Jump to content

Big Block Vacation

Burbman

By Burbman
in 2000-2014 Silverado HD & Sierra HD

Recommended Posts

Burbman Enthusiast

Burbman

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

dogzapper

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

Hulk1999

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

Burbman

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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 Enthusiast

2500HDSilveradoSS

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

Burbman

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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

2500HDSilveradoSS Enthusiast

2500HDSilveradoSS

Posted
Posted

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Burbman Enthusiast

Burbman

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
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!! :crackup:

 

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 Enthusiast

DownhomeVA

Posted
Posted

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? :crackup:

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,836
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    hotfish
    Newest Member
    hotfish
    Joined

  • Who's Online   6 Members, 0 Anonymous, 716 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • KARNUT
      AFM Disabler Question

      By KARNUT · Posted

      I’m doing an experiment on a vehicle I don’t have much money in. I’m going by the premise that after they last 100K miles they were no mechanical problems with assembly. Or defects with the parts. With oil changes by the minder for the first 127K miles when I acquired it. I quickly went through low mileage oil changes then settled on 5k oil changes with close to 170K miles on the vehicle currently. I did have the option to turn off the cylinder deactivation. I didn’t on this vehicle because in ECONOMY mode at least half the time. It should be a no brainer frequent oil changes are the key. The manufacturer gets away with the long oil changes with its severe service  maintenance. Just ask them what is normal. 
    • baglie1
      Hot air constantly blowing through floor vents, drivers side only?

      By baglie1 · Posted

      Even set to "recirculated", the air pushes out and is hot. I have noticed that sometime it doesn't want to switch between recirculated/vented air. Say it is set to Circulated Air and I want to switch to Vented, when I click the Vented button, it just quickly lights up/clicks and immediatly switches back to Circulated. It's done this a few times now. So maybe it is an actuator getting stuck? But then, that doesn't explain the hot air when everything is off does it?
    • Chuck FB
      Gas Prices

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      I wonder what the price is out at the coast, Big Sur or other out of the way locations as I bet they are charging quite a premium over the in land pumps. 
    • Chuck FB
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Were you looking at the HD trucks on the GM website or the half tons as that makes all the difference. As far as I know there are only two options for the HD trucks and that is the standard 2 speed transfer case or the 2 speed transfer case that has the added 4 high auto feature and they put that transfer case by default into the LTZ and High Country although its optional in the LT and not sure if its available in the work trucks.    The half tons, that is where its been a total mess in my estimation for a few years now with most trucks below the top trim having the single speed transfer case as standard but with the option of having the two speed such as one would get by choosing the Z71 package, however then not being able to get the two speed transfer case with the towing package unless it was a higher trim truck AND had the 6.2 gas so one could combine the towing package gearing diffs with the two speed transfer case. Having said that if its a trail boss package then it gets the two speed transfer case but not necessarily able to get the tow package as it would depend on trim level and engine chosen. Believe me, people have bought the GM half tons assuming "of course it will have a two speed transfer case" only to find out after when they really pay attention to what they now own .... crap, there is NO low range !.    I don't believe Ford or Ram have gone that way yet with their half tons but like I say its been a few years now that GM has done this with the half tons. 
    • Atlas
      Gas Prices

      By Atlas · Posted

      $5.19 for regular...

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...