6.2 Denali vs 08-10 f250 diesel - tow rig, road trip mobile. which do you think?
So I am looking to pick up a new tow rig/road trip mobile. Will also most likely be a DD for the gf. She is currently DD'ing an E500 mercedes, which we both enjoy, but it just doesnt fit us anymore.
Mpg is of no concern. My truck just doesnt cut it towing our boat, and it is horrible.I cant stand towing with it. My prev truck was diesel and I want to get back into one badly, but I am beginning to think a 6.2 denali with some performance goodies will suit us better. I am beginning to think I do not want 2 trucks, one of them being at least a 3/4 ton, a my truck currently is not the most comfortable to take trips in. What do you guys think? I am speaking of denali SUV, not a 1500 truck, just to be clear. I know I should be more wise to towing with a half ton, as I have made it clear to my opposition to towing with 1/2 tons in other threads, but have at it, lets hear the recommendations. If I end up with the 6.2 denali, It will have long tube headers, cam, a tune, and if the gf feels up to DD'ing a supercharged vehicle, a supercharger as well. boat currently being towed is a V215 |
What about one of those Duraburbs. Theres a company that makes the 2500 suburbans with the Duramax engine.
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We have towed our 23lsv with an 08 Denali for past two years. It gets the job done but for long trips with hills it can get a bit overworked. With the shorter wheelbase I would be nervous to have an emergency stop situation. Other than that the only issues I would consider are the rear air leveling shocks. They will probably need to be replaced from OEM to a stronger pump and better shocks as they tend to leak.
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I'd have a nitrous kit as well, and maybe bolt another supercharger onto the supercharger you will install for more compression (tandem supercharger). There is also a carbon fibre kit to replace the standard aluminum engine block. An all-CF block will save you 50-60lbs depending on how much bore you give your cylinders. I'd also look at porting your exhaust headers right out the hood of your vehicle which will save you at least 10-15hp due to less restriction. I'd look at some wider tires as well x4 as the Yuk is AWD. You can probably get away with a 18" tire though you'll need wider wells which will increase drag. You can also get your local shop to dip the sheet metal in KY Jelly which will decrease drag to 0.01 drag units per square foot. Don't forget about a spoiler to keep the rubber on the road and 5-point harnesses because safety first.
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lol. 2500 to pull a 21 ft boat.
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You should be fine with a stock Denali.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk |
LOL, and JetRanger strikes again....
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I'm going with a new Denali, it will be better than just o.k. I take my boat on a couple of road trips each year, my current Tahoe struggles at times on long sustained mountains/hills of TN...but for the other 99% of time it pulls fine...If you lived in the mountains that would be the only reason I'd consider an alternative.
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I own an 08 F250 and I've pulled an LSV with a 6.2. If you don't live at alt, or go over mountains the 6.2 will be fine. Will it pull as well as the F250, not even close, but if you do most of your towing on flat ground you should be fine.
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A 21' boat should be no issue at all for an L92 motored vehicle.
I tow our 21' Malibu with a 5.3L LM7 in my Avalanche and it tows safely. Some downshifting on flat land and some struggling on hill climbs but takes the abuse and asks for more. L92 has an additional 118HP and 90 FT/LB of torque (plus a 6-speed tranny)...you will be just fine. |
Anyone know if jetranger even owns a boat? Or a vehicle to even tow one?
Based off every post I've seen from him, I'd venture to say no. I'd also guess that he wears a helmet while out in public. Anyway back on topic. While I want to get back into a diesel badly, the rational part of my brain thinks that an SUV is a better year round choice, especially when not towing. |
If you can afford it, the new Denalis and Escalades (2015) are coming out in spring and their torque #'s may be better. Thing is if you ever upgrade that Supreme to a G or Star (which you should) then your SUV (pronounced "suv") won't have the towing capacity no matter how many extra leafs you bolt on. Don't forget the K&N filter decal for an extra 5 HP...
Listen, in all honesty, we can tell you want a diesel, and you are just looking for someone to talk you out of the Denali, so here it goes, Denalis are for soccer moms and brotatoes...so un-pop that collar and get a Duramax! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/08/2a6a3aqe.jpg |
^Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this...and totally redeem yourself!
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^ Traded it for the van. Straight up!!
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if your wife is alredy in a Merc you need one of these.
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That moment when you realize you'll never be as awesome as Brotato!
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Are the boat ramps you go to steep? If they have a shallow grade, sometimes you have to worry about the height of the cargo area on SUV's and dunking that back end in the water. If you are on nice steep ramps, nothing to worry about there. Just thought I would throw it out there.
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Your profile says you live in Roseville so If you want to take your boat to Lake Tahoe then you should probably get a diesel from personally expirence my family used to tow our boat with a 2003 Ford Expedition then in 2012 we bought a 2004 Ski Supreme Sky Supreme V230 we have a place in Carnelian Bay and tow our boat from Santa Rosa up 80 to Tahoe once in June and then bring it back down in August. Last April we decided to get a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd Duramax because we thought that the expedition might crap out on us when towing to the boat to Tahoe. On the last weekend in June we where pulling the boat to Tahoe and going over Donner summit it felt like the boat wasn't even behind us.
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Went from the 5.3 Tahoe to the Denali 6.2 and 6 speed trans and it's a much better tow vehicle. No issues pulling a 21 foot boat around.
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Why would you spend money on a Denali when that same amount of money could net you a nice 3/4 ton diesel?
Like others have said, at the end if the day the Denali is still a half ton, and a half ton is going to tow like a half ton regardless. IMO Like how I did that? Keep the Benz and sell your POS truck, unless you lack the man parts to make these kind of tough decisions. |
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Sounds like your girlfriend or whatever calls the shots in your house....why not just ask her what to buy? It's probably her money anyways.
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I bought an 08 F-250 and lifted it thinking my better half wouldn't drive it. I was wrong. The only time she doesn't drive it is when its out of fuel.
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Go 3/4 ton and never look back!
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Ebay for 80 bucks. Looks like it doubled in price since I bought mine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/08-10-Ford-S...f35e36&vxp=mtr |
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My wife also drives my diesel most of the time. I tool around for work in her Mazda 6 lol
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Mine said " I like how other cars move out of the way when I tailgate them"! So I bought new bumpers! She has a C300 that just sits in the garage most of the time, I have a old school (97) 540I that I drive to work. To be honest I love my truck but hate driving it in the city, there is no where to park & the valet guy just looks at me funny when I jump out and toss the keys. Got to just keep walking and let them figure it out!
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tough crowd, was merely thinking aloud and tossing the idea around.
Went and test drove an f250 today, dude is a bit firmer on price than id like to pay, but its only been for sale for 2 days. Tuesday will bring 2 more 08's to look at. One is an f350 crew cab long bed 112k miles, other is f250 crew short bed 90k miles. We'll see both of them should be around the 17k ish range |
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