it in the engine, or what its driving , is just a bad idea. Its the cheap way to get it done, not the best way.
...

It’s really oil soaked?

 

[jd08]

When we were looking for our 23 Tahoe z71, my requirements were 6.2L and air ride and wife wanted black. My wife said the 5.3l would be fine, then she didn't need to use premium fuel. Well it was hard to find one around me and didn't want to order one. We were about to give in and get a 5.3l but one Saturday morning I did a search and found exactly the one I wanted, called and drove 1.5 hours to buy it. The dealer received it Friday night and was still in the back lot. We did have to go back in the week to pick it up after they did their PDI. Now that we had it for over a year we are glad we got the 6.2L and the wife agrees.

Our Tahoe 6.2l out performs my 21 Trailboss 5.3L towing either our horse trailer or our UTV trailer. And it still gets decent mpg all around. Now I wish my Trailboss had the 6.2L!!!