OIder SUV for towing hybrid trailer
Looking to buy a third car that will tow around 7000# I am looking at hybrid trailer, loaded weight will probably be around 6000-6500# What would you recommend? Older Suburban or Tahoe?
Forum Discussion
Wishin wrote:
I would not tow that much with an Explorer. APT has good advice overall.
It has been 1.5 years but I found a 2003 8.1L 4x4 2500 for $9800 at the time. It was very clean and had 134k miles on it. They are rare so I jumped on it when I found it. Had to go to Tennessee to get it. I'm at over $13k including taxes, plate, title, repairs, upgrades, etc.... It is a great vehicle now. You have to be willing to go anywhere to get the rare ones if you want one bad enough.
I'm on Long Island in NY and I bought a 2002 8.1 2500 around the same time. They are scarcer than hen's teeth here (and I think everywhere else). Paid 10K and put about 4K into it (shocks, AC, brake lines, fluids, tune-up). I am very happy with it. You really don't feel the trailer (Hybrid Roo 233S about 6K(?) towing weight). First couple of trips were with an 07 5.4 F150 crew cab. I'm sure that combo was perfectly safe but I much prefer the 2500. With the pickup I always knew the trailer was back there making itself known.
Last summer we did 9000 miles out west and back combined towing and not towing (mostly towing) and averaged 10 MPG overall. Not bad, considering I met a know it all in a campground who told me I'd get 6-7 MPG. And we love the interior space.
