DFYFounding Father
Massachusetts
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Joined: 05/18/2009
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Looking for an SUV to tow my TT. GVWR weight of trailer is 5500. Currently tow with my 1995 GMC Sierra 1500. I need a 7 passenger (not while towing) as the wife transports kids for her daycare so I need the third seat. Need to dump her van and the truck as they are beat up. Any suggestion? Most of forum is centered around trucks so I was wondering about SUVS. Any help would be great!
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METZCOOL
OHIO
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Joined: 08/05/2009
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These would be my choices:
Chevy Suburban 2500, 1500
Ford Excursion
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fordsooperdooty
Orange Kounty Kalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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Ford Excursion....heavy enough to handle the trailer, strong chassis and engine... especially the V10 and Diesel. And up to 8 passengers. Or the Expedition.
This is our 7th new Jayco in 30 years! Loved 'em all!
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ktosv
Allendale, MI
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Joined: 08/17/2002
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How does your 95 truck tow it? If you are happy and satisfied with how your 95 tows it, most likely any 2000 or newer 1500 Suburban with the 5.3L would tow it just fine as well.
If you are looking for more power and get up and go, then maybe you need to look at a brand new Suburban 1500 with the 6 speed transmission.
My 05 Burb with the 3.42 axle does just fine towing our HTT that has a GVWR of 5000#. As long as you aren't planning to upgrade, most any full size SUV (Expedition w/5.4L and GM SUV's with the 5.3L) should tow it fine. I would suggest an Envoy XL or Trailblazer EXT but if your wife is running a day car and transporting kids in car seats/booster seats I don't feel you can safely put three of them across in the middle row like you can in a Suburban.
Kevin and my...
Wife, three daughters, a son
and two dogs(brittany and english setter)
2005 Suburban (295HP/335#-ft, 3.42 axle)
2010 Passport Ultra Lite 2910
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atvanish
Central PA
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Joined: 01/09/2007
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My Durango does fine with mine... (see sig)
2004 Dodge Durango Limited, 4x4 Hemi, 3.55
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie, 4x4, Hemi, 3.92
2005 Dutchman Lite 27B
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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Why not a new van? A E-350 can be had with plenty of seating, plenty of weight carrying capacity, and plenty of towing capacity. Plus I bet you could find one very well equipped for less money than a SUV. A full size van is often overlooked but not many vehicles can do what they can do. Immense interior volumne, rows of seats, full body on frame construction, strong frame, strong axles, good sized brakes.
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USNRet.
Wonderful Wife,3 Daughters,2Goldens Gus&Riley
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
'08 F-450 Lariat 4x4
'08 Honda Odyssey EX-L
SunlineF281SR
SeaRay215EC
http://community.webshots.com/user/CaptSkup?vhost=community
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PUCampin
Castaic, California, USA
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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I am very satisfied with the performance of our Expedition EL. Our TT has a GVWR of 5900, ready to go it is around 5200. I perfered the Ford over the GM for many reasons including the 6spd trans (07 GM had 4spd), fold flat third and second row, and very comfortable third row compared to 07 GM. Any of the full size SUV's, including the Sequoia and Armada would tow your TT fine. I wanted the extra length of the EL as we often have 6-8 people plus strollers and assorted kid gear. Last family trip to Disneyland had 8 people, a single and double jogging stroller, 3 diaper bags, kids food bag, everyone's sweaters and spare clothes, and other stuff. It all fit with minamal effort.
2007 Expedition EL 4x4 Tow pkg
2006 Pioneer 180CK (No more PUcampin!)
Nights in 08: 6 
Nights in 09: 15 Thats all for the year
Me DW and the 3 in 3 
DD 6/14/06, DS  11/27/07, DD  11/11/08
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dgreen1069
Bristow, VA
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Joined: 08/14/2002
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As far as SUV's go, my choices would be (in this order):
1. Excursion diesel
2. Suburban 2500
3. Excursion gas
4. Suburban 1500
I have owned everything on the list except for the gas Excursion. All were great vehicles, but the diesel Excursion has been the best tow vehicle. If you need seating for 7, the Excursions and Suburbans cannot be beat.
2003 Excursion Limited
6.0 PSD/5sp Torqshift/3.73 Limited Slip
2003 Potomac 30 EBS
Hensley Arrow
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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My first choice would be a Suburban/Yukon-XL 2500, Excursion, or E250/350 or G2500/3500 van.
Second choice would be a Suburban/Yukon-XL 1500, Expedition-EL, or E150 or G1500 van.
In any of them, the larger optional engine and lower (numericaly higher) optional axle ratio would be my choice.
05E350 6.0PSD
98Ranger
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
Callen Camper
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
LoadNGo service body
B&W TurnoverBall, Curt Magnum V
HD Springs Bilsteins, EnergySuspension
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & LockRite rear
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lesmore49
canada
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Joined: 11/25/2004
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Capt Skup wrote:Why not a new van? A E-350 can be had with plenty of seating, plenty of weight carrying capacity, and plenty of towing capacity. Plus I bet you could find one very well equipped for less money than a SUV. A full size van is often overlooked but not many vehicles can do what they can do. Immense interior volumne, rows of seats, full body on frame construction, strong frame, strong axles, good sized brakes.
I'm a real fan of a full size van also:
A couple of caveats:
- I driven many a mile with the E350...great vehicle. I would use the regular length E 350, not the lengthened version..too much overhang behind the rear axle
- Get a newer one with stability control...think it's standard now
- I would get the V10...the jury is still out for me with the 6 liter PSD...an older van in great shape with the 7.3 PSD would also be very good
- the older ones, maybe they still do...I don't know had the Twin I Beam front axle...lot's of correction on the highway and not great tire wear. I'm sure things are much improved from the older ones I used to drive.
I would also consider the GM 2500/3500 van...even the extended length version has an extended wheelbase...the overhang from rear axle would be fine.
An older one with the 8.1 liter big block would be fine, 6 liter gas perhaps a bit more power would be needed. Diesels are fine but I believe they are only available in the commercial version, not the passenger, may have changed now.
In closing every vehicle has some issues...but on the whole i would say a Ford or GM full sized, one ton van has a lot of advantages.
All that securable space...lot's of room for passengers and cargo...really unbeatable in that regard.
lesmore49
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