Full size SUV

[Rockytop77]

Does anyone have any recommendations on what full size SUV is best for hauling a TT? Mine weighs about 6200 dry.

[jesilvas]

Excursion.

[SmokeyWren]

I agree, the Excursion with 7.3L diesel engine was the best SUV ever produced for towing a trailer with a gross weight up to around 8,000 pounds. But the last one was made in October, 2002, which was 10 years ago. Excursion continued to be produced with a 6.0L diesel engine through the 2005 model year. But 2005 was 8 model years ago.

So if you want an SUV not more than about 3 or 4 years old, then I would choose the long version of the Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL 2500. I'm a Ford and Toyota guy, but Ford doesn't offer a 3/4 ton SUV, and you need the 3/4 ton for hitch weight.

If your trailer has a GVWR of less than 5,000 pounds, then you can get by with a Ford Expedition or a Toyota Sequoa. Between those tow, I'd choose the Sequoa because of dependablity, reliability and never needing to visit a dealer until you're ready for a new Toy

[powerboatr]

ford expedition el it has an integrated brake controller and can tow upwards of 8000 lbs

excursion was the cats meow for comfort and all and still be able to pull a house with you

[IWillRVToo]

A 3/4 ton International Travelall

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

I agree, the Excursion with 7.3L diesel engine was the best SUV ever produced for towing a trailer with a gross weight up to around 8,000 pounds. But the last one was made in October, 2002, which was 10 years ago. Excursion continued to be produced with a 6.0L diesel engine through the 2005 model year. But 2005 was 8 model years ago.

So if you want an SUV not more than about 3 or 4 years old, then I would choose the long version of the Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL 2500. I'm a Ford and Toyota guy, but Ford doesn't offer a 3/4 ton SUV, and you need the 3/4 ton for hitch weight.

If your trailer has a GVWR of less than 5,000 pounds, then you can get by with a Ford Expedition or a Toyota Sequoa. Between those tow, I'd choose the Sequoa because of dependablity, reliability and never needing to visit a dealer until you're ready for a new Toy

I have a 2004 Expedition with 125K and it has new failed to,GE me to where I wanted to go where as I did need to loan it to my brother in law while his Toyota was in the shop :-)

[Rockytop77]

That's funny. How much does the camper you are pulling with the expedition weigh?

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by Rockytop77

That's funny. How much does the camper you are pulling with the expedition weigh?

4500 lbs boat with no difficulty

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by powerboatr

ford expedition el it has an integrated brake controller and can tow upwards of 8000 lbs

excursion was the cats meow for comfort and all and still be able to pull a house with you

On the "tow ratings" be sure you read the small print and notes. The tow rating is established using a base model vehicle, no passengers, no cargo, no hitch and only a 150#driver. For every pound you add over this theoretical base model, you reduce the towing capacity by the same amount.

Also, forget the drive trailer weight. You can easily weigh 1000# over that number before you add your camping supplies.

[SmokeyWren]

That's what Chevy claims for the 2013 Suburban 2500 when "properly equipped". But as TXiceman noted, that assumes there is nothing in the SUV but a skinny driver,and I know you plan to haul more than that. So my estimate would be a max trailer weight of around 7,500 to 8,000 pounds without exceeding the GVWR of the SUV. But that's a lot more than the ~5,000 pounds max trailer weight of any of the half-ton SUVs

[srh]

The best diesel SUV, in my opinion, is Mercedes GL 320 CDI. They came out in 2007 - perhaps may be out of your price range ~ $25K. The latter models are 350 BlueTEC.
Good luck w/your search!

Regards,

SRH

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by powerboatr

ford expedition el it has an integrated brake controller and can tow upwards of 8000 lbs

2013 Expedition EL
Maximum Towing Capabilities with Optional Heavy-Duty Trailer Towing Package
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.)
Model . Axle Ratio . GCWR (Lbs.) . 4x2 ...4x4
EL .........3.73.......... 15000 .....8900 . 8700

Similar to the overstated tow rating of the Suburban 2500, the tow rating of the Expedition EL is also exagerated. It assumes nothing in the SUV but a skinny driver, and ignores the limit on hitch weight. So for that rig, I'll bet the CAT scale shows that the max trailer weight you can tow without exceeding the GVWR of the SUV is around 7,000 to 7500 pounds.

The tow rating of 8,900 pounds for the 4x2 assumes the wet and loaded truck weighs 6,100 pounds (15,000 GCWR minus 8,900 tow rating = 6,100 truck weight). But the CAT scale will prove that the wet and loaded SUV with Rockytop77's family on board will weigh a lot more than 6,100.

But the limit is proably not the GCWR or the real-word tow rating, but the GVWR and the actual hitch weight of the TT. You can haul either a truck full of NFL linebackers, or drag a 7,000-pound trailer ,but not both at the same time without being overloaded.

[Tha_Rooster]

Freightliner m2 106 no problems pull anything.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Freightliner m2 106 no problems pull anything.

Unless Freightliner has a new model of the M2, they don't make an SUV with seats for more than 5 people. If a CrewCab was all you needed, there are lot better and heavier duty CrewCab pickups and chassis cabs available, including the M2, than the 2500 Suburban SUV. But the OP said SUV, not CrewCab. I haven't seen any SUV with more tow rating than the 2500 Suburban. So he's pretty much stuck with the Suburban (or GMC sister ship) as his only choice for towing and hauling a large family at the same time.