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Chitown AirStreamers · 06-06-2011, 09:13 AM

What can you guys tell me about the 6.0 gas engine in 2006 Suburban 2500's? Gas mileage etc........ Hows the power when towing... Is 80,000 one owner miles alot for this engine??

**moosetags** · 06-06-2011, 09:25 AM

We currently have have two 3/4 ton Suburbans with the 6.0 liter gasoline engines. One is an '05 4x4 with 101,000 miles on it. The other is an '04 2x4 with 80,000 miles on it. Both have been used extensively for towing Lucy, our 2005 25FB, who weighs 7400# ready to camp.

Both the Subs do a great job of towing the Airstream in all situations. They both get about 10 mpg towing and 13 mpg solo. I have never seen any difference between the 2 and 4 wheel drive in the gas mileage department.

Both the Subs have held up well so far.

Brian

Denis4x4 · 06-06-2011, 10:25 AM

I have an '06 Sierra 2500 crew cab 4x4 with the 6.0 and get 14-15 MPG without the Safari 25 FB and 10 to 11 MPG towing. Two weeks ago I went to Fort Lupton to pick up a Hallmark pop top camper and averaged 14.8 going up and 14.1 after the camper was installed. I also have 4:11 gears with a limited slip rear end.

overlander63 · 06-06-2011, 10:35 AM

I had a 2500 Silverado with the 6.0, it got about 15 solo and 11-12 mpg towing. I towed our 6,000+# Airstream over Cajon pass at 50 mph regularly.
It had 185,000 miles on it when I traded it in.

field & stream · 06-06-2011, 10:35 AM

I have a 2001 Yukon Denali XL with the 6.0 litre motor, all-wheel drive, and 3.73 gears. At least one-third of its 80,000 miles have been towing a horse trailer, dump trailer, and recently a 23 foot Safari SE. When I picked up the Airstream in Colorado I got 18 mpg on the way out, and 12 mpg towing the trailer back to California. It has averaged 13 mpg over its life. Absolutely no trouble with the motor so far, and I think you can expect a long life from them if they are properly driven and maintained.

jspafford · 06-06-2011, 11:26 AM

Our "Silvester" '06 Chevy Express van 3500 (1 ton chassis) with a 6.0 has performance very similar to Moosetags'. We always use tow-haul when towing. We pull a Safari 25' SEFB. This is a 12 passenger van (3 bench seats behind the front bucket seats) which we find very convenient in lots of different applications. It is the go-to vehicle for our extended family jaunts. When camping we pull out the back seat, have plenty of room for our three shelties with views out the window, and oodles of space for camping gack in the back.

When I'm working on projects all the seats are out and there's more room than a pickup long bed. A 4x8 sheet of plywood lays flat with room to spare at one end.

Silvester owns the road with stability, visibility, maneuverability and pull. The only time we had a problem was pulling up the 14% grade from Lucerne Valley to Big Bear Lake in California, an epic mistake. But that's another story.

I keep synthetic oil in the crankcase and give it regular check ups and baths.

**jcanavera** · 06-06-2011, 03:20 PM

I have the 6.0 liter 4.10 axle in my 3/4 ton GMC van. I'm probably in the 11-12 mpg while towing with tow/haul engaged. City use without towing is about 13 mpg. I typically only use the van for towing, hence it only has around 33,000 miles even though it was purchased new in May 2003. It's rated to tow 9,900 lbs.

I use Mobil 1 along with a Mobile 1 oil filter. I change oil annually.

Jack

Loob · 06-21-2011, 03:51 PM

Hello,

In regards to your question on the 6.0L Vortec I can provide you with my opinion of the engine.

I drive a 2004 YUKON DENALI XL. It has the 6.0L VORTEC and 3.73 rear end with 4spd tranny. I have a VOLANT cold air intake. As well, a highly regarded trailer dealer on this site recommended I get rid of the sxxty P-rated tires and replaced them with YOKAHAMA GEOLANDER HTS LT:245/70/17.

