6.2 Liter Denali GMC. Anyone know them??

[jcmseven]

I will preface this by saying I know this will sound illogical to many in our ranks. As many know, I bought a GMC 2500 (2009) model pickup about two years ago. I have really enjoyed having it and found it to be a reliable and solid truck. I have put almost 50,000 miles on it thus far. Over recent years I have been an infrequent, yet consistent (few times a month) tow-er of a heavy utility trailer back and forth between my home and my parents' home about three hours away, one-way. The loads I have pulled have been up to 11,000 pounds gross trailer weight and I have felt with the two mountain roads I spend much time climbing, the only way to go was the 3/4 ton truck and diesel engine. Over recent months, I have sold two pieces of equipment that are my heaviest and now tow rarely, if ever, over 6000 pounds. As one can imagine my diesel truck is plenty for this job without noticing. I have 5 year old twins and my wife's Acura SUV is getting some miles on it, but still runs well and is our designated grocery getter. Because of the mileage on this car, my wife is reluctant for us to take it on any long trips (we have one planned to NY later this month) and I would not disagree with this position. She has been strongly in favor of my trading my truck for an SUV-style vehicle that can safely and comfortably pack our family and all our "stuff" for such trips.

My truck, though roomy for me, is insufficient in its current state for hauling my family (not a ton of interior room) on our relatively frequent jaunts. This has led me to look at the standard wheelbase GMC Yukon Denali as an alternative to my truck. I have certain thoughts that I am considering and wanted input of those who have used these vehicles or who have an opinion (these are comment-style and in no certain format)

-I drive 25,000+ miles per year
-I find my truck difficult to park at my work (enclosed deck) but I can do it OK
-I like diesels, but would consider a high-performing gas engine
-I have known some folks with Tahoes and their service has been spotty, I know no one with such a vehicle as I note, so curious about thoughts on service record.
-I almost never use the bed on my truck, it is either empty in back or towing something
-I tend to trade every 2-3 years unless I really like my vehicle (my truck is one I would keep in this criteria)
-I no longer tow over 6K pounds, but am looking at a box trailer for periodic use that could add about 1K weight to that number
-My wife does not take care of vehicle as do I, so reluctant to have her as primary driver of new vehicle
-Would I miss diesel power??
-I am as disappointed in Government Motors bailout as everyone else, but think GMC has some really nice appearing current offerings and there is an excellent local dealer for me

I would welcome any input here. The message I have poorly attempted to convey is that my current needs likely could be fulfilled by a gas engined SUV or good size, but I do not want to even think of trading a vehicle I know I like and an engine-type I like unless I had strong opinion that the alternative would provide the service I need and want. Thoughts???

John M

 

[Diamondpilot]

Here are my thoughts. GM is the only one offering something with a big engine right now. Nissan has a nice SUV that is the sister to the Titan. I really love my Titan for towing but make sure you get the Big Tow Package. Toyota has some offerings but I do not think it will fit your needs. Ford will have a new engine lineup in the Expedition in a year but that does you no good so you only have the 5.4L as a real option. Dodge has nothing that competes.

So where does this leave you? Really, GM is the only one that has something that fits the bill right now for you. I am sure if you were to wait a year the Ford Expedition would have the same engine lineup that the F-150 has but you can not wait.

I am with you about the Government Bail Out thing for the most part with the difference being I will not buy anything from GM ever again while you still consider them.

If it were me I would rent something for this trip and wait a year and get a new Expedition or F-150 and put a camper shell on it with the 6.2L or the twin Turbo 3.5L. (read the other thread on the New F-150 Motor Line-up) Really impressive.

As you say the Tahoe/Yukon history has been spotty. I know 3 folks with them. My co-worker has had tranny issues, axle isuues, and just last month on a trip to New York for a wedding had the AC go out. The other two I know with them have had good service. These are all 05 and new units all with 88,000 miles or less.

Chris

 

[BruceWard]

I bought a used Sierra Denali ten months ago and have put 15K+ miles on it bringing to to a total around 70K. I love it and the family does too.

The 6.2 is a very smooth, powerful engine. It is great on the highway and has easily towed 9,000 pounds several times.

My truck gets used off road several times a week and tows heavy loads several times per month. It came with 20" wheels with car tires that I swapped for 18" wheels with mud tires. The ride was smoother and the handling better with the car tires.

The wife and kids love the interior, dual DVD players and dual zone climate control.

The Denalis come with most options. I suggest you make sure it has the tow package. Also the 20" wheels come with stiffer suspension which I find helpful.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Bruce

How do you like the 6 speed and the 6.2 when towing? I have heard many say they liked the 6.0 and the old 4 speed better for towing due to the constant shifting.

I know the 6.2 kicks the 6.0's butt on paper but what is your real world experience? Also, do you do any towing in the mountains or even good hills?

