Best DD Family Hauler and Weekend Tow SUV?

[Bart]

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.

I pm'd you, but thought I'd add it here in case others have the same question. Which motor/trans are your running in the Tahoe? How fast can you tow over the Yota over Soldiers Summit? I've been thinking of getting something more mpg friendly than my current truck.

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.

What motor/trans do you have in the Expedition? What MPG do you get in town, on the highway, and towing?

 

[Jay5.9L]

The rear seats in the expedition was one reason why we liked it over the Tahoe. The fold flat feature seems to hold more crap and is more comfortable than trying to take them out every time.

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.

 

[Jay5.9L]

I'm assuming its a 2007 or newer since it has the fold down 3rd row seats which was made possible by having IRS. (or I may be full of crap and totally miss analyzed the data)

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?

 

[chicken77]

I have the 5.3 and 4L60. I can do 60 over the summit at around 3800 rpms with lots of throttle left. I dropped the pan on the trans not too long ago and the fluid was in okay shape having never been changed(110,000 miles). I installed a drain plug and temp sensor at that time, so I keep a pretty close I on it but I have not had any issues. When I had the computer work done I had the shift points tightened up also, so it shifts pretty hard now but that will help keep it alive. I also had the torque management removed and torque converter unlock changed.

 

[midog]

I pull my buggy with an 08 sequoia and LOVE it, tons of power and room for the family. They also have one of the highest rated towing capacities of all the SUV (gassers at least).

Though I have to admit, it does not pull as well as my 1 ton cummins did....

 

[Coco]

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

FWIW, I know of a couple people that have used the V8 powered 4runners to tow there rigs (one being a 4 door Tacoma that is SAS'd and built) and they do great from what I am told. Might need some airbags in the back, but other than that, I was told they really liked it.

 

[Thursty]

I have an 03 Yukon. It pulls my Cherokee on a 15 foot trailer pretty well. The 5.3 is no diesel but the power is pretty good but the gas mileage is in the toilet. As a daily driver I love it. It rides like a Cadillac and is very maneuverable. The interior is very comfortable and I like the way the dash is set up.

 

[Caleb]

It rides like a Cadillac

Ha! I see what you did there

 

[Bart]

I get 8 mpg while towing with my V10, so similar mileage is more the norm I'd imagine.

 

[kobyhud]

I tow with my 02 tahoe 5.3l. It works ok for me, I have a heavy pig of a rig and am very grateful for my trailer brakes and prodigy controller.

 

[rholbrook]

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?

Independent rear and I get 12 towing. I get almost 15 average per tank. On the highway road trips its pushing 19. Come pick it up and go tow with it and see how you like it.

5.4 Liter (331 cu in) 24-valve VVT Triton V8

300 hp

365 lb·ft 6 speed Auto 6R75 Trans

I ordered it with 3.73 gears because I do tow with it and I put the bigger tires and wheels on it and wanted to make sure it pulled good.

The rear seats in the expedition was one reason why we liked it over the Tahoe. The fold flat feature seems to hold more crap and is more comfortable than trying to take them out every time.

I went looking for a new SUV last fall and drove all of them again. The Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade all had the same problems. My hair rubbed the ceiling(short hair, not 80's rocker hair) and it drove me nuts. The third row seat was a big deal breaker for me. I liked how comfortable the GMs are to drive but the seat killed it. The Armada felt faster by the seat of your pants and I have friends that love them. I swore a few years ago that I would only buy one of the US's big three. I have a friend with a Sequoya and they love it too. I really dont think you can buy a bad SUV now days.

 

[N-Smooth]

my dad has an '05 expedition and i've been very impressed with it, both towing and just driving. it's really roomy, even for me and i'm 6'6" 250lbs. i have even sat in the third row before and it's actually decent. we had 8 of us in there once and it was not bad at all. it's been very reliable as well FWIW

 

[Jay5.9L]

Good to know! ANyone know if and when Ford fixed the spark plugs from blowing out of the heads?

 

[rholbrook]

I am on my third 5.4 with no issues.

 

[mbryson]

Good to know! ANyone know if and when Ford fixed the spark plugs from blowing out of the heads?

On the V10 they were "fixed" after '01. I'd assume that would be the same on the V8 and V6 motors as well? From what I've read, it's a very small percentage that had issue and some of the issue only showed up after someone replaced plugs (could be installer error?).

 

[rholbrook]

Here is my Expedition, what have you decided on?

 

[Jay5.9L]

I thnk we have decidend on a Expidition. Now I have to find one in my price range. Are there any years/options I should look out for?

 

[Gravy]

I like my 5.4 motor. I have 4.10's in my truck and that motor likes to rev.

 

[Jay5.9L]

Update: Sold the old family hauler in less than 25 hours (thanks KSL) then picked this up the day after.

 

[SAMI]

That looks sharp