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Towing a 260 with my Suburban
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Author:  tripletdad [ Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Towing a 260 with my Suburban
Hi All -We are considering a H240 or 260 purchase in the spring and I'm slightly concerned on towing the 260. We have a 2004 Suburban Z71 4x4 and would be towing to lakes that are 2-5 hours from our house. Between my 11 year old triplets, my wife, and the gear, I'm afraid we might be pushing the limit for the Surburban? What do all of you Suburban owners tow? Any issues? Any other thoughts would be great! Thanks :lol:
Author:  french829 [ Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
First of all--welcome! Do you know the towing capacity of your Suburban. I would suspect it would be around 10K lbs. If so, I think you would be OK. My H230 is around 6K with no gear, people, or fuel. For the H260 I would probably add about 1500-1800 lbs to that.
Author:  tripletdad [ Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
Thanks - I believe the towing capacity is 7,200lbs and we will probably be getting close to it. Our Suburban has the 5.3l motor.
Author:  tennja [ Tue Oct 11, 2011 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
The trailer boats database lists the tow capacity of your truck at 8200 pounds. I don't know if the z71 changes the rating or not.

Most "experts" say you should tow at 70-80% of your towing capacity. My 260 full of fuel and trailer weigh about 6850 pounds. Your at 83% right there. Not saying it can't be done but your very close. And you still have to figure you'll have to load the vehicle with stuff and people too. You need to see if you can find the GCVWR listed somewhere.
Author:  scotchwater [ Tue Oct 11, 2011 11:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
Buy the 260 and dump the Suburban. With 2 to 5 hour towing you will have your pedal to the floor and get about 4 mpg if you're towing on anything other than flat. For short hauls (2 to 20 miles) you would be fine. The 240 isn't quite as heavy, but if you can afford the 260 you'll never look back and not wishing you would have bought it instead.

I've got the 5.3 with 315 H.P. and although it gets the job done and is rated at 7500 lbs, my longest tow was about 5 hours with lots of climbing and a total pain in the butt. Towing back and forth from the storage to the boat launch is a piece of cake.
Author:  french829 [ Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
I would say the 240 would be a better match for your tow vehicle--but I would not have that drive my decision. You could probably get through a season with the Suburban and a 260--but a new tow vehicle would be in my plans in a year or so.
Author:  blue dragon [ Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
tennja wrote:
The trailer boats database lists the tow capacity of your truck at 8200 pounds. I don't know if the z71 changes the rating or not.

Most "experts" say you should tow at 70-80% of your towing capacity. My 260 full of fuel and trailer weigh about 6850 pounds. Your at 83% right there. Not saying it can't be done but your very close. And you still have to figure you'll have to load the vehicle with stuff and people too. You need to see if you can find the GCVWR listed somewhere.

Do you guys tow with your boat full of fuel and water? My longest tow so far has been two hours, and I'm at my tow limit. I averaged 17l/100 km which is just under 14 MPG towing between 110km/hr and 120 km/hr, and thats with the boat half full of gas and no water.
Author:  230 Mike [ Wed Oct 12, 2011 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
There's one trip we make where I make an effort to have as much fuel burned off as possible before the trip and before we come back, due to the terrain (Ozark mountains). Otherwise, I tow with whatever the boat has in it, which is sometimes full (we try to buy gas off the lake as much as possible).
Author:  Cincy Aquaholic [ Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
For what it's worth I towed my '06 260 with an expedition which I assume has a similar tow rating for 3 years and thousands of miles. It pulled it just fine. No worries. Got about 10 mpg.
Author:  Xavid [ Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
I have a 05 H250 which is now the 260. I tow regularly 2-5 hours, including a very potentially dangerous, brake burning run down 75 thru Smoky Mtns every year. I wanted a big diesel, but use a big v8 hemi Durango. It's tow capacity is about 8000. It does very well, but gets only 11-12.5 mpg when towing the loaded boat with my 2 kids wife and me. I usually try to tow with less than a fourth of a tank in the boat. And I have not used the fresh water system. I have never felt the Durango have any real difficulty. Maybe the diesel excursion would be even better and get better mileage, but they were higher cost. I think your vehicle would be ok for shorter trips but you'll find yourself unhappy with longer and hillier trips. Find a used big Suv that has a tow capacity greater than 8000 and you'll be better off. Also you must have a lot of rear space to put all your stuff in, like bags,food, drinks, trailer jack,your box o' tools/lubes/extra lights/wires/tie downs etc. , clean up towels, games, coolers,dvd's, you get the picture.
Author:  St. Louis Dave [ Thu Oct 13, 2011 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
I pulled my 260 with my Hummer H2 without problems (6.0 Vortec) but now use (and prefer) a V-10 Excursion now that I got rid of my H2. The Surburban will pull it, but that is a lot to put on the small v-8 (5.3). I think your chassis will be fine with the surburban, but your short on motor. It may be worth looking into some aftermarket engine upgrades if you like the truck. Don't not get the boat. You'll LOVE the 260. (just don't go look at a 310) :wink:
Author:  boatfun08 [ Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
Going up hills is a struggle when pulling the boat. The Vehicle is also usually loaded down with camping gear, ice chest, and several teenagers. Flat ground is fine. I would look for a truck with a bigger engine and towing capacity if it was me.
Author:  Flying Sushi [ Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
You are right at boarder but will be ok for a few hours of highway towing. however, 5 hours towing would be little uncomfortable if you have to drive thru hills or steeps… … A transmission cooler would be a must for your application. Otherwise try it and see how it works for you.. If you like the boat and start towing it every weekend the it would be a worth to look for 3/4 ton truck or SUV.
Author:  BullGatorTitan [ Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
I tow my 260 with an Infiniti QX56 4WD that has a towing capacity of 8900lbs and I get between 9-10 mpg. I have towed hundreds of miles and it runs great, regularly towing 1.5-2 hours per trip. Good luck with whatever choice you make and enjoy your boat!

I agree that the 260 is a great boat and as a family of 5 we are so glad we didn't go smaller, but I have to agree, don't go looking at the 310's.
Author:  powellcrazy [ Sat Oct 22, 2011 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Towing a 260 with my Suburban
We have had several GM Tahoes, 5.3L equipped with everything for towing (8400 lbs trailer weight rating), so a very close comparison to a similar suburban minus the wheel base (which is a bonus for towing)

My personal experience, I do not like towing more than 4500 - 5000 lbs with the Tahoe, the 1/2 ton chassis, drive train, small motor, small brake system, just make for an uncomfortable towing experience. Just too squirmish, car like, ect.... even with LT tires, HD gas shocks. Remember, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, you can upgrade many things on a 1/2 ton to try improving towing performance, but its still just a little 1/2 ton. Flip side, that little 1/2 ton Tahoe makes the best family car!

While we have had many tohoes and currently have one in the garage, I have always had a Ford F350 turbo diesel for towing the 5th wheel or boat. So I have only used the tahoe for towing on rare occasion.
Just throwing my 2 cents out there that the little 1/2 ton for a H240 is too small a tow vehicle, let alone a H260.

Do it right and upgrade the tow vehicle to a 3/4 ton (with all options for heavy towing) minimum, and get the larger boat. Then start enjoying the best "family time" ever.
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