Chris

 

[Dmace]

It sounds like even a mid-sized SUV would work. If parking a full-size truck is difficult at work with the enclosed deck then a full-size SUV would be even more difficult.

You say your max towing is 6k with the possibility of up to 7k with the new trailer so the tow capacity of the SUV should be at least 7k. You also want comfort for at least 4 people so you don't need a 7 or 8 passenger and you probably want decent mpg's...

Along with the Tahoe, I would also look at (in order of tow capacity):
Chevy Tahoe - V8 6.2l 403hp/417lb.ft - 8,100lb towing - mpg 13/20 $37,570
Jeep Grand Cherokee - V8 5.7l 360hp/390lb.ft - 7,400lb towing - mpg 14/20- $36,995
Ford Explorer - V8 4.6l 292hp/315lb.ft - 7,115lb towing - mpg 14/19 - $36,280
Nissan Pathfinder - V8 5.6l 310hp/388lb.ft - 7,000lb towing - mpg 14/20 V6 - $37,470

As for the 6.2l GMC engine, I have not heard of many problems or major recalls on it. It is a big engine and I have yet to find anyone get an honest 18 or more mpg's even on the highway but it certainly would have no problem towing 7k lbs. :thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

The Nissan that could not come to mind is the Armada.

View All Nissan Vehicles | Nissan USA Starts at $37,910 Seats 8, Tows 9,000#, 317 HP/385 TQ, and gets 12/18 mpg.

I will be the first to admit my Titan, its brother, gets 14.6 mpg average. Thats with more than 1/2 the miles towing. I have never seen better than 15 mpg on the highway but my truck is modified by the dealer and has bigger tires and a lift on it that do not help. Not very good but will still get 12ish mpg towing 7,000#. Thats where it shines. Even going 75 mph pulling 7,000# to Knoxville last month I got 10.8 mpg running I-75.

Chris

 

[bdeboer]

Is your existing truck a crew cab? We went from a 3/4 Ton Suburban to a Chevy 3/4 Ton Diesel Crew Cab two years ago. 3 kids between 11 and 4 now. The oldest complained about losing his 3rd row seat. The thing we do is put an ABS plastic "UnderCover" cap on it for the winter. The haul the luggage or whatever in the back. It is only 65 lbs. I wouldn't be happy with the 1/2 ton SUV suspension for Towing anything with wind resistance.

Undercover is the new standard in tonneau covers. Our Patented X-effect design and advanced polymers give this tonneau cover unparalleled strength and durability at a fraction of the weight and less cost than fiberglass.

 

[bdeboer]

The other I should add is that when we purchased the 3/4 Suburban used in 2005 I traded in my Ext Cab Shortbed 1/2 Ton thinking I could live without a truck by using a trailer. That last lasted 4 months, before I purchased another truck.

 

[BruceWard]

Bruce

How do you like the 6 speed and the 6.2 when towing? I have heard many say they liked the 6.0 and the old 4 speed better for towing due to the constant shifting.

I know the 6.2 kicks the 6.0's butt on paper but what is your real world experience? Also, do you do any towing in the mountains or even good hills?

Chris

I do not notice any shifting issues. There is a tow mode button on the end of the shifter. I normally use tow mode with a trailer over 3K. In tow mode it shifts less frequently. The tow mode also adds jake braking. The jake braking scared me the first time, now I really like it. If I touch the brakes going down hill the jake brake kicks in and maintains the current speed without any further need to hit the brakes.

I had to make an emergency stop with a 3K trailer hauling a 6K excavator when a car turned in front of me a few weeks ago. Between the trailer brakes and jake breaking the load stopped almost as quickly as the truck would have unloaded.

I live in the "Ozark Mountains" which peak around 3,000 feet of elevation so certainly nothing like the rockies or apalachians. Most of the time I tow I go up and down slopes approaching or greater than 15 degrees. My only concern with hill towing is the traction control limits acceleration to much less than it could be on loose surfaces but this happens whether or not I am towing. Any slight wheel spin results in reduced power.

The 6.2 is great. The Denali has an AWD drive train which has worked very well in wet, snowy and icy conditions. It even did great in ice and snow with the original car tires it came with. A true 4WD with lockers would be a little better in mud but the AWD works fine for me. I have yet to get it stuck. My AWD Dakota was stuck twice but it was buried to steps both times.

 

[hawkeye08]

We love our 2008 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2, 6 sp and 3.42 gears. We would rather have 4WD instead of the AWD, but have had no problems with. It has very good power and revs freely to 5800. We tow a ~7000lb travel trailer some and have had no problems towing it. The tow/haul mode is great and we never lack for power. We get 8-10 mpg towing, 14-16mpg around town and 18-20mpg on the freeway.