Suburban or Excursion?

[greywolf2112]

Anyone have any experience with both of these vehicles? Mainly to be used for limited hauling (camper at or under 9000 lbs.) - probably used less than 5000 miles a year. Most likely will get an 00-02 model, hopefully with as low miles as possible. Don't want to go Diesel since I can't justify the extra cost upfront, extra fuel cost, and extra maintenance given how few miles I will be driving - it seems it would take a long time to break even.

 

Mostly interested in comfort for long trips, though reliability is a factor - however, given my low mileage usage that isn't as big of a factor as comfort and hauling.

 

No, I do NOT want a truck for various reasons, mostly dealing with large dogs that need space in the vehicle, as well as the occasional need to haul around 4-5 adults.

 

Any advice, experience, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[stinger26]

Don't have much experience, but I have driven both of them. Ex-g/f's parents had an Excurison with the V-10 and my sis had a Z71 Suburban. The Excursion wasn't a bad ride and had plenty of room. The V-10 coulda have more pep, but that was a big heavy vehicle. From what I remember, the gas mileage was awful, but it was expected. They took that vehicle to the coast and drove the hell out of it and it never gave any real problems from what I can remember. It did have enough room for my g/f's parents, her best friend, her little sister, herself, and me to ride comfortably. My sis's Suburban was a nice vehicle looks and ride wise, but hers must have been a lemon. It had a bunch of problems and some weird ones at that. One being that the horn would blow in cold weather whenever you would make a turn. She got rid of it for a Sequoia. It was nice though being an LT and all loaded out. As to which one, I wouldn't know. Drive both and see which you would like. The Excursion seems like a tank to me.

[RyanbabZ71]

V-10 = Thirsty

 

Had one in an F350 CC work truck and it got like 6 mpg - 8 on a good day (note this was driving around a steel mill all day)

[pm26]

V-10 = Thirsty

 

Had one in an F350 CC work truck and it got like 6 mpg - 8 on a good day (note this was driving around a steel mill all day)

 

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Somebody posted recently on one of RV forums that they are getting about 10 MPG out of a 32 ft class A RV with a Ford V-10. I say BS.

[RyanZ71]

I think you would be very happy with a Suburban 2500. The Fords are ok, but engine wise they are not as great as the GM series. Besides, the Excursions look butt ugly from the rear! The Suburban will do you just fine.

[pwall]

When I was shopping around for a 'family hauler', my friend and I say in every SUV type vechicle out there. The only one that we both agreed would be comfortable for an adult in the back seat was the YukonXL/Suburban.

The back seat in the Excursion was not as roomy.

 

That's my opinion anyways..... ;)

 

I ended up with a YukonXL.

[greywolf2112]

Looks like I will end up with a Yukon XL - the only way to go with the Excursion is with a diesel, and I'm not going there. That and the fact that I found some nice lighter weight campers so getting a Yukn/Suburban with the 5.8 Liter engine (and the subsequent better MPG) is now acceptable and I don't have to get the 8.1L engine.

[RyanZ71]

Looks like I will end up with a Yukon XL - the only way to go with the Excursion is with a diesel, and I'm not going there.  That and the fact that I found some nice lighter weight campers so getting a Yukn/Suburban with the 5.8 Liter engine (and the subsequent better MPG) is now acceptable and I don't have to get the 8.1L engine.

 

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You mean 5.7 I hope, the 5.8 is an old Ford Engine

 

If you did get the 454, you would certainly be happy, its a bulletproof engine!

[Elwood 2000]

A friend of mine used to have an Excursion. It had the 5.4l engine and it was a complete and total dog! That engine was WAY underpowered for what it was in and forget towing anything. It rode great until about 35k miles, then it got bery harsh. He changed tires, shocks and a couple other parts, but to no avail. He finally traded it for a Suburban and will never go back.

 

I really like the look of the Excursion and for me the diesel option is a nice one, but I am very unsure about the 6.0 Powerstroke.

 

If it were me, I would go Suburban. The ride is a lot nicer and the engine choices are all good ones.

[redvett]

And the Chevy/GMC will even pass a gas station. :-)

[greywolf2112]

Hmm - well, the more I think about it the more I might want to hold out and find a 2500 style Suburban/Yukon with the 6.0L engine - that extra towing (about an extra 1000 pounds) could really make a big difference.

 

Problem is finding one!

[C & A s Dad]

Greywolf, you will pay dearly for an 8.1L 2500 Burb or Yuk right now because so far GM has not announced a big block in the 07 Models. The 8.1L in a 2500 is a "tuggin machine".

 

With all that said, I am towing a 6500 lb 29 ft camper with the Yukon XL you see in my signature. I would suggest if you your prospective camper is at this weight or less, find a 1500 Burb or Yuk with 4.10 gears. If you were going to be towing the majority of the time and it some real mountains, and/or your camper was going to be larger than 7,000 lbs, I would recommend you wait on the 2500.

 

Mine with the 4.10s has really surprised me and I am very happy with it. I am getting 12 MPG when towing and my last 7 tanks not towing have averaged 18.61 with much of this being short rural trips with some mixed in driving around town. It will get over 21 if I am driving pure highway and under 70 MPH.

[Frank Sub]

Hi greywolf2112--For 9000lbs towing you really want a 3/4 ton, and a 4.10 rear to go with the 6.0 ltr.--Frank Sub

[greywolf2112]

Hi greywolf2112--For 9000lbs towing you really want a 3/4 ton, and a 4.10 rear to go with the 6.0 ltr.--Frank Sub

 

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I guess I am just a little leery of getting a 1500 1/2 ton with the 5.3L since it will be pushing it as far as towing, and it will also limit my selection of travel trailers. Plus I guess that the 2500 Sub would hold its value a little better than the 1500, right?

[C & A s Dad]

If you are undecided on the camper and you think you may want a camper weighing more than 6K or 7K, I would be looking at the 2500. I went with the 1500 because this is my Wife's daily driver and I knew what I was buying as far as a camper.

 

The 2500 with the 8.1L would likely hold it's value more than a 1500 5.3 or a 2500 with the 6.0. You can buy a new 2500 wth a 6.0 or it may be a 6.2 now but as of today, you cannot get the Big Block 8.1.