Ok I am in the market to buy a used SUV to pull our 26' bunkhouse. Says it weighs 6082 lbs. Now i am shopping older GMs withe the 8.1, an older Ford excursion with the Turbo diesel V-8 and also a new 07-08 Suburban 2500 with a 6.0. I need feedback on which one to go with and why. Mileage is always a concern but hey we have a family of 6 and with gear and all of us in the vehicle its not the main concern. I want a rig that will pull us and our TT with no issue so we can hook up and go. Please advise thank you,Jeremy

They're all fine in my opinion. The Excursion seemed to me to have the most usable cargo space

2500 suburban are popular. You might also look at E250/350 Ford vans. Usually cheaper than the other two you mentioned.

Excursions with the Powerstroke command a premium that, IMHO, is not worth it.The 2003-2006 Suburban 2500s were absolute beasts - huge payload and huge towing - but the 8.1 models are hard to find, and tend to be a bit pricey relative to blue book price. This is probably your best choice.The 2007-2013 Suburban is great, but it's hamstrung by the weak receiver, and relatively low GCWR. My receiver is rated at 500dw/1000wd lbs of tongue weight, And with a curb weight of 6500 lbs, that 14,000-lb GCWR looks pretty small. Now, that being said, we took my '08 out to the Grand Canyon and Colorado, including a drive through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Our trailer is ~6500 lbs, and I have a family of 5 which includes three teenagers. My family weighs ~900 lbs.The Suburban pulls it just fine, and I'm always relaxed behind the wheel. We towed over 5000 miles in two and a half weeks.You can click the link in my sig to see our rig.Here's the weigh slip from that trip - note that I'm right at my 8600 GVWR limit, and I'm over on my GCWR:

My vote is for the 2500 Burb with the 8.1L. ;)I couldn't be happier with the towing performance in our TT weight range. It's a nice, stable, relaxed tow even thru the mountains. Well, maybe not down the Teton Pass, but what would?Here is a link to search for:2500 Suburban or YukonXL with the 8.1L engine

All of those options would work well IMHO...As a 2 time owner of a Ford Excursion I'll chime in.First of all, the Ford Excursion is a FANTASTIC combination of people hauler and tow vehicle. You have the 3/4 ton suspension with a lot of leg room inside. As long as you don't find one of the rare 5.4L Triton models, you will have plenty of power from either the 10 Cylinder Triton gas model or the 7.3L or 6.0 L PSD.Just a note though, Ford had a myriad of issues with the 6.0L PSD, so I would be very careful before buying one. Secondly, as mentioned above, the 7.3L PSD Excursion is a rare find and finding one in nice condition with relatively low miles is probably going to be difficult to do...and you're going to PAY big time for those models. I don't know if it will be worth it in the end honestly, but that's up to you. They are GREAT vehicles, I had them both. I loved my 7.3L PSD Excursion. I still miss it today. We sold it back in 2010 to a guy who actually flew up from Georgia, because even 5 years ago they were getting more and more rare. I could only imagine how hard it would be to find one these days (keep in mind that 2006 was the last year IIRC). We just wanted a truck, since our kids were getting older and not all camp anymore and we don't need as much people room.IMHO finding a nice gas V10 Excursion would do you very well...if you can find one.Good Luck

SUV for towing trailer | Good Sam Community

Mttlh4
Explorer
May 23, 2016
After a daunting search we found a low mileage 2005 suburban 2500 with the 8.1. Haven't done more than a test run with the camper hooked up, but so far we are very pleased with the purchase. We were looking at excursions as well, I just couldn't find any where I was satisfied with the price vs the condition.
Lantley
Nomad
May 22, 2016
dodge guy wrote:
I'll second the Excursion V-10 with 4.30 gears. Mine pulls my 9200 lb TT with no issues. Setup properly they are THE best towing SUV out there. The V-10 tows just as well as the diesel. I'm getting 7.8mpg towing so the price difference between a diesel and gas is comparable. BTW, I'm at 17,500 lbs combined weight. No problems in any hills or mountains.

Another Excursion fan. They are great for towing large trailers.
I owned both a V-10 and a 7.3 PSD.
If you can find a 7.3 PSD buy it. The V-10's are great but the diesel will get significantly better MPG's. My 7.3 got between 11-12 towing a 9500 # loaded trailer. While my V-10X came in at 7.
At this point a V-10 X maybe a better value due to price and availability. But don't pass on a clean 7.3 if you find one
deeperblue
Explorer
May 22, 2016
Realized your suburban is a 2500.
deeperblue wrote:
Is your suburban 1500 version or 2500 version? From your post it sounds like 1500 version?

