New towing vehicle

[spader]

So we are looking to upgrade to a newer suburban from our 2010 suburban. We need a large vehicle to fit our family of six and to also tow our Mondo.

I was originally looking for one that had the max tow package but there aren't too many out there around here (MN). One of the dealers is telling me that there isn't really any significant difference in the 2 other than the brake controller.

Just curious if any agrees or disagrees with this.

Thanks.

Jesse

[sivs1]

I was toying with this same idea. I like the Suburban/Tahoe but the Expedition with Ecoboost seemed to have so much more power. The new Armada is nice too. Compare tow ratings online with each, max tow package vs. without and make the decision based on manufacture recommended load. dealer wants to make a sale, and does not have your best interest in mind. Right now you have a Mondo, smaller boat in the Moomba line up, what if you decide to upgrade to a Mojo in a couple years, will you outweigh your tow vehicle based on dealer feedback?

IMHO, you WANT the max tow package.

[mikenehrkorn]

The brake controller won't do anything with the Mondo trailer, but if you tow other items it would definitely help.

FWIW, I have a Tahoe and installed an after-market brake controller for my camper and the install was pretty easy.

[That Guy]

From my light research on suburbans when considering one a couple years ago I seem to remember it all came down to the rear axle gear ratio. Most are soccer mom vehicles so are ordered for best mpg gearing but that limits towing capacity quite a bit. Hope that helps.

[russellsmojo]

From my light research on suburbans when considering one a couple years ago I seem to remember it all came down to the rear axle gear ratio. Most are soccer mom vehicles so are ordered for best mpg gearing but that limits towing capacity quite a bit. Hope that helps.

This is the difference ^^. Doubt you will ever use controller. I have a Tahoe and have never used it. Pulls mojo great. Anything bigger not sure. Rating says it can but might be dicey. One piece of advice is the Ltz model with magnetic ride control. I had a loaner LT in November and it pulled really bad compared to mine. The suspension was real loose with the mojo behind it.

The item being towed is a big deal too. My 2016 mojo pulls way better than 2014. Must be situated on trailer different.


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[spader]

From what I have read the general towing capacity is 6000 and bumps up to 8000 lbs with max towing. Gear ration is 3.08 vs 3.42. The dealer said this difference is pretty insignificant and I have to admit I don't know much about whether this is significant or not.

We will likely not be upgrading to a bigger boat in the future because the Mondo barely fits into our garage right now and for finance reasons as well. We also don't tow anything else. We space for kids and a vehicle to tow our Mondo.

[beat taco]

Dealer is not knowledgeable. I have a '15 Yukon with max tow. It has 3.42 gears, brake controller, HD (fleet service) brakes, HD trans cooler, HD oil cooler, and Z85 suspension with automatic air leveling rear springs, all for $650.

[5:00]

I have a 2011 Expedition extended version for the exact same reason. We blended two families, have 6 of us with toys to haul. That extra 17" of space in the rear made all of the difference. All of us and the luggage fit nicely. We have been as far north as VT and as far south as FL. It has been on many adventures.

I think you will find that the Expedition doesn't have the torque that the Chevy has. That is the ONLY thing I would like to see better on my Expedition though.
Unless it has changed over to the Expedition having more torque now?
I have 102,000 miles on it and can't complain about anything so far. On the highway I have to keep reminding myself that I am towing. I have had one set of tires replaced, one set of brakes and rotors replaced (lots of towing) and normal maintenance so far. It comes with the tow package and air ride level as well. About to have the remote start installed and I will be happy.

[spader]

The chevy max towing provides 3.42 rear axle ratio, integrated trailer brake controller, rear leveling suspension and autotrak 2 speed active transfer case for 4WD. They don't mention anything about HD brakes for suburban, all suburbans come with trans cooler and engine cooler from what I can see.

