SUV/TRUCK advice? UPDATE!

[KaGee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Looked at a 2005 Sport Trak this afternoon. 21000 miles, Ford Certified.

Didn't drive it yet, but it sure was purty! 4.0L V-6 but only 2wd (rear). Is that a big deal? I've kinda got spoiled with FWD around here in the winter.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

kagee one guy that works with me has never put his in 4 wheel and i think our winters are about the same just see if it is a posi rear end but mainly be careful if it is bad you will be fine

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Looked at a 2005 Sport Trak this afternoon. 21000 miles, Ford Certified.

Didn't drive it yet, but it sure was purty! 4.0L V-6 but only 2wd (rear). Is that a big deal? I've kinda got spoiled with FWD around here in the winter.

Find a 06 Kagee, it's a totally different breed, probalby........ no actually it's the best explorer/sport-trac ever made. Yes a 2wd would be a real turd in snow or ice.

 

[aspeck]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

I like the Trailblazer, Envoy, twins myself. So, just how much will these tow safely?

Towing specs for the Envoy:

Standard Towing (lbs) 5200
Maximum Towing (lbs) 6200
Standard Payload (lbs) 1209

 

[KaGee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Find a 06 Kagee, it's a totally different breed, probalby........ no actually it's the best explorer/sport-trac ever made. Yes a 2wd would be a real turd in snow or ice.

What changes make the 2006 so special?

 

[MikDee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Towing specs for the Envoy:

Standard Towing (lbs) 5200
Maximum Towing (lbs) 6200
Standard Payload (lbs) 1209

Thanks, sounds hefty enough to tow a good size I/O comfortably.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

What changes make the 2006 so special?

Drive a 05 and a 06 different truck's completely, Stronger frame different, tranny, different body assy tech, different motor timing and power. Drive it will speak for it'self see how she handle's bump's braking quiet and on and on..

 

[MikDee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Hey, How about a Honda Ridgeline truck? they seem like a good all around Tonka tough truck.

 

[i386]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Hey, How about a Honda Ridgeline truck? they seem like a good all around Tonka tough truck.

Consumer reports like 'em because of their car-like ride due to not having a joint between the bed and cab. I'm sure it's a good vehicle because it's a Honda. I don't like the way they look. My first impression was that it looked like a little Avalanche, but ugly. They look really nice on the inside and probably do drive well.

 

[KaGee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Edmund's review of the TrailBlazer wasn't too pretty.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

I know this is probably in a different class than what you are looking at, but I own both a 97 Expedition and a 2004 Suburban.

I am extremely pleased with both for differnt reasons. First off, they will tow what you have with no issue. they will not strain or make you wish you had more HP.

The 97 Expedition has 157K on it and still runs quiet, smooth, and powerful. I only need to feed it gas, oil, and tires. Mine has the 4.6l and I beleive the the only option now is the 5.4 which would make it even better. since it has the shorter wheel base it is easier to drive and park etc and has plenty of room inside for whatever you want. You get the back seat out and put down the middle seat and it is expansive

My Suburban is great also. It is very powerful and has towed whatever I want (17 I/O bowrider or 25' pontoon) with ease. It is quiet, comfortable, powerful, and dependable. I have just over 60K on mine and it has only been back for warranty service for one thing, the ignition key thing fell apart. I just finished a large roadtrip out west and it was an absolute pleasure to drive.

A good additonal option would be the Tahoe.

Considering the other things you are looking at, the operating costs of these full sized units would not be that much more. On the long trip I got about 17MPG going 78mph with 6 people and a load of stuff.

I seriously would have a hard time looking at one of the smaller vehicles especially if towing anything over 2500-3000 lbs. Just my .02

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

You don't want a Trailblazer. They drive and handle like a Deuce and a Half. My brother and uncle have both owned one, and my brother traded his in for a Durango and my uncle traded his for a Dodge Ram w/ a Hemi.

If you are looking for a mid size SUV then the Toyota Highlander is a definite winner. Be sure to get one with a towing package because it's cheaper to do it that way from the dealer than to install all that junk later. I have personally driven an '06 Highlander with my boat in tow (3800 lbs. w/ trailer), and they handle like a dream. Anything Toyota or Honda are a safe bet anyway. One thing to remember is that you want to have at least 1000 pounds over your rated towing capacity in reserve, and not to get one with a 4000 lb. cap when your boat is 3800 lbs. The handling will be nothing short of horrible, and you won't enjoy it at all.

 

[KaGee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Find a 06 Kagee, it's a totally different breed, probalby........ no actually it's the best explorer/sport-trac ever made. Yes a 2wd would be a real turd in snow or ice.

Pulled the trigger on a very nice 2006 Ford Explorer Limited 4x4, 4.6L 3V V8, 6 Speed auto. 7000 lbs towing. Ford Certified.

Nice for my business needs, strong enough to pull the boat. Will start a new thread and post pics tomorrow.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

quote=KaGee;1479790]Pulled the trigger on a very nice 2006 Ford Explorer Limited 4x4, 4.6L 3V V8, 6 Speed auto. 7000 lbs towing. Ford Certified.

Nice for my business needs, strong enough to pull the boat. Will start a new thread and post pics tomorrow.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.[/quote]

You won Kagee,

 

[orion25]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice? UPDATE!

I bought the boat (20' about 4400 lbs loaded with trailer) in early August. Bought a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.0L inline 6) a couple of weeks ago to tow it. It has no problem pulling the boat but we will only tow it about 10 times a year as we keep the boat in dry storage at the marina. If you go with an older jeep be sure to install a transmission oil cooler. The 1998 to 2005 jeeps are known to have weak trannys but the cooler really helps from the research I did. Most of the V8's have external coolers but check before you buy. Some are in the radiator.

I wanted a Tahoe but the wife decided it was too big so we went with the GC. We got a great deal on it as well. If you go with an older vehicle make sure it has a tow package installed. Our jeep HAD a tow package installed but the previous owner removed it. The after market hitch was about $190 and it looks no where near as good as the stock hitch. Also, I tried to use a $50 after market wiring harness but it was more trouble than it was worth so I went to the jeep dealer, gave them about $130 and got a harness that works perfectly........

 

[i386]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Pulled the trigger on a very nice 2006 Ford Explorer Limited 4x4, 4.6L 3V V8, 6 Speed auto. 7000 lbs towing. Ford Certified.

Nice for my business needs, strong enough to pull the boat. Will start a new thread and post pics tomorrow.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

Congrats! I hope you enjoy it for years to come.

 

[KaGee]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice

Congrats! I hope you enjoy it for years to come.

I hope so, cause it's gonna take years to pay it off. :redface:

 

[i386]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice? UPDATE!

Heh, tell me about it.

 

[moterboat]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice? UPDATE!

just some info on the escapes, they are fantastic drivers,handles great and powerful,I was very impressed when I test drove a customers after completing repairs, but the info I have got from my suppliers and friends that still work at ford is that the bottom ends in the engine are very weak,one of my suppliers tells me that he cannot keep any used engines for them,they are very popular due to the weak link..

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: SUV/TRUCK advice? UPDATE!

just some info on the escapes, they are fantastic drivers,handles great and powerful,I was very impressed when I test drove a customers after completing repairs, but the info I have got from my suppliers and friends that still work at ford is that the bottom ends in the engine are very weak,one of my suppliers tells me that he cannot keep any used engines for them,they are very popular due to the weak link..

if you are talking about the 3.0 it is the same that has been used in the taurus for the last 10 years . if you are meaning the 2.3 it is because people don't know what they are doing and loosen the crankbolt up and jump the timing.