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Considering a Suburban Tow Rig

Yup. The burb is only a 1500 with a questionable trans. Even with using the 7.3 that my dad has, towing is a slow go, especially once you leave the highway. It just doesn't have the balls to yank a 2500 pound trailer and a 5000 pound rig up the roads where i go.
 
The new Burb may be going away soon anyway. I don't drive it now that the Trazer is on the road and it runs too good to just sit in the driveway.
 
swettysblazer said:
Even with using the 7.3 that my dad has, towing is a slow go, especially once you leave the highway. It just doesn't have the balls to yank a 2500 pound trailer and a 5000 pound rig up the roads where i go.
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give us some details on the truck.
 
POORBOYK5 said:
Express van for the WIN! I have this 2005 express 3500. I'm on my 3rd year driving it. Bought it for $750. Had 215K then. Thought I'd do a brake job on it and sell it. I absolutely love this thing. It now has 270K on it. No major issues. It's actually the most comfortable thing I've ever owned. I also have a 2005 silverado 2500HD. It only has 55K on it YES 55K. I still prefer the van any day. It has done everything I ask even when it comes to towing here in Colorado. Tows my blazer up UTE pass (which I'm sure your familiar with from your trip to pikes peak) at 45-50. Minimal maintenance. Original 4L80E transmission. It tows various things on my car trailer about 50% of the time. It seems there's a trailer hooked to it more than there isn't. I have made many trips hauling a trailer back to Mass with it and its an animal out there compared to here! Only thing this is lacking is 4x4. It does look similar to the truck a arm set up. I've often wondered how different the truck 4x4 front snout was. Besides torsion bar ect. I would be happy to answer any "real world experience" questions about them.

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oh man I love that Mustang!!!
 
Richcz28 said:
Definitely, but I imagine that setup is over 100k.
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I was thinking of a do it yourself type project and no I don't mean a yard barn on the back of a truck. A solid panel system, extruded aluminum and with the good adhesives and caulk on the market today it would be something different to build, but I am a carpenter that takes on about any stupid tasks.
 
Here are a couple trucks that popped up lately.


Duramax with a flatbed and dump. I really like the flatbed. It would work well for doing a camper if I ever wanted, and for working up in Maine.

https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/ctd/5760827566.html

6.5 turbo crew cab dually. I love the color on this truck, but I'm worried it may be underpowered.

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/5799676995.html

I think I had said before, that I didn't want a dually, but both of these trucks check most of my other boxes.
 
I like how far you've strayed from the original suburban idea. That flatbed Duramax is cool I guess, that is if you want to put a plow on it and a sander in the bed.
 
I'd be worried that a dump truck would be at max gvw it's whole life.. and hard hard miles. I bet that 6.5 is as much of a cream puff as it looks for 1/3 the price.. I don't think it would be as bad as you might think power wise. Plus there is tons of aftermarket for them and their cheap to fix.
 
sreidmx said:
I'd be worried that a dump truck would be at max gvw it's whole life.. and hard hard miles. I bet that 6.5 is as much of a cream puff as it looks for 1/3 the price.. I don't think it would be as bad as you might think power wise. Plus there is tons of aftermarket for them and their cheap to fix.
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I will expand on what Steve is saying a little more.

As a current 6.5TD owner that uses it for towing, I will tell you that you will not be happy with the stock power the 6.5 dually has. They are great at lower speeds when towing, and very reliable. New injectors, and a hand full of other mods, and you will be happier. I keep mine around 60-65 mph while towing and it does great. I am hoping with a few more changes 70-75 will be more manageable.

That being said, if you go into the 6.5 knowing how they are and are prepared for a little work, you can save tons of money.
 
Chevy305 said:
I like how far you've strayed from the original suburban idea. That flatbed Duramax is cool I guess, that is if you want to put a plow on it and a sander in the bed.
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I don't want a plow or sander. I liked that it had 62k miles and looks reasonably clean in the pictures. It looks to have the frame painted which could be good or bad. Jesse pointed out that it doesn't have cruise, so that would rule it out. Cruise is a must have. I don't know if it's possible, or how annoying it would be to retrofit.

Yea, I have strayed from the Suburban idea a bit. I probably could have titled the thread, tow rig that holds a few extra people. I think I'd do just fine with two bench seats.

The more math I do on these trucks, the more I realize the importance of fuel economy to me. I'm pretty sure I've ruled out any used gasser at this point unless something really special came along.
 
6.5TD do get pretty good gas mileage. Before my PMD went bad, I was getting 18 with some upgrades still needed to help MPG's. The last time I towed my K5, I got 14mpg's while towing. Not bad at all.
 
The 6.5 is a toy box. It has a giant hole in the frame. The guy sent me pictures and was like, it's only a $250 fix....

Is 99% of the population that drives diesel trucks covered in Monster tattoos and a complete tool?

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