Picking the ultimate family hauler

[Big B Hova]

Just my opinion, Buy a new car, whatever fits the family’s needs and enjoy every mile knowing you have a warranty and a new safe vehicle for the trip.

Except those covid Era cars that sat in fields incomplete and got subpar parts due to inventory issues and production issues lol. Stay away from those

 

[Singleton]

Just my opinion, Buy a new car, whatever fits the family’s needs and enjoy every mile knowing you have a warranty and a new safe vehicle for the trip.

That is what I want to do, but the 100k price tag on a Yukon Diesel with all the options my wife wants hurts the budget.
I purchased a loaded Escalade in 2011 for 65k. In 2014, the same Escalade was 85k, so I got a loaded Yukon for 65k. Only reason I ditched the Cadi, the AC would stop working in Havasu when towing (huge issue). Dealership could never figure out what was causing that issue, so the car got moved. To build my Yukon today (same option), but a 2024, it is 90k.

We need a new family cruiser that can move the boat from storage to ramp in Havasu, but I am having a hard time spending 100k on a car. BUT, I have no issue spending 300k on the RV I am looking at . My mind works in strange ways

 

[Shlbyntro]

I'll sell mine to a good home. what people are saying in this thread about the Ex's is spot on though.

 

[Bobby_329]

We got this Navigator for my wife in 2018 never thought it was going to be my tow vehicle but with the baby and 2 big dogs its much easier than the truck. Super comfortable tows good has the 450hp eco boost. I was wanting a Denali or escalade but when I went and looked at this it is above and beyond what GM had to offer Interior wise.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Is the 6.2 really a make or break?

I’ve driven 09-12 era pickups with them. And to be honest the 3.5 eco boost motors were more impressive.

No you don’t need the 6.2. Yes it’s got a little more punch. The people saying you need one are the same ones that will say you need a diesel 3/4 ton to lug your boat around when you could do it with a Camry.

The 3.5 will be more impressive than the 5.3, 6.2 or the 5.0. It’s got more torque sooner and over wider RPM range.

A GM Tahoe/Suburban with the 5.3 and the 10 speed would be my choice. The 10 speed makes all these SUVs much better.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

If shopping GM, the Baby Dmax would be my choice, it’s typically a no-cost option or in some cases a 1000 credit on the GM SUVs, and available across most trim levels. The 6.2 is usually around 1500-ish and only available on the upper trim levels. The 5.3 is adequate, but having owned several 5.3 Trucks and SUVs, I would prefer the 6.2 if going gas, but they can be harder to find on the lots.

If you’re looking new, a base Denali is significantly cheaper than a Cadillac, and even a High Country Chevy depending on options. Also look at the RST trim level.

The had a few expeditions on the Ford lot the other day when I was picking up a rental car, sticker prices were 80-110k.

 

[h2o225]

If you could find a 2012 3/4 ton suburban that would fit the bill. They had either the 6.2 or 8.1 engine. Now if you really wanted swap a cummins in.
Seen a few if these.

 

[TPC]

With all this EV drama in the media our diesel HD's and F series value has risen' with a brighter, hold-their-value-future.

I love the Colorado, but the almost $80K OTD,, whoa,, brutal.

 

[RVR_RCN]

Going across at BJ today! 2020 Tahoe 6.2 with early Chevy body treatment.

 

[CLdrinker]

My wife really wants an Expedition. I just can’t fork out 70k for a low option XLT.

I was looking at used and you can get a very nice one in the mid 40’s to low 50’s

If I could get 30k for her Durango I would let it go and buy an Expedition.

 

[69hondo]

16 Suburban with 5.3, the key here is to find the "max tow package" not just the tow package.
Max tow equals lower gears bigger trans pan and cooler and built in trailer brakes.
I tow a 27ft Fundeck behind the wifes and it does just fine.

