Replacing the Yukon XL

[leedav]

Hi. I have a 2005 Yukon XL which I love to death but my wife is not comfortable on long drives. I'm trying some seat add-ons but failing that it may be that a new vehicle is in the cards. I don't like the new Yukons or Suburbans, so it's gonna be a 4wd 4 door pickup. Ford F150 vs. GMC Sierra

Issues:

dual climate control is unavailable on the Ford below the Lariat level, and it's a must because I'm usually all the way down and the wife's is usually all the way up. That makes it very spendy. I like the back up assist but I'd like to splice in my rear camera, but that's only available on the super duty

The GMC looks promising but the 8 speed clunk issues are kind of off-putting.

Any non inflammatory thoughts on these two?

Thanks

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by leedav

Hi. I have a 2005 Yukon XL which I love to death but my wife is not comfortable on long drives. I'm trying some seat add-ons but failing that it may be that a new vehicle is in the cards. I don't like the new Yukons or Suburbans, so it's gonna be a 4wd 4 door pickup. Ford F150 vs. GMC Sierra

Issues:

dual climate control is unavailable on the Ford below the Lariat level, and it's a must because I'm usually all the way down and the wife's is usually all the way up. That makes it very spendy. I like the back up assist but I'd like to splice in my rear camera, but that's only available on the super duty

The GMC looks promising but the 8 speed clunk issues are kind of off-putting.

Any non inflammatory thoughts on these two?

Thanks

If your set on a pickup with your 16', you got choices up the ying-yang...just watch the payload and you should be fine with any of them. I would look at the Lariat Echoboost F150 4x4 short bed, supercrew cab, with tow package. Fuel at 36ga, 10 speed working fine, and though you may not need it, the Echoboost has lots of power and very pleasure to drive with or without a trailer. I liked the new GM's also, but small fuel tank, 8speed issues you mentioned, and shutting down cylinders....not a fan. The RAM is a good value also, but watch the payload. ( I would look at the Tundra also, but they are switching things around in 2021 I believe; current models are dated (engine and 6 speed) compared to the competition..not to mention poor mileage and payload again.

Good luck and let us know how you end up!

[SeaLevel]

The 2019 Sierra is available with the new 10-speed transmission.

[Airtandem]

The Ford Eco is a great truck, but with your wife's back problem take the Ram for a ride.
mj

[brick1]

What are you towing? I traded my 2016 Expy EcoBoost for a 2018 F250 Lariat diesel. Towing a 2918 Serenity 28.
I am never going back to a lesser tow vehicle
brick

[bobmiller1]

I have a 2004 3/4 ton YukonXL with Quadrasteer. I just had the entire body redone, worth every penny. The 3/4's are no longer available and I tow a 34' Classic ltd. s/o. Are you sure the seat is the only issue.......????? It would be a lot less exspensive to have a custom seat made than buy a new ride that you may not be happy with. Just saying.......Regards,Bob

[prairieschooner]

Don't do it! find a way to make her more comfortable! new seats, etc. New stuff isn't much better!

[jeffmc306]

We discounted the Ram too but saw several videos like Fast Lane Trucks and Edmund’s . I was a GM guy but was really impressed with the interior then drove one. The rear coil suspension is a super ride. We drove 5.5 hrs straight back from Jackson Center to Northern IL and no back or seat problems.

Gypsydad is right - watch the door payload sticker but they’re available with decent numbers depending on your trailer requirements.

Here’s the Laramie trim - Big Horn has premium cloth and is more affordable but still well appointed. We’ve got the 3.92 axle, 33 gal tank & 11,340# towing capacity.

Here’s the video from Edmund’s towing a FC25 with a 2019 Ram 1500:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3de_70FD4k

[brick1]

Originally Posted by brick1

What are you towing? I traded my 2016 Expy EcoBoost for a 2018 F250 Lariat diesel. Towing a 2918 Serenity 28.
I am never going back to a lesser tow vehicle
brick

Yup, the 2918’s are really nice. Very futuristic...

[mefly2]

We really like our Yukon ...selling 3/4 T because the Yuk is so much more comfortable ... and loaded with safety technology.

[WhereStream]

I'm in a similar situation, with a 2004 Suburban (the Yukon XL twin).

Low miles, 127,000, but now 15 years old, and that makes my wife nervous.

I'm not sold on the new Suburbans or the short-stuff Tahoes. My 2004 has better visibility, and a perfectly flat 4x8 space in the back, once I fold down the rear seats. The space on the new ones isn't as useful for camping.

I wish I could get a 2004 model, upgraded with new stuff.

I've got my eye on Ford's Expedition, as I still prefer SUVs to open-back pickups.

As for ride comfort, I did enjoy the 2018 Dodge (aka "Ram") I drove. It had a good ride. The one I took for a test had inadequate payload, but that varies, truck to truck. I've not yet looked at the new 2019 model.

[Silvertwinkie]

Not sure if the main reason is wife is not comfy because of age of the TV or plain old just not a comfy ride long term. Also have not followed the truck offerings in a while, but I have the Suburban version of your GMC and I put one of these on:


https://airsafehitches.com/receiver-hitch/


It's a pretty big difference in that it buffers the shock between the RV and truck. 3/4 ton and larger have far more stiff springs, unlike their coil counterparts.


