What SUV??

[Tooned Up]

My sister and BIL are looking to buy a new SUV. They currently have an Infiniti QX80 that they DO NOT use to tow their 28’ Chaparral deck boat with, but would like to have that option when they replace it. I’m guessing the boat realistically weighs in around 7500lbs. I know a Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, and Sequoia all are rated to do it, but 1st hand real world experience, what will actually tow a boat of that size and weight the best?

I’m still blown away there is not a large enough demand for the manufactures to continue to build a 3/4 ton SUV.

 

[boatpi]

Heavy boat,
Suburban with big v8

 

[Singleton]

My Yukon pulls my boat no issues.
Fully loaded I am around 7500lbs

 

[oldman]

New burbs with a 6.2 has 8300# towing

Grand Wagoneer has 9800# capacity

 

[ChrisV]

Welcome to RDP

Cadillac Escalade V spec

 

[oldman]

Welcome to RDP

Cadillac Escalade V spec

8K towing..

 

[ChrisV]

8K towing..

Let me dream

 

[oldman]

Let me dream

AHHHHH
the base 430 Hp is rated 8k.

 

[JFMFG]

My wife has the GMC Yukon XL Denali with captains chairs in the second row. We love it. We towed our magic with it quite a bit also have used it to tow our enclosed from time to time. It has the 6.2 I would highly recommend it.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Heavy boat,
Suburban with big v8

you should read the tow ratings... A 4x4 Suburban with the 5.3/Max tow is 8100lbs, a 6.2L/max tow is 7900.

I tow an x-flight 29 with a Tahoe with the 5.3 and max tow no issues..

 

[JFMFG]

you should read the tow ratings... A 4x4 Suburban with the 5.3/Max tow is 8100lbs, a 6.2L/max tow is 7900.

I tow an x-flight 29 with a Tahoe with the 5.3 and max tow no issues..

Max tow is just a suggestion

 

[sml]

freightliner sport chassis, rdp approved

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Yukon XL, 6.2L, max tow, 4WD, I can tow a 26 Eagle easily and a 30 Eagle occasionally.

If you can convert the boat trailer to EoH, that will help with the braking, or you’ll go through brakes pretty quick on the tow vehicle.

 

[oldman]

Off the norm, But?????

Duramax Specialties, LLC

Thank you for your patience, this page is currently under development. Feel free to call or visit us at the links above.

duramaxsuv.com

3/4 ton burb with a large diesel.

And I know it's not a real option, but chevy should have built these.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Don't sleep on the new baby Duramax!! It's a MPG king for big SUVs and tows great. Don't even feel our 255 Hallett behind it.

 

[BingerFang]

Don't sleep on the new baby Duramax!! It's a MPG king for big SUVs and tows great. Don't even feel our 255 Hallett behind it.

Love my 3.0 duramax!

 

[NicPaus]

My River neighbor had the Infinity. He would tow some heavy loads with it. Whenever his F350 was in the shop he was using it. It is rated at 8500 lbs. I asked him a few times when it looked grossly overloaded. And he said it pulled great.

 

[CammdSS]

Bigger is always better. Mo powa, mo betta. Tahoe, 2WD, 5.3 towing a loaded Mach 26. I guess around 7K idk. It gets it done and have never spun at the ramp so far but it’s a dog towing the boat, especially on hills. It’s no 2500HD or F350 diesel. Trans temps get up there in traffic. I’m looking at new trucks/SUVs as well, my recommendation- get more than you need. For safety reasons

 

[boatpi]

And GM will have the Duramax in Tahoe and Sub for 2025, NOT Escalade.

 

[81Sprint]

My baby Dmax on the latest trip to Utah-

 

[RitcheyRch]

My baby Dmax on the latest trip to Utah-

View attachment 1410569

That's awesome. Makes me really consider trading in my wife's Honda Pilot for one.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

The QX80 is rated for 8500 lbs. I would consider another one of those (or a tow hitch for the one they have). The Nissan Armada is the same chassis, so put that on the list.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

3.0 Duramax in a Tahoe/Sub/Escalade

 

[Bobby_329]

I like my Navigator L.

