New Vehicle

[DonnieG]

Getting ready for new vehicle...I now have a 2005 Chevy with the 5.3 V8...It pulls my boat with no strain...I am wanting to step down in size and was looking at a Trailblazer with the 4.2 inline 6 with 291 hp...Will this vehicle do the job???

I have a 2002 SX180 with 115 2 stroke Yamaha...I have no idea how much the pulling weight is....It would be helpful if someone has that info.

Any information will be helpful...

[skeeterrulz37]

hey Donnie I know gas is a bear right now , but if you get rid of the bigger Chevy you will be sorry !You remember the old saying " better to have IT and not need IT~ than to NEED IT and not have IT" OH YEA SKEETERRULZ!!

[Skeeter Tm]

The TrailBlazer will pull you boat with no problem. It tows approx 6000 lbs. However, what you will find is with your boat the gas mileage isn't that much better, if any. I would stick with what I have.

I manage a Chevrolet Dealership.

[Skeet'r89]

I believe that I agree with Skeeter Bill. I don't think the gas difference will be that much. Look at the mpg ratings on both vehicles. That 6 cyl. in the Trailblazer is not a gas mizer.

[PSM207]

I have a Skeeter SL190 (Fish & Ski) with 150 hp. I drive a 5.7L (350) Vortec P/U and the wife has a 4.2L I6 Trailblazer. Both pull the boat, but the TB has to work much harder. The truck actually gets better mileage towing the boat. Increasing tire pressure and reducing driving speeds will help. Learn to ease into the throttle.

Torque is more important than horsepower.

[DonnieG]

I really appreciate all the info...Sounds like I had better hold on to my truck...I am not use to driving an extended cab truck(had Tahoes ) but I guess I can keep trying...Liked the short wheel base on the Tahoes but don't like the new ones with the 8 to 4 motor. I owned a Cadillac with that kind of motor and it was a nightmare...Kept it 4 months...

Thanks again for the info

[Skeeter185ZX]

Got to tell you I just bought a new 07 GMC Sierra Crew cab 4x4 with the 5.3 litre 8 to 4 motor. It is great. I have a 185 zx and you can't even tell it's back there even when it goes to 4. You can't even tell it is shifting to 4 or back to 8. Am getting 17.8 mpg towing the boat and 19.2 without, and the ride is incredible.

[SkeeterJeff]

Wife's first Trail Blazer had the straight six. We take a fishing trip to Canada each year, and when pulling a hill and trying to pass, we would have to turn the air off to get any gain in rpm's. (not towing) Drove me nuts, and only got about 16.5 mpg. After the warranty ran out, we traded it on an '06 TB 5.3L 8/4. Tons more acceleration, pulls our 21' Skeeter SL210 F&S like it's not back there, and gets 18mpg pulling the boat, and can get 21mpg on the highway if you are careful. We got 20.6 on our last trip to Canada on the same roads as our old I6 TB.

[jasonb01]

My wife has an 06 Trailblazer with the straight 6 and it tows my SL180 just fine, but it SUCKS gas. My Xtra cab Silverado tows it much better and gets better mileage with a v8. That TB sucks gas even without the boat. Nice vehicle, just not a gas miser at all.