So I am looking at getting a new SUV this year and I am looking at a 2018 Ford Expedition and the 2018 Chevy Suburban. My trailer is 5,600 lbs empty. Between the load in the trailer and the load in the truck I am at around 2,000 lbs additional weight, which would put me around 7,600 lbs, so to be same round it up to 8,000 lbs. Looking at the specs the Expedition can tow 9,300 lbs and the Suburban can tow 8,300 lbs so they both should be able to handle the trailer. I currently tow the trailer with a Silverado 2500 so I have no issue at all, however with 4 kids now that truck is too tight for long trips. Anyone have any thoughts on these two vehicles? I like that the Expedition and tow 1,000 pounds more, but I am not sure that matters much at this point. I don't know much about Ford's new Ecoboost engines and I have a little concern that the smaller Ford engine can out perform the larger Chevy engine. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Trailer Life has an article about the Expedition in this months copy.

My 6.0L 2500 Suburban can barely handle my 7500 lb. TT so I can't imagine how a 1500 could handle yours.If I had to buy another tow vehicle I would look at the Chevrolet pickup trucks and put a cover on the back to hide my tools.

Not sure if any of them has a 2000 payload.....

Towing, the 3.5 EcoBoost will easily out perform the Chevy 6.0 while also providing much better loaded and unloaded mpg. The long wheel base of the Burb may make for a better towing experience though. IMHO you’re taking somewhat of a step back on either from a 3/4 ton series truck. Is a bed topper out of the question? If it’s for seating I understand your dilemma, but you’ll also loose some rear cargo area on the SUV with seating being used. Either way, with careful loading and cargo management, either SUV properly equipped should work. Just pay attention to payload ratings on both.

The issue I have with the pickup is the seating. We have 4 kids so that makes six seating. I don't need 2,000 lbs payload, that 2,000 pounds was total weight added to the trailer and the tow vehicle.

Expedition vs Suburban | Good Sam Community

BurbMan
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2018
falconbrother wrote:
If the 3.5EB is a possibility that is the way to go for towing. I like my Chevy but, they need to catch up with the times.

The EB is the only engine available in all trim levels on the 2018 Expedition.
falconbrother
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2018
The GM 5.3 is all I know about from experience. It does fine (depending) but, likes the RPMs. That took some getting use to. Mine is a daily driver so, I don't really want the bigger engine. I'd totally buy another Chevy/GMC with the 5.3 for towing what we tow. I do think the extra horsepower would be nice to have, especially on the mountains. I'm in 2nd gear at 50-55MPH pulling mountains. The RPMs are somewhere between 3500 and 4000. It no longer bothers me. I was use to a 454 and so, there was an adjustment period. For feeding to drive every day I'll take the 5.3 over the 6.0/6.2 every day. Keep in mind that our RV is 5765-ish dry, under 7000 wet.
ESDA
Explorer
Jan 19, 2018
So comparing the Expedition Max, Suburban, and Yukon Denali XL they are pretty similar with the payload capacity, which I believe I should be just under. The towing capacity is 9,100 for the Expedition Max and 8,000 for the Suburban and Yukon Denali XL. The Expedition Max and the Denali have approximately 100 more horsepower and torque compared to the Suburban. Will that be that much more noticeable when towing?
falconbrother
Explorer II
Jan 16, 2018
Samsonsworld wrote:
Night and day difference in towing with the old 5.3l vs 1st gen 3.5l EB. That little turbo is impressive under a load. My F150 would pull my old 4500lb trailer in O/D where I was struggling in 3rd in my 2010 Suburban. And yes the new 5.3l has more power...but so does the new 3.5l, with almost 100lbs of additional torque over the GM. That's a no brainer.

If the 3.5EB is a possibility that is the way to go for towing. I like my Chevy but, they need to catch up with the times.
Samsonsworld
Explorer
Jan 16, 2018
Night and day difference in towing with the old 5.3l vs 1st gen 3.5l EB. That little turbo is impressive under a load. My F150 would pull my old 4500lb trailer in O/D where I was struggling in 3rd in my 2010 Suburban. And yes the new 5.3l has more power...but so does the new 3.5l, with almost 100lbs of additional torque over the GM. That's a no brainer.
falconbrother
Explorer II
Jan 16, 2018
I pull about 6600 lbs with my old Suburban 5.3 (Elouise). Have been on a few trips. It does pretty well, even to dog shows with 5 dogs. I added the Sumosupersprings and they are worth their weight in gold. Of course you are considerably heavier but, the newer burbs have more power so, it all balances out. There is a torture test video on youtube that compares the suburban and the Expedition. They liked them both. The Expedition did better towing uphill, the suburban downhill. But, they were closely matched. I'd have either one.

Here's one. I cant find the uphill tow video but, I'll keep looking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK-B7V25heg
ESDA
Explorer
Jan 11, 2018
Thank you for the responses so far. This will be my wife's everyday vehicle, I have a Silverado 2500 that tows the trailer very easily, like nothing is behind it. However, with the kids that doesn't work for farther trips. I have always been more partial to the Chevy/GMC, but I am afraid that we might be pushing the limits with that. I am a little concerned with the ecoboost engine and how that would hold up. Also, we would look at either the Max edition or the XL if we looked at a Yukon.
APT
Explorer
Jan 11, 2018
Either one, choose the long wheelbase version, Expedition Max or Suburban/Yukon XL.

Both will have the same limitations well under the model's maximum tow rating. When it comes to family RVing, the tow vehicle's payload likely be the first rating exceeded. As you shop take a look at the Tire and Loading sticker of something close to the equipment you want. 1900 pounds listed on web sites ends up being 1400-1500 pounds with popular equipment people buy

Powertrain/Performance: Ford hands down. It has 4 more gears offering tighter ratios and wider overall spread, which leads to less dramatic towing. The engine has significantly more peak power as well as broader torque profile which will keep the engine in the 2000-3000rpm range a lot more often than the naturally aspirated 5.3L. Longevity and exhaust note I'd bet $100 on the GM. Very reliable V8 engine refined over almost 20 years.

Honestly, I'd drive both and let the wife pick.
anw7405
Explorer
Jan 11, 2018
BIG Question....Is it your daily driver?

If yes, I hate to say it but if you are buying new then go with the ecoboost. If kills me to say that but if you are just keeping the ecoboost until the warranty runs out then that is a smart choice. From my research you will be forking over big money after the warranty has expired for repairs. This coming from multiple ford tech's not me.

If no, then get somthing older that can handle all your towing needs and haul 4 kids. If you ever want to upgrade your camper to a bigger one you can as well. 2000-2006 chevy suburban 2500 with the 8.1 is what I ended up with for well under 10 grand. I tow about a 9k TT with it and its great. Its a purpose built truck. I have had the 5.3 and the 6.2 and the 8.1 is so much better for TOWING. Only downside is MPG. The Excursions would be a good choice too you just have to know which ones are the good ones.

JMO
PDX_Zs
Explorer
Jan 11, 2018
Kenz71 wrote:
Have you considered a Yukon XL or even Escalade with the 6.2?

About a year ago I went from a Suburban to an Escalade with the 6.2. MPG is about the same as a daily driver at 14.

Wow. Hypermiling the big Chevy!

Our big bad burban (6.0) gets.... considerably less.

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