Choosing the right tow vehicle

[d50erock]

Looking to buy a travel trailer that has a GCW of 10450 lbs. My current tow vehicle doesn't have the capacity for that sized trailer.

I have been looking at the Diesel Excursions and the Suburban 2500 with the 8 liter engine. I am not sure what is the right choice. Has anyone had experience with either vehicle puling a 10000lb trailer.


FYI the travel trailer I am looking to get is a 2017 Coachmen 312 BHDS Liberty Edition.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

Excursion = Great

Excursion with a diesel = Awesome

I believe the 6.0 diesel in the Excursion is de-tuned, similar to the 6.0 in the E-series vans. Somebody here will correct me if I'm wrong.

The de-tuned 6.0's in the vans are a safer bet than the over-tuned 6.0's in the pickups.

[d50erock]

I already bought an Excursion 6.0 turbo diesel. The max tounge weight on the hitch from the factory is 1200lbs. I have found several Suburbans with the 8.1l engine, not as scarce as I had thought. I have no interest in a van.

[carringb]

That size trailer will exceed the tongue weight limit on the Excursion.

Good luck finding a 'burb with the 8.1L. Those things are pretty rare these days.

Have you thought about a van? 2005+ E350s get the TorqueShift transmission that was never offered in the Excursion V10, plus have more payload, and was sold through 2014 so there's much newer samples out there than the Ex.

[BenK]

Just like the any full sized SUV...they are derived from their cousin pickup.

The 3/4 ton Suburban is derived from the 3/4 ton pickup...and they all have
modifications to suit SUV owners (more comfort than work).

Everything underneath the body. Frame, suspension, drive train, etc, etc
Though the wheel base on Suburbans are only 130"

Mine is a 1 ton (tongue and cheek), as ordered it with the F60 option ($68 bucks)
and is the snowplow prep package that begets 1 ton front torsion bars/etc...so
call mine a K3500 Sububan.

Look in the glove box door...there is an RPO code label listing EVERYTHING that,
that vehicle left the factory with

[d50erock]

I have researched them before buying. I understand the EGR issues and the Head bolts being ****, among other things. The truck was a former Fire chief's truck and had been serviced by a Ford dealership all it's life. It has had the head gaskets replaced recently, but I do not believe the studded the block. As for the EGR, studding the block and other improvements those will come in due time, just not happening anytime soon.

[Grit_dog]

Congrats! They do pull well.
By up to par, I hope you mean head studs and egr delete, etc. Just know what you're getting into or what you've got with a 6liter diesel.

[d50erock]

So to update this thread. I eneded up finding a 2005 Excursion with the 6.0 turbo diesel in it. Didn't need much work to get it up to par and passed state inspection with flying colors. We picked up our new trailer last Friday and the truck had no issues pulling it and didn't feel that is had a tough time at all pulling it, I was very impressed.

[d50erock]

That's even easier.

[twxsby89]

D50erock wrote:
So you were able to swap it out.

I just left the existing hitch, and added a second.

[d50erock]

So you were able to swap it out. The **** 1500s are basiccly a bumper mount, lame. I think I am honing in on a 2002 burb 2500 with the 8.1L. Looks in god shape and I had an 04 z71 burb before getting what I have now, so I know all the issues with the 2002 body style. Just waiting on the funds to pull the trigger.

[twxsby89]

Drock, I have a 2013 2500 suburban, and almost the same trailer (less one slide, yours is only about 300 lbs more). The only concerns I have when towing is a 216* tranny temp in Houston Summer. I need an aftermarket cooler, and a heat shield where the exhaust pipe runs under the tranny pan. It pulls just fine.
I added a curt class V hitch, 2400 lbs tongue capacity. Stock tongue is only 1000 lbs. Check out my hitch here:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28635884/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm

[Grit_dog]

Looking at the old SUVs I don't think trim levels are the major player in price difference.
It's mileage and condition.
Yes a newer 2500burb will do the same as the old iron. They'll all be dogs loaded down and towing 10klbs with a gasser, so imo that doesn't even really matter.
I'd prefer something that was 5 years old over 10-15 simply for newer components = typically less nickel and dime repairs.

[d50erock]

Thanks for all the info everyone. the payload in the vehicle consists of 2 adults and 4 kids, very little cargo. We typically travel light for camping so I don't expect the total for added weight to the dry weight to be more then 500lbs. What I found promising is that both gas and diesel Excursions and the 2500 Suburban/Yunkon XL are out there, and the prive ranges from 6k to over 30k. I don't need all the bells and whistles so really a base TV is all I need. I noticed that the 2013 Suburban 2500 (last year of the 2500s) had a towing capacity of 9600 and tongue weight rating of 1200. Would that be enough truck to tow what I am looking to get?

I did look at the 1 ton van option too. Not keen on a van though, had one in the past, just a weird and awkward feeling to drive. LOL. Although get a slick metal flake paint job and a few round bubble windows installed, may be a conversation piece.

[Grit_dog]

8.1 Burb will pull a little harder than a V10. It's still the coup de gras for big block gassers (and will likely stay that way since no one makes a big ci gasser anymore).
Problem with the Burb is you get the (somewhere between meh and crappy) 4l80 trans, where with a V10 excusion after 04? you get the 5 speed torq shift. Better trans equal or more reliable engine in the V10 and super duty chassis.
Not a ford guy and apples to apples and I'd take an excursion over a Burb even with the 8.1.
8.1/Alli combo pickup might be a different story. 7.3 Pstroke excursion though ftw.
Good luck finding one though. Neighbor just spent months looking for a good excursion. Finally found an 05 V10 with 80kmi Cherry condition. Had to give $20k for a 12 year old gasser though. On the upside it has close to $3k of new Gould and fancy wheels and a sweet Expediton type roof rack. Low mile 7.3 excursions are almost like hens teeth though.