Behemoth SUVs

I can say that the Expedition is nice in a parking lot. It seems surprisingly maneuverable for how big it is.

singleslammer wrote: A quick search around me leads me to believe that a Burban with 60k ish miles and 2008+ is going to be rough for $20K. The expedition might be easier to find for your budget and requirements. No personal experience with the newer Fords though. Have you considered the Lincon MKT or the Ford Flex? As much or more space, decent towing, better MPGs. Not as manly but probably more comfy.

Ford Flex 2000 lb towing capacity does not qualify as a tow vehicle in my book. Multiply that 2000 x 5 and you have a tow vehicle.

I'll throw Sequoia out there as well, though that may be pushing your price range. Could probably find an '08 (the new body style with the 5.7L engine) for around there. 07s with the 4.7 seem to go for around $15k with under 100k miles around here.

In reply to maj75:

Flex with a towing package is 5k lbs.

I currently have a 2500 Suburban with the 6.0 at work. I really one. It's smooth enough and even with 98K on it everything is still fairly tight.

burb because LS power and 'murica

If you really want to go Big Behemoth, I'd recommend the FORD FORTRESS !

It's like driving a fortified castle on wheels; your wife will feel just like a Princess in it but she's gonna need a Class II license . . .

Thinking the Tahoe might fit the bill if you can find a tow package? Slightly less behemoth?

I've got an '04 Titan that I've had since new. It's been a great truck, no real issues. I replaced the radiator last year at 100k. Gas mileage is heavily dependent on driving conditions and style. Stop and go with a heavy foot- my wife got 11-12 MPG, for years, but she drives lots of short trips. Now I drive it daily, and average 15mpg mixed. Long freeway trips are 17mpg. My brothers own Tahoes and Suburbans of similar years. They are great trucks, but very different in feel from my Titan- like they are a couple generations behind. My Tahoe owning brother borrowed my truck and was blown away- he called it an "enthusiast truck." ️That said, if you need to move 8 or 9 people or large covered loads, you can't beat the Suburban. I haven't driven an Armada, but I'd imagine the independent rear would help the ride, which I consider very good already in the Titan. I believe the rear end issues were in the early Titans, not Armadas, and only in the trucks with the locking diff. I don't really care for the Armada's styling, but I think it's a better truck throughout than a Tahoe of similar years. Around here they cost quite a bit more. I'm not sure how much the Armadas changes over the years, but Titans had pretty significant changes in '07- VVT, stronger axle, bigger brakes.

I have a burban and love it. I say get one of them. The armada has got to be the worst name of an automobile ever!! They look strange at the roof line as well.

The key to any large truck or suv in a parking lot is backing into your spot. I have had large vehicles for most of my adult life and drive a full size work van every day. Backing is your friend.

Tahoe/'burb/yukon

Yukon XL

Go Suburban or go home.

Duraburb?

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: The Borrego? Yeah. They were only here for one model year (2009). They didn't sell well. Not because they sucked, it just was the wrong time to bring out a big SUV with a V8.

Yup. Some friends of mine have one. They were looking for something to tow their classic Mini (on a dolly) a couple of times a year. They bought it new for a huge discount. As far as I know, it's been trouble-free for them, but they both worked from home until recently, so they don't put a lot of miles on their cars.

Personally, when it comes to huge SUV's and for whatever reason a full-size conversion van isn't an option, the list begins and ends with "Suburban."

Parking a long, full-size truck (extended cab + 8' bed) is really just a matter of learning it's a hell of a lot easier to back into a spot. Makes getting out less of a chore as well. I learned that decades ago when trucks were all I owned.

I picked up a 2004 Lincoln Navigator with 85k for $10k. It needed an AC compressor, which I had the used car dealer replace. I don't drive it that much and it eats gas worse than any other SUV out there, but it is nice. As one person noted about the Expedition (same platform) it is surprisingly maneuverable for such a large truck.

