Suburban LTZ or Yukon Denali XL
#31
Picked up the rig today and just drove it to VT. It is so freaking awesome! Its great! Rides comfy smooth and goes fast with power galore on demand. I love the Nav, bluetooth, XM radio, and DVD player with headphones for the little ripper! My first impression is nothing short of a big S eating grin!
I got to do a little snow driving on the way up. The tires that come with it (20" Bridgestone H/L Alenza) suck! I got a set of 17" alloys and Nokian Hakkapalaita R SUV tires. They arrive and go on the truck monday. Everyone tells me it will be night and day in the snow and ice with these sneakers.
We'll see about towing once ski season is over and driving season begins!
So far, Im in love!
JL
I got to do a little snow driving on the way up. The tires that come with it (20" Bridgestone H/L Alenza) suck! I got a set of 17" alloys and Nokian Hakkapalaita R SUV tires. They arrive and go on the truck monday. Everyone tells me it will be night and day in the snow and ice with these sneakers.
We'll see about towing once ski season is over and driving season begins!
So far, Im in love!
JL
#33
Hey Dick,
Thanks for the feedback. Is yours a Denali XL or the shorter wheelbase version? I see you have a 24' trailer. How much does it weigh fully loaded? Do you have self leveling shocks in the back (autoride)?
I have a 20' trailer and its about 5500 lbs fully loaded. I towed it with a standard Ford Expedition. It could do it, but....it wasnt fun. The wheelbase on the Denali XL is a full foot longer. I think for me and what I tow, and I only tow about 4 X a year, it should be ok.
I test drove it and it rips! Beautiful truck, fast. great interior. Perfect for hauling the familiy and gear back and forth to Vermont for ski weekends.
I went and bought it last night. Where were you guys before I wrote the check?
-Jim
Thanks for the feedback. Is yours a Denali XL or the shorter wheelbase version? I see you have a 24' trailer. How much does it weigh fully loaded? Do you have self leveling shocks in the back (autoride)?
I have a 20' trailer and its about 5500 lbs fully loaded. I towed it with a standard Ford Expedition. It could do it, but....it wasnt fun. The wheelbase on the Denali XL is a full foot longer. I think for me and what I tow, and I only tow about 4 X a year, it should be ok.
I test drove it and it rips! Beautiful truck, fast. great interior. Perfect for hauling the familiy and gear back and forth to Vermont for ski weekends.
I went and bought it last night. Where were you guys before I wrote the check?
-Jim
You will love the truck except for when you tow... Perhaps that will be an ok trade-off if you only tow a few days a year. i have the short wheel base, but I am told that the wheel base alone does not totally cure the denali's issues as a tow vehicle. I have come to believe the chassis is just too soft (even with the auto leveling suspension, which i do have). ds
#34
I am considering a Yukon XL, Denali, or Suburban LTZ. I don't really have towing issues as yet, but will be using it for family travel with various configurations of gear people and pets. I specifically want to know about AWD (which comes on Denali) or 4WD system that comes on the Suburban. I like the idea of being able to access a "low range" 4wd with the Suburban. I am curious if anyone out there has experience comparing the performance of the two systems in snow and mud. My gut says the selectable 4wd system might be useful sometimes. I am particularly interested in whether the Denali AWD system can appropriately direct power to the wheels if the snow gets deep or I get stuck.
#35
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I have been looking at the new Dodge Durango with AWD and the Hemi V-8. Smaller than a GM, but it is rated to tow 7200#. People familiar with Dodge trucks say they tend to underrate their capacities.
I will be towing a 3200# enclosed steel trailer, 2650# Boxster, plus the miscellaneous, tires, tools , fuel and spares. Has anyone checked them out as a tow vehicle?
I will be towing a 3200# enclosed steel trailer, 2650# Boxster, plus the miscellaneous, tires, tools , fuel and spares. Has anyone checked them out as a tow vehicle?
#36
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My previous tow vehicle was an 05 Excursion. My current tow rig is a VW Touareg TDI. I was quite pleasantly surprised to find that there is no difference in handling stability between the two different rigs at least at the weight I'm pulling which is probably about 5500 lbs with my open trailer and car. I had expected some fishtailing given the shorter wheel base of the Touareg, but there is none.
#37
I can tell you that with the winter tires, AWD feels as good (if not better) than any 4WD I have had before. If you equip your new truck with the right sneakers, either one will work great for you! Good luck!
JL
#38
Have you ever wished you could "lock" the differential? Or does it take care of that for you? If you don't mind I am curious which Hakkes you ended up with and what size. If I do end up with a Denali then I will certainly need some snow tires and wheels.
#39
The Hakkes are Hakkapallitta Suv R: 265/70/R17. As good as it gets!