JimmiLew

Mavens,

Ok, I have narrowed it down to two trucks. The Navigator is out, its too soft and underpowered compared to the two finalists:

Surburban LTZ: Its a 2010 with 15K miles on it and is perfect (lt Blue/black). It has the 5.3L V8 and selectable 2 Hi, AWD, and 4WD HI. Has a nice leather interior, captains chairs. It gets 15/21 MPG.

Yukon Denali XL: Its a 2011, and has the 6.2L V8 with permanent AWD. Its fully loaded with every option and is a really nice Red/Tan setup. Its rated for 13/18 MPG.

So...which one? Do I spend 8K more for the Denali? Or do I save the money and the MPGs and go with the Surburban.

Also: Which is better..the selectable drive or the pernament AWD? Remeber, I only tow 3-4 times a year with a 20' box trailer. Rest of time is with family lugging stuff around and on the highway.

Thanks for the feedback!

Jim

Veloce Raptor

IMO only, selectable drive will be less expensive to maintain in the long run for obvious reasons, but the 5.3 is not really up to towing a serious enclosed trailer. So I would vote Denali XL with the 6.2. Plus, the Denali has a more pimpin' interior.








Professional Racing and Driving Coach

Chulo

x2. The 6.0, 6.2 are great motors. The 5.3s are not up to the task. Also, I've love to see a sub get 21 mpg on the highway. Denails are really nice, although I like the chrome mirrors on the LTZ. I'd go Denali.

BC

No 2500?

Minoclan

I just got a 2011 Denali and love it. There are some new features that are awesome through Onstar. I can start, lock, open, flash the lights on the car from anywhere in the world. I get off the train into a warm car) The car is smooth and very comfortable. Get the Denali

multi21

Sorry to highjack, but somewhat on topic of mileage... A guy told me he had a 2008 Tahoe that got 26 MPH real world on the highway and about 17-18 city because of cylinder deactivation. Has anyone else experienced this?

Rceron

I have a 2010 denali yukon and the cylinder deactivation isn't saving me gas mileage. I'm not really heavy on the gas either. In any case I don't really care about mileage. I actually wish it didn't have the deactivation. In certain situations, it hurts acceleration when you really need it--its rare though. In any case, love my truck. Sound of the 6.2l is nice as well. I also think the denali's come with auto load leveling in the suspension which the LTZ may not have.

Rick

What are you actually going to tow? How much weight?

I've been thinking about a Denali to pull my trailer. I have a 24ft ATC that weights approx 7700 fully loaded. I currently tow with an 2005 F-250 diesel and keep looking for something that will do a good job towing but be a bit more suitable for family use as well.

Veloce Raptor

That's what I have. Just bought a new (2011) one. But I tow often with it, as well as using it as a daily driver. Admittedly, the Denali ride is much better than the 2500's live axle ride for many folks....








Professional Racing and Driving Coach

JimmiLew

20' Thule Enclosed trailer. Its about 6,000 lbs with car and all the gear.

The LTZ does have load leveling. I like the deal on the Sub better, but there is something badass about the Yukon XL with its big 6.2L and the "pimped" interior!

Decisions, Decsions....I hate car shopping. One guy greeted me at the door and said "he brought his checkbook!" Car salesmen are scum bags! UGH!

Jim

Glen

Denali for sure, of course Your wife will steal it....

JimmiLew

God love ya bud! The wife hates the idea of a big truck, she thinks I am crazy! Yet, every weekend when we drive to Vermont in blinding snowstorms....

M758

I would not tow that with a 1/2 ton 'burb or denali XL.

Forget the motors, I don't think the Chassis is up to a 24ft box an 7700lbs.

Now a 2500 'burb ... go for it.

I tow a 24ft trailer that is probably 7000 to 8000lbs. Plus I put spare tires and gear in bed of my 2500 dodge. That truck tows the load just fine. I have 8.0 V10 and motor does pretty well, but most importantly the chassis is rock solid. I don't think any 1/2 ton will tow this load as confortably.

However the 8.0 motor gets my 12-13 mpg EMPTY. man it sucks gas down.. So it cannot be a daily driver for me. Even so since it is a 99 and has 64k miles it still nice and ideal for hard work. Heck the truck is worth less than the diesel option on most new trucks so it still cheap even considering the bad fuel mileage. I get abotu 8mpg towing.

I have from time to time conisdered 1/2 tons to tow this trailer, but I just can't get past their much ligher payload. I think I can get inside their tow ratings, but believe will exceed their payload very fast. Most 1/2 tons have payloads in 1400lbs 1800lbs for extended cab trucks. I will be right at the limit iwth 1000lbs tongue load 2 passengers and a couple sets of tires and I really don't want to drive home from the track tired towing a marginal setup. That is probably more dangerious that racing.

Cory M

denali

P.J.S.

please ford bring back the excursion and put your new 6.7 diesel in it...