Rather than jacking someone's thread, I started a new one from the
below to address something that popped up in it - here's a snip from
the original thread...

On Dec 5, 9:19 am, nonsense <nonse... (AT) unsettled (DOT) com> wrote:
Is this the general opinion? I'm in almost exactly the same boat as
this guy - I have a 93 suburban K2500 4x4 that I have primarily as a
tow vehicle for a 2 axle 6500lb trailer. At 220k miles, I put a
replacement (oem) engine in it. It still needs other things, but I
figured it would make more sense to maintain it rather than get
another, especially since I don't have to make any payments on it or
pay for comprehensive insurance.

After getting the oem replacement engine, I kicked myself in the ass
for not going the route of the 383 stroker. The oem 5.7 is a 4 bolt,
however it has very low power (hp/torque) compared to newer vehicles
and the stroker. It'll pull the trailer, but not as well as I had
hoped. I've pretty much given up on hopping it up to eek a few more ft/
lbs out of it since I just don't want to get into it that deep.

I've always had older trucks and used them for towing (this one
replaced a 78 Bronco) - but what do you guys think? Is it foolish to
use a truck this old for towing? My guess is that the origin of this
statement has to do with MPG and highway handling with a trailer, but
not sure. But it takes a lot of MPG gain in order to justify having a
truck payment... I generally only tow a few times a year (in the past
year, I only put 4000 miles on it).

Thanks,
--Jeff

Sounds like me with my '89 1500 4x4 Suburban (145,000 miles). I
bought it new, used to drive it 25 miles a day round trip to work for
10 years, then I got a new '99 Boneville for my wife to drive (it now
has 108,000 miles) and I have done my commute in her "old" '90 Lumina
Euro (now 187,000 miles on it) ever since. The poor Suburban now gets
only about 1200 mile a year, usually pulling our jet boat to the lake
and back!! If your truck is mechanically sound (including brakes,
suspension, steering, etc.) and your not the type of person that just
has to have the "latest and greatest" why not keep it and use it. I
do all of my own routine service & repair to my fleet. As a result,
either I have been VERY lucky, OR routine service really pays
off...... I bet I have spent no more than $100.00 per year on repair
parts over the life of these vehicles. True that I spend money on
"service parts" like oil, filters, hoses, belts and other fluids, but
not on "repair parts"!! I am a firm believer in regular oil changes
(4000 to 4500 miles max) and trans service every 45,000. All vehicles
are garaged....that really helps keep 'em nice.

On Dec 6, 7:45 am, JeffH <jjhe... (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:
I'm towing a 7K trailer with my 89 K3500 dually with a 454/th400 in
it. Truck has 130K on it. I only put about 3k miles on the truck per
year, and only about 500 ish of those are towing. With everything
loaded up i'm probably pushing 9-10K. Truck is solid, when I got it a
couple years ago, I went through it front to back to the tune of about
1500 bucks. Runs like a top, I replaced a LOT of parts. I def cannot
justify(or afford) a new truck for the amount I use it. As long as
you have no frame issues and it hasn't been in a serious wreck and you
do routine maintenance I don't see any reason not to tow with it.