Need tow vehicle - preferably under 10k

Grit dog wrote:
Andrew, you need to adjust your expectations of what your towing experience should be like, IMO.
Yes on the right track, bigger/heavier stiffer suspension is generally more stable, but you're not guaranteed to get that trailer isn not even there feeling.
But your lack of towing experience causes concern about a little push from a semi.

To stay within $10k and get a heavier chassis, you will give up power and alot of the creature comforts of your current rig by going to a van or 3 row SUV.
If that's the direction your headed, I'd look at 1 ton vans. Good bang for the buck in chassis strength. Or low mile gmt400 suburbans. 800s if low miles and great shape will fetch more than $10k. Same for excursions.

Sweet spot for a cheap capable 3 row seat, easy to fix, stout chassis, as reliable as any 20 year old rig can be is a 3/4 ton GMT 400 Burb.
Been a couple for sale around here. Low 100s for miles, 454 and appear to be very well kept in the $6k range.

Personally, few trips a year, I'd hook it to the Expe you have and hit the road though.

Somehow I never saw this post. I agree. I've taken it for a drive a few more times, and I'm getting more comfortable as I drive it more.

Looking into a used (new to me vehicle) is mostly for towing, but it would also serve as my daily driver. We currently have 4 kids, and I drive a supercab F150. So backseat is tight with just 3 kids in there, and I cannot even fit 4. We also have little ones, so will need strollers (sometimes double) for at least the next few years. My wife has a standard Expy, so something like a large SUV or van would let us fit all kids and strollers, etc.

It also does not hurt to get a stronger truck... :C