Half ton or three quarter ton?

[ocuyler]

I'm closing in on a new Yukon XL/Suburban. The SC23CC will weigh out at what, 6500 pounds max/wet with the Continental dual axle trailer. Gear and passengers (and optional equipment) will be up to 1500 more pounds.

The towing capacity of a 1/2 ton is 7,200 pounds. The payload cap. is 1,650. My (maximum) application is therefore roughly 85 percent of rated capacity.

The towing capacity of a 3/4 ton is 8600 pounds. The payload cap. is 2,400. My max application is 70 percent of rated capacity.

My concern is that this towing senario is only done 10% of the time. The ride quality and fuel economy will both be harsher the rest of the time. Price is more or less the same.

Any comments?

[ScottM]

Otto, all the towing recommendations I've ever received say to leave a 20% buffer between mfg. rating and the actual load. With that said, I think your max. weight for the SC is about 500-600#s high: hull 3,000 + engine 500 + full fuel 900 + trailer 1,000(?) + gear 500 = 5,900 lbs. ( I could be way off on the amount of gear you carry on a trip)

I think you'd be better off with the 1/2 ton, especially where it won't be used all that often for long distance towing.

[ocuyler]

Scott,

I was leaving room for the future fantasy of installing twin 140 4s Suzukis on a flotation bracket, an extra 500-600 pounds. But we're on the same page. I agree the 1500 is suitable. The 80/20 rule applies here. One can pick-up an extra 20 to 30 HP with some aftermarket add-ons if she struggles a little.

[Mark]

Otto,

How far are you towing: 100 yards or 100 miles?

Some members tow those 23's with pretty small vehicles but only have to go a few blocks to the ramp. If you are going to do like Jason and tow from the Northeast to Key West, it may be another matter altogether...

[Michael Vezzosi]

Otto, Won't need that for the 16' Dauntless Easter Week!?!Well, Just had the '99 Johnson serviced for the first time (only 83 hours). Mechanic convinced me to remove VRO system after showing me a few blown units due to this. Had I known that probably would have gone Jap. Anyway, Tommys 18' is serviced and ready, as well as my 20'. Still looking for an aluminum trailer for the 13' Whaler. $1100. for a FloatOn. Guess I'm not going to do much better than that, especially with the Ground Hog around the corner. Good luck with your new truck buying experience.

[TUGBOAT]

oTTo,The 1/2 ton Should do You w/ No Problem When You go 25' + Then the 3/4 would woik. 1/2 t(4x4) w/373 is 7200# 4.10/ 8200#.5.3 better fuel econmy by far14-16mpg . 3/4 w/6.0 10-13 mpg.
3:73 / 7600 _4:.10/ 9600 of course You can opt. for the 8.1 if fuel is of no concern add a snow plow pkg !Let Me know I'll drop ship You one.in bout 6 weeks.I'm not sure if NY emissions hamper these towing #'s ?You can always e-mail me.
feeding@frenzie.com
"Tug"
Still looking Trayder
Hey oTTo How bout a Escalade AWD for less than that Burb !!
& Tows 8100 #s!

[PipeDreamsMarine]

My 02 1500 Silverado HD Crew Cab 4x4 with the 6.0 and 4:10 is rated at 8200lbs and 9500lbs with weight transfering hitch 12 to 14 mpg.. Nice truck plenty of balls to tow with and a nice ride.. Plenty of creature comforts too .. "Red Neck Limo"

[catman115]

Otto, go with the half ton. i bot my wife a denali xl last year. 6.0 v8 320 hp 8200 tow capacity 1480 payload all wheel drive. We looked at the .75 ton because of the 4 wheel steering (forher)not me. its a big truck and the cost of repairs is larger due to the fact that everything is heavy duty ie: brakes,trans,tires etc. sure it can tow up to 12k lbs but "do you really need it" ? when we looked at both mine had a 14 mpg or so rating and the 2500 didn't have a rating. The salesman said that it was so lousy they didn't report. I think the only people that I have seen driving the 2500's are the US. Govt. they spend our taxes frivolously anyway.(but thats another thread). Anyway..my wifes truck tows my 22 tiara just fine and pulls the 20 seafari even easier. I don't care about the gas anyway, it really is a great riding truck and i know my wife is safe carting my 3 kids around.