The reason I am struggling with this is that for our price range, I can either go with one here locally that has everything except the max tow package or drive 8 hours to Illinois to buy a new one with max towing package. We have a 2010 to trade in and that's the challenge as well. The max tow package has been difficult to find included in our price range.

Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate it.

Jesse

[russellsmojo]

The chevy max towing provides 3.42 rear axle ratio, integrated trailer brake controller, rear leveling suspension and autotrak 2 speed active transfer case for 4WD. They don't mention anything about HD brakes for suburban, all suburbans come with trans cooler and engine cooler from what I can see.

The reason I am struggling with this is that for our price range, I can either go with one here locally that has everything except the max tow package or drive 8 hours to Illinois to buy a new one with max towing package. We have a 2010 to trade in and that's the challenge as well. The max tow package has been difficult to find included in our price range.

Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate it.

Jesse

Get the ltz close to home and enjoy!


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[patrick232]

What rearend does your current Suburban have? If it tows OK and the one close has the same one go for it. We traded a 13 Suburban with the Z71 package in on our 2016 LT with Max Tow. I believe the rearend in the 13 was not the 3.42 that the 16 has. I can check in the am. The only complaint I have is the rear carpeted area behind the third row. It angles back towards the rear and if you are parked on an incline stuff slides out. Very noticeable on the boat ramp this was discovered on the first outing, ugh.

[spader]

We just have the 3.08 in our 2010. It tows ok and we haven't had any major issue except once when engine got hot on the freeway. It was better when we slowed down. We do not have an engine or transmission cooler on our 2010 like the new ones.

[Mjhknox]

Dealer is not knowledgeable. I have a '15 Yukon with max tow. It has 3.42 gears, brake controller, HD (fleet service) brakes, HD trans cooler, HD oil cooler, and Z85 suspension with automatic air leveling rear springs, all for $650.
The good stuff . . .

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[rdlangston13]

I have a 2011 Expedition extended version for the exact same reason. We blended two families, have 6 of us with toys to haul. That extra 17" of space in the rear made all of the difference. All of us and the luggage fit nicely. We have been as far north as VT and as far south as FL. It has been on many adventures.

I think you will find that the Expedition doesn't have the torque that the Chevy has. That is the ONLY thing I would like to see better on my Expedition though.
Unless it has changed over to the Expedition having more torque now?
I have 102,000 miles on it and can't complain about anything so far. On the highway I have to keep reminding myself that I am towing. I have had one set of tires replaced, one set of brakes and rotors replaced (lots of towing) and normal maintenance so far. It comes with the tow package and air ride level as well. About to have the remote start installed and I will be happy.


The new expeditions dwarf the 5.3 v8 in the tahoe when it comes to towing capacity. The ecboost makes 365 hp and 420 lbft of torque at only 2500 rpm and with the max trailer tow package they can pull 9200 lbs in any axle configuration. We have the 3.15 ratio in our 2015 and it pulled our 08 LSV to Arkansas and back from Houston with ease, much better than my dodge Hemi did. Also if you opt for the load leveling rear suspension it uses nivomat shocks to level so you dont have an air compressor to ride level height sensors to go bad on you. The max trailer tow package on the expedition comes with the trailer brake controller, upgraded oil cooler, and upgraded trans cooler.

[beat taco]

Don't get me started on the Yukon. It has a new warranty issue every week. It is a dog compared to the ecoboost. Having owned a f150 eco vs a 5.3 Yukon there is no comparison. I've been given more excuses as to why the yukon constantly searches for the right gear, slips, clanks, bangs, doesnt go anywhere when you push the completely disconected gas pedal ect. than I care to count. We will be getting a 2018 expedition when they come out.

[russellsmojo]

Would the expedition pull an SE?


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[rdlangston13]

Would the expedition pull an SE?


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Yes, the only thing with all the SUVs is the max load carrying trailer capacity is 6,000 lbs. To achieve more than that you are SUPPOSED to go weight distributing. I know they make weight distributing hitches for pole tongues with surge brakes but they are pricey. I dont think you can get away from this by switching manufacturers either. I think Ford, Chevy, and GMC all have similar restrictions.

