Starting to Look - Need Opinions
First off, wanted to say hello...first time poster although I've browsed this site for probably a couple years and have gained a lot of information. I apologize in advance if this gets long, but he...
Forum Discussion
We have similar issues, although it sounds like our family of 6 is a little younger (all 4 kids in some sort of child seat still). Here are my thoughts:
Most simple solution is to find the trailer you want, tow it with your Expy a few times and see how it goes. You may be worried about something that isn't even a problem -- I've seen first-hand how internet and research hysteria sets in, and you become worried about problems that aren't even problems yet.
If you don't like it, are too overweight, etc., then you need to find a new TV. For a family of 6, unfortunately, there are not a lot of options.
There is no way we were willing to do the crew cab truck w/ 6 people for any length of time. Space and safety issues (center front has only a lap belt, which I believe is the case with all pickups). So the diesel crew cab had to go. Our longest typical trip is 2 hrs, and longest anticipated trip is 10 hrs to the West Coast. So weighing between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton 'Burbs and our small kids, we "make due" with a 1500. When we are towing and loaded to camp, we are close on the truck's GVWR, have room to spare on the CGVWR, and the truck gets the job done ok. A 3/4 ton would have been better in this regard, obviously, although the numbers on a 3/4 aren't *that* much better than on my 1500 w/ 3.42 gears and the K5L hd cooling package. But the 'Burb is also my wife's daily driver, school bus, scout transport, family cruiser, road trip rocket, etc. The 1500 5.3 gets relatively good mpg, and used 3/4 tons in loaded LT trim were impossible to find, anyway. So the 1/2 ton does better for us for 90% of the use we put to it, and gets by on the other 10%. Life is about compromises, after all.
However, if we were taking longer trips such as an Alaskan adventure, I probably would have gone with a 3/4 ton. We end up towing only 500-1000 miles a year right now, maybe; more than that might be too much for a 1/2 ton loaded the way you will have it for a long trip.
Other TV notes: the 6 spd in the newer vehicles is awesome (no practical experience w/ Ford, but I expect it is just as good as GM's). Tows noticeably better than our old '05 4 spd 'Burb, gets 20 mpg on the freeway when not towing, never caught flat-footed. I love the drivetrain on our '10! If you shop for a new TV, a 6 spd is a must.
If you're gonna drive a 3 row SUV, might as well make all 3 rows usable. With a Suburban or Expy EL, you can fit all your gear behind the seat and still have the seat up. That extra 2 ft really makes a difference -- Tahoes, reg length Expys, others can't compete in this regard.
If you're shopping 1/2 ton SUVs on the used market, you have to be meticulous in making sure they have the options you need. The vast majority come with basic gearing and cooling, and can only tow about 5k lbs. You have to learn about the model you are looking for, and verify for yourself that it has what you want -- just because it has a receiver hitch and a t/h button does not mean it is set up to tow!. Don't rely on the salesman for this, as they typically know very little about towing options on used vehicles.
Towing with diesel vs. gas is night and day (see my sig for my history of TVs). If there was a 3/4 ton SUV w/ a decent diesel engine in it that was less than 8 yrs old (sorry, can't go Excursion, too old at this point), it would be in my driveway. I miss my Duramax!
Re: crew cab diesels, the RAM MC has incredible room in the back seat. If you go the CC route, that would be my first test drive. IMO, the diesel drivetrains are all great, I'd just pick the one with the most room, which seems to be the RAM right now.
Final thought -- what about a motor home? That will most likely be our next RV.
Most simple solution is to find the trailer you want, tow it with your Expy a few times and see how it goes. You may be worried about something that isn't even a problem -- I've seen first-hand how internet and research hysteria sets in, and you become worried about problems that aren't even problems yet.
If you don't like it, are too overweight, etc., then you need to find a new TV. For a family of 6, unfortunately, there are not a lot of options.
There is no way we were willing to do the crew cab truck w/ 6 people for any length of time. Space and safety issues (center front has only a lap belt, which I believe is the case with all pickups). So the diesel crew cab had to go. Our longest typical trip is 2 hrs, and longest anticipated trip is 10 hrs to the West Coast. So weighing between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton 'Burbs and our small kids, we "make due" with a 1500. When we are towing and loaded to camp, we are close on the truck's GVWR, have room to spare on the CGVWR, and the truck gets the job done ok. A 3/4 ton would have been better in this regard, obviously, although the numbers on a 3/4 aren't *that* much better than on my 1500 w/ 3.42 gears and the K5L hd cooling package. But the 'Burb is also my wife's daily driver, school bus, scout transport, family cruiser, road trip rocket, etc. The 1500 5.3 gets relatively good mpg, and used 3/4 tons in loaded LT trim were impossible to find, anyway. So the 1/2 ton does better for us for 90% of the use we put to it, and gets by on the other 10%. Life is about compromises, after all.
However, if we were taking longer trips such as an Alaskan adventure, I probably would have gone with a 3/4 ton. We end up towing only 500-1000 miles a year right now, maybe; more than that might be too much for a 1/2 ton loaded the way you will have it for a long trip.
Other TV notes: the 6 spd in the newer vehicles is awesome (no practical experience w/ Ford, but I expect it is just as good as GM's). Tows noticeably better than our old '05 4 spd 'Burb, gets 20 mpg on the freeway when not towing, never caught flat-footed. I love the drivetrain on our '10! If you shop for a new TV, a 6 spd is a must.
If you're gonna drive a 3 row SUV, might as well make all 3 rows usable. With a Suburban or Expy EL, you can fit all your gear behind the seat and still have the seat up. That extra 2 ft really makes a difference -- Tahoes, reg length Expys, others can't compete in this regard.
If you're shopping 1/2 ton SUVs on the used market, you have to be meticulous in making sure they have the options you need. The vast majority come with basic gearing and cooling, and can only tow about 5k lbs. You have to learn about the model you are looking for, and verify for yourself that it has what you want -- just because it has a receiver hitch and a t/h button does not mean it is set up to tow!. Don't rely on the salesman for this, as they typically know very little about towing options on used vehicles.
Towing with diesel vs. gas is night and day (see my sig for my history of TVs). If there was a 3/4 ton SUV w/ a decent diesel engine in it that was less than 8 yrs old (sorry, can't go Excursion, too old at this point), it would be in my driveway. I miss my Duramax!
Re: crew cab diesels, the RAM MC has incredible room in the back seat. If you go the CC route, that would be my first test drive. IMO, the diesel drivetrains are all great, I'd just pick the one with the most room, which seems to be the RAM right now.
Final thought -- what about a motor home? That will most likely be our next RV.