We (me and sig other) have no complaints, however there were some convos early on when I didn't have the airsafe. For us, it fixed the "rougher" ride and though it costs a few thousand bucks depending on what model you get, it's still far less expensive than getting a new TV. Your results may vary.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by prairieschooner

Don't do it! find a way to make her more comfortable! new seats, etc. New stuff isn't much better!

^
X2

Get the seat 'customized', a shop that does mobility vans may be able to help find a source. You could even have a mold made for a full custom seat...using the OEM frame.

...or maybe you really just wanna new TV.😂


Bob
🇺🇸

[doctorlewis]

I used a Suburban and then changed to a Chevy 2500HD. There is no comparison - the Suburban rode better than the 2500HD. I would keep the Yukon and work on your wife's seat.

[leedav]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

^
X2

Get the seat 'customized', a shop that does mobility vans may be able to help find a source. You could even have a mold made for a full custom seat...using the OEM frame.

...or maybe you really just wanna new TV.[emoji23]


Bob
[emoji631]

Can't justify a couple grand on a TV that's worth about 6

[leedav]

Originally Posted by doctorlewis

I used a Suburban and then changed to a Chevy 2500HD. There is no comparison - the Suburban rode better than the 2500HD. I would keep the Yukon and work on your wife's seat.

Wonder if it's the same for a 1500

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by leedav

Hi. I have a 2005 Yukon XL which I love to death but my wife is not comfortable on long drives. I'm trying some seat add-ons but failing that it may be that a new vehicle is in the cards. I don't like the new Yukons or Suburbans, so it's gonna be a 4wd 4 door pickup. Ford F150 vs. GMC Sierra

Issues:

dual climate control is unavailable on the Ford below the Lariat level, and it's a must because I'm usually all the way down and the wife's is usually all the way up. That makes it very spendy. I like the back up assist but I'd like to splice in my rear camera, but that's only available on the super duty

The GMC looks promising but the 8 speed clunk issues are kind of off-putting.

Any non inflammatory thoughts on these two?

Thanks

Wow, after working in GMC service from 2008-2017 I'd argue that you already own one of the best trucks ever made. Very inexpensive to maintain and dependable as hell. Is it possible your wife's seat is just worn out? Any decent upholstery shop could replace the cushions, heating elements and leather for not a whole lot. The unicorn GMT800 SUV is the one-year-only 2006 Suburban LTZ or a 2500 with quadrasteer.



I've daily driven my 2wd 2005 Sierra w/towing pkg for the past 8 years and its been such a great truck. It used to be our go-to for road-trips. Lots of room, comfortable, heated leather with dual zone climate control and can get up to 20mpg using regular fuel. The worst thing that's happened (and ever will) was when the transmission crapped out. I had it BUILT stout and added a huge cooler for $1667 out the door. The only thing I'd add is helper bags and a 6.0L for more torque.



Last year we upgraded my wife's daily driver to an older 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, mainly to pull our 6000lb camper (upgrading to an Airstream next week.) Her Cayenne is SUPER comfortable (Turbo/GTS interior) with REAL thick leather. All four seats heated and individually climate controlled. The thing has 500hp and tows so well its unfathomable.

The bad: It's not super cheap to maintain and gets terrible mileage burning premium fuel only. (8mpg towing/17mpg highway)

[leedav]

Originally Posted by Mr. Merk

Wow, after working in GMC service from 2008-2017 I'd argue that you already own one of the best trucks ever made. Very inexpensive to maintain and dependable as hell. Is it possible your wife's seat is just worn out? Any decent upholstery shop could replace the cushions, heating elements and leather for not a whole lot. The unicorn GMT800 SUV is the one-year-only 2006 Suburban LTZ or a 2500 with quadrasteer.



I've daily driven my 2wd 2005 Sierra w/towing pkg for the past 8 years and its been such a great truck. It used to be our go-to for road-trips. Lots of room, comfortable, heated leather with dual zone climate control and can get up to 20mpg using regular fuel. The worst thing that's happened (and ever will) was when the transmission crapped out. I had it BUILT stout and added a huge cooler for $1667 out the door. The only thing I'd add is helper bags and a 6.0L for more torque.



Last year we upgraded my wife's daily driver to an older 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, mainly to pull our 6000lb camper (upgrading to an Airstream next week.) Her Cayenne is SUPER comfortable (Turbo/GTS interior) with REAL thick leather. All four seats heated and individually climate controlled. The thing has 500hp and tows so well its unfathomable.

The bad: It's not super cheap to maintain and gets terrible mileage burning premium fuel only. (8mpg towing/17mpg highway)

Agree that it's a great truck. We'll wait a couple years and see. Frequent breaks I guess

[brokeboater]

Originally Posted by brick1

a 2018 F250 Lariat diesel.

If an F150 lariat is a bit spendy for him I'm thinking an F250 Lariat diesel might be also.

[leedav]

Originally Posted by brokeboater

If an F150 lariat is a bit spendy for him I'm thinking an F250 Lariat diesel might be also.

It would be easier to make big financial decisions if I knew how long I was gonna live. Not bad enough to go back to work though.