If that's the case, it is way over its GVWR, right? Suburban 1500 GVWR is at around 7500 lb, your measured actual GVW is 8600 lb.

intheburbs wrote:
Excursions with the Powerstroke command a premium that, IMHO, is not worth it.

The 2003-2006 Suburban 2500s were absolute beasts - huge payload and huge towing - but the 8.1 models are hard to find, and tend to be a bit pricey relative to blue book price. This is probably your best choice.

The 2007-2013 Suburban is great, but it's hamstrung by the weak receiver, and relatively low GCWR. My receiver is rated at 500dw/1000wd lbs of tongue weight, And with a curb weight of 6500 lbs, that 14,000-lb GCWR looks pretty small.

Now, that being said, we took my '08 out to the Grand Canyon and Colorado, including a drive through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Our trailer is ~6500 lbs, and I have a family of 5 which includes three teenagers. My family weighs ~900 lbs.

The Suburban pulls it just fine, and I'm always relaxed behind the wheel. We towed over 5000 miles in two and a half weeks.

You can click the link in my sig to see our rig.

Here's the weigh slip from that trip - note that I'm right at my 8600 GVWR limit, and I'm over on my GCWR:
deeperblue
Explorer
May 22, 2016
Is your suburban 1500 version or 2500 version? From your post it sounds like 1500 version?

If that's the case, it is way over its GVWR, right? Suburban 1500 GVWR is at around 7500 lb, your measured actual GVW is 8600 lb.

intheburbs wrote:
Excursions with the Powerstroke command a premium that, IMHO, is not worth it.

The 2003-2006 Suburban 2500s were absolute beasts - huge payload and huge towing - but the 8.1 models are hard to find, and tend to be a bit pricey relative to blue book price. This is probably your best choice.

The 2007-2013 Suburban is great, but it's hamstrung by the weak receiver, and relatively low GCWR. My receiver is rated at 500dw/1000wd lbs of tongue weight, And with a curb weight of 6500 lbs, that 14,000-lb GCWR looks pretty small.

Now, that being said, we took my '08 out to the Grand Canyon and Colorado, including a drive through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Our trailer is ~6500 lbs, and I have a family of 5 which includes three teenagers. My family weighs ~900 lbs.

The Suburban pulls it just fine, and I'm always relaxed behind the wheel. We towed over 5000 miles in two and a half weeks.

You can click the link in my sig to see our rig.

Here's the weigh slip from that trip - note that I'm right at my 8600 GVWR limit, and I'm over on my GCWR:
jerite
Explorer
Sep 15, 2015
FYI found a 2003 suburban with 8.1. Set up trailer with equalizer hitch. Pulled flawlessly 3k miles first time out. Very happy with burb. we call it "The Beast". Thanks everyone for replies.
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
First, I would recommend that you replace the hitch on the Burb if it is the stock hitch. There were known failures when these hitches were young. Next, I would recommend an Equalizer Brand hitch. Others will recommend the Dual Cam.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2015
jerite wrote:
Well I decided to go with a nice 2003 Burb 2500 with the 8.1. Only has 113k miles and nice shape. They are not easy to find and with low miles and good shape seem to come at a premium. Anyway i got the truck now what is recommended for weight distribution hitch and sway control. i just wanna set this up right and enjoy.
Thanks again,
Jer
While you may have paid a premium for it, it will command a premium if well maintained if you decide to sell.

I use a Reese dual cam wd hitch.
jerite
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
Well I decided to go with a nice 2003 Burb 2500 with the 8.1. Only has 113k miles and nice shape. They are not easy to find and with low miles and good shape seem to come at a premium. Anyway i got the truck now what is recommended for weight distribution hitch and sway control. i just wanna set this up right and enjoy.
Thanks again,
Jer
SprinklerMan
Explorer
Jun 16, 2015
dodge guy wrote:
I'll second the Excursion V-10 with 4.30 gears. Mine pulls my 9200 lb TT with no issues. Setup properly they are THE best towing SUV out there. The V-10 tows just as well as the diesel. I'm getting 7.8mpg towing so the price difference between a diesel and gas is comparable. BTW, I'm at 17,500 lbs combined weight. No problems in any hills or mountains.

I will have to third this one . I love my v 10 excursion , I am almost the same set up as above , I use my Ex to plow , and pull It has never complained
APT
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015
intheburbs, your GCWR is 16k pounds.

All of those choices will do well. If you can find an 2007+ Expedition EL with at least 1500 pounds of payload it's probably good too. We are very happy with our 2011 3/4 ton Suburban. Almost 60k miles, lots of family memories.