How many miles on your tow vehicle?

[Rod Pease]

I've just begun to think about replacing my tow vehicle. I currently tow a 2003 19' Bambi with a 2001 GMC 4wd Z-71 pickup truck.
I have about 130,000 miles on the truck approx 10% have been towing miles. I have used synthetic oil from the first oil change and have been religous about changing the oil every 3-5000 mile.
The truck is in great shape and I have been thinking about replacing it when I get close to 200,000 miles on it. Recently I've been considering going to 300,000 miles.
At any rate I'd like to hear from the Forum on the subject of how many miles is enough to expect out of a tow vehicle.
Do you diesel guys really get that many more miles?

[JimGolden]

Well, I've got a trand total of about 15,750 miles on my Cummins

Seriously though, I run synthetic in all my cars (not the diesel). I use mobil 1 15w50. Have for years. It's good stuff. I commute to work 90 miles a day in a '94 Chevy Cavalier RS 4-cylinder. I've got 177,000 miles on the clock and the little car runs like a top. It burns no oil, it doesn't smoke a bit. Synthetic oil is good stuff.

I saw a test where Mobil ran a GM Quad 4 (remember those?) and a BMW straight 6 for the equivalent of 200,000 miles. They changed the filters every 50,000 miles, but used the same oil for the entire test. They tore the engines down and mic'd all the parts. There was no measurable wear.

I'm a believer.

Anyway, keep driving that Chevy. It's got a lot of life left in it!

PS I know guys with over 300,000 miles on their Cummins Ram's and they're still running fine. One guy has over 350,000 on his.

[wahoonc]

Well...I used it for towing...just not the Airstream. I turned in my company 97 F150 early this year and it had 308,000 miles on the original V-6 it had the oil and filter changed every 5k. Other than the usual wear out stuff like tires, belts, hoses etc, the only major repairs were radiators at 100k,200k & 300k miles. The tranny was redone at 186k and was about due again. My current truck is a 96 F350 PSD with 72,000 on it...and it isn't even broke in yet. I have a tendency to keep my vehicles a long, long time.

Aaron

[audiobox]

We got 212k miles out of our '90 'Burb 350 gasser before it tossed a rod. We've put 3k on the new crate engine. Synth oil up front.

[moosetags]

We formerly had Petunia, a 2001 Suburban 2500 2WD. We drove iher 125,000 miles; she towed about 25 percent of the time.

We replaced her with Olivia, a 2005 Suburban 2500 4x4x4 (4WD & Quadrasteer). We have driven her 32,000 miles so far; she tows about 50 percent of the time.

[Bob Thompson]

I've put 94,000 miles on my '02 Tundra with at least 60% of those miles towing. Other than brakes and a rear axle seal, no problems. It runs great. The plan is to put another 200,000 miles on it.

[Beginner]

215,000 on body.
Previous owner(GM Dealer, it was a courtesy bus) had just replaced the engine (350)and transmission (700R4)before I bought it(someone drove it up against an anchor fence after both were replaced).
Engine has maybe 15,000 miles on it and the transmission less than that.
Added oversize cooler for transmission and change oil every 3000(Castrol 10W30).
So far so good.
Beginner

[Silvertwinkie]

My burb has 9700 miles on it.

The old tow horse has 98,000 miles on it.

[scf31]

99 Chevy 2500 truck 185,000 with Mobile 1 , Vortec V-8 , change tranny fluid every 40,000 . go anywhere, anytime !!!!!

[crazylev]

My '01 VW Eurovan V-6's odometer just turned over 235,000 miles. Most of those are with AS in tow going very fast. And that is driving in the mountains here in Chicago.

I should probably change the oil someday or a very least check it. I'll also probably have to hot-glue some new tread on the Firestone's that are on there now. The way I see it, if they are still round, they're still good.

The van's transmission only stays in 1st gear, so when that goes, I'll have to install a hitch on the front of the Euro so I can pull the AS in reverse.

And you guys said I couldn't tow with my beloved Euro. Hack Tooey. I spit on your 'Burbs, Hemi's, Cummins (isn't that a spice?), and Quadro-everything!!!

