Towing

[1 Bad Merc]

Okay everyone....I have a question and could use some input. My current Dodge P/U truck is getting to small for my family. I am looking on upgrading to a year old SUV Type vehicle. I also need something to pull my boat which weighs around 10,000 lbs so it must have a larger engine and 4 wheel or all wheel drive.

I talked to my friend who is a car dealer and he suggested I look at a year or two old Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade and a Chevrolet Suburban. I dont really know anything about these vehicles and would appreciate any comments you might have. Right now I think I am leaning towards the Cadillac Escalade but again I dont have any experience with them.

Would appreciate your comments.

[fastblackmerc]

You might want to check to see if there is a Cadillac Escalade forum out there.

[1 Bad Merc]

Good Idea on the forum-thanks.

I was also going to check Edmund's or Kelly blue book site to see what options/engine packages come with each of these models. Anyone know a good website that lists all the features for a 1 to 2 year old SUV?

[Iowa Rick]

My choice would be a Suburban. We used them where I worked before I retired. Being a government facility they were subject to HARD use. They held up for years with no major problems. The Ford Expeditions were less reliable and broke frequently. They really didn't hold up to heavy duty towing and the brakes were marginal at best. Rick

[JAYSILVER04]

Try a diesel or V10 Excursion! What a beast and you can pick a nice one up for the low 20's

[ledzilla]

Try a diesel or V10 Excursion! What a beast and you can pick a nice one up for the low 20's

Might wanna watch out on the Ford V10. At work we have an E-350 with the Triton V10. It hauls nicely, but it's a gas pig.

[1 Bad Merc]

I was thinking about a Ford Excursion but I believe they have discontinued them. My friend at the car dealer told me to look for a SUV that is a year or two old and still has some factory warranty left. He advised I could then go to a dealer and buy the extended warranty and be covered. He indicated I should do this as these vehicles keep getting more sophisticated and when something goes it is big money. Thanks guys for all your replies so far.

[TiTo35]

Id go with the BURBAN...but if you want a FORD, they make an Expedition XLT...Roomy!!! For the money of an Esclade just get a Denali.

Also...your friend works @ a dealership? Where? Most all dealership have one of those vehicle coming thru...unless they are a 9k and under lot...:rolleyes:

[1 Bad Merc]

My friend owns a used car lot and goes to the dealer auctions every couple of weeks. So he does not usually get Escallades or Suburbans through very often as he indicated he cant turn them right now. He told me the prices are very low for a year or two year old vehicle and now would be the time to buy one. He is willing only to charge me a small fee to go and buy me one. That's why I am trying to get this info.

[Aren Jay]

For a 10,000 pound boat your going to need something more than a Navigator. A Suburban or an Excursion would do the trick. Otherwise it is back to a pick up truck for you.

[PSG]

i've got an 01 suburban 1500 that my wife drives, great vehicle!i've towed my 68 cougar all over the east coast with it, its got 118000 on it now , 5.3 litre auto, never really had any trouble, just a water pump at 80k .I towed my 66 galaxie conv. to lake george from southern ct and got about 13 mpg , and while you could tell it was there , the truck had no problem and that was with three adults and two kids in it

[1 Bad Merc]

Thanks Guys I really appreciate your input. The only reason I was thinking Escallade was I thought they might have a higher hp/torque motor in them because they are Cadillacs then a regular Chevy Suburban would. I believe both of them have larger horsepower motors then the Navigator. I am going to keep checking.

[BAD MERC]

I would do a Mega Cab Cummins Dually Ram 3500 with a Bully-Dog programmer. That will pull a train up a 90 degree incline..

[PSG]

the caddy and the suburban both have the same drivetrane, but the caddy i believe is full time all wheel drive, they get worse milage and do have a tendancy to eat up front diff. bearings, just like the denalli's.the other thing to mention is i looked at the new style suburbans and after talking to people that have had them, they all said that the milage is alot worse with the new ones.i was gonna upgrade this year with the low prices but i dont know, with the gas situation. I drive to fla. every may, and i get midd to high 20's and my neighbor drove his 07 there in april and he said he couldn't break 14 mpg.

[GordonB]

Suggestion:
Look at a 1 or 2 yr old F250 Crew Cab diesel, but make sure it still have 1 yr and 12K miles left on the 3yr/36mo/36000mile Factory Warranty. The F250/Excursion is built for hauling, bigtime. Just don't commute in it. Use it for what it is, a hauler. FWIW. My 2 cents.
GordonB

[UAW 588]

I'm staying out of this one. More unused A plans. :shake:

[Aren Jay]

2008 Navigator is limited to 8500 pounds towing.
2007 Escalade is limited to 7500 pounds towing.
2007 Expedition "(A 2WD Expedition is rated 9200 pounds, a 4WD 9000 pounds, a 2WD EL is rated 9000 pounds, a 4WD EL is 8750 pounds.) "
2004 Excursion will tow 11000 pounds.
2008 Yukon XL will tow 8400 pounds.
2005 Tahoe will tow 7800 pounds.
2008 Suburban will tow 8000 pounds.
2004 Suburban 2500 HD will tow 12000 pounds, but has a harsh ride, but can be had with quadrasteer, which helps for parking.

[1 Bad Merc]

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate everyone's input and it looks like I am going to go to the auction and check out the prices. Very surprised that the Navigator has such a high towing capacity. I will definetly have to check that out as I am normally a Ford guy!

I will give you guys an update next week on what I find. :beer: