I no longer own one of the answers.

Went from this

To this

The jeep could tow the trailer no problem, we just plane and simple needed more space. As for mpg, well the jeep isn't exactly a fuel sipper. Looks like they both get nearly exactly the same fuel economy.

We head out for a 19 day vacation to Colorado on June 6 2013.

1999 Chevy K1500 Suburban. 5.7L Vortec motor, 4x4' tow package. White outside, Burgundy inside. My wife is calling it "Ron Suburgundy"

Popup camper question for you. My ex has one, and the kids were complaining about being cold overnight. She plugged a space heater in, but it didn't work. They were in the woods, so their power source was a 12v RV battery. Am I right in thinking that she's a little looney?

Great tow rig BTW.

XJeeps are not really big on the inside. 'Burbs are really quite big on the inside. I know that the body style before yours, you can fit a fill size mattress between the wheel wells with the seats down.

Nice. Yeah, the XJs aren't very spacious. I have thought about using mine for camping, but after loading my Durango to the rim with our camping gear, I realized it wasn't going to happpen.

pinchvalve wrote: Popup camper question for you. My ex has one, and the kids were complaining about being cold overnight. She plugged a space heater in, but it didn't work. They were in the woods, so their power source was a 12v RV battery. Am I right in thinking that she's a little looney? Great tow rig BTW.

Right, the 110 outlets will not draw from the 12v system without a converter. Anyway, a space heater will drain your battery super fast. I have a propane heater on mine, only the small fan draws from 12v system.

pinchvalve wrote: Popup camper question for you. My ex has one, and the kids were complaining about being cold overnight. She plugged a space heater in, but it didn't work. They were in the woods, so their power source was a 12v RV battery. Am I right in thinking that she's a little looney? Great tow rig BTW.

Was she running a 120 volt space heater on 12 volts? That would get you about 1/10th its rated heat output.

Electric heating devices don't mix well with camping.

Adding a leaf would take care of that back end sagging...

I went to a local pick n pull yard the other day to get rear head rests and other stuff, here are the cool carts they have that you can pull around with you.

This one was made from Temporary spare tires and angle iron [URL=http://s371.photobucket.com/user/43577/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7c3237dc.jpg.html][/URL]

And this is the one I used a plastic wash basin on an old wagon chasis. [URL=http://s371.photobucket.com/user/43577/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsc52662ac.jpg.html][/URL]

When I got it the tires were cracked, some of the cracks extended into the side wall, so I sprung for new tires.

I got "LT" tires that have a load rating of "E". They are made by BFGoodrich.

Out with the old (Sam's club glamor shot) [URL=http://s371.photobucket.com/user/43577/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps96bfd233.jpg.html][/URL]

And in with the new. [URL=http://s371.photobucket.com/user/43577/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps89fd7d63.jpg.html][/URL]

EricM wrote: My wife is calling it "Ron Suburgundy"

I like the name.

As fellow Suburban owner, I welcome you to the dark side. It's a much nicer place to be.

EricM wrote: Right, the 110 outlets will not draw from the 12v system without a converter. Anyway, a space heater will drain your battery super fast. I have a propane heater on mine, only the small fan draws from 12v system.

I feel like I have to say that you need to be careful with a propane space heater inside a camper or tent. It's the fumes man, it's the fumes.

cwaters wrote:

EricM wrote: Right, the 110 outlets will not draw from the 12v system without a converter. Anyway, a space heater will drain your battery super fast. I have a propane heater on mine, only the small fan draws from 12v system.

I feel like I have to say that you need to be careful with a propane space heater inside a camper or tent. It's the fumes man, it's the fumes.

I assume the heater is mounted on the outside and just has a fan that blows hot air into the camper?

Max_Archer wrote:

cwaters wrote:

EricM wrote: Right, the 110 outlets will not draw from the 12v system without a converter. Anyway, a space heater will drain your battery super fast. I have a propane heater on mine, only the small fan draws from 12v system.

I feel like I have to say that you need to be careful with a propane space heater inside a camper or tent. It's the fumes man, it's the fumes.

I assume the heater is mounted on the outside and just has a fan that blows hot air into the camper?

Yes, that is it exactly, it vents outside.

I'll never understand how the Cherokee became the answer instead of the burb. Less space, worse towing, same gas mileage what advantages did it have? I guess it had a straight axle longer

In reply to icaneat50eggs:

Stock for stock, the XJ is a lot more durable, trans wont smoke itself without adding an extra cooler, engine is even more agricultural, and the XJ goes offroad a lot better.

OTOH, a IFS Chevy truck handles like a Porsche in comparison.

Nice.

Any upgrades planned? Larger sways, overload shocks, etc...?

You have upgraded so much it's ridiculous. Thank you for joining the chevy 4x4 owner group and getting rid of the junk that is all Jeeps.

FranktheTank wrote: You have upgraded so much it's ridiculous. Thank you for joining the chevy 4x4 owner group and getting rid of the junk that is all Jeeps.

....wut.

In reply to FranktheTank:

I've owned both and they both have there pros and cons. I wouldn't go as far as saying all Jeeps are junk.

N Sperlo wrote: Adding a leaf would take care of that back end sagging...

Or change the ball height. Looks like it "V"'s at that point.

FranktheTank wrote: You have upgraded so much it's ridiculous. Thank you for joining the chevy 4x4 owner group and getting rid of the junk that is all Jeeps.

Ranger50 wrote:

N Sperlo wrote: Adding a leaf would take care of that back end sagging...

Or change the ball height. Looks like it "V"'s at that point.

Yup that ball is about an inch or so too low. The jeep rear was just a bit higher.

Don't get me wrong, we loved the XJ, we simply needed more space. Though I had always planed to take it off road in reality I never did more than a gravel road so a solid front axle didn't really benifit me.

Cherokees have a LOT going for them. But, needing more space is probably the single MOST valid reason to upgrade out of one. Im not surprised you are getting similar fuel economy.

I will say that while those burbs are decent vehicles, i wouldnt put the reliability aspect in the same league as the jeep. It should be a moot point since parts availability is massive and most stuff is DIY'able, although i would not say fun. I dont enjoy messing with leaking lower intake gaskets or fuel pressure regulators or injector spiders or power steering pumps on those things. I dont mind pulling the trans on them, though. At least the water pump is easier than the jeep..

Alright, enough hassling. Your vehicle upgrade is perfectly reasonable and you will enjoy it! Congrats!

Ah yes, I should have mentioned the injector spider has been upgraded to a GM replacement part that eliminates it. It has new intake gasket and new head gaskets. It has new plugs wires and dizzy. Done by previous owner just before I got it. I had seen the receipts for all the parts.

Engine bay shot

That's a clean engine bay - especially for a Chevy!!