I've been using the search feature and have read that expeditions/suburbans run out Of payload really quickly thus making them difficult to use as a tow vehicle. My question is can you use one to tow a large tent trailer? Looks like tounge weight would be under 300 pounds. My truck is starting to get a bit long in the tooth and my three girls aren't enjoying being so tight sitting together. I'm searching for a 2500 suburban, but finding them difficult to find with low mileage or priced under 40k. Not really interested in a full size van either.Thoughts? Options I'm not seeing?

There are many here that think you need a DRW to tow anything. A Burb / Yukon XL / Ex would all be fine to tow a tent trailer. IMO, the GM SUVs have a significant advantage in creature comforts, but that might just be a matter of preference.

2500 Sububans are excellent tow vehicles. Depending on year they were available with the 6.0 or a big block.

Yeah you'll be fine for a popup camper. I believe the Expeditions are built on a F150 frame and power train

My sister pulls a 27' ultralight TT with their Expedition EL and it works okay. 3.5 EB with the towing package. They have three kids and a dog so I would bet they're pushing the limits a little bit when they're headed out for a trip but it has worked okay for the shorter tows they do. A pop up would be no problem for an Expedition.

You can buy an Excursion with a diesel for the strongest SUV out there.Here is just one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Ford-Excursion-Limited-Sport-Utility-4-Door-/232155305492?forcerrptr=true&hash=item360d88d614:g:LMEAAOSwzaJX5YGw&item=232155305492This is moot for your application (any SUV will be fine for you) but may be of interest for someone.

What can an expedition el tow? | Good Sam Community

Rustycamperpant
Explorer
Dec 15, 2016
Fast Mopar wrote:
Rustycamperpants wrote:
I tow a nearly 30' TT and definitely would go no bigger. We love our E.B. Expy even after originally wanting a Yukon Denali, the GM twins and the Expys are both very nice.

Your signature shows a 2009 EB Expedition. Does EB stand for EcoBoost? It was not available in 2009. I think the first year of the EcoBoost in the F150 was 2011 and I thought that engine did not appear in the Expedition until around 2015. Maybe your signature is not up to date. Or, maybe EB stands for Extra Big.

LOL, Extra Big is not my problem :-). At least that's not what she said! EB = Eddie Bauer as another poster wrote.... I do have the HD tow package with optional 3.73 ratio.
BenK
Explorer
Dec 14, 2016
Gotta define 'can so' vs 'rated for'...

Even if the smallest PUP, the OP may not be 'rated' for it...if they
have loaded up their TV to their max rated GVWR/RGAWR...BEFORE hooking up

'Can do' it, but not 'rated for' it...and the subsequent warranty/liability/etc issues

Personal choice whether to believe/adhere to the OEM ratings or not.

If not, then do whatever and this discussion academic...

dodge guy wrote:
Strabo wrote:
carringb wrote:
Hahaha.

The OP wants to tow a tent trailer, and other posters are STILL saying a 3/4-ton is needed?!?!

This is getting out of control.

OP - You'll be fine. You should have enough payload for the 400-500 pounds of tongue weight you might see. Just might have to cut back a little on the luggage behind the 3rd row. That said....there's not many tent trailers with only 300 pounds tongue weight, once batteries and propane are added.

Agree...Its so ridiculous, makes me laugh.

I know right! When only for a few hundred more they can get a 1 ton!!!
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Dec 14, 2016
Strabo wrote:
carringb wrote:
Hahaha.

The OP wants to tow a tent trailer, and other posters are STILL saying a 3/4-ton is needed?!?!

This is getting out of control.

OP - You'll be fine. You should have enough payload for the 400-500 pounds of tongue weight you might see. Just might have to cut back a little on the luggage behind the 3rd row. That said....there's not many tent trailers with only 300 pounds tongue weight, once batteries and propane are added.

Agree...Its so ridiculous, makes me laugh.

I know right! When only for a few hundred more they can get a 1 ton!!!
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2016
Fast Mopar wrote:
Rustycamperpants wrote:
I tow a nearly 30' TT and definitely would go no bigger. We love our E.B. Expy even after originally wanting a Yukon Denali, the GM twins and the Expys are both very nice.

Your signature shows a 2009 EB Expedition. Does EB stand for EcoBoost? It was not available in 2009. I think the first year of the EcoBoost in the F150 was 2011 and I thought that engine did not appear in the Expedition until around 2015. Maybe your signature is not up to date. Or, maybe EB stands for Extra Big.

EB=Eddie Bauer
Strabo
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
carringb wrote:
Hahaha.

The OP wants to tow a tent trailer, and other posters are STILL saying a 3/4-ton is needed?!?!

This is getting out of control.

OP - You'll be fine. You should have enough payload for the 400-500 pounds of tongue weight you might see. Just might have to cut back a little on the luggage behind the 3rd row. That said....there's not many tent trailers with only 300 pounds tongue weight, once batteries and propane are added.

Agree...Its so ridiculous, makes me laugh.
Fast_Mopar
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
Rustycamperpants wrote:
I tow a nearly 30' TT and definitely would go no bigger. We love our E.B. Expy even after originally wanting a Yukon Denali, the GM twins and the Expys are both very nice.

Your signature shows a 2009 EB Expedition. Does EB stand for EcoBoost? It was not available in 2009. I think the first year of the EcoBoost in the F150 was 2011 and I thought that engine did not appear in the Expedition until around 2015. Maybe your signature is not up to date. Or, maybe EB stands for Extra Big.
falconbrother
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2016
You could pull a tent trailer with a Town and Country minivan. Anything bigger than that is just nice to have. If you get an F-350 it will just look weird.
kwlincoln
Explorer
Dec 10, 2016
Wow. You're crazy dangerous if you try to tow a popup with anything less than a medium duty diesel or full size Peterbilt or similar. Think about all the other innocent people on the road. You can never have too much truck.
drsteve
Explorer
Dec 10, 2016
A popup? You'll be fine.
Rustycamperpant
Explorer
Dec 10, 2016
Bionic Man wrote:
There are many here that think you need a DRW to tow anything. A Burb / Yukon XL / Ex would all be fine to tow a tent trailer.

IMO, the GM SUVs have a significant advantage in creature comforts, but that might just be a matter of preference.

I tow with an Expedition and yes it would be nice to have a 3/4 ton for my application, but our daily needs are perfectly met with our current TV. You will have absolutely NO problems towing a pop up or a hybrid. I tow a nearly 30' TT and definitely would go no bigger. We love our E.B. Expy even after originally wanting a Yukon Denali, the GM twins and the Expys are both very nice.