Hello all, first time poster here, long time reader. Figured I'd post up here since this forum by far seems to have a membership that really uses their trucks and understand their capabilities. I am considering buying a GMT800 ('00-'06) for use as a daily driver in the cold months here in WNY and to tow trailers during the nice seasons.
With two little kids I plan on purchasing a travel trailer next year, which will probably weigh in the vicinity of 5-6K lbs itself, not including all our gear, family, etc. I also pull a race car on an open trailer about 3-4 times a year, probably close to 7K lbs in total. Our geography in NYS is not very mountainous, mostly flat, and I don't really plan on any real off-roading unless at a campsite on state land.
Given what I plan to tow, and for peace of mind, I'm looking more at the longer wheelbase Suburban and Yukon XL rather than the shorty Tahoes and Yukons. I also plan on sleeping in the back of the truck on occasion during race weekends, so the extra space is nice.
Will a typical 1500 series Suburban 5.3 be adequate for this kind of duty, or should I expand my options to the 2500 with a 6.0/4L80E? The 2500 seems to command quite the premium over the half ton. I have about a decade of swapping LS motors into cars they didn't come in, so I have no problem dropping in a freshened up 6.0 with a cam and rebuilt 80E. The question is really the rest of the 2500 architecture. If I'm staying reasonably within the tow capacity of a 1500 (8Kish lbs), will I really need the 2500's massive axles, frame, etc that add overall weight to the vehicle? The 8.1 doesn't interest me due to fuel economy and my lack of familiarity with the big block engine.
The hot rodder in me is dreaming up buying a lower mileage (sub 100K) 1500 Suburban with no rust and clean body, installing a freshened up 4L80E with an HD2 kit, and putting together a small, responsive turbo kit (10 lbs boost or so) while retaining the stock cam. I put together a fun little 2002 RCSB 4.8 Stepside with a turbo and 80E a few years back and although I never towed with it, it was a riot on the street while still comfortable.
Rear air helper springs to combat squat and maybe a weight distribution hitch would be inexpensive way to add stability.
So what say you - stockish 2500 6.0 or hopped up 1500 5.3?
With two little kids I plan on purchasing a travel trailer next year, which will probably weigh in the vicinity of 5-6K lbs itself, not including all our gear, family, etc. I also pull a race car on an open trailer about 3-4 times a year, probably close to 7K lbs in total. Our geography in NYS is not very mountainous, mostly flat, and I don't really plan on any real off-roading unless at a campsite on state land.
Given what I plan to tow, and for peace of mind, I'm looking more at the longer wheelbase Suburban and Yukon XL rather than the shorty Tahoes and Yukons. I also plan on sleeping in the back of the truck on occasion during race weekends, so the extra space is nice.
Will a typical 1500 series Suburban 5.3 be adequate for this kind of duty, or should I expand my options to the 2500 with a 6.0/4L80E? The 2500 seems to command quite the premium over the half ton. I have about a decade of swapping LS motors into cars they didn't come in, so I have no problem dropping in a freshened up 6.0 with a cam and rebuilt 80E. The question is really the rest of the 2500 architecture. If I'm staying reasonably within the tow capacity of a 1500 (8Kish lbs), will I really need the 2500's massive axles, frame, etc that add overall weight to the vehicle? The 8.1 doesn't interest me due to fuel economy and my lack of familiarity with the big block engine.
The hot rodder in me is dreaming up buying a lower mileage (sub 100K) 1500 Suburban with no rust and clean body, installing a freshened up 4L80E with an HD2 kit, and putting together a small, responsive turbo kit (10 lbs boost or so) while retaining the stock cam. I put together a fun little 2002 RCSB 4.8 Stepside with a turbo and 80E a few years back and although I never towed with it, it was a riot on the street while still comfortable.
Rear air helper springs to combat squat and maybe a weight distribution hitch would be inexpensive way to add stability.
So what say you - stockish 2500 6.0 or hopped up 1500 5.3?