 

[85RiverRAT]

16 Suburban with 5.3, the key here is to find the "max tow package" not just the tow package.
Max tow equals lower gears bigger trans pan and cooler and built in trailer brakes.
I tow a 27ft Fundeck behind the wifes and it does just fine.
View attachment 1326284

This is another place I was getting stuck, looking at the used inventory. Trying to find a Suburban with the "Max Tow Package", on the 5.3L. The filters on the search engines were all over the place, and there are lots of inconsistencies with dealer ads. You have to really dig into each one, only to find out it had the wrong rear gear and none of the towing equipment.

One of the dead give aways, was the trailer brake controller on the dash board. The options for that equipment group includes a trailer brake controller. I'd click bait into an ad that said 'max tow pkg." look at the dash board picture, and then it wasn't there.

I was close on 2 or 3 LT's, 5.3L, Max Tow, etc. but never committed. this one is a good example of what I was looking for in a Suburban. I kept searching and found the Denali.

Would have been fine for how we move the Hallett around these days.

 

[69hondo]

This is another place I was getting stuck, looking at the used inventory. Trying to find a Suburban with the "Max Tow Package", on the 5.3L. The filters on the search engines were all over the place, and there are lots of inconsistencies with dealer ads. You have to really dig into each one, only to find out it had the wrong rear gear and none of the towing equipment.

I was close on 2 or 3 LT's, 5.3L, Max Tow, etc. but never committed. this one is a good example of what I was looking for in a Suburban. I kept searching and found the Denali.

Would have been fine for how we move the Hallett around these days.

Yeah most of the dealers dont know what that is or just shrug you on and say yeah it has it. You have to look at the dash to see if it has the brake controller buttons. I looked for a while and 90 percent of them were just the standard "tow package"

 

[Sharky]

This is another place I was getting stuck, looking at the used inventory. Trying to find a Suburban with the "Max Tow Package", on the 5.3L.

You want to see the RPO listing.

Look for RPO. Z82 or better yet Z85

 

[Cole Trickle]

The short answer is it's a night and day difference. We have two 5.3's and now the 6.2, 6.2 is miles ahead compared to the others. After driving her car around last night, I'm dreading getting into my truck to go to work lol.

6.2 rips but I think the 10 speed is the biggest difference.

No doubt the ecoboost trucks run but I don't trust them.

 

[hallett21]

6.2 rips but I think the 10 speed is the biggest difference.

No doubt the ecoboost trucks run but I don't trust them.

The Ecobooms seem to be so hot and cold lol. My mom has over 200k on hers but I’ve heard of failures at 100k.

 

[Cole Trickle]

The Ecobooms seem to be so hot and cold lol. My mom has over 200k on hers but I’ve heard of failures at 100k.

Shoot 100k is good. I know people that have had issues way before that. But like you said I also know people with zero issues.

I didn't buy a raptor because of the engine.

 

[pwerwagn]

We tried the excursion route. While the 7.3 is reliable, they take a lot of money to make "good" power. Ours had a BTS Billet 4R100 in it. When the 7.3 puked a headgasket at ~190K, I yanked that out and put a 913 pump 12V in its place with a PCS trans controller and a few other goodies. With simple mods it made ~512 to the wheels. It ran better and got better mileage than the 7.3, but then I was still stuck with a noisy, rough riding wagon. I priced out doing a good stereo in it, coils up front to make the ride better, sound deadening, blah blah blah and I was going to end up having 60K in this excursion (and thats me doing it all myself). Sold it for a profit in ~2016, bought a used 08 escalade for less than I sold the excursion for. The escalade served us well for quite a few years and over 100K miles, without being a project like the Scurs was gonna be.

We got rid of the 08 earlier this year and picked up a newer 16 platinum ESV escalade, 40K$ with 70K miles. Ive towed my 257 Carrera to LOTO with it, I tow the rock crawler everywhere with it, etc. Since I bought the Escalade, my 2005 Cummins has had less than 1K miles put on it because its just a nice, quiet, easy to drive vehicle even when towing. The shocking part to me...it gets better mileage towing the boat than my Cummins does. My daily drivers are a 1997 Saturn and a handful of 60/70's dodge trucks, so I am by no means the type of person to want a fancy car, but these new SUV's are just so nice. I hate admitting it haha.

