Towing vehicle cunundrum
Hi everyone
Just signed up bcs of all the info and great posts here. I am sure similar posts have been discussed before but here's my situation for your opinions. Please feel free to share your thoughts - I truly appreciate every response I'll get.
We have a 31' TT and an Excursion to tow. I have 3 small kids and the 3rd row of the Ex, combined with its 3/4ton capabilities has served me well. BUT, the Ex is showing its age and is getting me worried for my family's safety. It has A LOT of rust everywhere, brake lines got rusted thru and gave way one day, tranny fluid lines rusted also, popped a plug on my last trip to FL that took half a day to helicoil while the family waited in the sun, power is starting to fade, AC is weak at best and on and on, you get the idea.
I will need to replace it soon and I am torn as heck on what to get next. Is a big investment and with the kids growing more expenses will incur so I have to be very smart about this. We are also contemplating getting a bigger (heavier) camper in about 5 years - maybe a 5th wheel. So I've been looking at pick ups but none has the 3rd row and 3 car seats in the back bench with the dog on the bottom space is going to be a war zone with pulling, kicking, pinching and so on.
The SUVs do not have the setup to pull these things well anymore as they're all 1/2ton capacity and very low payload. Also forget about the 5th wheel if I go that route. My TV seats on the driveway 95% of the time as we have commuter cars. I only use it to tow and seldom trip to hardware store for a sheet of plywood, mulch, or to haul some furniture. Even with this in mind, pickups are better as you don't get the smells and debris all over the inside - right now forget about spilling a drop of gas in the back cargo area.
As far as pick ups, I may go that way and have a body shop put in some work and take a couple feet form the bed to give me a 3rd row. For this reason I'd need a 8foot bed pick up.
Than the question becomes diesel or gas. I keep my vehicles for a long time and very handy with gas engines. Never had a diesel before, but I understand when it comes to towing they're king, as they outperform gassers in torque and payload. Maintenance wise those trucks are much more expensive, and we camp about 3-4 times a year (~6000miles) with the rest of the time in idle as I mentioned before. Price wise the newer ones are more or less the same (and very expensive at that) so I need to make a wise choice I won't regret in a few years and see thousands $$ wash down the drain.
So what do you guys think? SUV like an Expedition EL? Pick up? Gas or diesel? SRW or DRW? What has been your experience?
Thank you and be safe wherever the road takes you.
Just signed up bcs of all the info and great posts here. I am sure similar posts have been discussed before but here's my situation for your opinions. Please feel free to share your thoughts - I truly appreciate every response I'll get.
We have a 31' TT and an Excursion to tow. I have 3 small kids and the 3rd row of the Ex, combined with its 3/4ton capabilities has served me well. BUT, the Ex is showing its age and is getting me worried for my family's safety. It has A LOT of rust everywhere, brake lines got rusted thru and gave way one day, tranny fluid lines rusted also, popped a plug on my last trip to FL that took half a day to helicoil while the family waited in the sun, power is starting to fade, AC is weak at best and on and on, you get the idea.
I will need to replace it soon and I am torn as heck on what to get next. Is a big investment and with the kids growing more expenses will incur so I have to be very smart about this. We are also contemplating getting a bigger (heavier) camper in about 5 years - maybe a 5th wheel. So I've been looking at pick ups but none has the 3rd row and 3 car seats in the back bench with the dog on the bottom space is going to be a war zone with pulling, kicking, pinching and so on.
The SUVs do not have the setup to pull these things well anymore as they're all 1/2ton capacity and very low payload. Also forget about the 5th wheel if I go that route. My TV seats on the driveway 95% of the time as we have commuter cars. I only use it to tow and seldom trip to hardware store for a sheet of plywood, mulch, or to haul some furniture. Even with this in mind, pickups are better as you don't get the smells and debris all over the inside - right now forget about spilling a drop of gas in the back cargo area.
As far as pick ups, I may go that way and have a body shop put in some work and take a couple feet form the bed to give me a 3rd row. For this reason I'd need a 8foot bed pick up.
Than the question becomes diesel or gas. I keep my vehicles for a long time and very handy with gas engines. Never had a diesel before, but I understand when it comes to towing they're king, as they outperform gassers in torque and payload. Maintenance wise those trucks are much more expensive, and we camp about 3-4 times a year (~6000miles) with the rest of the time in idle as I mentioned before. Price wise the newer ones are more or less the same (and very expensive at that) so I need to make a wise choice I won't regret in a few years and see thousands $$ wash down the drain.
So what do you guys think? SUV like an Expedition EL? Pick up? Gas or diesel? SRW or DRW? What has been your experience?
Thank you and be safe wherever the road takes you.
