Vehicle used to pull

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

I've had my V20 for 25 years, so I've been through a few vehicles. Started with a dodge van w/318 . Then dodge pick up w/318. Next was dodge pick up with 360. Currently with a 02 chevy tahoe 4wd w/5.3. Out of all of them, tahoe is the most comfortable. I also have a tandem trailer, which i believe helps. I think the 5.3 is a little weak, but my tow is only 5 miles round trip. I've pulled it to the keys (750 one way) and wished i had the 6.0.

I'd look for a 2000-2004 tahoe/yukon with less than 150,000 miles. Around here, priced anywhere from $3500-$5000. Agree with D, 4wd is a big plus.

I think you're underestimating your 5.3l. Alot of people think they're weak, but it's simply because they're not used to an engine that needs to turn high rpm's. The LS engines are 15 degree heads and I believe your engine uses the cathedral port heads. They make ALOT of power, but it isn't like any of the older engines you list. The 5.2l and 5.9l magnum engines were low rpm grunt motors whereas the 5.3l is a higher rpm screamer. Turn her up some and she'll surprise you. And chances are if the 5.3l left you feeling lacking, the 6.0l would as well. Below 3800 rpm's, they both make similiar power. It's when the rpm's go up the extra displacement shows.

As to the op, you don't need alot to tow a v-20. Many here have done it with Honda Pilot's, Jeep Cherokee's, and the like. 2 vs 4 wheel drive comes down to mostly the condition of the ramp you use.

[phatdaddy]

probably right ferm. i'm an old man and drive like it. i like the fuel mileage of the the 5.3 vs the 6.0. probably put 15000 miles a year 0n it with 14500 non towing.

if i had it to do over, i;d look at suburban/yukon xl. absolutely no room behind third seat

[jvitiel]

I tow my V on a tandem trailer with my 4WD V6 Nissan Frontier. Its fine for my usual trip to the ramp which is a half hour away. I also regularly go to ramps that are an hour away without too much thought. I live in NY so some of the longer trips to Maine and Canada are hilly. For those I'm not satisfied with what I have and we usually take my buddies Duramax. I will probably go to the smallest V8 pickup I can when its time to get something new - Ram 1500 maybe..

[jrisapirate]

I have towed a 22' Trophy with my Cherokee down 295 but it wasn't fun. When I have to pull the V I borrow pops Avalanche. Not even comparable between the two when talking V6 vs. V8

[spareparts]

Hard to beat a Chevy 5.3 Turck/Tahoe/Burb for pulling a V, that being said, I have an 99 E350 Van and a 97 F350 dually, both with the 7.3 diesel. My wife drives the 02 Burban

[step up here]

Yep the Honda Pilot can do the job! Scary ride in a 2001 chevy 1500 Pick up a few years ago. My friend and I were driving home from a fishing trip towing the V and after a few miles he said I have no brake's. Get to the shoulder of the road. He down shifted and even applied the E brake criss crossing lanes until we finally stopped. God was with us. Well you guessed it rotted brake line.So he said he would wait for the tow truck and thats were the Honda Pilot came to the rescue. I drove the Pilot turned off the overdrive and was sup prized that it handle a dual axle trailer. But that would not be my choice only that time.

[Jeb]

I'm towing my V20 (150 OB, dual axle trailer) with a 2014 Ford Explorer (6 cyl XLT). It's been great. I launch 20-30 times a season.

[Troutkiller2006]

97 gmc sierra z71 with 250k. ive had her since 98 with zero major problems and have towed many boats and various trailers with her. in fact probably half of those miles have been pulling a load. at the ramp i put her in low and just let the 5.7 idle. even with the old heavy 23 chapparral walk around, no
throttle needed.

guess what im saying is your honda can suck it!!! and your little nissan too!!!! buy a real truck! MERICA!!!!!!

yall know im kidding, right? those little jap trucks are cute

[bgreene]

120 miles round trip each time ........2004 Ford Explorer V6...140,000 miles, has been towing fine for years.

Boat is V21 with 525lb outboard, 60 gallons of fuel, twin axle trailer brakes on both, curtains up on boat, no issues to date.....cruise along 55-60 mph, overdrive on, A/C, whatever.

Pulls boat out fine too.

That said......sure I'd like a new Tahoe or such........but it is what it is.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

probably right ferm. i'm an old man and drive like it. i like the fuel mileage of the the 5.3 vs the 6.0. probably put 15000 miles a year 0n it with 14500 non towing.

if i had it to do over, i;d look at suburban/yukon xl. absolutely no room behind third seat

The 5.3l and 6.0l have been proven to get almost identical milage when setup the same. Most who have swapped out the 5.3's for 6.0's, haven't hardly seen a change in mpg. The big differences between a 2500hd with a 6.0l and your tahoe with a 5.3l is trans gearing, torque converter stall, rear end gears, and shift strategy. The 1500 tahoe is setup primarily for mpg, many had 3.42 gears, a low stall torque converter, a REALLY deep 1st gear with huge rpm drops between the shifts, and tuning setup to keep the rpm's down to furthur optimize milage. All 2500hd, 3500, and many 1500hd's with the 6.0l had 4.10 gears, they all had the 4l80e trans geared for optimal towing, a LOOSE converter to keep the rpm's up, tuning that is setup to hold the shifts out even driving easy, and the torque converter is basically on or off, not varied like the 1500's to keep rpm's down as much as possible at all times. Put a tune in your 5.3l, and it would be a completely different animal towing.