I have 250,000km or 150,000miles on it. I bought it from my elderly neighbour after he had it for 2yrs with 60,000miles on it, mostly highway as he travels from Canada to California every year.

I can tell you that the 6.0L VORTEC is an excellent engine. I have not had any problems with it. In fact, Our next vehicle will be a newer YUKON DENALI XL with the 6.2L.

My trailer is not an AIRSTREAM (one day it will be). It is a regular style cabin type trailer, 27' long, 3100KG (6200lbs) dry. The 6.0L just plays with this trailer. It pulls it awesome with no issue of power. Pulling an AIRSTREAM would be easier, even though they are heavier.

I live in Central Canada, province of Saskatchewan(prairies). I can tell you that pulling through mountains on our holidays is never an issue. We have pulled through the rockies since 2004 every other year. Last year we were in Fairmont BC. This year we are going back again, travelling the Okanagon, Columbia Valley and Shushwaps. It is one of the most beautiful drives/holidays you will find in an RV.

I have learned after many years of towing that it's never the mountains that are an issue for power regardless of the grades, rather it is the flat ass prairies where you get very strong head winds etc.

The 6.0L never struggles, it works beautiful. I have had this YUKON XL DENALI since Jan.2006 and it is a pure pleasure.

Last week, after a routine maintenance check I did a Transmission rebuild which after 250,00km is alright with me. I run synthetic now in the transmission along with the transfer case & front/rear diff's. Never had an issue with the transmission, but since they had it apart and found 2nd was getting weak, I went ahead with the rebuild since we are doing a long holiday again this year.

Regular driving I get 17L/100KM or about 14 US MPG or 16.5 IMP gallons.

Highway driving at 120kmh or 70mph I get 14L/100KM or about 17 US MPG or 20 IMP gallons.

Towing depends on where we are travelling, however, our trip last year towing from Saskatchewan (prairies) to the British Columbia Rockies and back averaged 24L/100Km or about 10 US MPG or 12 IMP gallons.

My typical speed while towing is 95-100km/hr or 55-60 miles/hr.

I hope this helps.

Take care,

Mike from Canada

kingfisher24 · 07-06-2011, 06:21 AM

and emission control devices......I have a 2004 Sierra Denali all wheel drive, quadrasteer...136000 miles. I get about 10 miles to the gallon towing the 25FB Safari, or not. It has been a great tow vehicle and no major issues.....just minor

now i am having "check engine" light issues......been hooked to the OBD and it indicates that the mass air sensor and 02 sensors are acting up.....

several mechanics have railled on the K&N as the prime source of the MAS failure.....

any thoughts

ROBERT CROSS · 07-06-2011, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfisher24

and emission control devices......I have a 2004 Sierra Denali all wheel drive, quadrasteer...136000 miles. I get about 10 miles to the gallon towing the 25FB Safari, or not. It has been a great tow vehicle and no major issues.....just minor

now i am having "check engine" light issues......been hooked to the OBD and it indicates that the mass air sensor and 02 sensors are acting up.....

several mechanics have railled on the K&N as the prime source of the MAS failure.....

any thoughts

Have the mechanic's removed the filter and inspected, or just condemned it after seeing the sticker? Only a clogged filter would be suspect. Have cleared the codes?, and the same codes return.

I have used K&N filters on both my Suburban,(95&06) TV's, they have never been the source of any fault codes.

You could try cleaning the sensor wires in the MAFS with carb cleaner, if it has been running rich the 02 sensor will most likely have to be changed.

dznf0g · 07-06-2011, 07:01 AM

If you over oil a K&N, it will cause MAF issues. This is a case where "a little dab will do ya". Just enough oil to turn the material pink after cleaning with the K&N detergent. THAT'S ALL! just barely pink.

