TV Dilemma

[JJensen79]

So here is the dilemma. DW and I own a 2008 ford expedition (non el) with about 48,000 miles. We have four kids between 8 and 2 yrs old. We just purchased a TT about 3 months ago and pulled it about a dozen times with this truck. Since we started pulling the trailer I have had to put new brakes and an exhaust system on the truck(luckily exhaust was covered under warranty).
When we weighed the combo we came in at 15105lbs, which is 105 over our gcwr.
The kids aren't getting any smaller and we would like the extra room, it just doesn't seem like there are a lot of 3/4 ton SUV options out there.
Anyone with a similar size family have any ideas?

[ktosv]

I really like our Express van. It offers lots of flexibility and with the 6 speed tranny tows awesome and gets decent gas mileage. As mentioned, if you can get away with the lack of features compared to a Suburban it will do the job probably as well.

I was concerned with how ours was going to do in winter but it had no problems.

[APT]

The rating of any receiver does not need to match the vehicle ratings. The owners manual states the following Maximum Tongue weights:

1500 Weight Carrying: 600 pounds
2500 Weight Carrying: 1000 pounds
1500 Weight Distributing: 1100 pounds
2500 Weight Distributing: 1500 pounds

Unfortunately, the integrated receiver has a lower limit for the 3/4 ton, same as the half ton. Here is mine:



If I ever upgrade my TT, I will probably make a trip to CanAm in London, Ontario to reinforce it. I have towed my TT without WD on a very bouncy road between storage and my home which handles very well, something I would never have done with my prior half ton pickup.

If you liked the half ton, the 3/4 ton is identical inside except for the integrated brake controller. The ride is not quite as good unloaded, but better than any 3/4 ton pickup.

Are you looking at new? More equipment or less? I'm partial to red, so this one looks nice. I highly recommend the backup camera, 2nd row captain chairs, and OEM towing mirrors. Many dealers list the 1500's and 2500 incorrectly. You can tell by the wheels, lug nut specifically, but many of the half tons come with the optional 20" wheels.

Where in Michigan are you? Here is one near me, gently used. And another new one.

[MO_Trout_Bum]

Tongue rating on 2007+ suburbans is limited to 1000 Lbs. This is due to the hitch being integrated into the frame on these trucks.... crumple zones, etc. To me it's a limitation that could/should have been corrected by now on the 2500's. Anyway, as long as your tongue weight doesn't exceed 1000lbs, it's a good option. Otherwise you have to either go pre-2007 Suburban; a used excursion, CC pickup, 1 ton van, etc. Good luck!

[JJensen79]

We just went to look at a 2012 yukon xl last night. It was listed as a 3/4 ton on the dealer website, but was actually only a 1/2 ton. I was looking at the hitch plate and it showed a tongue rating of 1000lbs and trailer rating of 10,000 lbs. thinking this can't be right, I walked across the parking lot to look at a 2013 hitch and it said the same thing.
These were both factory hitches but don't match up to what the trailer guides for gmc publish.
Which numbers should i believe, the guide or the hitch? Either way i am not getting a 1/2 ton yukon xl with a 5.3. I just want to know in case I come across a 3/4 ton and those numbers are different also.

[4x4ord]

6 members of my family often pile into my crew cab. My kids have the option of driving separate or climb in. They always squeeze in.

[APT]

We love our 2500 Burb. It is designed to do exactly what your family wants. I looked for about a year (I was being picky on colors, equipment, etc) used 2004-2006 3/4 ton Burb/Yukon XL with the 8.1L. Used 2008+ were just as difficult to find and not worth the discounts over a new one. So, we bought a leftover 2011 in Oct 2011 when 2012's were on the lots.

Used 1-ton vans are far less $, like half for same year/condition. They just come with less equipment "loaded" than the base LS Suburban and are only 2WD. If that's ok with you, they make great family TVs.

If you are over GCWR by 100 pounds, you are probably over the receiver rating at 900-ish pounds and payload by about 500 pounds.

[JJensen79]

I only asked because we have 5 of the 6.0psd in our work fleet and haven't had any problems with them and they get abused.

Now that I have some options, I can start to convince the DW.

[azwildcat99]

JJensen79 wrote:
I have to ask why the 7.3 excursion vs the 6.0?

Just search Ford 6.0 on this forum or the Internet and you'll understand. The PSD 6.0 has a documented history of issues.

I have to ask why the Excursion Diesel at all? For anyone concerned with payload that is not the TV you want. With a GVWR of 8600lbs and a weight of over 7000lbs, your payload is about the same as an Expy, maybe worse.

[blt2ski]

JJensen79 wrote:
I have to ask why the 7.3 excursion vs the 6.0?

Did you have to ask this?!?!?!?!

Please do a search, there are MANY reasons to get a 7.3, Altho HP is down, reliability in the 6.0 is way down, then 6.4, a bit better, but still not as good as it should be. assuming they ford put 6.4's in the X.

Hopefully this question will allow things to stay civil. The V10 would be a better option than a 6.0.

Marty

[JJensen79]

I have to ask why the 7.3 excursion vs the 6.0?

[Grit_dog]

Most of the options have been stated already.
Depends what you want to spend and/or how old of vehicle you're comfortable with.
New, Burb 2500 or 1 ton van are about the only 2 I can think of. WIth the van you may be able to get a diesel, but no 4wd unless you get a very spendy conversion, like Quigley.
Older vehicles you have the option of the Burbs with even a 8.1 big block, or the Excursion.
We've made a couple 500mi round trip road trips in a 05 Expedition, 4 adults, 4 kids (1 car seat and 2 boosters) towing a 5500lb wakeboard boat and the Expe handled it much better than I would have expected, but it was not ideal.
Personally, look for a 2500 Burb or a cherry 7.3 Excursion diesel and make it last.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

My choice in this order:

2002 7.3 diesel Excursion in mint condition. (I think you would have better luck finding a 34 Ford 3 window coupe in a barn in perfect condition first)

200? Burb with a 6.0.

One ton van.

[lancekeys]

I have a similar but smaller problem. I have a regular cab truck, which does not leave room for the wife and child (standard, so no middle seat). So my wife just follows in the SUV. Not the best I understand, but maybe you could pick up a truck cheap and just use it for towing? Just throwing out another option to think about.

[donn0128]

One ton van would be ideal.