I think its going to be hard to beat any of the newer SUV's for your wants. Quiet. Easy to drive. Cruise works great, even towing. Stereos in them are really good. Good mileage. I think every vehicle has an Achilles heel of some sort, so find the one youre willing to deal with and meets your other goals and go for it.

 

[Dunerking]

The answer is 06-up Excursion with a Cummins swap…..

You get the updated front end, coil sprung front (smoother ride and can run coil overs), Newer dash and creature comforts (still old AF by todays standards). They’re cheap cause the 6.0 sucks. Find a cream puff and 5.9 swap that bad boy, set it on some big King’s and 37’s. Roll coal, tow circles around @rivermobster

Or…..newer Suburban with the 6.2 and 10 speed, easy and done

This is what would do! A set of compounds and that things will run! There was one built up on RDC awhile back,all Carli suspension with CTD swap!

 

[NIKAL]

I'd do a newer suburban and leave it stock.

RD

Exactly what I was going to say.

 

[Deckin Around]

Another fun trip and another drive home of me saying we need more room lol.

Figured we could use a little positive content. So what would you buy or build if the budget was 60k?

Parameters are 4x4, capability of towing up to a Hallett 270, needs to fit 2 adults, 2 car seats, luggage for Mammoth/Havasu/other 5 day vacations and a German Shepard. Ideally it could also carry an additional 2 adults comfortably.

I’m not opposed to adding a Yakima or Thule cargo box on the roof.

I’m currently torn between a newer suburban/expedition, redo an excursion, or maybe redo an 08-12 era Suburban?

Whatever it is, it needs to be reliable, capable of accelerating up a grade at 90 if I want and comfortable. I have no desire to drive something that won’t track straight or that people can’t comfortably take a nap in.

Could you redo an excursion from the ground up for 30-40?

I’m not worried about resale as this would be a 5-10 year vehicle. What I don’t want is something that kills me 3k at a time for years and years.

i’m late And didn’t read this thread but if you’ve got two little kids crossing the desert reliability is primary. We went with a newer suburban it covers everything you need. You won’t pull uphill over 55 with a 270 though

 

[hallett21]

i’m late And didn’t read this thread but if you’ve got two little kids crossing the desert reliability is primary. We went with a newer suburban it covers everything you need. You won’t pull uphill over 55 with a 270 though

90mph was without a trailer lol. Just need to be able to move a bigger boat.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

16 Suburban with 5.3, the key here is to find the "max tow package" not just the tow package.
Max tow equals lower gears bigger trans pan and cooler and built in trailer brakes.
I tow a 27ft Fundeck behind the wifes and it does just fine.
View attachment 1326284

Max Tow also includes a real transfer case with 4 Low on 4WD models(on Tahoe/ Sub- not 100% sure on Denali/ Escalade) On the 6-speed SUVs it included 3.42 gears as opposed to 3.08, I’m not sure on the 10-speed equipped vehicles if the ratio is still 3.43, but I believe it is. Huge difference in power both loaded and unloaded- a must have when we bought both of our Tahoes.

 

[Deckin Around]

90mph was without a trailer lol. Just need to be able to move a bigger boat.

Suburban’s governor is set higher 104 than the Chevy trucks at 98ish so no problem there

 

[Big B Hova]

16 Suburban with 5.3, the key here is to find the "max tow package" not just the tow package.
Max tow equals lower gears bigger trans pan and cooler and built in trailer brakes.
I tow a 27ft Fundeck behind the wifes and it does just fine.
View attachment 1326284

My 07 silverado crew cab 1500 had max tow package with 6.0. Beefier trans, rear end, gears, coolers. Did great with my toynhauler

 

[hallett21]

Im surprised that the Expedition hasn’t gotten more love. Considering how popular F1-450s are.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Im surprised that the Expedition hasn’t gotten more love. Considering how popular F1-450s are.

