Towing 236 with escalade or suburban

[peachboy]

Hi there,

Anyone out there ever towed a 230 or 236 plus dual axe trailers with a Long Wheelbase Escalade, Suburban or Yukon ? Looking for a new tow vehicle for long distance towing. I know a 3/4 ton diesel truck would tow better but I need one of the mentioned SUV for the family. Any observation or experience appreciated.

Cheers

[cedarcreek216]

Hi there,

Anyone out there ever towed a 230 or 236 plus dual axe trailers with a Long Wheelbase Escalade, Suburban or Yukon ? Looking for a new tow vehicle for long distance towing. I know a 3/4 ton diesel truck would tow better but I need one of the mentioned SUV for the family. Any observation or experience appreciated.

Cheers

You will not have any problem pulling either of these boats with either vehicles mentioned. I pulled our previous boat, 22.5' I/O with tower and a ton of weight in it with our Tahoe. Granted, it's a Z71 but either way you won't have a problem. Our friends pull their X-star with a 2000 2WD Yukon and don't have a problem. I highly recommend the Z71 package for help on steep ramps, but other than that no worries. These are great tow vehicles in my mind.

[CradGen2]

"Peaches" Ok I had to...

Make sure you get a higher Axle ratio like a 3:73 or higher. You will have no problem. Also they make 2500 Suburbans with a 6L gos.

I've pulled a 230 with my Armada about 400 miles with no issues. Might add to the list.

[BrennanK]

I would advise the 2500 package with the 6.0L or the 8.1L. You also want the higher axle ratio like a 3:73 as previously mentioned. If you don't get the 2500, get the 1500 with Z71, the locking 4Lo rear axle is really nice on the ramp, and many other uses. Another option is get a used diesel Excursion from Ford, 3/4 ton frame, diesel, and SUV, win win.

[ctimrun]

I also had the same issue with owning a truck for boating. We always ended up taking two vehicles which obviously was less than convenient. We are very happy with our 3/4 ton Suburban. It is a 2007 and has the 6 liter engine with the 4 spd trans and 4.10 axle ratio. The newer ones have a 6 spd trans which I hear is very nice. Pulls the boat very well.

[NautiqueJeff]

Another option is get a used diesel Excursion from Ford, 3/4 ton frame, diesel, and SUV, win win.

I love my 2005 diesel Excursion. It pulled my 236 and my 230 with no problems at all.

[thedude]

Either will do the job just fine, stick with the 6.0 if you do a lot of driving through hilly terrain. The 5.3 just doesn't cut on long high climbs such as rt 68 through the Maryland mtns.

My last tow vehicle was a 454ci '99 burban 2500, can't beat the burban for trip to the lake. Lots of room for crew and gear.

[tdc_worm]

a bit of mis information in this thread.

#1--the Z71 package, by definition, includes stiffer shock valving, all terrain tires, and a skid plate. neither by themselves nor any combination thereof will any part of the Z71 package net you a better towing/launching/retrieving experience.

#2--because it is a truck does not make it a lesser tow vehicle than an SUV. the added wheelbase actually allows it to tow better/safer than a comparable SUV, however, because it has less rear weight bias (ie less weight on the rear wheels), it may tend to slip more when pulling up the ramp.

#3--the higher/lower axle ratio only applies to GMs before the 6 speed transmission. with the 6 speed transmission (started 09 I believed), you end up with all of the gearing you need

correct info:

the 5.3L is anemic at best. in the past 6 years i have owned every full sized small block line (GM Vortec 5.3L, Ford Triton 5.4L, Mopar Hemi 5.7L, Nissan Endurance 5.6L, Toyota iForce 5.7L). i will rank them in terms of power delivery:

5.4L Ford Triton---unacceptable in the 4 spd transmission fashion. absolutely puts you at risk when merging or accelerating out of a less than optimal situation
5.3L GM Vortec---peppy, good top end, but the 4 spd transmission makes it slow to accelerate
5.7L Hemi---torque is good off of the bottom end, a screamer on the top. the middle is lacking and the 5 speed transmission feels a little odd. ***had so many "ghost" electronic problems with this vehicle it should be dead last
5.6L Endurance---absolute beast tons of torque and great towing ratio standard. 5 speed always felt like it shifted firmly and was in the best gear. ***absolutely the worst fuel mileage of the lot
5.7L iForce---like the 5.6L Endurance, but way more refined and fuel efficient. you can hear the engine change its intake and exhaust timing to be most efficient w/ the load. the 6 speed is awesome and the manual shifting lets you take over (which i often do for towing and for hauling arse).

i have driven the 6.0L Vortec and it has a TON more bottom end than the 5.3L and is a must upgrade for towing.

any of them have the capacity to tow a fully loaded 230/236 no problem from a suspension stand point. The advantage goes those w/ air adjustable rear leveling suspension---GM auto ride, all the Nissan's w/ tow package, Sequoia Platinums.

[Nautiquehunter]

05 Savana 3500, 6L and 373 rear gear. Tows my 08 210[ 3800lbs] with ease I have to remind myself its back there and gets 10 mpg average highway and city.
No doubt it would pull the 230 [4300lbs] with ease also. The Savana has the same chaises as the Suburban. I highly recommend the 6L and 373 rear gear.

[sstexan]

I would add the denali to the list...Everyone is talking about the 6.0. The new 6.2 in the Slade and denali are the only way to go... 409 HP...I have towed my 236 all over the country with it. Carrying 6 people and gear, not a better tow platform in my opinion. All you diesel guys chill out...I would have bought an excursion diesel, but it wont fit in any parking garages. Go with the GM 6.2 AWD and you will love it!

[BrennanK]

The Z71 package, by definition, includes stiffer shock valving, all terrain tires, and a skid plate. neither by themselves nor any combination thereof will any part of the Z71 package net you a better towing/launching/retrieving experience.

I guess I'm used to my generation (2003) where Z71 actually meant something, now it is more for looks...
The Z71 in my time had stiffer suspension and a posi rear axle (which is great on the wet ramps, less slipping).
What every you tow with, use the "tow-haul" mode to disable overdrive until you are on the highway.

[AirTool]

I guess I'm used to my generation (2003) where Z71 actually meant something, now it is more for looks...
The Z71 in my time had stiffer suspension and a posi rear axle (which is great on the wet ramps, less slipping).
What every you tow with, use the "tow-haul" mode to disable overdrive until you are on the highway.

The definition of Z71 RPO has not changed. All that has changed is the tv commercials and people's perception. ZZ1 started as Bilstein shocks and skids plates and is still pretty much that. It was/is available only on the higher trim trucks. Skid plates were available as a separate add for any truck. So the only unique feature were the shocks that could be bought at any 4x4 store or the dealer. Tire selections are also a separate RPO. Limited slip is a separate RPO as is the trailer tow package.

My 99 two door Tahoe has Z71 RPO on the build sticker but no sticker on the side since it has the "sport" appearance package. If it said Z71 on the side, I'd peal the *#@##$( thing off.

[johnboyy7]

I would just like to point out that the escalade, tahoe, Yukon, Denali, suburban are all the same car. I pull my 210 with a v6, thus you don't have to have a semi to pull a boat. Yes I realize I live in Texas close to the coast with mild to moderate hills.

[Hollywood]

A new Suburban is advertised to tow 8,400#, a couple THOUSAND pounds more than what a loaded up 230/236 with trailer weighs. I'm guessing it'd do just fine...

[peachboy]

thanks for all the advice

Guess the last commentator brought home the point. I know the boat is around 4,500 dry. I wasn't sure how much extra weight to account for some fluid, fuel and the trailer itself.