Best DD Family Hauler and Weekend Tow SUV?

[Jay5.9L]

Looking to up size from our Honda Pilot to something that can tow the Jeep but is a good daily driver for my wife. We need 3 rows of seating so a truck is out. Excursion is too big and so is the Suburban. We test dove the Expedition, Tahoe, Yukon, Armada, and Sequoia. Over all we liked the Expedition the best (surprisingly). How are they overall? Are they plagued with the spark plugs blowing out of the heads? Looking for a 2007 or newer in the mid to upper teens for $$.

 

[glockman]

I was in the same boat. I wanted an Expedition but we drove and Armada and I really liked it. We ended up buying the Armada and drove it for a little over a year until I decided to sell the crew cab diesel and the Armada and just bought an Excursion. I also drove an 07 suburban and the Armada honestly has more room. The middle and third row are probably the most roomy of anything other than an Excursion. The motor in the Nissan is also awesome. It is a torque monster. I am normally a Ford fan but I would buy another Armada in a heartbeat.

 

[skippy]

The nissans are pretty hard to beat. I have no experience with the fords If I were buying an SUV to tow with I would probably look at the big block suburbans

 

[Jay5.9L]

I liked the Armada when they came out. We test drove one last weekend and I did not like it as much as I remembered. It was falling apart which looked to be from cheap materials and not abuse.

 

[Caleb]

If it were me, I'd be most interested in a Power Stroke Excursion but since that's too large for your liking I'd be tempted with the Sequoia. I love my Tundra and the Sequoia is mostly a Tundra in SUV form. I've never been a fan of the Expedition, it seems every one Ive been in (admittedly it's been years) seem to have broken this or that.

 

[Jay5.9L]

The Sequoia felt like a tank in a good way, very solid. They are priced too high and the dash to me is fugly. We could afford the last generation but their tow rating is way too low.

 

[Caleb]

Yeah, they are pricey. FWIW, on the tow ratings (atleast on the current gens) they are more realistic than most other SUVs. When we were looking a few years back, I wanted to get an SUV that could tow a fair amount. My wife ended up falling in love with the Land Rover LR3. It has a ~7500lb tow rating, third row seating, but drives like it's a small vehicle. I'm not sure if their price would fall in where you're looking though (when we bought hers, we paid mid-30s and we got it for several thousand below book at the time).

 

[Chevycrew]

I'm a big fan of the tahoe, the 5.3l is a great motor and will handle 6k towing pretty easy.

 

[mesha]

A tahoe would be pretty cool.

 

[sixstringsteve]

there's also the v8 4runners with the 3rd row seat. I will own one of those someday.

 

[Cascadia]

Or a lexus or land cruiser with the third row.

 

[mesha]

Will the 4 runner have the mass to tow the jeep safely? It will have the power for sure, but the length/weight?

there's also the v8 4runners with the 3rd row seat. I will own one of those someday.

 

[sixstringsteve]

They keep getting bigger with each new generation. I know Sean at Low Range tows his rigs with his runner. There are definitely better options out there for strictly towing, but for a couple trips a year I think it would do fine. Good question though...

From what I've read, some of the v8 runners came with a 7000 lb towing capacity. Knowing that, it's probably a bit too close to the load of a trailer + crawler.

 

[mbryson]

I think the Tahoe/Yukon has a somewhat low towing weight but I'm not sure what it is exactly. The 5.3l is likely up to the task, though.

We have a Lincoln Navigator (300 hp vs. the Expedition 250 or so) and I would tow with I but it'd be pushing it pretty good. I'd rather have a 3/4 ton Suburban than the Expedition/Navigator/Tahoe/Yukon (interior room for gear would be SO nice) if I had it to do again

 

[Max Power]

I would go with an Armada. You should be able to find one in your price range and they pull very well.

 

[kmboren]

I have a 2000 dodge Durango with with 5.9 liter and it tows my jeep on a trailer fairly decently. Mileage is not very good. Mine is also AWD so I am sure that does not help it either. I am sure the newer Durangos with the Hemis might be worth looking at.

 

[chicken77]

I tow and DD an 04 Tahoe and it works very well for me. I'm towing a fairly heavy Toyota on a 16' trailer. It has been to Moab, and five mile pass several times with out any issues. Mine has the auto ride (air bags) and that really helps. I also have had a little computer work done to help out with horse power (I'm guessing it is somewhere around 325hp maybe 330hp) and shift points. I only get around 12mpg with the trailer and around 18mpg with out.

 

[rholbrook]

I have an Expedition Limited with air suspension. Best towing SUV next to the diesel Excursion. I ordered it with the lower gears so I could put 22's and 305's on it.

Both rear row seats fold down flat, plenty of head room and leg room in the third row. All of which the GMs don't have.

It has no problem pulling my jeep over Soldier Summit faster than the speed limit or my 24' Chaperell(heavy boat) with 7 or 8 people in it. The air ride levels it right out.

 

[UPNO4]

I sure like my Tahoe it has been surprisingly good towing the weight can barely tell its there. It has the AutoRide which I was a little upset about when I got it but the deal was good, turns out the Autoride is a pretty cool option.
I did install a programmer but getting almost 20 on the road empty and tolerable towing. I think it will be better when the 22's find a new home. All in all I am more than satisfied.

 

[mbryson]

I have an Expedition Limited with air suspension. Best towing SUV next to the diesel Excursion. I ordered it with the lower gears so I could put 22's and 305's on it.

Both rear row seats fold down flat, plenty of head room and leg room in the third row. All of which the GMs don't have.

It has no problem pulling my jeep over Soldier Summit faster than the speed limit or my 24' Chaperell(heavy boat) with 7 or 8 people in it. The air ride levels it right out.

Curious about your rig and towing with the air suspension. Is yours still a solid axle rear? I think the air suspension would tow pretty stinking nice honestly. I think our Lincoln gets about 11-12 mpg driving around town. I'm not sure I want to hook anything to it?