- Dec 4, 2011
- 253
First post in the full size truck "tow" subforum. I'm so honored! Anywho...
I'm in the process of buying a new tow vehicle...replacing my Rainier that I've owned for many years. I'd be towing a travel trailer around 5,000 lbs dry. The 3 vehicles we have in mind are:
1. 2007 Ford Expedition EL 4x4, 113K miles. $15,500. clean car fax. Has the towing package. As I have been reading, the 5.4L 3V engines are notorious for the spark plugs breaking in the block on removal. No indication that the plugs were ever changed. 4 wheel independent suspension?? Good or bad for towing? I know the Suburban/Yukons have a solid rear axle. I recently spoke with a 2004 owner of an Expy EL and said he had no problem pulling his 30ft 7000 lb trailer on long trips. The 5.4L has been around a long time. Just don't know too much about Ford's products. I do like the folding 3rd row seat though! Wife did too.
2. Next up is a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban LT 4x4, 107k miles, $12,000. 1 owner, clean car fax. Cheapest of all the vehicles I've been finding...and the one I'm leaning towards. Much of the maintenance is listed in the car fax including a trans flush at 55K miles. Oil changes every 5 miles. Looks garage stored and well maintained as rust is very minimal on the undercarriage. The previous owner has a brake controller installed already. Don't know if this is good or bad! Overall, the truck runs good. 5.3L engine with 3.42 gearing. Don't know if GM offered the 3.73 outside of the Denali/6.0L trucks. I remember reading once that the Z71 versions had the 3.73 rear end?
3. Finally, a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban LT 4x4, 115K miles, $16,500. 3 owners, Canadian vehicle. 1st owner was listed as corporate x 1 year x 21,000 miles. That scares me. Truck runs good. Has a more modern flare. No trailer brake controller installed. Looks like it was just a grocery getter. 3.73 rear axle ratio. Would this be better to use as a TV than the previous generation? Trans and engine are the same (5.3L matted to a 4 speed auto; the 6 speed wasn't in production for at least another year I think).
Lastly, I'm considering a Yukon XL Denali as it has the 6.0L. Don't know if there is significant gain in towing capacity. I would never come close to the towing limits of any vehicle. But I want a truck that won't give me white knuckles up and down some hills on occasion.
My budget is around $15,000 give/take.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
I'm in the process of buying a new tow vehicle...replacing my Rainier that I've owned for many years. I'd be towing a travel trailer around 5,000 lbs dry. The 3 vehicles we have in mind are:
1. 2007 Ford Expedition EL 4x4, 113K miles. $15,500. clean car fax. Has the towing package. As I have been reading, the 5.4L 3V engines are notorious for the spark plugs breaking in the block on removal. No indication that the plugs were ever changed. 4 wheel independent suspension?? Good or bad for towing? I know the Suburban/Yukons have a solid rear axle. I recently spoke with a 2004 owner of an Expy EL and said he had no problem pulling his 30ft 7000 lb trailer on long trips. The 5.4L has been around a long time. Just don't know too much about Ford's products. I do like the folding 3rd row seat though! Wife did too.
2. Next up is a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban LT 4x4, 107k miles, $12,000. 1 owner, clean car fax. Cheapest of all the vehicles I've been finding...and the one I'm leaning towards. Much of the maintenance is listed in the car fax including a trans flush at 55K miles. Oil changes every 5 miles. Looks garage stored and well maintained as rust is very minimal on the undercarriage. The previous owner has a brake controller installed already. Don't know if this is good or bad! Overall, the truck runs good. 5.3L engine with 3.42 gearing. Don't know if GM offered the 3.73 outside of the Denali/6.0L trucks. I remember reading once that the Z71 versions had the 3.73 rear end?
3. Finally, a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban LT 4x4, 115K miles, $16,500. 3 owners, Canadian vehicle. 1st owner was listed as corporate x 1 year x 21,000 miles. That scares me. Truck runs good. Has a more modern flare. No trailer brake controller installed. Looks like it was just a grocery getter. 3.73 rear axle ratio. Would this be better to use as a TV than the previous generation? Trans and engine are the same (5.3L matted to a 4 speed auto; the 6 speed wasn't in production for at least another year I think).
Lastly, I'm considering a Yukon XL Denali as it has the 6.0L. Don't know if there is significant gain in towing capacity. I would never come close to the towing limits of any vehicle. But I want a truck that won't give me white knuckles up and down some hills on occasion.
My budget is around $15,000 give/take.
Any input is greatly appreciated.