New Tow Vehicle

burmik · 09-06-2015, 04:36 PM

I have a question for this forum regarding a new tow vehicle. On Friday, as I was going to get my TT for the holiday weekend, I was involved in an accident which totaled my 2005 Ford Explorer. Nobody was hurt. But now I need a new tow vehicle. The Explorer was adequate towing our pop up and lite camper, but I've been wanting to move to a bigger camper. I'm thinking about either a Ford Expedition or a Chevy Suburban. How well do these tow and about what size of camper would these tow safely? Thanks for any input!

Papa GLS · 09-06-2015, 05:10 PM

Just remember, If you want an Expedition or Suburban, they make both in 3/4 if you need it. I used to tow a 25' Salem Lite with a 1500 Suburban & it was all it wanted.
BTW, glad every one is OK.

fx2 · 09-06-2015, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa GLS

Just remember, If you want an Expedition or Suburban, they make both in 3/4 if you need it. I used to tow a 25' Salem Lite with a 1500 Suburban & it was all it wanted.
BTW, glad every one is OK.

No Expedition in 3/4, you have to go used Excursion

B and B · 09-06-2015, 05:52 PM

A good deal is a F 150 Eco-Boost and a Cap. Can be equipped for 6 people, a large cargo area and room to upgrade to a larger RV in the future.

Papa GLS · 09-06-2015, 06:18 PM

Thanks for the info fx2. I stand corrected. Like I've said before, lots of knowledgable folks here.

Texasblue · 09-06-2015, 09:22 PM

Suburban hasn't been made in 3/4 ton for a while - hard to find used even.

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Papa GLS · 09-07-2015, 06:12 AM

No 3/4 ton Burb either; guess I've been living under a rock. Sorry for the bad info burmik.

nomad297 · 09-07-2015, 06:26 AM

I've heard that Chevrolet may be coming out with a 2500 Suburban next model year.

Bruce

nc-canuck · 09-07-2015, 07:16 AM

I have a 2004 Suburban 2500 3/4 ton with the 8.1L engine. Luv this as a tow vehicle. Tows up to 12k lbs. just towed my new Windjammer 3029 over 1500 miles over last two weekends and had no issues (but I did know it was there). Only downside is mpg. Only gets 7 to 8 mpg towing (6in mountains). When the suburban finally calls it quits we will be getting a diesel.

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Papa GLS · 09-07-2015, 07:41 AM

on the diesel; makes all the difference in the world.

jimmymjr · 09-07-2015, 08:04 AM

In a perfect world I’d have a brand new Diesel 1 ton with all the bells and whistles however, in reality I had to get something that was a compromise in utility. I was a full timer at one time and towed with a single wheel 1 ton Ford 7.3 Diesel I put almost 400.000 miles on before I traded with no trouble what so ever. My job changed and it was no longer feasible to pay the extra price for Diesel so I went to a ½ ton Dodge for awhile, the fuel mileage stinks, so now a Ford gas burner, a little better, and towed a Pop up for recreational purposes a couple times a year. Now I have a 33’ TT just over 7300 lbs loaded, towed by a ½ ton Ford 5.4 Triton a couple times a month. The ½ ton does the job just fine with no problems but it is all it will take so I will be updating to a ¾ ton soon. The point to this long drawn out story is, unless you have unlimited funds you need to look at the whole picture. How will you use the vehicle? Just for towing, or will it be used for other stuff too? Ford, Chevy, Dodge is a personal choice and there is plenty of argument over the best choice. I’ve had them all and had no real trouble out of any of them. Look at the full weight of the TT and get what will do the job safely and lets you travel around as much as possible.

Papa GLS · 09-07-2015, 08:33 AM

I understand your point jimmymjr. Luckily my 04 Duramax is paid for & has had no real problems. I'll keep it until it quits.

jimmymjr · 09-07-2015, 01:01 PM

I'm looking at a Duramax in the near future. I've heard a lot about them. I had a power stroke for a short while I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. I've heard the Duramax is a good choice.

Papa GLS · 09-07-2015, 04:58 PM

Mine has been good to me. I know others will disagree though.

jimmymjr · 09-07-2015, 09:33 PM

Like I said earlier its a personal choice. It all comes down to what works for you and your situation.

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thebrakeman · 09-08-2015, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nc-canuck

I have a 2004 Suburban 2500 3/4 ton with the 8.1L engine. Luv this as a tow vehicle. Tows up to 12k lbs. just towed my new Windjammer 3029 over 1500 miles over last two weekends and had no issues (but I did know it was there). Only downside is mpg. Only gets 7 to 8 mpg towing (6in mountains). When the suburban finally calls it quits we will be getting a diesel.

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Most vehicles get less than 10 mpg towing. The point is that you can tow a bunch, and still get 7-8. My SUV is "only" rated for 7000, and I get 8-9 when towing. That's just the price of entry when towing a brick thru the wind.

burmik · 09-08-2015, 01:08 PM

Thanks for all the input and advice! Since the vehicle I get will have to be my everyday driver as well, I have to get something everyone in the family can live with. I decided on a 2006 Chevy Tahoe with a 4.8 L engine. Tow rating of 6500#. It will allow me to upgrade to the TT I have my eye on now. Plus the cost is much lower than many of the other vehicles I've been looking at. It will do for now, until I get the itch to upgrade to a larger TT!

aceinspp · 09-08-2015, 01:22 PM

What ever the choice for brand, and gas/diesel just make sure to go big enough for future up grades. Later RJD

**bikendan** · 09-08-2015, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burmik

Thanks for all the input and advice! Since the vehicle I get will have to be my everyday driver as well, I have to get something everyone in the family can live with. I decided on a 2006 Chevy Tahoe with a 4.8 L engine. Tow rating of 6500#. It will allow me to upgrade to the TT I have my eye on now. Plus the cost is much lower than many of the other vehicles I've been looking at. It will do for now, until I get the itch to upgrade to a larger TT!

strongly suggest you get one with a 5.3 v-8.
the 4.8 was well known as a weak engine for towing, compared to the much more common 5.3 engine.

and how do you know it has the 6500lbs. towing capacity?
what the driver door sticker say is the payload capacity?

Mountndream · 09-08-2015, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burmik

Thanks for all the input and advice! Since the vehicle I get will have to be my everyday driver as well, I have to get something everyone in the family can live with. I decided on a 2006 Chevy Tahoe with a 4.8 L engine. Tow rating of 6500#. It will allow me to upgrade to the TT I have my eye on now. Plus the cost is much lower than many of the other vehicles I've been looking at. It will do for now, until I get the itch to upgrade to a larger TT!

You are not going to be happy towing that trailer with that TV combo. The 4.8 l will work itself to death. Also, be aware that you will probably be over Payload right off the bat

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