Cant Decide which GM to go for

[No Quarter]

Hello, Its my 1st post. Here is some background info. My wife & I are looking for a truck to replace our '02 4.7 Durango. We have 2 small kids and one last on the way. The Durango has no room behind the 3rd row when its up. So we defiantly need something bigger like a Yukon XL/ Suburban.

 

I will also use this to tow a boat that weighs approx 5K lbs. My Durango pulls it ok but its not pretty. I have narrowed down my search to two trucks so far, both 03's. The first is a Denali XL 6.0, the second is a Yukon XL 2500 8.1. Both truck are similarly equipped, both have the same miles and are going for about the same $.

 

The truck will mainly be driven by my Wife to shuttle the girls around durring the week and it will serve as our weekend family car/ tow vehicle. I am leaning towards the Denali because it may be slightly more efficient. I need to check the gear ratio in the 8.1 I think if it has 4:10's I'll pass. All else equal any recommendations on which one to go for?

 

Thanks

Alex

[Truckin2003]

i would say for the amount of weight that you plan to pull, and assuming that you are only able to use the boat certain times of the year, you should go with the denali XL with the 6.0. The 6.0 has more than enough power as far as i can tell. That is what my 03 2500HD has in it, and i like it very much.

 

Anyway this is just my opinion, hope it helps....

[Frank Sub]

Hi No Quarter--Both GMC's will do the job. IMO the Denali XL is the best choice for your situation: better ride (softer tires & suspension), lower to the ground (easier for small children to get into), more upscale.--Frank Sub

[C & A s Dad]

No Quarter, I would have to agree with the others so far. The 2500 8.1L is by far the best choice if you were towing a big camper say weighing above 7500lbs. You will have no problems pulling the 5K with the Denali. I am pulling a 6500lb camper with a Yukon XL 327, 1500 with 4.10s and it does very well but I would not want any lesser gears or any more weight even though it is rated at 8400 lbs.

 

However, don't be afraid of the 4.10s in whatever you buy. Unless you are running all hwy at 75+ MPH, I do not believe there is any difference in the MPG of a 4.10 truck vs a 3.73. I would not recommend any gears higher than the 3.73 if you plan to tow at all. In fact, if you are doing mostly rural and city driving the 4.10s may be better on the MPG. I am averaging 18.7 in mine with most of this being rural and in town driving. The longest hwy trips it normaly sees are 35 miles one way. It will get over 20 with pure hwy driving.

[pwall]

I too agree...go with the Denali.

 

And welcome to

[No Quarter]

Thanks to all that replied, some great insight. We're going down to test drive the Denali Saturday. It has a clean car fax and the dealer said its is mint, hope its as clean in person as the pics online.

 

Alex

 

 

[mmmikkke]

I disagree with the above assessements. You won't find a 2500 owner among them.

 

Those, my friend, are vested interests.

[Frank Sub]

Hi No Quarter--I have had about ten 1/2 ton Suburbans, 5.7 and 5.3 ltr, with both 3.73 and 4.10 rears. The difference in fuel mileage is so small, that it is difficult to measure. Both towed my 27' 7000 lb Airstream (in 3rd gear), however the 4.10 does it better.--Frank Sub

[cmoore74]

If the Denali has at least a 3.73 rear end (if not the 4.10) I would go with the Denali. IMO the 3.42 is a little light to regularly tow a 5k lb boat especially if you live in an area where it is hilly. The 6.0L will have more than enough power to tow a 5k lb boat.

 

From what I hear the 8.1L is an absolute beast and would be over-kill for your towing requirements.

 

The Denali will also give a nicer ride.

 

Going from 3.73 to 4.10 won't hurt gas milleage much, maybe 1 MPG at most.