Tank is running down, averaging 14.3 mpg. Still lots of city driving and idling, this tank also included about an hour on the highway too. Still fuel to burn before the next fill up. I'm well pleased.
Anyone know the difference, if any, between Federal and California catalytic converters on our trucks?
Here's some useless information: I often read about other trucks in 2009 that had higher tow ratings than the Suburban/Yukon XL. Something didn't seem right so I plugged ALL their data into my excel towing calculator I made and came up with this:
All vehicles are 4x4s with towing package for maximum capacities.
2009 GMC Yukon XL:
GCWR = 14,000 pounds
GVWR = 7,400 pounds
Tow Rating: 7,900
2009 Ford Expedition EL:
GCWR = 15,000 pounds
GVWR = 7,720 pounds
Tow Rating = 8,700 pounds
2009 Toyota Sequoia SR5:
GCWR = 16,000 pounds
GVWR = 7,300 pounds
Tow Rating = 9,600 pounds
2009 Nissan Armada:
GCWR = 15,100 pounds
GVWR = 7,299 pounds
Tow Rating = 9,000 pounds
2009 Chevrolet Suburban 2500
GCWR = 16,000 pounds
GVWR = 8,600 pounds
Tow Rating = 9,300 pounds
My first test to see which could haul the most was to assume a hitch weight of 10% of the Trailer Weight and 100 additional pounds of rear cargo. Passengers and their cargo were calculated at 700 pounds.
Yukon XL = 6,600 pounds Trailer Weight. Forty pounds below GCWR and GVWR and Cargo Weight.
Expedition EL = 6,300 pounds Trailer Weight. 5 Pounds below GVWR and Cargo Weight.
Sequoia SR5 = 4,500 pounds Trailer Weight. Right at GVWR and Cargo Weight.
Armada = 6,500 pounds Trailer Weight. Eight pounds below GVWR and Cargo Weight.
Suburban 2500 = 7,800 pounds Trailer Weight. 71 pounds below GCWR.
In another example, the hitch weight was increased to 12.5% of Trailer Weight, 100 pounds of additional cargo over the rear axle and 400 pounds of passengers.
Yukon XL = 6,700 pounds Trailer Weight. 62 1/2 pounds below GCWR.
Expedition EL = 7,100 pounds Trailer Weight. 2 1/2 pounds below the Trailer Hitch Rating.
Sequoia SR5 = 6,000 pounds Trailer Weight. GVWR and Cargo Weight Rating met.
Armada = 7,200 pounds Trailer Weight. Trailer Hitch Rating met. 58 pounds below Cargo Weight Rating and GVWR.
Suburban 2500 = 7,900 pounds Trailer Weight. 63-1/2 pounds before GCWR and 12.5 pounds under the hitch capacity.
Toyota is the big liar, while its axles can handle high loads, the whole package cannot, it's a tank, like the Expedition EL. The Suburban/Yukon XL has a higher cargo capacity than all of them, it can haul more stuff internally, including people compared to the others. The Toyota weighs 6,050 pounds, the Expedition EL weighs 6,285 pounds when both are configured the same as my Yukon XL which weighs 5,901 pounds. The Armada is most similar in weight, 5,841 pounds, and capability but its ratings too are over-inflated.
In preparing this, I came across many posts across the internet by folks who bought these tow vehicles thinking they could haul those published figures, being ignorant of all the other considerations that must be taken into account. Lots of money wasted and dreams broken. Learn the math.