2018 GMC Savana 6.0 V*

[Decatur]

Thinking about buying a 2018 GMC Savana 6.0 V8 / 6 speed auto which has 10,000 max towing. Currently have a 2005 Tundra 4.7 V8 which does OK on the flats but strains in the mountains. Towing a 2005 28 foot Safari which I do not get loaded up to the max of 7200 GVWR but more around 6580 (UBW 5580 plus gear, tanks empty) Like the idea of the van for our pets, bikes and BBQ grills. Anyone tow with a GMC van? Opinions on how this vehicle pulls in the mountains? Any opinions would be helpful

[brick1]

Get a 3/4 ton diesel add a camper top and tow with ease...

[uraljohn]

I tow a 2017 Int. Serenity 23D with a 2013 Ford E150 XLT Premium van. This is a loaded van with Leather, Navigation, Back up Camera, Rear A/C, etc. It has factory Max Tow Package (8600 GVW, 8 lug wheels with load range E tires, 5.4 305 H.P. engine, 3.73 Limited Slip axle) and it does a great job. We load our bikes, baby Q grill, propane fire pit, generator (Champion 3500 Dual Fuel, we only use propane) and all our other needed stuff in it. It has a fantastic 2530 LB. cargo capacity rating. With your Airstream you might want to look at buying a new or newer Chevy Express Van. Yes, they still build them and you can get the 6.0 engine (which is better than my 5.4). I priced one of these out recently with all the nice stuff and it came in at under 45k MSRP. This is for a nice van with full interior. I test drove one and was very impressed. The other van you may want to look at is the Nissan NV3500. It's a horse with 386 H.P. They run around 45k for the top equipped model. I like a van because of the security and amount of room. We take the back bench seat out and retain the two captains seats behind the front seats in case we take along couple of friends. Very nice to tow with.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Decatur

Thinking about buying a 2018 GMC Savana 6.0 V8 / 6 speed auto which has 10,000 max towing. Currently have a 2005 Tundra 4.7 V8 which does OK on the flats but strains in the mountains. Towing a 2005 28 foot Safari which I do not get loaded up to the max of 7200 GVWR but more around 6580 (UBW 5580 plus gear, tanks empty) Like the idea of the van for our pets, bikes and BBQ grills. Anyone tow with a GMC van? Opinions on how this vehicle pulls in the mountains? Any opinions would be helpful

The 2005 Tundra was still the mid sized body. I can see how that's underpowered and underbraked.
As far as the van, I think it's a good idea.
Check out the YouTube videos from a young couple traveling in a 2008 Airstream Classic 30 with a diesel van they bought used. Not pretty, but lots of storage.
Here's the van video. They seem like great people.
"Less Junk, More Journey" is their channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtCZ09bXZME

[bibbs]

I have the 2017 Chevy express 6L 6 speed. We love that truck! Our trailer is a 21’ but that truck is amazing! My wife had a heavy foot, we pass others going up hills at speeds that are greater than 70+. Yes pets bb grill tools extra seats love all that space. We now take more interesting roads and difficult passes, because of the confidence we have in the truck. Less stress get there more easily. I have no regrets!

[lkm4321]

We have a 2014 GMC 3500 Duramax passenger van that we pull our 27' FC with. Was originally looking for a 2500 gasser when I came across this slightly used van at a substantial savings. We love the van, pulls the AS effortlessly, handles well, it is a little stiff in the ride when empty, not a daily driver. Depending on what we want to carry, gear or people it is easy to remove the seats. With the 2 back seats removed it is cavernous. We haul 2 fat tire bikes,grill, chairs, extra AS parts,compressor, tools etc. All covered and secured, while still having comfortables space for 4 adults and a small dog. With a towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. 1,000 pound tongue capacity and 17,000 pound overall capacity the most I have ever weighed is 14,000. I will strongly consider another van as a future tow vehicle. Hopefully,though, not for a long time

[pteck]

Originally Posted by brick1

Get a 3/4 ton diesel add a camper top and tow with ease...

The nuclear option. Nothing else will do.

[pteck]

Originally Posted by Decatur

Thinking about buying a 2018 GMC Savana 6.0 V8 / 6 speed auto which has 10,000 max towing. Currently have a 2005 Tundra 4.7 V8 which does OK on the flats but strains in the mountains. Towing a 2005 28 foot Safari which I do not get loaded up to the max of 7200 GVWR but more around 6580 (UBW 5580 plus gear, tanks empty) Like the idea of the van for our pets, bikes and BBQ grills. Anyone tow with a GMC van? Opinions on how this vehicle pulls in the mountains? Any opinions would be helpful

360hp and 380tq. She'll surely do the job.

Versus 282hp and 325tq in your current vehicle. It's a healthy bump.

[suncoasteng]

I tow a 28' TT that weighs in at 6,000# with a 2002 Savana but it only has the 5.7L engine. The van pulls fine at low speed and low altitude, but struggles to keep 55mph going up the long mountains out west. Would love to have bigger motor, but everything else is great. The Savana brakes and wide stance make towing easy, and you and your passenger can travel in comfort in a van, not stuck in rigid seats like most do in pickups. I have conversion van seats and the driver and front passenger make you feel like you are in your living room recliner. Plus the van can store dry goods, bikes, tools all without being exposed to the weather or theft in the bed of a pickup.

[Decatur]

Thanks everyone for the feed back. We will go for a test ride in the van next week