Community Forums

dcarver · 03-08-2015, 03:14 PM

I finally got to tow with my 02 Yukon xl 2500 496! We picked up our new 2015 coachmen 320bhds weighing in dry at 7700lbs and it did great! Towed in from Dallas back to Lubbock between 60-70mph in mostly OD and shifted down only a few times and once to 2nd on a long 6% grade so I'm happy with that. Stopped for the night in abilene and a guy with a comparable Rockwood TT and duramax said he was getting 10mpg at 65mph and I pulled 8mpg so I can't complain!

Scarab0088 · 03-09-2015, 12:22 AM

Is this 496 a special build or a 8.1L Vortec V8?

If it's the 8.1, we agree that it is an awesome engine...have it in our Workhorse W24 (Allison 6speed and Meritor rearend) equipped motorhome. I understand that engine was also put in the Kodiak/Top Kick medium duty truck.

It must be a kick to drive the Yukon with no TT hooked-up.

Our average mileage over the years of use is about 8-8.2MPG...not bad with a 37' Class A towing a SUV

Safe travels

dcarver · 03-09-2015, 01:35 PM

It's the 8.1 vortec. I do wish it had either the ZF 6 or 6spd Allison. Other than that it is a blast to drive unloaded. Can't imagine what 4.10s would be like lol.

rlwithrow · 03-10-2015, 12:36 AM

Wife and I took our '03 2500 HD on a 300 mile weekend trip last weekend and got 11.5 (not pulling) and it is fun to drive with the big torque that builds fast. Well it's more like it's immediately there like an electric motor torque. It's just about to turn over to 57,000 miles.

Arch Hoagland · 03-10-2015, 12:48 AM

I assume you have the Allison 1000 transmission.

Have you changed your transmission fluid and external filter yet?

rlwithrow · 03-10-2015, 09:06 AM

I did a filter change and a double drain last summer in mine with BP Autran at 54,000 miles so it's good for another 150,000. The trans fluid was very expensive from O'Rileys at about $56.00 a gallon.