Long Haul with boat

[Padraig]

Have hauled my 6,000 # boat before but this time it will be to Bolton Landing NY, about a 420 mile haul. I will be leaving it there for a engine rebuild and a few more added horses . I have filled up the DEF and have a spare 2.5 gallon container packed. I have read that hauling a load increases DEF use. Am I covered with a full tank and a spare? Driving a 2023 Suburban. Longest trip, till now has been 120 miles.

Padraig

 

[shadeandsound]

I don't tow and likely won't, but it seems to me that the additional DEF usage others have indicated is nowhere near what you are already prepared for. With a full DEF tank and a spare 2.5 gallon container, it seems like you should be perfectly fine outside of a malfuntion like an incorrect level reading (which I guess is possible).

 

[Stbentoak]

I'd probably just plan on refueling at truck stops where you can get diesel and DEF at the same dispenser. With a heavier tow I would probably fill both of them up at every stop. It's pretty simple and eliminates the possibility of running out of each. Keeping a 2.5 in the back never hurts, but as long as you fill both at each stop there shouldn't be any problems.

 

[Padraig]

Thanks everyone. Just got back. Trip was about 850 miles. With mostly 4 lane roads. Much of it hilly. Drove, mostly on cruise at 68 while towing boat. Coming home, dead head at 73 mph. DEF was no problem, used only 1 bar. LOL I guess I worried needlessly. Very pleased with this Duramax! Hauling the boat about 420 miles the avg mpg was 17.5. Avg for with and without boat was 22 mpg. I have had Suburbans since the early 90s but this is the best

Padraig

 

[JKeller]

Do you mind sharing the type of boat? I'm mainly interested to hear if it's a bass boat style where there is virtually no wind resistance or something more like a center console that rises above the vehicle and has some wind drag. 17.5mpg if it's something with wind drag is excellent. However, I'm surprised your unloaded mpg was only 22mpg; my 6.2L gets 18-19mpg unloaded. I am toying with the idea of the baby duramax on my next vehicle but I tow a lot and have some concerns about what the actual mpg is when towing something with a good bit of wind resistance.

 

[Padraig]

Do you mind sharing the type of boat? I'm mainly interested to hear if it's a bass boat style where there is virtually no wind resistance or something more like a center console that rises above the vehicle and has some wind drag. 17.5mpg if it's something with wind drag is excellent. However, I'm surprised your unloaded mpg was only 22mpg; my 6.2L gets 18-19mpg unloaded. I am toying with the idea of the baby duramax on my next vehicle but I tow a lot and have some concerns about what the actual mpg is when towing something with a good bit of wind resistance.

The boat is a 29 foot Velocity VR 1. A go fast style. It sits fairly high has a small cabin. You can google it and get an idea. I would guess that it has less wind resistance then a boxy travel trailer. The 22 mpg is the combined mpg. I hauled the boat to Lake George and returned empty. Without the boat I usually get 28 to 29 mpg. Could do better but I have a heavy foot.

Padraig

 

[89Suburban]

The boat is a 29 foot Velocity VR 1. A go fast style.

@mountie

 

[martinajm]

I too was surprised at that MPG while towing. A lot of variables here though. I have a 6200# "boat" that scales out at about 8250# once on the trailer, with a bit of fuel, etc. It also is not made for speed, so I am sure adds more drag than the OP's rig. It also sits up pretty high. I get 11-12 MG while towing on highway trips. If driving those same speeds on a similar highway trip without towing, I would get 29-30 mpg. However, I drive faster without the boat...

 

[mountie]

@mountie

I appreciate go-fast boats..... ( My old job when I lived in San Francisco Bay Area)

 

[mountie]

Getting up to speed looking forward.... My view into the other canopy.

( He will trim up, the surface props, raising the rooster tail, to "wash" the cars on that bridge!!

Later that year, we had a visit from the Highway Patrol. Our stunt, cracked them up.... But they asked to tone down the 'playing around', please....

 

[JKeller]

The boat is a 29 foot Velocity VR 1. A go fast style. It sits fairly high has a small cabin. You can google it and get an idea. I would guess that it has less wind resistance then a boxy travel trailer. The 22 mpg is the combined mpg. I hauled the boat to Lake George and returned empty. Without the boat I usually get 28 to 29 mpg. Could do better but I have a heavy foot.

Padraig

Thanks this is good information. I may have to give one of these diesels a try...

 

[Padraig]

2021Yukon SLE looking to add an aftermarket power lift gate.

Has anyone installed one of these?

I am leaning towards this one.

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I'd recommend all 4. Bilstein shocks have a very nice compromise that would tend to impress Goldilocks -
better control yet not too stiff.
If 4600 turns out to not be stiff enough to control the heavy 22s, 5100 have more control, and are not too much stiffer.

IF you used the correct actuator, it's possible you might have put it on with the door set the opposite direction.
you can try letting it self recalibrate by either pulling the hvac fuse or disconnect the battery
in either case after doing so just turn the key to run and give it a few seconds to calibrate, if you listen carefully you should hear all the doors moving back and forth then stop
if that does not work then you might need a scanner to do it or you purchased the wrong actuator, some of them look identical but are not for that location. like you could have bought one for the rear instead.

I appreciate go-fast boats..... ( My old job when I lived in San Francisco Bay Area)

Nice job. Is Howard Arneson?

Padraig

 

[mountie]

Nice job. Is Howard Arneson?

Padraig

Yup.... I was with him before, during & after he invented his Surface drives.....
And the development using turbine power,,,, ( Lots'a power / less weight )

 

[Padraig]

Always admired Howard. A great man. I am envious. Would have loved to meet him. Even better would have been a fast ride, with him. My Velocity was left in the good hands of Saris Racing.

Padraig

 

[mountie]

Always admired Howard. A great man. I am envious. Would have loved to meet him. Even better would have been a fast ride, with him. My Velocity was left in the good hands of Saris Racing.

Padraig

He was a 'guy's guy'..... didn't care about his fame. He LOVED to find ways to go faster. He was always a friend to everyone. After, I moved to Southern Cal. When I drove up to him, he gave me a ride in the turbine 48' , just as an excuse to take it out. ( he had a 1,500 gallon jet-A fuel tank at his shop. ... When he retired from the boats, ( he had a bum knee, and had difficulty exiting the cockpit..... He continued to "go fast"... So he took me rides in his......

At his 97 age, I would drive him in it..... and NOT slow..... I'd find moments to hit 160mph.... as we went for pizza. He was fine, mentally, but sometimes He'd forget how to find his way back home.... ( Just a glitch )

 

[mountie]

I had my friend create a "birthday cartoon - picture "...... For his 96th B-Day....
Needless to say, he liked it.... ( After Howard passed away, ( at 99 yrs old ), his daughter returned the gift back to me....as a memento.
( I miss him a lot )

 

[Padraig]

Thanks for sharing!

Padraig