2500 Suburban with 8.1 liter V8

[salty taste]

Can anyone chime in on real world gas mileage ? I presently own a 1500 2001 suburban with about 66k miles. I have the standard 5.1 liter and get about 15 mpg highway. I tow little and even less now that I got a bigger boat. I just went from a 21 contender to a 25 cuddy. The 25 was a bit much for the present suburban. Dont get me wrong it could tow it but it was a tad much on the highway to keep it rolling up at 70. I just went and looked at a 2002 with 13k miles on it!!!yes this is not a typo. 13k miles.....the lady only used it to haul horses and other than that sat in garage. It has the 8.1 liter....it really flies when you step on it. It is really quick and in my opinion is the ultimate tow vehicle for a family who moves kids and soccer balls every week. Something about the look of the 2500 too...just looks a bit more aggressive with the aditional height, flares and wheels.
I do worry that ill get less than 10mpg on the highway....anybody know???
Thanks in advance,
george

[chris V]

my excursion with the v-10 gets right at 10

[donald/tri-again]

2003 2500hd crewcab pick up 8.1 get 12 mpg cruise 10mpg tow

[salty taste]

Thnaks. going to get it today.

[81 CC SEAOX 23']

Good luck it will tow the boat or most anything towable. Into the wind with a 6500 lbs load you will get as low a 6 to 8 but if you do not fly at 70 like stated should get better

[Islandia]

1996 Suburban Diseal Highway 19 MPG Tow 14- 16 MPG

[ballyhooed]

I bought an '01 suburban with the 6.0 liter engine, moving up from a 1500 for the same reason you're considering.. The mileage towing(6000 lb. boat) is better with the 3/4 ton but I would say the intown mileage probably not. I swear I can sometimes see the gas needle moving when driving intown! Also if your wife is going to be carpooling, etc. with it , it definitely has a rougher ride. Its a great towing vehicle but now that I keep my boat down at the coast, I don't have to tow very far.

[Coconuts]

Ballyhooed, I have an 03' 2500 Burban 4x4, 6L, w/ 3.73 gears and HD everything. I'm planning on getting a Pursuit 2470 Walkaround. What kind of gears do you have? I'm debating on switching to the 4.11 gears. That would increase my tow capacity from 7600 to 9600. Mostly flat tows a couple times a year from Virginia to OBX and down to the Keys every year or two. I did not notice "too" much of a ride difference from my old 95' Tahoe but there was a big difference riding in my friends 02' 2500 HD P/U.

[Kendall]

I have the 2500 Avalanche with the 8.1 liter and tow a 31 Contender which does just fine. I get about 13.7 mpg on the highway (3.73 axle).

[rma153]

Not t rain on any parades, but regarding 3/4 ton suburbans and Yukons, I wish I had never bought one now. The frame was one solid piece in my 2000 suburban 3/4 ton. I found out the frame has to be replaced in full if it gets bent. The Insurance company won't pay to straighten it (can't be straightened for towing - metal weakens). This means that if you get rear ended, a new frame will cost well over $7500 in material alone. Add in all that labor and bingo - your tow vehicle becomes totalled if its 4 or more years old - even if you didn't get a scratch on the body. Ask a body shop, they'll tell you. Get a pickup instead. Silverados, for example, have "telescoping" frames, i.e., multi-piece frames. They weld the rear section and it can be replaced if you're rear ended. A Rear end collision will spoil your boating season if you don't have the right vehicle. It spoiled mine. I had to find another used car quick, so I bought a duramax Silverado. The burb was paid off, but I had to take out another loan to get the pickup. The check from the insurance company just didn't make me whole again. Never does.

