New vs Old Diesel Truck

smcrea wrote:
Just FYI.. we've been pulling our trailer for about 4 years now with our GMC Yukon 1500, from San Diego up into the Canadian Rockies, all the way up the west coast, last year we did Colorado. She's always been under powered and every hill is a white knuckle event both up and down. Last year she gave us trouble in Colorado and over heated half way up that nightmare pass.. I can't remember the name.

Bottom line:
We have 3 young kids and go to some pretty challenging places

This is why I'm asking the question New or Used Diesel :-)

If we were just towing a couple of hours down the road then we wouldn't even be considering a different vehicle and would use the Yukon till it died totally.

Thanks.

Please pardon me for deviating off the subject a bit.

It sounds as though you have a special, few-in-a-lifetime, vacation planned this year.

As the patriarch, we feel the legitimate responsibilty to do best by our families. Is the money better spent for a new truck or the many other things that every family needs? From a practical standpoint, I don't blame you for a little hand-wringing.

Maybe the bold type above is your key. It sounds perhaps as though you are not fully committed to spending the family finances on the cost of a new truck. Yet, of course, you have the natural concern for the well-being of your family if you don't "buy in".

Can the trusty Yukon be "gone over" to better the odds of a trouble-free trip? Remember, even new vehicles occasionally fail, so we are talking odds here. Unless it is a basket case, upgrading the present TV will likely cost less than a new truck. Regardless, either way the best plan includes a well-padded, quick-access, emergency slush fund for mechanical failure.

Why did the Yukon overheat? Maybe the cooling system needs flushing, a new cap or the truck simply needs a larger radiator and HD fan for doing maximum work.

Hows the tranny? Did it get new fluid after once getting hot in colorado? Oil does wear out, if overheated. It gets thicker and can cause sluggish, less crisp operation. For instance, my Excursion log requires new tranny fluid every 30K miles, and new coolant every three years to prevent the build-up of scum, scale and corrosion. This is especially true while towing.

Why is the Yukon white knuckle both uphill and downhill? Is the uphill problem a matter of speed and/or overheating? Occasional low speed can be lived with, but other than maintenance, beating heat requires one of two plans:
1) upgrade tranny and engine cooling
2) drive slower uphill in a lower gear or at least less throttle

Is the downhill white knuckle because of instability? I bought a fancy used full-size Hensley linkage hitch from a guy who towed with a Tahoe. When going downhill without it, the normal change in tongue load was enough that he swayed, went out of control and crashed. The Hensley cured that tendency until he retired and went to a 5th wheel. He got half his money back when he sold the Hensley to me, so the cost for interim safety was not the total new price. I expect even less depreciation when I sell it. Pro-Pride also makes this unusual type linkage hitch. They operate differently than any other hitches.

If downhill has a brake problem, just making sure the RV and TV brakes are up to snuff should solve that. Another consideration is the trailer brake controller. Is it effective? Some work better than others. It, and the associated wiring, has to be able to provide full voltage to the electric trailer brakes when required.

Extra tires are handy if one can carry them. Some items like tire pressure monitors for the camper can save a blow-out and the ugly surprise damage that is done to the fender area. Other related items are a truly suitable jack and tools. I carried a jack for a while that did not actually fit under my low-tire axle when I tried it. Lucky I was at home. While we are talking suspension, sometimes vehicle overload springs or air bags produce a better loaded ride in the vehicle.

No matter if one has an expensive new truck or not, besides fuses, oil and fresh coolant, some things like a belt, water pump and fuel pump used to be good items to have on hand in case of remote breakdown. Every vehicle has its favorite iffy part. What would one take on a remote trek across Siberia? Some holidays and week-ends in rural populated areas may be just as desolate service-wise.

Forgive me for the sidetrack, but you did hint that a cross country trip seems more intimidating, and safety and reliability are everything. I know these are all things that you may have already thought of, but I guess it doesn't hurt to review them.

You may not need a new truck. I think you just need to feel that you and your family will feel safe and have a good time because you thoroughly thought things through. And I think you are doing that. Good luck.

Wes
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