Russell, you just got that Mojo, looking at getting an SE now?

[russellsmojo]

Yes, the only thing with all the SUVs is the max load carrying trailer capacity is 6,000 lbs. To achieve more than that you are SUPPOSED to go weight distributing. I know they make weight distributing hitches for pole tongues with surge brakes but they are pricey. I dont think you can get away from this by switching manufacturers either. I think Ford, Chevy, and GMC all have similar restrictions.

Russell, you just got that Mojo, looking at getting an SE now?

Always looking!! Lol. Mainly thinking about adding some bag weight to mojo and how that would Impact towing.


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[beat taco]

While no 1/2 ton is ideal for a SE I'm sure Robert and I agree Ford has the most robust 1/2 ton available, him with Dodge experience and me with GM experience.

[KG's Supra24]

For accurate comparisons sake .... ya'll are referencing a 5.3 that GM hasn't used in a couple years, right?

[beat taco]

For accurate comparisons sake .... ya'll are referencing a 5.3 that GM hasn't used in a couple years, right?
I'm talking about my new ecotech 3 that replaced the vortec motors about 3 years ago.

[rdlangston13]

For accurate comparisons sake .... ya'll are referencing a 5.3 that GM hasn't used in a couple years, right?

Negative sir, the Tahoes, Suburbans, and Silverados still come with a 5.3. Its been redesigned but it's a slug compared to the ecoboost. In fact the 2017 3.5 Ecoboost makes more torque than the 6.2 liter V8 that is optional in the silverado and Yukon Denalis.

[KG's Supra24]

Ahh I see, the ecotec could still be the 5.3. I guess I assumed that was new lingo for the 6.2 but it applies across several of their motors. My mistake. I typically skim denali trim level which has always come standard with the bigger motor.

[russellsmojo]

But the gm suvs look so much better! [emoji378]


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[rdlangston13]

But the gm suvs look so much better! [emoji378]


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Not IMO, especially the tahoes and suburbans with their eye lash head lights.

[russellsmojo]

Not IMO, especially the tahoes and suburbans with their eye lash head lights.

Does the ford have led lights? Maybe they hurt the towing capacity. [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]


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[beat taco]

But the gm suvs look so much better! [emoji378]


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I agree but if the 18 expy looks like this I'm goodhttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161208/5060de85cbc32c6a86c6174e5157cd62.jpg

[rdlangston13]

Does the ford have led lights? Maybe they hurt the towing capacity. [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]


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It's got projection and for the 3-4K price difference they work just fine!


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[rdlangston13]

I agree but if the 18 expy looks like this I'm goodhttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161208/5060de85cbc32c6a86c6174e5157cd62.jpg

And the 2018s will probably come with the 10 speed and 2nd generation ecoboost! Yay for more power!


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[That Guy]

Agreed. I'd be down for something like that above. I had a 2014 F-150 Supercrew and put a cap on it so it basically looked and functioned like an SUV just missing the 3rd row seating.

[russellsmojo]

And the 2018s will probably come with the 10 speed and 2nd generation ecoboost! Yay for more power!


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I am just messing with David. He knows I would be first in line to buy a Ford. I am ready for the 2018 model as well.


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[beat taco]

https://m.ford.com/suvs/expedition/2018/

http://fortune.com/video/2017/02/07/2018-ford-expedition/

Won't be long and I'll be boostin again!


http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1108753_2018-ford-expedition-goes-aluminum#image=100591619

[rdlangston13]

https://m.ford.com/suvs/expedition/2018/

http://fortune.com/video/2017/02/07/2018-ford-expedition/

Won't be long and I'll be boostin again!


http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1108753_2018-ford-expedition-goes-aluminum#image=100591619

That thing almost makes me want to trade in our 2015


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