Pics of your tow vehicle?

john b wrote:

That truck used to be in Seattle - was this an internet pic or did you see it in person?   pretty cool advertising

I hate to tell you, but not a whole lot you can do for mileage with a 7.3. Like all diesels if you go with an aftermarket tune, improve the breathing, you'll see some good gains, but never anywhere close to 20 mpg. Changing out the A/T tires for low rolling resistance fleet or highway all-seasons will pick up maybe 1 1/2 mpg.

I'm not sure what the best tune is for a 7.3, a co-worker is about to mod his and will be doing some research. Honestly the only way to really get some gains is to have a light foot on the pedal, run slower on the highway, etc. They just are not known for fuel efficiency. 18 is possible I suppose if you drive it very gently.

1996 Jimmy w/ 4.3 pulling 1982 2001. Great combo.

2006 F 250 6.0. i love that thing!

Picked up this 2009 Suburban LT. Looking forward to hooking up the boat sometime soon!

jimsport93 wrote: Well, can't seem to get the picture to post.

I have trouble when I try to upload, usually put the pictures online first and then link them.

Good luck with the Sub! I think you'll like it, I've enjoyed my '10 Tahoe. The tow mode works well, shift points are much different and locks out 6th gear.

Jim, not many vehicles make a 21' boat look small, but ...... that's a beast!

Yea guys. Need a big vehicle. Work as a carpet rep for Mohawk. Load the back of that Suburban (and my previous one....277,000 miles) with carpet samples during the work week.
It sure does pull that boat great!

Gary,my 2000 4WD Suburban has the trans cooler, but not the ability to monitor the trans temp.
On my new 2009 2WD the trans monitoring is part of the electronics package. Will have to pay better attention, but seams to run in the 148 degree range. Have only towed a few times with it. Fifteen miles one way.
Pretty sure my new 2009 has the trans cooler, but need to check for sure. It does have the "towing package".
By the way. My 2000 4WD 1500 is for sale! 277,000 miles, and has been my daily driver. Leaks a little oil (rear main and valve cover) and still runs strong....no rust here in the South.

Gary, what year is the Avalanche? The '08 and older have the 4 speed, '09 and newer 6 speed tranny. My '10 Tahoe gets to the mid 170's towing my Sport, I figure 4,500 lbs. with boat and trailer plus gear in the boat. That's on the highway, much lower on local roads unless I'm pulling a hill. I have the tow package but like Jim said I really don't know if that adds a cooler, I assume it does.

I think he means temp Bruce. I got something like 14 going and in a terrific headwind home 11. It's a '10 Dave with a 3:08 gear and was using the tow mode. I'm very happy with it,got a lot of room to pack stuff in and still gets better mileage than the Town Car

Gary S wrote: I think he means temp Bruce. I got something like 14 going and in a terrific headwind home 11. It's a '10 Dave with a 3:08 gear and was using the tow mode. I'm very happy with it,got a lot of room to pack stuff in and still gets better mileage than the Town Car

Yes Bruce, should have said tranny temp in my post. I have 3.42 gears, haven't checked towing mileage by math but the dash readout says around 14 which based on other mileage I've checked is probably more like 13.

dreaming...I had a 7.3 and put over 200k on it with modifications. I will say that the biggest MPG improvements came from a 80hp economy tune from DP Tuner (Jody Tipton). He customizes the tune for your vehicle if you have a intake, exhaust, turbo changes, transmission, etc. I had slightly oversized tires but could get 18-19mpg empty on trips. I didn't have a cold air intake but did have a Donaldson filter which came on 6.0 powerstrokes. Flowed a lot and filtered great. But I did put a free flowing muffler on so it was somewhat quiet. Straight pipe made no mpg improvements...I tried. Proper tuning along with a free flowing exhaust is really the only changes that can improve MPG. Also pretend there is a egg on the go pedal. hard to do but if you take it easy, it helps. My old 7.3 would run right beside my new 6.7 400hp/800tq powerstroke....again, I built it for strength and towing, not performance. My list of mods was LONG, but it was for reliability. Maybe this helps, but call DP Tuner....Jody will fix you right up!