Tow Vehicle for Large Family

Hi, I have browsed the forums but first post. I posted this over on performancetrucks and I am looking for more feedback from experienced haulers:

I have a family of seven and plan to buy a travel trailer soon. Looks like I'm not going to get by with much less than a 30'. We have a 2015 Yukon XL, but I have no intentions of hauling something that big, especially with the 3.08 gears.

I have a narrow set of large SUVs that fit the bill and I have no desire for a van. This vehicle will be my toy as well.

I need help deciding because each of these has its pros and cons:

2000-2006 Suburban/Yukon XL 2500 with 8.1 - stout motor but very hard to find in decent condition and the worst on mileage of my options. Gas mileage doesn't bother me much, however. Large payload (2800 I believe) and 10,000+ towing (12,000 with 4.10's)! Finding them from $10-15K in decent shape.

2007-2013 Suburban/Yukon XL 2500 with 6.0 and 3.73's. Tow rated at 9,300-9,400 (4WD). Still a gas hog with less torque at the low end than the big block. Payload around 2500. Would have a lot of fun modding this one and they tune well from what I understand. I find these around $17K-$22K with under 100K miles and in great shape.

2000-2003 Excursion with 7.3 PSD. The most reliable of the bunch, so they still fetch a pretty penny when they are in good condition. Tow rated at 10,000-11,000, but pulls easily. Payload scares me at around 1500 with a family of 7. The 01&02 wouldn't be real upgradable with the powder metal rods. Again, upgrades will mostly be for fun as this will be my toy, so this is a con for me. Good ones go for $20K-$30K.

2003-2005 Excursion with 6.0 PSD. I know, I know. There are issues.I am willing to deal with that and would likely have any part of bulletproofing done immediately that has not already been done. Higher torque and easy to build upon once the known issues are handled. About the same payload and tow ratings as its predecessor. Can be had from $15K-$25K in great shape. Love the Eddie Bauer leather.

I think I would have the most fun with either the 6.0 PSD or the 6.0 Burb.

I would love to hear some input and experience, or any viable option I missed.

Thanks!

45 Replies

Wishin
Explorer
Dec 20, 2015
Love my 8.1L Suburban, but it sure doesn't compare to a good diesel. This summer we took a 4600 mile trip and the fuel pump went out in the Suburban 25 miles from home. Ended up taking my parents 2006 2500HD Silverado with the Duramax. No real comparison. My 8.1L goes any speed I want up most any hill, but it is louder and still has to down shift. Mine came from the previous owner with a K&N cold air intake. I'm sure that adds to part of the noise, I'd love to swap it out for the OEM intake but I haven't gotten around to looking for one. The Duramax in my parents truck stayed in 6th gear all the way to the west end of Montana from Michigan when travelling at 65-67 mph. Smooth and quiet all that way.

I have no regrets with the Suburban, but any older vehicle needs fixing up. Belts, hoses, fixing leaks, power steering pump, fuel pump, and on it goes. After having it 2+ years I think I finally have replaced enough stuff that it should be pretty reliable. Last year we went 3000+ miles out to Maine and back and it was trouble free until a loose connection causes us to get stuck in 2nd gear the last couple of hours. We have had a few issues with the fuse box due to the previous owners tapping into the fuse panel in ways that damaged the connectors. I think a fire dept. owned it in Georgia originally and had lots of electrical modifications.

For long distance searching, I used Autotrader, cars.com, searchtempest (multi citi craigslist search), ebay, etc. I liked Cars.com the best but eventually found mine on Craigslist I think using searchtempest. I live in the rust belt so I didn't want to find one close to home. It cost me $500 for a plane ticket, $50 for a hotel, and a lot of gas money to get home. About $750 total I think to retrieve it plus a day and a half. Not bad and well worth it.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2015
Sounds great. Should be fun for everyone!
ednjenn
Explorer
Dec 18, 2015
We have both vehicles...both 02's with the 7.3 psd. They are very different in towing styles with the excursion being superior in getup and go but the van sipping fuel and tracking better on the flats. Just picking up a heavy trailer Saturday as a Christmas gift for the family. We have 8 kids...4 in the signature from 2007 and now 4 more! We'll post the results. Grapevine on I5 should be a good shakedown! I'm picking it up in Bakersfield and driving it back to San diego
SprinklerMan
Explorer
Dec 17, 2015
dodge guy wrote:
You skipped the V-10 Excursions. They are as reliable as the diesels and still get decent mileage towing and non-towing. When equipped with 4.30's it is just as good as a 7.3, and more reliable than a stock 6.0! And far better than a 6.0 burb!

I love my v 10 excursion , 02 with 125K and just regular maintenance, plows snow and pulls my 30 ft sunny brook great . I dont track mileage I dont care .
Redterpos3
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
We have a family of 5 and have owned our 2000 E-350 with the V-10 for the past 15 years, only towing the last three, after kiddos have flown the coop. But it is excellent even in its older age. When I started towing the V-10 just felt like it was waking up finally after a long nap like Rip Van Winkle.

I did, however, upgrade just over a week ago, but I would second my van or one like it for towing with a large family!
Ranger431
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
dodge guy wrote:
Knminton wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
You skipped the V-10 Excursions. They are as reliable as the diesels and still get decent mileage towing and non-towing. When equipped with 4.30's it is just as good as a 7.3, and more reliable than a stock 6.0! And far better than a 6.0 burb!

Great points, and I love that they are coming from "dodge guy" as there is probably no bias, lol. I originally had the 6.8 V10 on my list and for some reason I believe I got away from it because it was an older gasser and it has the same payload issues as the other Ex's, albeit slightly better rating. I am still open to them and still look at them daily on autotrader and eBay. What kinds of weights have you towed with them and was it comfortable?

Yep, I used to work at a Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealer years ago and that`s why I made it my screen name.

My trailer is 35feet long and weighs around 9200lbs ready to travel. I have weighed it and IIRC the X was around 9100lbs for a week long trip, that was with 2 kids 9 and 10 at the time, a 100lb German Shepherd and 2 adults. Yes it is a few hundred over the GVWR. But as you know the X is underrated from the factory, the reason is the soft springs they put under them for the cushy soccer mom ride. once you address the soft springs I feel the X is just as capable as a F350 with a 9900lb GVWR. I have towed with this setup since 07. I`ve done many trips of over 2000 miles with a 12hour drive. the X always has plenty of power and now with the tuner it feels so much better.

Good luck in your search!

Another happy V-10 Excursion guy here. I put a Roadmaster Active Suspension in to help with the softer rear springs and its great. We have 6 kids, ages 18, 16, 13, 10 & 7 yo twins. The 18 yo started college this last fall, so he isn't home much, but there was always plenty of room, and power.
Lantley
Nomad
Dec 11, 2015
trail-explorer wrote:
7.3 excursion or the V10 Excursion would be my choice over a 6.0L diesel Excursion.

Agreed I would avoid the 6.0 PSD at all costs
trail-explorer
Explorer
Dec 11, 2015
7.3 excursion or the V10 Excursion would be my choice over a 6.0L diesel Excursion.
Lantley
Nomad
Dec 11, 2015
The gas Excursions are great. The 7.3 PSD Excursions are better.
I towed the same 10.5K loaded TT with both.
A full size van 3500/350 van is another decent option.
usmc616
Explorer
Dec 11, 2015
I tow with a 04 Excursion V-10. I have 373 gears, but I believe there was an option for a different gear ratio that would push the tow limit to 11,000lbs. I suggest looking real hard at the gas excursions, they will be cheaper to buy and you will not need to bullet proof them.