 

[RiverDave]

My Yukon pulls my boat no issues.
Fully loaded I am around 7500lbs

Really? That seems heavy?

 

[Jay Dub]

We tow our Hallett 255 with the wifes Audi Q7. Does great, much better versus our prior suburbans. However, The 28 Chap is heavier by about 1000 lbs.

 

[Singleton]

Really? That seems heavy?

Boat dry is = 4500 (what was in brochure)
100 gallons gas = 600
Trailer = 2000
Misc shit = 500

One day I need to hit a scale with it.

 

[DLC]

Doubt I would tow any real distance but to the launch ramp

The Durango could do it

 

[boatpi]

For those are not fully schooled when you get to something like this, pulling that weight so much of it is the engine torque look at that from the manufacture, the diameter of the wheels and the rear end ratio. How many RPMs does that tire turn per minute at 60 miles an hour these are all mathematical factors you have to cross index with a torque curve of the engine. Putting 40 inch tires on an F150 won’t touch shit. And will get about 8 miles a gallon.

That 2025 Duramax is something to consider. They’re up in the horsepower and torque and internals. I’d look at that 2025 suburban has got a good long wheelbase.

 

[troostr]

I've got the 21 Denali XL 6.2. Our annual river trip is 870 miles each way. The Denali pulls our Chapparal well (232) and usually loaded down like we're the Clapetts. This year the kids brought friends so they took the Denali, and I pulled the boat with my 2500 Duramax. I'll probably keep doing that. My kids that are old enough to drive need the road experience, and the pickup doesn't even know the boat is there. There are times I'd see the Denali get down to 6.5 smiles per gallon, truck never dropped below 14. Most of our drive is on the 10, so when there aren't trucks trying to pass each other at 73 mph, I'm running 85+, just so you have the whole picture.
I am seriously considering a baby max in my next Denali, should be early next year.

 

[HB2Havasu]

My sister and BIL are looking to buy a new SUV. They currently have an Infiniti QX80 that they DO NOT use to tow their 28’ Chaparral deck boat with, but would like to have that option when they replace it. I’m guessing the boat realistically weighs in around 7500lbs. I know a Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, and Sequoia all are rated to do it, but 1st hand real world experience, what will actually tow a boat of that size and weight the best?

I’m still blown away there is not a large enough demand for the manufactures to continue to build a 3/4 ton SUV.

We are considering the 2025 Toyota Sequoia to replace the wife's 2016 Grand Cherokee. The Sequoia has a 9,250 Tow Capacity. They did a great job on the redesign IMO. With a lift and some 37's they'll look even better, and will be a great Overland Platform as well as we've been wanting to get into that.

 

[rivermobster]

My sister and BIL are looking to buy a new SUV. They currently have an Infiniti QX80 that they DO NOT use to tow their 28’ Chaparral deck boat with, but would like to have that option when they replace it. I’m guessing the boat realistically weighs in around 7500lbs. I know a Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, and Sequoia all are rated to do it, but 1st hand real world lexperience, what will actually tow a boat of that size and weight the best?

I’m still blown away there is not a large enough demand for the manufactures to continue to build a 3/4 ton SUV.

Real life?

The shorter the wheel base, the less stability you have when towing.

Suburban would be your best bet.

 

[Tooned Up]

The Suburban with the 3.0 appears to make the most since with what’s available. For those who have them, what kind of fuel economy are you getting both loaded and unloaded? Also did GM ever get all the issues worked out with the A/C condensers?

 

[2Driver]

Don't sleep on the new baby Duramax!! It's a MPG king for big SUVs and tows great. Don't even feel our 255 Hallett behind it.

Probably saves at least $279 in fuel cost every trip.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Probably saves at least $279 in fuel cost every trip.