[tripleplay1]

I,BUT, HAVE A 04 2500 SUB WITH 8.1 AND 3.73 GEARS. 12MPG ON THE ROAD 9.5MPG AROUND TOWN, I DONT BABY IT. DID NOT BUY THE VEH FOR FUEL MILAGE BUT WHEN I BOUGHT IT GAS WAS NOT 3.00 A GALLON EITHER. TOWS REALLY GOOD... VERY STABLE WITH 10,000 LBS BEHIND IT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT VEH WITH A DURAMAX BUT I BELIEVE THAT IS A WAYS OUT. THE NEW ONE FOR 07 WILL HAVE A 6.2 380HP GAS ENGINE FROM WHAT I AM READING IN THE MAGS.

[salty taste]

Just picked it up on Sat. It has the 3.73 gears. It is a rocket. The boat is put away and skrinkwrapped so the first tow will have to wait till the spring. It is a bit a harsher of a ride but I like it better. My wife commented that is hard not to take off fast from a stop.
I said go easy as you will watch the gas guage melt down if you do that too much.
Thanks for all the input.

[other line]

Watch your oil consumption! There are issues with this motor.I have the same package except 4.10 rear. 9-10 city, 10-11 highway (I have put 305's on it so I can drive it on the beach) Great driving truck but had to get BBB involved b/c GM wouldn't do anything about my oil situation.Went thru 2-3 Qts between oil changes.Bought it new in 2002 and it broke down at 375 miles (Mass Air Sensor failed) and it's been downhill from there.GM replaced the rings, bearings, etc at 26,000 miles- I had been complaining about the oil usage since I bought it. Hope you have better luck. It does pull my 25 SeaVee like a champ- but at 6.5 mpg!Check out this site for more info on the 8.1 issues-www.pistonslap.com.

[Door#3]

I have a 2002 Suburban 8.1 with Autoride. I've never measured the mileage but it is not good. One thing I did notice is that while towing my boat, it gets better mileage while running 68 - 72 MPH than when running 60 - 62. Must be a sweet spot or something. I really like the rig. It tows well, has excellent brakes, and is very comfortable (unless you are in the far back seat). Mine has been totally reliable.

I did have a high oil consumtion problem when I first got it. I brought it to the dealer and they changed something (PCV?) and the situation improved, but I still use about 1 quart every 3500 miles. I think this engine just uses oil. Also, the thing holds 6 quarts. If you don't change the oil yourself make sure to remind the service people. More than once I have had them add only 5 quarts...DOH.

Also, when I start it it sounds like a deisel at first (piston slap?) I've heard others comments on this as well.

I take mine skiing a lot, so once or twice a year I get caught in a snow storm. In 4WD it really handles well in the snow, in 2WD it is horrible because the rear is light and (as metioned before) it is putting a lot of torque to the drive wheels. Last year I skiied at Mt Sunapee all day while it snowed all day. Lots of people were getting stuck in the parking lot, even people with 4WD. We just drove through it...

Good luck with yours salty, I hope it treats you as well as mine has.

[salty taste]

Thanks again all. I had a 1999 Tahoe that I dealt with the piston slap as well. My 2001 suburban that I just sold had it a bit but no performance lost. I did have the slap at start up but once it warms is sounded fine.
We do a ton of skiing as well and have experienced the same situations as you have door#3, it feels good being able to not be impacted by a heavy snow storm. 4 wheel drive in our old burb was the best, but you are correct 2 wheel is useless with the light rear end. I am allready looking forward to towing the boat down to Harkers island NC next fall for tuna fishing.
George

Door#3 I look for you as not many out on the road. What color is yours. Ours is pewter. We spend almost every winter weekend in North Conway skiing at Cranmore.

[captainkevin]

I have a 4x4 8.1 Suburban 4.10 rearend. It tows fine even with a 36 Yellowfin,10 mpg at 60 mph. 13-14 mpg Highway 10 mpg in Town. My friend had the GM Suburban look alike 1500 with the small motor it felt under powered when I drove it.

[Door#3]

Salty,

Mine is black. I have the receiver ski rack, so it will be pretty noticable on a ski trip. I ski in all over NH & VT. Give me a honk if you see me... I'll watch for you on 93.