GM 5.3 vs. Ford 5.4

Mike Up, You clearly do not have a need for more than 4 seats. I agree the crew cab pickups offer more first and second row space. But 3 people side by side by side for hours at a time while traveling is not fun. That's how we ended up with 3-rows of seats.

Today's Full sized vans do not offer anywhere near the level of equipment as a full sized SUVs. In fact, as you equipped it (steel wheel - who buys those any more?) it offers less equipment than a base model 2015 Suburban LS. And no 4WD either.

I do agree that vans offer tremendous value for those willing to drive them, especially used. And they are great used values because so few people want them! They depreciate at a much higher rate for the first 3 years than SUV.

Well, just back from bike week. Pulled the Harley FLHTC on a trailer behind my motorhome and literally never felt it back there. I saw all kinds of rigs at the campground. This year I drove the MH and my wife followed me with the car. It worked but.. The collective gas mileage was way worse than an Excursion with a V-10. It's not a big deal from time to time. I don't really want a V-10 as a daily driver.

So, the 5.4 Ford will not pull a toyhauler with an Electraglide strapped inside?

CKNSLS wrote:

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I like the Excursion based on the F-250. It will have more weight than the trailer, a advantage in windy conditions.

I guess it depends on the trailer's hitch weight and number of passengers you plan on.

Fred.

These things are dinosaurs. Those that are out there are overpriced and have high miles on them....


Not a sound recommendation.

Have you ever pulled a TH ?

falconbrother wrote:
For now I'm not towing anything, well except my toad or motorcycle trailer with the motorhome. What we want to do is get rid of the motorhome and the toad and get a toy hauler and a tow vehicle (SUV). I'd love to find a toy hauler in the 26 - 28 foot range with a slide.

There are a few reasons for this. A blowout on a motorhome is a big deal (ask me how I know). Not that I mind but, the motorhome is a big white elephant much of the year that requires lots of maintenance. I store it at a place a few miles from my home. I have to go out there every two weeks all year and run the generator, drive it around and fix broken stuff. It has two engines to service and gets pretty rotten gas mileage all the time. I do all my own servicing and let me tell you that it never ends even though it sits most of the time. I figure that with a trailer and an SUV blowouts could be fixed on the side of the highway and keep on truckin. The SUV would replace a current vehicle so, no more servicing than what we're doing now. A travel trailer needs no oil changes, motor vehicle insurances, etc.. I can pickle it in the early winter and forget it except just checking for leaks a couple of times during winter. Point is, it's less work and less cost. The toy hauler is to haul the electraglide (gotta have that).

Your dreaming if you think a half ton will pull a 26' to 28' TH with a slide. My tounge weight unloaded on my 22' TH without slide is over 1200#

Never driven a Full size Ford SUV but their F150s are excellent. I had driven a 2014 Suburban for a few days and it was disappointing. Maybe the 2015s are better but I wouldn't buy a last generation suburban. The one I drove had a 3.08 axle and had no lower or upper power. Not sure the 3.42 axle would be much better as it is still a poor gear. I didn't even tow with this SUV, just drove it.

Here's a review I made on it.

My previous 2010 F150 was also the same weight as the suburban and it had the 5.4L. The 5.4L is a much more powerful engine. It has a lot more torque and has it's max torque at 3500 rpms opposed to GMs 5.3Ls 4000 rpms. While the GM 5.3L has 10 more horses, you won't feel them until your over 5000 rpms, anything lower and the 5.4L is much more powerful due to the higher torque.

I wouldn't even mess around with a full size SUV. Their short wheelbase leaves them cramped in legroom in the 2 rear row of seats and they are so overpriced for the little you get with them. A pickup truck is a much better value since it only loses 1 seat when configured with a front row bench, has more towing capability and is more functional. My middle seats on the front and rear rows have headrest and shoulder belts for the occupant.

I would consider a fullsize van over a fullsize SUV if you need seating for a large family. Otherwise, I'd stick to a pickup.

