Towing vehicle cunundrum

[njdad2016]

Hi everyone

Just signed up bcs of all the info and great posts here. I am sure similar posts have been discussed before but here's my situation for your opinions. Please feel free to share your thoughts - I truly appreciate every response I'll get.

We have a 31' TT and an Excursion to tow. I have 3 small kids and the 3rd row of the Ex, combined with its 3/4ton capabilities has served me well. BUT, the Ex is showing its age and is getting me worried for my family's safety. It has A LOT of rust everywhere, brake lines got rusted thru and gave way one day, tranny fluid lines rusted also, popped a plug on my last trip to FL that took half a day to helicoil while the family waited in the sun, power is starting to fade, AC is weak at best and on and on, you get the idea.

I will need to replace it soon and I am torn as heck on what to get next. Is a big investment and with the kids growing more expenses will incur so I have to be very smart about this. We are also contemplating getting a bigger (heavier) camper in about 5 years - maybe a 5th wheel. So I've been looking at pick ups but none has the 3rd row and 3 car seats in the back bench with the dog on the bottom space is going to be a war zone with pulling, kicking, pinching and so on.

The SUVs do not have the setup to pull these things well anymore as they're all 1/2ton capacity and very low payload. Also forget about the 5th wheel if I go that route. My TV seats on the driveway 95% of the time as we have commuter cars. I only use it to tow and seldom trip to hardware store for a sheet of plywood, mulch, or to haul some furniture. Even with this in mind, pickups are better as you don't get the smells and debris all over the inside - right now forget about spilling a drop of gas in the back cargo area.

As far as pick ups, I may go that way and have a body shop put in some work and take a couple feet form the bed to give me a 3rd row. For this reason I'd need a 8foot bed pick up.

Than the question becomes diesel or gas. I keep my vehicles for a long time and very handy with gas engines. Never had a diesel before, but I understand when it comes to towing they're king, as they outperform gassers in torque and payload. Maintenance wise those trucks are much more expensive, and we camp about 3-4 times a year (~6000miles) with the rest of the time in idle as I mentioned before. Price wise the newer ones are more or less the same (and very expensive at that) so I need to make a wise choice I won't regret in a few years and see thousands $$ wash down the drain.

So what do you guys think? SUV like an Expedition EL? Pick up? Gas or diesel? SRW or DRW? What has been your experience?

Thank you and be safe wherever the road takes you.

[njdad2016]

IdaD wrote:
We have three kids and a 60 lb dog and a crew cab truck suits us great. Dog goes in a kennel strapped down in the bed unless it's very hot/cold out in which case we flip up the center console in the front bench and let her ride shotgun.

My 50lbs boxer would love the shotgun - she seats like a human (on her spine literally) on the passenger side of the X when I take her places and gets a ton of laughs at the red light from everyone around.

[jersey_traveler]

When we were getting ready to have child #5 I realized our Yukon XL was not going to cut it. I found a 2014 model year Chevrolet Express used in the spring of 2014. It was from a rental fleet and had 16K on the odometer. I paid half price for a current model year vehicle! It is a 3500 with the 6.0L gas engine and 6 speed transmission. It is rated at 9600# towing, and it does really well.

When I was looking for a new vehicle my wife totally rejected the idea of a van. Then she saw how many car seats fit in it and changed her mind. We have a full size, commercial grade dog crate in the back, 5 car/booster seats, and plenty of room. As the kids grow out of car seats and sit in normal seats we have even more room. Since it is built on a full ton frame with 80 PSI in the rear tires it is a rougher ride, but you get used to it.

[njdad2016]

I looked up expeditions last night after some suggestions here - their 2018 is going to be 2-300lbs lighter (all aluminum) and the 2nd gen 3.5L echoboost with low 400s HP and high 400 trq. Tow capacity in the 11000 range. Sounds like a great proposition but I'm sure the price tag even for base model would start at high 50K or 60s. That's a $1000 month payment - makes you think a few times putting some sheetrock in that thing!! 🙂

Maybe it will make the 2017s cheaper... I have to go put my hands on a Ram Mega and check it out up close and personal. Maybe bring my spare booster seat and see how things fit.

[njdad2016]

proxim2020 wrote:

njdad2016 wrote:

Hi and thank you. I am considering another X - there's just something about paying 20-30k for a 15 year old truck with over 100k miles, just bcs they're dinosaurs. Technology has advanced quite a bit and I'm sure newer 3/4 and 1ton vehicles offer better everything than the good ol X, with the exception of putting it all together in one package. Probably go check out the Dodge ram Mega cab... have to see the specks and get a good look at that extra space behind the bench seat.

As far as vans, I also need a 4x4 - are the new ones 4wheel or not? The Nissan HD ones are not - I like those boxy things though.

The mega cabs have a lot of legroom in the back. You get an additional 3 inches of legroom over the crew cab configuration. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it's a lot of space. Enough space to comfortably get back there and help kids with their seat belts if need be. There's about 10 inches of space behind the seats at the floor level, enough to stick groceries back there.

When it comes to the gas vs diesel, really both can pull your current trailer and an average sized 5th wheel. A 6.4L mega cab with 4.10's tops out around 15,500 on the tow capacity. Crew cab configuration are closer to 16k. I would take a hard look to evaluate if you really "need" a diesel because it is a lot of money upfront. Currently the 6.7L is a $9,200 option and a $11,895 option if you go crazy and mate it with the AISIN transmission.

Take a look at the weights of 5th wheels you would like to own in the future. If the weights max out around 14k or less then you probably get away with the gas and save the money. That $9k would buy a lot of gas and pay for a lot of trips. If they're 16k+ then you're better off futureproofing yourself and getting the diesel.

