Tahoe, Yukon EL, suburban or expedition EL

Yes, my experience shopping lately is that the Ford versions are less than the GMs. I also found this to be true back in 2008. The GMs have always been very reliable, and generally I think the interiors on the GMs are of better quality. But these are small differences - and overall reliability, in my opinion, is good in both of them. I did have more "little" issues in our Ford than I would have liked (window regulators, for example) - but in general I think reliability is good in both. Ford has been making this platform since 2007 now, so some think it's a little dated inside and out. Personally, I still like it - especially because our 2008 looks just like a new one.

I would add that the new Expeditions with the Ecoboost are more fun to drive - quite a lot of torque compared to the 5.4 in ours.

I am not sure why you want a 2015 or newer in the GM. I personally would look for a 2014 Yukon XL Denali. This would give the 6.2, 6sp, and very nicely loaded vehicle. I had a 2012 and 2013 Suburban, and put more than 20k miles on each in 6 months.

I also just took a 2015 Suburban on a three hour road trip with 3 couples. None of the third row passengers complained. Our other vehicle option was my 2014 Express 3500. I liked the functionality of the third row seats in the pre 2015 versions, and liked the big heavy seat in the pre-2007 versions more, and loved the space in the pre-2000 versions. I have driven the Denali, and get better highway mpg with the 6.2 than the 5.3.

BenK wrote:
All are half ton, except for the 3/4 ton Sub (Yukon XL is based on the Chevy Sub)

"Half ton" as in +7K GVWR and +4K RGAWR

The "3/4 ton" Sub/YukonXL are 8.6K and 6K RGAWR. Only GMT900 (previous gen) and
current gen only half ton offered

The Ford Expedition EL is a half ton and just longer version of the regular Expedition

Any of their engines will do the job if you are under/at their GVWR/GAWR's.

MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating) is bogus unless you have their stripper model. If
high optioned (AC, power windows/seats/locks, 2nd & 3rd row seats, etc, etc) it
is NOT rated for the listed MTWR

5K 'dry' will most likely be 6K-7K when fully optioned and loaded. 'Can' be done
with any of the TV's you list, but that also depends on how that TV is loaded

X2 - and emphasizing that the available payloads go DOWN with the same vehicle on a longer wheelbase (heavier vehicle). We pulled a 5,400# dry/7,400# gross TT with a Tahoe with the 5.3 V8. It really worked hard on grades (3,500 - 4,000 RPM to maintain 50 - 55 MPH). If you have kids (we're empty nesters) and load a bunch of stuff in the trailer and vehicle, your performance will be worse. In any case, a good weight distributing hitch is a must.

Rob

Thanks that helps a lot. As a TV it will only be an occasional thing when we want to rent the one on post, and will only be for a couple years while we are there. That's why I also want to make sure we are getting a reliable family vehicle as well. Once we move in 2-3 years hubby will get himself a 3500 diesel for towing the TT we buy. I love the the fords are so much cheaper (we can get one with extremely low miles for same price as either GMC brands) than the GMC's, but does that mean they won't last us for as long? We put a lot of miles on vehicles as we love to get out and go places when he has time off ( put 100,000+ miles in 5 years on my van), so I want a SUV that will last us a while and be pretty reliable (which our dodge caravan has not been).

A couple thoughts:

You mentioned the Denali - it does come in XL form, and you should be able to find them in various years. My father drives a 2012, and it is a very nice vehicle; you just need to look carefully at tow ratings, payload, etc. (as with any vehicle you're considering).

We have owned a 2008 Expedition EL since new, and have overall been pleased with it - but I've never been thrilled with it when towing our trailer (5800 lbs). That could be due to hitch adjustments, which I never tried to fix because we usually towed with a Duramax.

Compared to the GM models, the Ford has much more room in the 3rd row (due to the independent rear suspension vs. straight axle in the GM), and the 2nd row seats will recline even in bench form (GM models do not recline unless you have 2nd row captains).

