Forum Discussion

Stclairm's avatar
Stclairm
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015

TV for 5000-5500 TT

Ok, so we're thinking about rejoining the camping club..... Sold our 5000 TT last March and we've been going crazy missing it since. Problem is, our kids (16 and 12) are involved in marching band and football on Saturday from Julyish to late October. I think if we keep it on the cheaper side, we can more easily justify getting back into it. Keep in mind, I keep my trailers dry.
The two vehicles I've found most affordable are the 03-05 Explorer V8 and 99-02 Ford Expedition 5.4 V8. Every now and then I find an Excursion V10, but they're usually rusted out garbage. My previous TV's were a 04 Avalanche 1500 Z71, 04 Suburban Z71, and 13 Ford F150 ecoboost crewcab 4x4. Obviously the Ford had the best power and highest capacity, but I didn't really feel much difference between them going down the road unless I wanted to maintain speed going up grades. The Explorers and Expeditions are in the $4500-6000 range Suburbans/Avalanches $9000-10,000. Should I rule out the Explorer V8 or keep it under a certain weight?
Capacities:
03 Explorer V8 4wd with 3rd row- 6500# (not much of a cushion)
03 Expedition 5.4 4wd- 8650#
03 Avalanche 5.3 Z71 7100# (3.73) 8100# (4.10)
03 Suburban 5.3 z71 - same as Avalanche I believe
Tow Vehicles

28 Replies

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  • Atlee's avatar
    Atlee
    Explorer II
    Mar 18, 2015
    Your best bet is the Expedition. It's more versatile with your trailer needs. The Explorer is much more limited to what trailer you can tow. Mostly pop ups and maybe some super light hybrids.

    Stclairm wrote:
    Ok, so we're thinking about rejoining the camping club..... Sold our 5000 TT last March and we've been going crazy missing it since. Problem is, our kids (16 and 12) are involved in marching band and football on Saturday from Julyish to late October. I think if we keep it on the cheaper side, we can more easily justify getting back into it. Keep in mind, I keep my trailers dry.
    The two vehicles I've found most affordable are the 03-05 Explorer V8 and 99-02 Ford Expedition 5.4 V8. Every now and then I find an Excursion V10, but they're usually rusted out garbage. My previous TV's were a 04 Avalanche 1500 Z71, 04 Suburban Z71, and 13 Ford F150 ecoboost crewcab 4x4. Obviously the Ford had the best power and highest capacity, but I didn't really feel much difference between them going down the road unless I wanted to maintain speed going up grades. The Explorers and Expeditions are in the $4500-6000 range Suburbans/Avalanches $9000-10,000. Should I rule out the Explorer V8 or keep it under a certain weight?
    Capacities:
    03 Explorer V8 4wd with 3rd row- 6500# (not much of a cushion)
    03 Expedition 5.4 4wd- 8650#
    03 Avalanche 5.3 Z71 7100# (3.73) 8100# (4.10)
    03 Suburban 5.3 z71 - same as Avalanche I believe
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Mar 18, 2015
    I would get something with GM 6.0L or Ford 3V 5.4L. They offer a lot more power and same to better fuel economy than your last list.

    Are you open to full sizes passenger vans? The resale value sucks compared to pickups and SUVs so you can get a lot newer/lower mileage in the used market.
  • Atlee's avatar
    Atlee
    Explorer II
    Mar 18, 2015
    my late father told me many years ago that my guest plate was always available, but he had broken my every day plate.

    In other words, I could come visit any time, just don't come back to stay.

    Terryallan wrote:
    dvitale300 wrote:
    Best of luck with the kids not coming back!,, we still have a 24 and 26 living with us. Boy did we screw up! Expedition sounds like the best deal if the weight numbers work out.


    Did they bring friends? most time they bring friends. Me, and DW. Bought a Tt for 2 when they left. We now have a TT for ten. Yes they came back, and brought many friends
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Mar 17, 2015
    dvitale300 wrote:
    Best of luck with the kids not coming back!,, we still have a 24 and 26 living with us. Boy did we screw up! Expedition sounds like the best deal if the weight numbers work out.


    Did they bring friends? most time they bring friends. Me, and DW. Bought a Tt for 2 when they left. We now have a TT for ten. Yes they came back, and brought many friends
  • Targa's avatar
    Targa
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2015
    Lol ^^^you made me shoot coffee out of my nose with that one.
  • dvitale300's avatar
    dvitale300
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2015
    Best of luck with the kids not coming back!,, we still have a 24 and 26 living with us. Boy did we screw up! Expedition sounds like the best deal if the weight numbers work out.
  • Stclairm's avatar
    Stclairm
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2015
    That and they can stay with their grandmother from time to time and we'll fly away! I was thinking Expedition is the best bet. 5000# max on the Explorer including all our goods.
  • scbwr's avatar
    scbwr
    Explorer II
    Mar 17, 2015
    Given those options, I'd go for the Expedition. Lot's of interior room in the vehicle, and capacity to tow a decent size trailer. You have to look at payload capacities, but I'm guessing the the Expedition could handle 6500 lbs. or so. But, again, you really have to crunch all the numbers, and know what kind of TT you can get by with considering two older kids, DW and yourself.

    On the good side, it won't be that many more years before the kids are off to college or on their own, and you and the DW can take off and go.....if you're not college tuition poor!!!! We're past all of that and really enjoying life....writing this as we're in Wildwood, FL on our way to explore the Lake Okachobee area of Florida. Sitting out in 83 degrees beats the 30ish degrees back in Ohio!!

    Good luck...hope your able to get back to the RV life!!

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