What's your dream tow vehicle?

[gomotomoto]

Mine doesn't exist, but it would be a new suburban with a duramax and Alison trans.

[Ted S.]

I own my dream tow vehicle. Its a 2005 Ford Excursion with a Powerstroke.

The question is, can I keep it going?

They don't make these big SUVs anymore.

I certainly would love a new suburban with a duramax and Alison trans. There is a company that makes the conversion. The issue is that you need to find a pre-2014 3/4 ton platform.

[Wingeezer]

I don't think I could ask for anything more than our Sierra 2500HD diesel!

But while on the subject, I am curious about the appeal of large diesel SUV's.

I think I could see the attraction of one needed to carry more than 4 passengers, but when I was looking o buy a TV for our trailer, I did look at Suburban/Expedition type vehicles and concluded that for us, a full crew cab pickup was the best option. Normally it is just the two of us in it but at times two more and that works fine.

I like having the rest of the vehicle as "rough storage area" rather than nicely finished passenger type interior that I would not want to mess up.

With the truck, I throw generator, ladder, tools, lawn chairs, and all kinds of stuff under the Leer cap on the box - I really don't know what I would do without that space.

What am I missing? is there appeal other than being able to carry extra passengers to a large SUV? I am suspecting there must be - I just don't know what it is!

Brian.

[Twinke58]

I have mine and and love it!


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[jcl]

BMW X5. 35i or 35d. Nice driver when not towing (ie 80% of the time), as well as being a very capable tow vehicle. We only want to have one vehicle in the family. And it has to fit in an underground parking space.

[SteveSueMac]

I want a TV with the current Duramax/Allison drivetrain with a 40s era Woody wagon body :-)

[LiLNomad]

I have a 96 3/4 Ton Suburban 7.4L with 48k original miles. I dont use the 3rd row seat. I love my Suburban because its easy to load with the barn doors and im not limited on height. Being 5'1 loading my generator into a pickup truck would be a challenge. I also like the fact that I can sleep in it if anything happens, or if i want to go off on a mini road trip. I know thats weird but love that option. If I had it my way I would get a new Suburban with the 3/4 ton or 1 ton engine and all the new plugs for charging stuff, and a newer radio, cd, gps etc and maybe 4 wheel dr, all amenities that are on the newer trucks (without the payment of course).
LilNomad

[Twinke58]

Ok I do have to say this would be cool is the engine was big enough, and frame too, my 1973 VW Bus! it would make a cool tv!


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[Bruce B]

I love modern! With our little Bambi I feel that we need a pick up just so that we can bring along all the stuff you people with larger Airstreams routinely store in the trailer...
I love the diesel 250/2500's and I would give them a long and hard look but in the end...I would probably opt for an Aluminium body F-150 for the increased carrying capacity. Give it a diesel and the future 10 speed and I think I would be in heaven...
Bruce

[mutcth]

Amazingly, I (almost) own mine. If I had a 2015 version of my Durango with the Hemi and the 8-speed automatic (instead of my five speed box)... I actually prefer it to most of the German SUVs (and I've driven them all.)

OK. I admit - I would really like a new Ford Transit van with the EcoBoost turbo V6, converted by Sportsmobile to be a camper for brief weekends when not towing the AS...

Tom

[Becky B.]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

I don't think I could ask for anything more than our Sierra 2500HD diesel!

But while on the subject, I am curious about the appeal of large diesel SUV's.

I think I could see the attraction of one needed to carry more than 4 passengers, but when I was looking o buy a TV for our trailer, I did look at Suburban/Expedition type vehicles and concluded that for us, a full crew cab pickup was the best option. Normally it is just the two of us in it but at times two more and that works fine.

I like having the rest of the vehicle as "rough storage area" rather than nicely finished passenger type interior that I would not want to mess up.

With the truck, I throw generator, ladder, tools, lawn chairs, and all kinds of stuff under the Leer cap on the box - I really don't know what I would do without that space.