Here's a GM 2WD fully loaded 8 seat passenger van.

2014 Express 3500 Passenger Regular Wheelbase LT RWD

Price
$41,160

Price Details In Zip Code:Update

MSRP1 from $35,590

Destination Freight Charge $995

Options
Victory Red $0
Medium Pewter, Custom Cloth $0
16" steel wheels, includes Gray center caps $0
Vortec® 6.0L V8 SFI FlexFuel engine $995
6-speed automatic, heavy-duty transmission $0
3.42 rear axle ratio $0
Heavy-duty locking rear differential Remove $325
Heavy-duty trailering equipment Remove $265
7-pin sealed connector trailer wiring $0
AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player $555
USB port1 $0
Bluetooth®1 wireless technology for select phones Remove $50
8-passenger seating ($370) 12-passenger seating for $370 more
Front bucket seats with Custom Cloth trim $0
SiriusXM®1 Satellite Radio with 3 trial months $0
Driver 6-way power seat adjuster Remove $275
Leather-wrapped steering wheel Remove $185
Steering wheel controls $0
Outside temperature display Remove $10
Rear-window defogger Remove $155
Outside heated power-adjustable mirrors Remove $115
Sliding passenger-side door Remove $150
OnStar®1 antenna equipment kit Remove $50
Dual-note high and low horn Remove $15
Rear Vision Camera Remove $200
Rear Park Assist Remove $295

Accessories
Roof Mount Ladder Package Remove $1,200
Splash Guards - Front Molded Remove $55
Splash Guards - Rear Molded Remove $50
Options And Accessories Total $4,575**
Total MSRP $41,160
Price $41,160*
Start Over

This van has a 10,000 lbs tow rating and a 9600 lbs GVWR so it'll have the towing and payload you'll need for an average sized trailer.

It won't be any faster than the SUV but won't be nearly as cramped and will be about $15,000 cheaper while being more loaded.

jerem0621 wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I like the Excursion based on the F-250. It will have more weight than the trailer, a advantage in windy conditions.

I guess it depends on the trailer's hitch weight and number of passengers you plan on.

Fred.

These things are dinosaurs. Those that are out there are overpriced and have high miles on them....


Not a sound recommendation.

I found this in about 25 seconds...

your not sound recommendation is not accurate.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

He's much better off with the 5.3. It's 14mpg city/18-20 highway solo. And 9-10 towing. The V-10 sucks if it's a daily driver from an economy standpoint.

The OP is in North Carolina-that Excursion is in Tennessee. A logistic headache.

CKNSLS wrote:

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I like the Excursion based on the F-250. It will have more weight than the trailer, a advantage in windy conditions.

I guess it depends on the trailer's hitch weight and number of passengers you plan on.

Fred.

These things are dinosaurs. Those that are out there are overpriced and have high miles on them....


Not a sound recommendation.

I found this in about 25 seconds...

your not sound recommendation is not accurate.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I like the Excursion based on the F-250. It will have more weight than the trailer, a advantage in windy conditions.

I guess it depends on the trailer's hitch weight and number of passengers you plan on.

Fred.

These things are dinosaurs. Those that are out there are overpriced and have high miles on them....


Not a sound recommendation.

Between Ford and Chevy I would go with the Chevy as it is rated much higher than the Ford in terms of durability by JD Powers and their SUVs have been higher rated for the past 5 years in this area. For a tow vehicle dependability is extremely important.

carringb wrote:

LMMNOCATS_EFI wrote:
Although a great motor our stock 06 Yukon SWB would beat any stock 5.4 exp or F150 hard to use as a judge but check out youtube there's a lot more Ls motors out running tritons .... Just sayin

Or just look at there 0-60 times

Well the stock 3.7L F150 is faster 0-60 than both motors!

But you don't see too many folks trading in their V8s so they can tow with a smallish V6.

Well, I did, but ...

Still kinda funny - if you told me a few years ago that I'd be driving a full size pickup w/ a 213 ci engine and be happy about it, I would have said you were out of your mind ...