You win.......lol

 

[2Driver]

You win.......lol

Ha you are a good sport.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

The Suburban with the 3.0 appears to make the most since with what’s available. For those who have them, what kind of fuel economy are you getting both loaded and unloaded? Also did GM ever get all the issues worked out with the A/C condensers?

5 kids and luggage for a weekend in Havasu, in a GMC Yukon, best we have got is 34 MPG going to Havasu. Usually on our freeway trips for baseball and such, we see anywhere between 23-27. Around town it can get down to around a 14-17 average. Have never towed the boat long distance with it, just to the ramp and back so can't say what that would be. They are super easy on DEF too. We add a box every 3k miles it seems like, sometimes more.

Haven't had any issues with AC, it's cold AF.

I just hate the interior, it feels cheap and the seats are not comfortable. May just be me though. I am used to plush Ford leather....

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Off the norm, But?????

Duramax Specialties, LLC

Thank you for your patience, this page is currently under development. Feel free to call or visit us at the links above.

duramaxsuv.com

3/4 ton burb with a large diesel.

And I know it's not a real option, but chevy should have built these.

This is the ultimate to me. Having 4 kids really narrows the comfortable choices for me that can tow relatively heavy also.

 

[oldman]

This is the ultimate to me. Having 4 kids really narrows the comfortable choices for me that can tow relatively heavy also.

I'm partial to the LBZ D-Max, decent displacement, No DEF, EGR and CAT only, good torque and HP backed by a 6 speed Allison. minor issues long term and all well documented as far as fixes.

In 2006 the burbs were still solid axle old school 3/4 tons, maybe not the best riding or most luxury but still honest tow vehicles.

Chevy missed the mark on not building these.

In 2000 we shopped for a Suburban, and no diesel option landed me in a 7.3 Excursion. Damn great truck if you like a 1978 ford pick up. ( suspension wise)

 

[Boatymcboatface]

5 kids and luggage for a weekend in Havasu, in a GMC Yukon, best we have got is 34 MPG going to Havasu. Usually on our freeway trips for baseball and such, we see anywhere between 23-27. Around town it can get down to around a 14-17 average. Have never towed the boat long distance with it, just to the ramp and back so can't say what that would be. They are super easy on DEF too. We add a box every 3k miles it seems like, sometimes more.

Haven't had any issues with AC, it's cold AF.

I just hate the interior, it feels cheap and the seats are not comfortable. May just be me though. I am used to plush Ford leather....

Brother in law has a 2021 loaded GMC 2500 worst seats I’ve ever sat in! Terrible support and Hard as a rock!

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Brother in law has a 2021 loaded GMC 2500 worst seats I’ve ever sat in! Terrible support and Hard as a rock!

Yup, described it to a T.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I'm partial to the LBZ D-Max, decent displacement, No DEF, EGR and CAT only, good torque and HP backed by a 6 speed Allison. minor issues long term and all well documented as far as fixes.

In 2006 the burbs were still solid axle old school 3/4 tons, maybe not the best riding or most luxury but still honest tow vehicles.

Chevy missed the mark on not building these.

In 2000 we shopped for a Suburban, and no diesel option landed me in a 7.3 Excursion. Damn great truck if you like a 1978 ford pick up. ( suspension wise)

They made the 2500 Subs longer than that too. Not too sure what year they stopped. I know they offered a 3500 sub to government fleets for a couple years as well. I think that was up until 2016 or so.

 

[Cray Paper]

The longer and heavier the tow vehicle the better towing experience from my experience. As mentioned earlier a Durango with a V8 checks a lot of boxes. 7 passengers seating, enough power, solid German transmission and drivetrain. A Tahoe is a nonstarter from my experience towing a 25' Eliminator Eagle with one.

 

[Nosocks]

Have a tundra with the hybrid, so same as Sequoia.

Yanks a 28 heat like it's not back there, which is around 8k loaded up on the trailer from my math.

Hybrid doesn't really help with MPG, just flattens out turbo lag and gives you a big boost getting up to highway speeds.