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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062
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Topic: New tow vehicle - Chevy Suburban Posted: 09 May 2012 at 8:38am |
Made a deal last night on a 2010 Chevy Suburban. Dang thing is immaculate and low-mileage, I got a good deal. My wife and I are going back on Friday afternoon to finalize the paperwork and bring it home. I may have to hitch it up to the pod and drive it around just to see how it feels.
Go big or go home. 
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Keith-N-Dar
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
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Posted: 09 May 2012 at 9:05am |
Suburbans are great TVs and it will feel perfect! Enjoy!
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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
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Camper Bob
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 26 Sep 2011
Location: Portland Oregon
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Posts: 913
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Posted: 09 May 2012 at 9:14am |
Congratulations. I had a '91 Suburban with the 454 V8 and a 4/11 rearend. Hauled a 4500 lb trailer with it. Never seemed like I had anything behind the Suburban. Fabulous vehicle. Felt like driving a locomotive down the highway. Only thing that would stop it was a gas station. Got 9 mpg wether towing, not towing, a/c on or off or even dragging my foot. Never had a problem with it. All were made in Janesville, Mich. and they had real pride in workmanship. I did replace the front seats with Ricaro seats for more support for my back. Also replaced the cast iron headers with some S/S ones that let the engine breathe easier and got slightly better mileage and more power. Enjoy and Safe Travels.
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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posted: 09 May 2012 at 9:32am |
Originally posted by Camper Bob
Only thing that would stop it was a gas station. |
Got a good chuckle out of that, too true. This one is rated 15 city and 21 highway, my minivan is rated 17/23 and I usually get around 21-22 when I have to use it for commuting, 16 when I towed our popup and usually 12 with the pod. So I'll be happy if I get 19 commuting. Which I won't often do - my whole reasoning for getting a "locomotive" (good description) is that its a 3rd car primarily for towing the pod and a utility trailer, and for hauling stuff inside. Many of our neighbors have Suburbans for daily drivers, I would hate to see their gas bills. One nice thing is the Suburban takes regular gas. The minivan has variable valve timing and would gain an extra 10-15 horsepower with premium gas, which was always needed with the hills and highways around us.
The real question is how the mpg will be towing the pod. I will post once I know although our first trip this year isn't until late June and its all back roads.
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Hodge-PODge
Senior Member
Joined: 11 Apr 2011
Location: Calhoun, GA
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Posts: 539
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Posted: 09 May 2012 at 11:31am |
Congratulations Tech! I know you've been considering a different tow vehicle for a long time. Sounds like you've got a good one there.
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2011 RP 177, the Hodge-PODge
2011 Mercedes ML350
"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it."
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posted: 09 May 2012 at 5:22pm |
This could be trouble. Now you could tow a larger camper perhaps a Gulfstream Visa. David
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab
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Guests
Guest Group
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Posted: 09 May 2012 at 6:49pm |
Congratulations! I didn't see the engine mentioned. I have the 5.3L V8 and get 20-21 in daily driving (no highway). Towing - worst low 9's, best 13, most of the time about 11mpg. I've been really happy with my truck. Horsepower - it's a good thing!  Hills...headwinds....who cares! 
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Podsible Dream
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Location: Hightstown, NJ
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Posted: 09 May 2012 at 8:48pm |
Go Doug Go!
Looking forward to hearing your reviews.
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Chris and Walt
'10 RP-171 'Free Spirit'
'13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8
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dsmiths
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Joined: 10 Oct 2011
Location: Southern Ind
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Posts: 866
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Posted: 09 May 2012 at 10:35pm |
Good deal tech, I am with David, I pull with a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer, 4.2 6 with computer controlled variable cam timing gives 295 horse at 6000. get really good mileage back and forth to work, 17 to 19 usually, 20 or 21 open road, Pod Pulling 11.5 is the best so far, but what the heck, you should have a safe and stable tow vehicle. I told Donna the other night if I ever win the lottery (of which I play about 5 times a year) I am going to buy a brand new Pearl white Suburban.
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Dane and Donna Smith
2011 RP-172
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4
lift kit
prodigy wireless brake controller
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techntrek
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posted: 10 May 2012 at 6:53pm |
Hodge, yes, Ive been considering my options for a while. Finally noticed how low rates have gotten and it was time to pull the trigger.
David & Danette, don't give me any ideas . 
David, it has the 5.3. I think its rated about 320 hp, 335 torque, off the top of my head. I was told it has the 3.43 rear and not the 3.08, so theoretically a bit better for towing. Need to verify that at the chevy dealer with a vin check.
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