I've used K&N in my two vehicles for over 10 years in this manner....no issues.

kingfisher24 · 07-06-2011, 12:44 PM

it has been in use for 100,000 miles...oiled the same every time......mech took it out and cussed me a blue streak, called me a dumb a-- for using it.... MAS was cleaned yesterday and i have driven 250 miles and light has not come back on....yet

ROBERT CROSS · 07-06-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfisher24

it has been in use for 100,000 miles...oiled the same every time......mech took it out and cussed me a blue streak, called me a dumb a-- for using it.... MAS was cleaned yesterday and i have driven 250 miles and light has not come back on....yet

We drive a lot up north on the back roads, so I check the AF often. Have to take the intake air tube off anyway, so it's a good time to give the sensor a squirt at the same time. Even under normal conditions they can get crudded up. What did they say about the O2?

**DKB_SATX** · 07-06-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfisher24

it has been in use for 100,000 miles...oiled the same every time......mech took it out and cussed me a blue streak, called me a dumb a-- for using it.... MAS was cleaned yesterday and i have driven 250 miles and light has not come back on....yet

Your mechanic seems very ... uninhibited. Someone you know personally? Or just someone who doesn't know how to treat paying customers?

kingfisher24 · 07-07-2011, 03:21 PM

these were mechanics at Paul's Transmission in Baker City Oregon. I made the mistake of going there just when they opened at 8am and i guess i ruined their day.....they jumped on me like a duck on a june bug....a K&N filter must of ruined this one ole boys marriage or something....

r carl · 07-17-2011, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfisher24

it has been in use for 100,000 miles...oiled the same every time......mech took it out and cussed me a blue streak, called me a dumb a-- for using it.... MAS was cleaned yesterday and i have driven 250 miles and light has not come back on....yet

Its because a K&N passes more silica than a stock filter. The reason K&N flows a little more air is because it has bigger pores.

Phoenix · 07-17-2011, 08:32 AM

The newer pickups (and probably other vehicles) use computers for everything. On the Tundra sites, I have seen this cycle repeated a lot. Someone buys a new Tundra. A couple of weeks later, they start ripping off all of the brand new factory equipment and bolting on aftermarket stuff. Immediately, they start complaining about the problems they are having with their brand new truck.

Air filters are a common complaint, even with the Toyota TRD filters (which look like AFI and K&N filters to me). Frequently, the minute a new Tundra owner puts one of these on, they start complaining about mass air sensor fail codes. The dealers don't even know what to do to fix the filters that cause this problem, and it's a Toyota part.

Same thing with lift kits and oversized tires. There must be a giant black market of brand new Tundra parts floating around out there. I just don't get it.

Just another opinion, to be taken with a grain of salt...

Sign me "strictly stock" (with no problems).

Jack46 · 07-17-2011, 09:13 AM

We own a 2008, two wheel drive, 47,000 miles. Other than a side mirror that broke loose from the housing (tow mirrors) no issues what so ever. Vehicle was out of warranty, but it was replaced at no charge. We also have a 4.10 rear end. Gas mileage os about hauling our 30' Flying Cloud. I get 10-12 running around town without the trailer and about 17-18 on the highway. Flying Cloud is new, but our few experiences is that the 6.0 liter has enough to haul the trailer just fine. I generally do not use the transmission "tow" feature unless we are on anything other than the flats.

Jack46 · 07-17-2011, 09:14 AM

Gas mileage hauling is about 9-10 mpg

gecko · 07-21-2011, 01:08 PM

With our 2000 suburban 4 sp 6.0L 3.73 diff towing our 28' International (max weight 7300 lbs), we usually get 10 mph towing, 9 in the mountains or strong headwinds. In strong tailwinds, we've actually seen 14 mpg!

Non towing highway mileage is usually around 13.5 at 80 mph. 70 mph yields 14-15, depending upon terrain and headwinds.

Our truck has 115,000 miles. Transmission died at 69,500 (now how often does a 70,000 mile extended warranty actually pay for itself) when probably only towing 10,000 of those miles. The GM replacement transmission lasted 250 miles (!). The replacement for that is still going strong. We now tow about 10,000 miles per year, and we flush the transmission fluid at least once per season.