Tow Vehicle Options

[Fiveflat]

Not to mention the transmissions they build are junk.

And I am not biased I am stating the facts

Really? Should we explore this comment a bit more in depth?

[ajholt7]

I Love my Ford 6.0. 140,000 miles and going strong. No head studs, but no tuner either. Added a coolant filter and got rid of the Ford Gold coolant that is a major culprit of clogged oil coolers and egr coolers. Now run Cat ELC coolant.

[da.bell]

AJ, you did exactly what the Ford Service Manager said to make sure was done. You should be good to go...

[Jeffe]

I don't know much about cars, besides putting the key in turning & driving away...now in my wifes ride you just push a button with the keys still in the purse (that's cool to me).


I have an 08 Tundra CrewMax & the wifey has a 2010 Mercedes GL & both pull the boat like a champ. Granted we tow the boat all of 3 miles for gas & 100-feet to our launch ramp. None the less, we have no issues what so ever.

[lohe]

Yes, I have a Dodge diesel that tows the boat just fine (I have a 30 foot GN Horse trailer loaded with 6 horses, tack, supplies, and hay does just fine going over the Rockies) and fits six people. I have 4 kids (14, 12, and twins that are 6). For a 45 minute drive that is fine but going 2 to 12 hours it is not a comfortable ride for 6, especially since the government thinks that kids need to be in booster seats till they are 8. I have driven this way for a while but it would be nice to have more space, if you have ever done that with 6, especially kids, you would understand. The more the kids get older, bigger, that space gets less. I would not even think about 6 adults like that. As for the Mega cab, I would love that but I am limited to either 6, which I have, or 5 which is what most Mega cabs are.

I have thought about a bed cover or shell but that still does not free up passenger space. Unless by law you can stick kids into a shell. I know that years ago people did it all the time but I do not think you can but will check.

So if you want the power of a diesel motor + plenty of people space sounds like the Excursion is your best bet. Or I know they made some OLDER suburbans 90's IIRC with a diesel motor.

[robert theisen]

BOTTOM LINE MORE PEOPLE WANT TO OWN JUNK.The FORDS ARE SO TERRIBLE EVERYONE WANTS ONE.They have been the NUMBER 1 SELLING TRUCKfor over 30 years.THAT'S A FACT!

[Dave S]

I just got a new F150 Ecoboost and it tows my Z1 awesome! Now I know you need to carry 6. I got the front center 40/20/40 seat which may sit a kid comfortably for a few hour trip but not an adult. Depnding on how fast you need a new vehicle, let's wait and see if Ford puts an ecoboost in the Expedition, if they do, that is your ticket. I am told it is great at higher elevations. I got the tow package and am getting 18-20 around houston and 12-14 towing.

[Jeffe]

The whole Ford/Chevy/Dodge/ect...argument is so LAME. Its just like you guys arguing over Malibu/MasterCraft/Nautique.

Drive what you like & enjoy the ride...Who gives a SH*T what everyone else thinks or drives.

[Timmy!]

Since I know chit about motors I cannot comment about all the tech crap I'll just stick with what I know. We picked up a used 2002 8.1L Surburban 4 years ago for cheap and use it for towing only. It has high miles, burns a little oil, and gets horrible gas mileage....but I can race a Corvette while towing down the highway and it's super comfy! I've also towed with a standard 5.3L Surbaban and it does just fine. I live in Oregon so I know about hills and mountain passes, the 5.3L does the job on my 24footer.

The 5.3L does NOT get it done up here at altitude where he will be towing with it though. Unfortunately. The 8.1 does though.

[TigeTrojan]

I just got a smokin' deal on a new tow rig (new to me). My truck broke down almost 2 years ago now, and just last week I replaced it with a 2002 Silverado 1500HD. The 6.0 L should pull a hell of a lot harder than the 4L V6 I had before. Most importantly I don't have to invite friends to the lake based on their vehicle anymore!!

[MoneyPity]

I have two tow vehicles that have worked great with my 20V and a 24 ft MC Maristar without any towing issues. For short trips we used our 4.7L Grand Cherokee and it does great on any ramp surface or remote ramps with its 4x4 drive. Downside is that it only carries a max of 5 peeps(4 comfortably)

Our second vehicle is our 08 Tahoe LT 4x4. It has the 5.3 and it has plenty of power to haul the Maristar with power to spare. It does well on slipperly slopes and although not a Suburban people hauler it easily can carry 7 adults with 3rd row + some gear behind seat.

On long trips to Bullshoals (670mi) with 5 adults and 2 big labs and 2 mini dachshunds it handled the boats with no issues through the small hills of the southern Ozarks and was great for rear seat passengers with DVD screen and some room for gear on long vacations. Towing the 20V which was around 5800lbs we got 17mpg on regular and 16 using E85.

We did a lot of weekend towing which were 2-3.5 hour trips and the Grand Cherokee was used for those. Longer rides went the Tahoe way with more room and comfort to all.

[shawn74]

I have a 02 limited 4x4 7.3 with 170k on it ,most reliable irreplaceable vehicle I've ever owned,still have it but retired it at the top of its game ,upgraded my wife to 2010 sequoia platinum ,prettier ,quieter easier to park and drive and more tech ,love it ,but can't replace exc. Would of bought another one if they still made them ( not a 6.0) damn the cafe rating