[A/S] Re: Yet Another Tow Vehicle Question - Chevy Duramax

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings MaryAnn!


On Suburbans with the second row bench, the third row seat is 
accessed from the curbside by lifting up the seat bottom and folding 
the backrest forward (for the easiest access) -- for quicker access, 
there is a release lever that when firmly depressed folds the seat 
back forward similar to what was found in two-door automobiles

I went to the Suburban after my one and ONLY pickup - - I must 
confess to never having cared for a pickup and my ownership 
experience confirmed my distate for the vehcile - - compared to the 
Suburban it was Very rough riding and the fuel economy was 
attrocious (less than the Suburban even though the Suburban is a 
2500 series with VORTEC 7400 and 4.10 differentials and the pickup 
was a 1500 series with 5.7 liter and 3.73 differentials).  My 
previous tow vehicles were all either full-size automobiels with at 
big-block V8s or Jeep Grand Wagoneers (prior to downsizing).  My 
Suburban currently has more than 140,000 miles and I fully expect 
300,000 miles before I consider trading (most of my tow vehicles 
have had more than 185,000 miles on the odometer before they were 
traded or taken out of service (the '95 K1500 pickup was the 
exception as it only had 45,000 miles when it was traded in '98 
after three years of absolute frustration with its poor ride).

I have come to the conclusion that you either enjoy owning a pickup 
or you do not - - my experiences place me in the latter category, 
but many of my friends and acquaintances fall into the first group.  
If you have never owned a pickup, I would encourage you to undertake 
a very careful test drive - - and possibly even consider renting one 
(that is equipped as closely as is possible to one that you might be 
considering) for a weekend where you can drive it through your 
regular routine to determine whether one might be a good match for 
your uses and preferences.

Good luck with your investigation!


Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC/Free Wheelers/Computer Club #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 
VORTEC/4.10 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 
Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)