They were really crappy until just handful of years ago with the most recent redesign.

 

[hallett21]

They were really crappy until
Just a handfull of years ago.

That’s surprising.

Are suburbans/expeditions on the truck frames?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

That’s surprising.

Are suburbans/expeditions on the truck frames?

That’s surprising.

Are suburbans/expeditions on the truck frames?

Up through 2017 Expeditions were like holdovers from the 2009-2013 trucks it seemed like.

They are both similar to trucks up front, but Expedition went to 4 wheel independent suspension earlier than GM. They haven’t leaf springs in over 20 years, just trailing arm rear suspensions.

The 5.4 V8 that Ford had before the turbo v6 was gutless and got crappy fuel mileage.

 

[rivermobster]

Wow, I stated earlier in a post… my 2013 GX 460 rides better than my 2016 Tahoe…
They have air ride suspension…
Call it want you want, but ride quality is amazing… its an extremely reliable vehicle, that fits the bill for OP….

My only advice to him was to take one for a test ride before he made his decision.

I'd take a Lexus over ANY GM product every time.

Signed,

- Lexus Shop Foreman/Tech for five years.

 

[hallett21]

I'd take a Lexus over ANY GM product every time.

Signed,

- Lexus Shop Foreman/Tech for five years.

lol have a buddy watching this and he’s all in on a sequoia.

 

[Morehart]

My buddy has a 7.3 excursion listed in the classifieds. Original owner, perfectly maintained and clean just high milage

 

[Bowtiepower00]

I have a GX, it is a great vehicle. But, way underpowered and not nearly big enough for what the OP is wanting to do. Sequoia or LX, sure.

The GM SUVs are their money maker, and probably the most reliable vehicles they make. I don’t know if anything can compare to Toyota/ Lexus reliability, but I had zero issues with the 11 and 19 Tahoes we owned.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I'd take a Lexus over ANY GM product every time.

Signed,

- Lexus Shop Foreman/Tech for five years.

So you are recommending a Lexus SUV to load up 5-6 passengers, gear, and then tow a Hallet 270 up hills with power to spare.

NOTED !

 

[hallett21]

So you are recommending a Lexus SUV to load up 5-6 passengers, gear, and then tow a Hallet 270 up hills with power to spare.

NOTED !

I hate to say it…. But I’ve never broken a Toyota and I’ve tried my best. 2000 tundra pulled over 8k routinely.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Just my opinion, Buy a new car, whatever fits the family’s needs and enjoy every mile knowing you have a warranty and a new safe vehicle for the trip.

Jeff's advice - "Just buy a car"

NOTED!

 

[Bigbore500r]

I hate to say it…. But I’ve never broken a Toyota and I’ve tried my best. 2000 tundra pulled over 8k routinely.

Yea, but not a 3-row seating SUV 2000 Toyota with a load of passengers and gear . . .

8K in a truck is alot different than 8k in somthing that weights 2500lb more

 

[ChrisV]

I hate to say it…. But I’ve never broken a Toyota and I’ve tried my best. 2000 tundra pulled over 8k routinely.

What’s the weight on the 270?

 

[hallett21]

What’s the weight on the 270?

My guess is 7k?

 

[Runs2rch]

What’s the weight on the 270?

7200-7500

 

[ChrisV]

My guess is 7k?

Yeah sequoia, lex gx will definitely tow that shit.

 

[Cole Trickle]

I hate to say it…. But I’ve never broken a Toyota and I’ve tried my best. 2000 tundra pulled over 8k routinely.

see previous post of not having enough power to hurt themselves...lol

The first generation Tundras are so underpowered. We had to do a commercial shoot back in probably 04 with Ivan stewart doing a burn out in one. The truck wouldn't even spin the 33" tires without being in water. We had to start the burn out in a puddle and then they edited it out

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

lol have a buddy watching this and he’s all in on a sequoia.

