Big Block Vacation

Burbman · September 19, 2007

Just back from 10 days in Western NC around the Smokies. Towed the 34' RV with the Suburban. Overall, a nice trip.

The Good:

Truck ran great and the 8.1 power with the 4.10 rear really takes those hills. The only time I hit second gear was one long grade on I-40 heading West out of Asheville. Had to be an 8% grade, and nary a sign anywhere warning you about it. You come around a corner, notice the truck climbing lane being added, and there you are, slowing down fast. Had it to the floor in 2nd gear pulling the hill at 40 mph. Should mention RV is about 8500 lbs.

The Bad:

Checked gas mileage on the way down, and we were averaging 65-70 mph the whole way. That seems to be the sweet spot for the 8.1/4.10 combo. Anyway, mileage was a whopping 6.8 mpg. Was too depressed to check it on the way back, all I know is that my wallet is stuffed with gas receipts.

The Ugly:

Crank sensor started to act up once we got down to NC. Went over to Asheville to see Biltmore Estate, and the truck started copping an attitude....first it wouldn't start, then it died in the parking lot. It died again in the middle of an intersection and wouldn't start. Southern hospitality goes out the window when you take a big Suburban with NY plates and block an intersection with it.

Finally got it started, took it over to Smoky Mountain Chevy near where we were camped in Franklin, NC. Couldn't believe after all that there were no codes stored. They had the sensor in stock, so I told them to change it anyway, and they did it while we waited. Great bunch of folks there, wouldn't hesitate to recommend if you need service in the area.

Sub only has 88K on it, so a few more years before it's time to replace, but I'm pretty sure my next truck will be a diesel something or other.....

dogzapper · September 19, 2007

Friend Burbman,

The LBZ Duramax with the Allison 1000 gives you power like crazy and fabulous fuel mileage. Darn it, I wish the LBZ/Allison was available in the Suburban; I'd surely have one in a heartbeat.

Actually, suffering along with an LT-3 Silverado with the same powertrain ain't bad. Loving it, actually.

I had a 2002 Avalanche 2500 with your powertrain. My friend, you are an honest man because 6 mpg to a high of 11-ish is what my Big Block gave for mileage. Loved the power, but the BB surely was hungry!!!

Stock, thd LBZ DMax just plain outhauls the Big Block and it does it while giving better mileage.

My LBZ is a 2006 and I've owned it since January of last year. Honest, hand-calculated mileage is as follows: Freeway 19-20.5 mpg, City 14-15 mpg, pulling my 9,000 pound trailer over varied terrain 12.5-13.5 mpg.

Darn it, I love Suburbans, though.

Steve

Hulk1999 · September 19, 2007

Well guys i have to say the Big Block is where it's at. Darn shame that GM yanked it. I picked up an 01 Beastarado 2500HD 4x4 about a month ago from Mesa, AZ and drove it back to Abilene, TX. The ride was NIIIICE!. I got about 10-11mpg on the highway. Keep in mind that i've got a 6 inch lift and 35x14.50 mud grappler's on this monster. The only thing done to it is a broken magnaflow (Crack in the muffler at the rear seams) catback and i just put a volant cai on it buy haven't calculated the mpg after the intake install. Powertrain is a ally with 4.10(limited slip)

Burbman · September 19, 2007

I can get about 10-11 on the hiway not towing. I could probably get 13-ish if I stayed at 55 instead of 70. I think the mileage is better with the 6-speed Ally in the pickemups instead of the 4-speed 4L80E in the Subs.

Good news is that the 38-gal tank gives you some range, so it's not bad. I figure I go till it's on 1/4 before I refill, so 38 x .75 = 28.5 x 7mpg = 199.5 miles at 65 mph that's about 3 hrs of driving.

On the trip, we would start at 8 am, stop around 10:30 for another cup of coffee (and peepee stop for sweetie), run until around 1:00 and stop for lunch, then get to the planned stop about 4:00. We left LI and stopped at Staunton, VA, then made Franklin NC the next day. I always like to stop early with the trailer to make sure we don't cut happy hour short before dinner......

2500HDSilveradoSS · September 19, 2007

Hahaha yeah blocking off an intersection is ok down here as long as you dont have NY plates, j/k. You were in my neck of the woods though, im only about an hour from asheville down highway 74. How did you like the country up through there? sure are some pretty sights up through there, I try and get up there as often as I can on my bike and to camp over in Bryson City,NC.

Burbman · September 20, 2007

Very pretty real estate. We did some hiking in Natanhala National Forest, and also drove through on one of the forest service roads.

2500HDSilveradoSS · September 20, 2007

Yeah Bryson City is right off the Natanhala river, water up there is always cold as hell....I was trout fishing up there last year and made the mistake that bare foot would be the way to go, lol. That worked out for about 2 seconds. You didn't happen to make it up through Pigeon Forge did you?

Very pretty real estate. We did some hiking in Natanhala National Forest, and also drove through on one of the forest service roads.

DownhomeVA · September 20, 2007

Sorry, but I got a real kick out of your story! especially the comment on southern hospitality going out the window. everybody has their limit!

Burbman · September 21, 2007

Sitting in that intersection was the longest 30 seconds of my life!! Especially the narrow roads on the grounds of Biltmore.

Didn't go up to Pigeon Forge this trip. We were in Gatlinburg years ago and remember that PF was crowded then....buddy of mine was there over the summer and "gridlock" was the only word he could find to describe the traffic on that one road that goes through town.

Zembonez · September 21, 2007

The Ugly:
Southern hospitality goes out the window when you take a big Suburban with NY plates and block an intersection with it.

I bet the same rig in New York with Texas plates would have the same effect!!

Sounds like you had a good trip other than that. In a BB Suburban I don't think the mileage was all that bad considering the load.

DownhomeVA · September 21, 2007

yep -- that'll happen in PF. It's gotten to be a huge sightseeing spot. I love Gatlinburg, the Smokies are beautiful. you didn't happen to make it out to Dollywood did you?