P.S. BTW- Does anyone know what it means when I see thick carbon-y smoke and pieces of what seem to be burning Kingsford charchol coming out of my exhaust? Is this normal? I do get just a little dizzy when driving and sometimes when I think I'm changing the radio station, I acidently reach for the Prodigy Brake controller and engage the trailer brakes.

thjonana

[RickStream]

2001 Silverado Pickup, ext. cab, long box, 6.0 V-8,4-WD, in silver.
132,000 LIKE A ROCK!

[overlander63]

I just walked out and checked the "clock": 272,236.2 miles.
That is a 1986 F250, with the 6.9 liter turbo (T420) Navistar diesel.
I can still walk away from traffic at red lights towing our Overlander.

[ArtStream]

F350 PSD 15' Box truck with Air Hitch
203,000
Tranny at 150,000
Water pump 160,000
Alternator, 140,000

Runs fine.
12 mpg towing 14 not.

Happy Motoring,
Michael

[BillTex]

Recently retired 97 GMC 1/2 ton 5.7l (350 ci) 128768 mi. 25% towing. What a great truck that has been. Hate to see it go...(its for sale)

Replaced by 06 Duramax 6102 mi. 61% towing miles. That Allison is unbelievable!

Bill

[dinoburb]

118,352 on a '91 Suburban R2500. Runs great and the milage isn't too bad either: 13.5 w/o trailer, 10.something w/trailer; highway, that is!

Mobil 1 & Wix filters seem to work like a charm.

Take care,

[bill benton]

Mine now has just 240,000. Time to take the window sticker off.

[till]

131,000+ on 1993 Chevy Caprice 5.0

[overlander64]

My current primary tow vehicle was ordered with the intent that it would be used for the long-term. I placed my order in January of 1998, and my 1999 GMC K2500 Suburban was delivered on April 12, 1998. It was ordered with every factory option except the sunroof and diesel engine -- it has the 10,000 pound trailer towing package. About 40% of its miles are towing one or the other of my trailers.

• Currnet Odometer reading is 177,000 miles
  • It is currently on its 8th electronic 4 WD tranfer case control board -- these seem to last about 15,000 to 18,000 miles.
  • Windshield Wiper Switch replaced at 144,000 miles.
  • Transfer Case Seals & Gaskets replaced at 160,000 miles
  • Front Brake Rotors Resurfaced at 80,000 and 166,000 miles with new pads.
  • Rear brake shoes replaced at 166,000 miles and drums resurfaced.
  • Fuel Pump replaced at 165,000 miles.
  • Water Pump replaced at 106,000 miles.
  • Thermostat replaced at 80,000 and 160,000 miles.
  • OEM Shocks replaced at 89,000 miles.
  • Heater Core replaced at 120,000 miles.
  • Fuel Injectors cleaned at 80,000 and 160,000 miles.
  • Tie Rod Ends and Idler Arm at 155,000 miles.
• Ziebarted (Interior, Undercarriage, and Exterior Packages) when new and maintained annually since -- no evidence of rust.
• Original Firestone tires replaced at 35,000 miles with Michelin LTX tires.
  • Second set of Micheling LTX tires installed at 123,000 miles.
• Regular factory recommended maintenance performed by one of two GM garages every three months or 3,000 miles according to factory recommendations.
• Transmission serviced every 30,000 miles.

I have looked at new Suburbans, but still like mine better. My current plan is to anticipate 350,000 miles from the drivetrain. Unless the body/chassis suddenly develops a rust problem, I would rather spring for a Good Wrench engine and transmission as opposed to purchasing a new Suburban. I don't enjoy purchasing vehicles, and the age of the vehicle that I drive doesn't bother me, in fact, I prefer a vehicle that has some history.

I suspect that the Suburban will need a paint job and new chrome for its bumpers in about 2019.

Kevin

[SilverToy]

Hello all -

My TV is an '01 2500 4x4 Suburban LT with the 6L motor. Been OEM and BULLIT PROOF so far. Even still has the original factory Brake Pads on it.

Mileage is 69K.

Getting 14.5 in mixed urban/highway driving. When I go to all highway, the cruise it set at 65 + ish and I get about 16/17. When SilverToy joins the party the MPG goes to 11.5 or 12 (mostly highway speeds).

Did get about 60K on the original tires - Steeltec's. Michelins now, and if there was a need for all new tires tomorrow - they would all be Steeltec again. Just ride better. DEFINATELY TOW BETTER.

Everything else is boring and original.

LOVE my Burb - she gets me where I'm going!!!! NO questions asked!

Ciao everyone!

Axel

[Happycampers]

1997 PSD has 185,000 plan on driving it another couple years.