Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

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tawood

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

I've got a 4.2 I6 in my trailblazer....this engine ROCKS! I tow a 19' boat, and I DO forget that it is back there!!! One of the best engines I've ever owned, and I owned alot (I drive 50k a year, so I go through vehicles like crazy).

I've never had a lick of trouble with mine; hope yours does as well.
 
kenmyfam

kenmyfam

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

Nice looking vehicle. Looking at getting either an Envoy or a Trailblazer ourselves next to replace our Jimmy.
Enjoy it.:)
 
ThreeMileBayWaker

ThreeMileBayWaker

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

I'm in the same situation. I am saving a little bit more cash up myself for a down payment and purchasing a trailvoy in May when I take delivery of my brand new boat. Not really sure which one I want to go with yet, but prolly what ever one I can find with the lowest miles and in best body shape. My boat and trailer will chime in just a lil over 3500lbs with fuel and gear.
 
F14CRAZY

F14CRAZY

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

Careful though, the 4L65 isn't known to be the strongest trans out there
 
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riverkeg

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

I too have a 06 Envoy but it's the XL Denali with the 5.3 V8. It tows our Rinker 206 great but with one minor problem. It's not wide enough so you can't see around the boat at all and I can't find nice tow mirror extensions for it. Oh well, I bought a 05 Silverado late last year and will use that to do most of the boat towing. If the kids bring a couple of friends though, we'll use the Envoy since it has more seating. We've been really happy with the Envoy overall though.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

Forgot that the they had an XL version of the Envoy.
 
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riverkeg

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

bruceb58 said:
2 completely different vehicles.
Click to expand...

Not completely different but I understand your point. From a towing capacity perspective, they are different. My point was the Envoy and Trailblazer are full frame vehicles that do a nice job towing and so far, we've been happy with the quality.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

I was trying to change my post before you responded. GMC has an XL Denali which is a Suburban type vehicle and the one you have which is the Envoy XL Denali. They make things confusing.
 
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riverkeg

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

bruceb58 said:
I was trying to change my post before you responded. GMC has an XL Denali which is a Suburban type vehicle and the one you have which is the Envoy XL Denali. They make things confusing.
Click to expand...

They also have the Sierra Denali truck which adds to the confusion. I wanted to look at the Yukon but those are too rich for my blood plus it would be a really tight fit in the garage. I think we've highjacked the thread but in any case, I think the OP will be happy with that Envoy as his tow vehicle.
 
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Proselect

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

You will like that for towing. I am a mechanic and I don't see many come back with big problems. The I6 has great torque for pulling.
 
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wildspeed

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

i also tow with a trailblazer... main complaints : gas consumption and no tow/haul to turn off the overdrive...except that nice little truck.
 
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bigb2008

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

I have the Envoy Denali, only real difference minus the bells and whistles that come w/ the Denali is the V8 engine.
 
semo549

semo549

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

How does the 4.2 L6 compare with the 4.3 V6? I haven't heard much about that engine.
 
T

tawood

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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May 19, 2009
Messages
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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

semo549 said:
How does the 4.2 L6 compare with the 4.3 V6? I haven't heard much about that engine.
Click to expand...

I've had/towed with both...the 4.2 is MUCH better. The 4.3 seemed to work too hard.
Hey Wildspeed:
My gas mileage has always been very very good, as long as I keep my towing speeds reasonable <60mph (always a good idea when towing anyway). As for no "tow haul", try putting it in "3".
 
22E6441

22E6441

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

Well we've had the envoy for a few days now and we're loving it! Man, I can't wait to tow with it. Had to buy a ball mount with a 5 1/4" drop to get my trailer close to level. Looks funny compared to the 2" rise I needed with our old Grand Caravan. Also bought a nice stainless steel barbell looking receiver lock and a new 7 to 4 wiring adapter that has led lights on it to indicate good circuits. Cool stuff.

I am so tempted to pull my boat out of the garage and pull it around town just because I can....without fear of my transmission exploding! yipee!
 
bekosh

bekosh

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

Congrats! I used to have a Trailblazer with the 4.2 L6. With my 21ft Wellcraft cuddy, I was pushing the limits, 4800lb boat/trailer on 5100lb towing capacity. But it still did a credible job towing the load.

I doubt you're even half the weight of my rig. You'll have no problems at all towing with the Envoy.

Edit:
riverkeg said:
It tows our Rinker 206 great but with one minor problem. It's not wide enough so you can't see around the boat at all and I can't find nice tow mirror extensions for it.
Click to expand...
I had this problem as well. I bought a set of strap on mirrors that helped a lot.
Valley 53900 Extend View Towing Mirror
 

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riverkeg

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

bekosh said:
Congrats! I used to have a Trailblazer with the 4.2 L6. With my 21ft Wellcraft cuddy, I was pushing the limits, 4800lb boat/trailer on 5100lb towing capacity. But it still did a credible job towing the load.

I doubt you're even half the weight of my rig. You'll have no problems at all towing with the Envoy.

Edit:

I had this problem as well. I bought a set of strap on mirrors that helped a lot.
Valley 53900 Extend View Towing Mirror
Click to expand...

Thanks bekosh, I'll look into those if we end up towing with the Envoy more than I think.
 
izoomie

izoomie

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Re: Our new tow vehicle ('06 Envoy)

I'm looking at envoys to, and we're wrestling with the standard length or extended. I think I need extended but maybe not.

Love to hear your experience once you have it loaded up.
 
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