Yes - future proofing is the word of the day... if only was that easy! 🙂

I appreciate you getting to the core of my issue. Rams are nice - I really like what they've done and they're a bit cheaper compared to the other big boys.
As much as I like the stones of a diesel, the price tag and planned use makes them illogical. I just want to make sure payloads are accommodating, as towing capacity can look great, but these large things are heavy, and the payload suffers. Any idea (anyone) about the payload difference in the same configuration Ram (2500 or 3500 Mega) with 6.4l gas vs the 6.7L diesel?

[IdaD]

We have three kids and a 60 lb dog and a crew cab truck suits us great. Dog goes in a kennel strapped down in the bed unless it's very hot/cold out in which case we flip up the center console in the front bench and let her ride shotgun.

[Community Alumni]

njdad2016 wrote:

Hi and thank you. I am considering another X - there's just something about paying 20-30k for a 15 year old truck with over 100k miles, just bcs they're dinosaurs. Technology has advanced quite a bit and I'm sure newer 3/4 and 1ton vehicles offer better everything than the good ol X, with the exception of putting it all together in one package. Probably go check out the Dodge ram Mega cab... have to see the specks and get a good look at that extra space behind the bench seat.

As far as vans, I also need a 4x4 - are the new ones 4wheel or not? The Nissan HD ones are not - I like those boxy things though.

The mega cabs have a lot of legroom in the back. You get an additional 3 inches of legroom over the crew cab configuration. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it's a lot of space. Enough space to comfortably get back there and help kids with their seat belts if need be. There's about 10 inches of space behind the seats at the floor level, enough to stick groceries back there.

When it comes to the gas vs diesel, really both can pull your current trailer and an average sized 5th wheel. A 6.4L mega cab with 4.10's tops out around 15,500 on the tow capacity. Crew cab configuration are closer to 16k. I would take a hard look to evaluate if you really "need" a diesel because it is a lot of money upfront. Currently the 6.7L is a $9,200 option and a $11,895 option if you go crazy and mate it with the AISIN transmission.

Take a look at the weights of 5th wheels you would like to own in the future. If the weights max out around 14k or less then you probably get away with the gas and save the money. That $9k would buy a lot of gas and pay for a lot of trips. If they're 16k+ then you're better off futureproofing yourself and getting the diesel.

[Jebby14]

2 cars?

[Jackfate]

vjstangelo wrote:
It seems that most folks in your position go with a 3/4 or 1 ton van, Ford or Chevy.

Ford doesn't make a van with real tow capacity any more, 2014 was last year

Chevy too limited option wise for towing

I'm a van guy, I think ford made a mistake

+. Op 's DW sez not acceptable

[MNGeeks61]

Since no one else has mentioned it and I'm kind of a Dodge guy still, what about a Megacab RAM 2500/3500? Maybe a little lower payload but extra room depending on the kids' ability to get along. Don't get me wrong, the Supercrews have plenty of room too 🙂

Otherwise really you're stuck with the van option (yeah, I know she said no, but my wife says no and I can sometimes get my way by being logical) or a 2500 Burb or Expedition.

[dave17352]

Diesels are marvelous tow vehicles. I just traded mine in on a gas just because of concerns with possible maintenance and the fact that I use mine more with a truck camper now and not that many trips. Myself, if only really using the TV three or four times a year there is no way I would get a diesel. The diesel's have become very complicated machines.
If I was towing a lot and towing heavy there is no way I would get a gas. JMHO

[njdad2016]

modern family wrote:
A 5,000 pound trailer would be just fine for the new expys with the eco boost. Runs like a diesel so I hear, but has spark plugs!

Not sure of the budget or year you are looking at, but a new 2016-2017 Expy EL with the heavy duty tow package is rated at 15,000 pounds GCWR. That gives you around 9,000 pounds to play with.

I lokeed at the newer Expeditions... I like the size but don't know about driving like a diesel. Didn't know about the HD tow package - thanks for the info, I will do more research on them as those numbers look very enticing.

[modern_family]

A 5,000 pound trailer would be just fine for the new expys with the eco boost. Runs like a diesel so I hear, but has spark plugs!

Not sure of the budget or year you are looking at, but a new 2016-2017 Expy EL with the heavy duty tow package is rated at 15,000 pounds GCWR. That gives you around 9,000 pounds to play with.

[Lantley]

JUst the other day I stopped and looked at a V-10 X 120K decent shape asking 7800.
I agree the X is using older technology. Today's 6 speed+ transmissions make a huge difference vs. the 4 speed trans in the X.
However there is still nothing modern to compare to an X.
I'm not up on the used X market but 7800 is relatively cheap for a decent stop gap TV
.

[njdad2016]

modern family wrote:
How old is your TT? Possibly trade for a newer, lighter model and the large suburban and expedition EL with be a fine TV.

A diesel is a much better TV to an answer that question. Though I do have a gasser F350, my next truck will be diesel. (Especially as you are up north, hills are much easier to travel with a diesel)

Hi modern,

my TT is 2007 - is just under 5000lbs barebones and I got it that light exactly bcs I anticipated the X getting tired and family bringing more **** each trip. Didn't want to kill the truck, truly. Payloads on the Sub and Expedition EL are pretty low... gas mileage is great though especially with the V6 Eco on the new Expeditions.

As far as diesels - I've read that short trips, cold weather, and inconsistent use kill them things and it costs an arm and a leg to fix. I like them for the power, but I don't have the cash laying around to fork out 5-10K for injectors and turbos going bad.

[modern_family]

How old is your TT? Possibly trade for a newer, lighter model and the large suburban and expedition EL with be a fine TV.

A diesel is a much better TV to an answer that question. Though I do have a gasser F350, my next truck will be diesel. (Especially as you are up north, hills are much easier to travel with a diesel)