I'm pretty sure the thing will end up blowing something up which will make me sorry I bought it. So much electrical stuff and then there is the air suspension.

The 5.4 DOHC will suck your wallet dry before you have to worry about paying for repairs.

My mom rented a newer suburban XL the last time we were in Florida to haul the family and that's what I'd get, no question. Damn nice people/stuff hauler.

unevolved wrote: Duraburb?

I wish GM would make this. I love the duramax/allison in my k3500 and I love suburbans. I would be very tempted to buy a duraburb new if GM would make it.

GM all the way. As I harp on again and again, the used truck lots in 'berta are full of Fords and Dodges, because everyone wants GM trucks. The LS drivetrain is a working man's drivetrain, and they by far outstrip any of the other manufacturers fuel economy wise. Sure, their interiors aren't the best, but its a TRUCK.

So I took the wife car shopping over the weekend. Luckily, one local dealer had a huge variety of things that were on our list. She said "meh" to: nearly new (2014) and loaded to the max minivan, nearly new (2013) and loaded to the max Traverse (she liked it more than the minivan though). She loved the '09 Tahoe, but the major concern there is that with the 3rd row up, there is zero room for cargo...as in none. She equally loved the Armada, but it was a base model with no frills (though she can live with that).

The Kia Borrego is still a wild card, because they're absolute bargains and we've had great experience with both Kia's we've owned, but we couldn't find one locally...they're rare.

So the two most likely candidates would be the Suburban since it's a stretched Tahoe and the Armada. As I was scouring for Suburbans/Yukon XLs, I found most have the 5.3L and is rated to tow 7100lbs. The Yukon XL Denali has the 6.2L, which can haul 9200lbs. But it's quite a bit more money.

Reality is 7100lbs is more than I should ever need, but more capacity wouldn't hurt. Those with 'burbans, how does the 5.3L handle towing roughly 4500-5000lbs? Is it struggling?

Still may try out the Expedition XL.

singleslammer wrote:

maj75 wrote: I've owned 2 Suburbans, a 1500 and 2500. The 2500 had the 6.0 Vortec. I'd go with the 2500 if you want to tow, the transmission is much stronger. The milage isn't much different. Tons of room, versatile with removable rear seats. I'm thinking about one for a tow vehicle, myself.

This is the reason I went with the 2500 myself. Mine has the 8.1L Vortec though. In open highway driving I get around 14. Town and towing are around 9. I can't complain though as I only have 5k in the thing.

This is why I went with the '02 Suburban 2500HD 8.1liter. Price is low enough that you can go a long way on the fuel the difference buys, and the 12k towing capacity makes it really able to do anything. Comfy to drive when unloaded and easy to drive when loaded.

fornetti14 wrote: My wife absolutely loves her '08 Expedition Limited and ours has heated and cooled front seats. I believe the '09-'10 had a better 6-speed auto transmission, but so far this one has been trouble free and we have 141,000 on it. I'm amazed how nice it rides and it is rated to pull over 9,000 lbs. It still looks modern since they never made major changes to the body style in 5+ years. We call ours the monster truck. I would have went with the Tahoe or Suburban, but I had a co-worker selling this Expy for trade-in value. Hey, sometimes its all about the deal and wifey was sold the moment she got behind the wheel.

I have the 2008 version of this expedition in the EL. I looked long & hard for SUV that can handle towing & kids (and the exp EL does it well). Compared to the equivalent GM product this has a pretty kick ass IRS and ride. Its super quiet inside (little road noise), 6 speed auto, power folding mirrors, etc. Can tow 9200 pounds.

Also, as someone noted above, its turning radius is small so its easy to maneuver in a parking lot.

In reply to Chris_V:

I pulled a 31 foot airstream full of stuff 1000 miles up 8000ft of elevation. No problems. It is really comfy too.

Any hints on how to change the oil pressure sending unit? It is behind the intake and I can't get a wrench on it.