What am I missing? is there appeal other than being able to carry extra passengers to a large SUV? I am suspecting there must be - I just don't know what it is!

Brian.

I have an Expedition EL. I have a rubber mat in the rear & almost always keep the third row down. I can fit a full sheet of plywood in the vehicle, 12 ft. pieces of lumber, and loads of other stuff. When I go camping with my girls, grandsons, and my sister takes her Motorhome, I can fit 8 of us comfortably in the vehicle. I toss around the idea of getting a truck like you have when the time comes. I would put a cap on the back. You can't fit a full sheet of plywood in a short bed truck, though. If the price is comparable, I've decided to get another Expedition/Suburban just for the times I need the extra seating & will still be able to get all my lumber home .....cause you never know if you might start a new trailer project

[Ted S.]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

What am I missing? is there appeal other than being able to carry extra passengers to a large SUV? I am suspecting there must be - I just don't know what it is!

You're not missing anything, if it were me and the wife, I would do like you and drive a pickup.

But.... I have 4 kids. I need cab space.

When you think about it, it's very strange to see huge bunkhouses, I've seen 35' Jayco's that would challenge my Excursion. What does the RV industry expect to tow these? Some sleep 12....

[slowmover]

I knew what I wanted beforehand. And wound up being far luckier than I had hoped. This manual transmission Dodge diesel is a pleasure to drive and is capable of very high mpg empty and towing. Repairs have been almost nil. Now at 200k and with the desire to keep it that long again (same idea with trailer; a 1990 Silver Streak) I have been planning out system repairs and making upgrades. I'll have to be careful about weight once the TT is hitched, but am looking forward to performance changes that may be in the offing. New injectors at some point may lead me to a different turbocharger and fuel/timing map to make life on the motor just that much easier.

The truck has 4whl discs with antilock and I'd like for the TT to be equipped the same way. And to further perfect the lash-up between the two vehicles.

I could see a different TV if I didn't live fulltime. But I'd be hard pressed to find another vehicle of any sort with such low operating cost. I much like the idea of minimal fuel burn over a given distance. The 2014 Ram diesel is almost a match in mpg and has enough changes that for the first time trading up would have meaning. But it would be at more than twice the initial cost and a lifelong higher cost due to greater stresses and complexity.

So this one is as close to perfect as I'll find.

[wkerfoot]

My 1977 Lincoln Town Car or a 1964 Lincoln Continental Convertible.

Bill

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by gomotomoto

Mine doesn't exist, but it would be a new suburban with a duramax and Alison trans.

Mine doesn't exist either, but it's identical to yours with yours with the addition of Quadrasteer four-wheel steering.

Brian

[gandttimes]

Mine is attainable with more money than I have, and since I am so happy with my 6L 2008 GMC 1500 MAX. I may not.
But, if I can,I want the new 7600 lb 6.2 L 1500 GMC with the 4g wireless.
Then I could really boon dock.


George

[HiHoAgRV]

A 1959 Chevy sedan delivery, integrated 3pp hitch, modern V6 turbo diesel and 8 speed transmission.

Oh, it would need a paint job that said 'Joe's Florist' on the side.

Named after my mother-in-law...joe mama. She was a Florist.

Just gotta love the Batwing of a '59 Chevy.

[cwf]

Well, I'm pretty amazed how ours is working..


next level would be a Freightliner or similar...

[TheDuke]

I'm livin my dream! 2015 Ford F-350 King Ranch, 4X4, Crew Cab, Gen. 2 6.7L PowerStroke, Every Option, plus some more, Leer Top with all options, in White Platinum. Thats what I'm talkin about!

[paulken]

I found mine and have had it for one year now. 2003 Dodge 5.9 HO QCLB 3500 DRW Laramie 6 speed manual with Gear Vender Banks brake B&W Tow & Stow hitch.