Ours has the HD towing package, which gives you a 3.73 rear end, extra cooling, etc. You should look carefully at what models you find, as many (GMs and Fords) have a lower-ratio read end which will limit your towing ability. I think ours is rated for 8900 lbs., whereas the other rear ends will put you in the low 7000 range.

The newer GMs are very nice as well, but I don't really care for the 3rd seat arrangement. GM now has them folding down into the floor, but again, because of the axle the seats take up much more of your rear cargo area when folded (think: high load floor) and are not very comfortable when used as seats. This may not be an issue for you.

Final word: none of these, in my humble opinion, are not great for towing anything above 5000 lbs, no matter what anyone says. But then again, I got spoiled towing with a 3/4 ton pickup.

Best of luck to you on all your adventures.

I think the longer versions make a lot more sense, and I'm personally a big fan of the 3.5 Eco version of the EL.

BenK wrote:
All are half ton, except for the 3/4 ton Sub (Yukon XL is based on the Chevy Sub)

"Half ton" as in +7K GVWR and +4K RGAWR

The "3/4 ton" Sub/YukonXL are 8.6K and 6K RGAWR. Only GMT900 (previous gen) and
current gen only half ton offered

The Ford Expedition EL is a half ton and just longer version of the regular Expedition

Any of their engines will do the job if you are under/at their GVWR/GAWR's.

MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating) is bogus unless you have their stripper model. If
high optioned (AC, power windows/seats/locks, 2nd & 3rd row seats, etc, etc) it
is NOT rated for the listed MTWR

5K 'dry' will most likely be 6K-7K when fully optioned and loaded. 'Can' be done
with any of the TV's you list, but that also depends on how that TV is loaded

Thanks. We will be getting a pretty loaded one, for Chevy we want the LTZ, GMC equivelent, and Limited for Ford.

All are half ton, except for the 3/4 ton Sub (Yukon XL is based on the Chevy Sub)

"Half ton" as in +7K GVWR and +4K RGAWR

The "3/4 ton" Sub/YukonXL are 8.6K and 6K RGAWR. Only GMT900 (previous gen) and
current gen only half ton offered

The Ford Expedition EL is a half ton and just longer version of the regular Expedition

Any of their engines will do the job if you are under/at their GVWR/GAWR's.

MTWR (Max Tow Weight Rating) is bogus unless you have their stripper model. If
high optioned (AC, power windows/seats/locks, 2nd & 3rd row seats, etc, etc) it
is NOT rated for the listed MTWR

5K 'dry' will most likely be 6K-7K when fully optioned and loaded. 'Can' be done
with any of the TV's you list, but that also depends on how that TV is loaded

Campfire Time wrote:
In my opinion a Tahoe/Yukon (not XL) is a castrated Suburban/Yukon XL. About the same gas mileage, and a lot more room in the 'Burb/Yukon XL. Having owned 3 'Burbs over the years I've never seen the point of the Tahoe.

That said, in NYC, the slightly shorter Tahoe may be easier to park and navigate.

As far as engines, keep up with the scheduled maintenance and most any engine will go well beyond 200k miles.

We won't be driving into NYC with the vehicle we will take the train ( way to much money for parking and the headache of NYC traffic is not appealing). We will use this vehicle to get the hell away from the city (we are country folk and like fresh air and blue sky's). That's why I didn't put the Yukon Denali which I love, bc they don't make it in EL, or I can't find a used one if they do). That's what we were thinking too, but we keep getting that tahoes are better than burbs, which I though they were same vehicle just bigger.

In my opinion a Tahoe/Yukon (not XL) is a castrated Suburban/Yukon XL. About the same gas mileage, and a lot more room in the 'Burb/Yukon XL. Having owned 3 'Burbs over the years I've never seen the point of the Tahoe.

That said, in NYC, the slightly shorter Tahoe may be easier to park and navigate.

As far as engines, keep up with the scheduled maintenance and most any engine will go well beyond 200k miles.