Sequoias are great but same as the 4 Runner. They are basically 20 year old vehicles up until they just fully redesigned them 2 years ago.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Yea, but not a 3-row seating SUV 2000 Toyota with a load of passengers and gear . . .

8K in a truck is alot different than 8k in somthing that weights 2500lb more

2500 lbs more? He’s talking about a couple kids and a couple friends, not 8 RDP members and their 96 quart Yetis filled with their gold bars.

A Sequoia is about 500 lbs more than a Tundra dry. You can weigh the Tundra down with a bed full of stuff too.

No it’s not a lot different. Put airbags in the Sequoia, push the gas pedal. You’ll get where you want to go.

 

[rivermobster]

lol have a buddy watching this and he’s all in on a sequoia.

Truthfully, I Really like the Sprinter platform, but apparently they don't make one with 3rd row seating (as far as I can tell).

I drive a GL350 Bluetec out to the river regularly, and it rolls out at 90 getting 30mpg all day.

Drives like a dream and quiet as a mouse. Tows with no issues too.

The milage Sucks on all the MBZ Gas SUV's.

 

[Xring01]

I have a GX, it is a great vehicle. But, way underpowered and not nearly big enough for what the OP is wanting to do. Sequoia or LX, sure.

The GM SUVs are their money maker, and probably the most reliable vehicles they make. I don’t know if anything can compare to Toyota/ Lexus reliability, but I had zero issues with the 11 and 19 Tahoes we owned.

My wife towed her 65 Conv Mustang, which was full of our crap… trunk, back seats and front seats, from SoCal up the 395 to Reno NV, I mean mountains… on a car hauler, and the Lexus was fully loaded with our crap…. When we moved from SoCal to here… I would easily say that was over 7000 lbs and mountains… 550 miles one way…

In addition, it has towed our boats which exceeded 7500 lbs on a trailer from SoCal to Lake Trinity (Redding area) many many many many times….750 miles one way… Thats not counting the bi weekly trips to San Diego to take the boats fishing…up / down the hills near Fallbrook on I 15…

I dont know what your definition of under powered is… But from somone who has done it… IT GOT THE JOB DONE…

Again… that vehicle never ever failed us once.

Did the Tahoe tow slightly better on heavier loads. Yes… but it was not as comfortable. Due to that, we sold it with 45,000miles on RDP.. So I cant say it was less reliable. It got the job done. But my wife preferred the Lexus. From my standpoint, it towed what I needed, and was more comfortable ride…

Again…. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. Just sharing my experiences with both. That GX Got the job done PERIOD.

It was very hard for us to sell. No joking, I almost kept it for my airport car. The only reason we sold it… Our 30yr anniversary is this year. I upgraded my wife to newer RX350. I have 3/4Ton GMC 4X4. We dont need 2 vehicles to tow.

Naysayers can say what they want… we put 105,000 flawless miles, towing all kinds of shit with GX460. If its not for you, great, you can buy what you want. Again for the OP, your looking for comfort and reliability to tow 7500lbs.. You should take one for test ride.

 

[rickym20]

Just seen this and thought of this thread….Sweet looking ride

 

[Daytona47]

My buddy is selling this bad ass 7.3 4x4 diesel Van that is cherries. He’s towed his boat and horse trailer with it before.

 

[Backlash]

My buddy is selling this bad ass 7.3 4x4 diesel Van that is cherries. He’s towed his boat and horse trailer with it before.

Beautiful van but I guarantee he isn't giving that one away.

 

[motormonkey]

Are the diesel Yukons still drinking oil. Looking at those, but heard rumor they ate oil

No oil issues as of yet. Plenty power and ride is nice with independant rear. MilIage is pretty amazing.
I've heard the first years were problematic.