Giacomo

I currently live in South America and get back a few times a year to do club races. I require a vehicle that I can drive on these visits which can also tow my race car. I have been borrowing a pickup truck but that is sometimes difficult to do for more than a day or two at a time. In light of the falling prices on used SUVs I have decided to bite the bullet and buy one. My view is that something like a Yukon (02-04) / Expedition (03-04) / Durango (04-05) might do the trick. This would be a vehicle that I would also drive daily when in Canada/US as opposed to renting or borrowing cars. I tow a 968 (2850lbs.) on a steel trailer (to be an enclosed trailer someday) so I am hoping to do this without having to go to a diesel dually. My budget is $10K. Any thoughts or suggestions given the aforementioned parameters, other vehicles perhaps?

mrbill_fl

Ah, search is broken.. been covered SOooo many times...

I have a 03 expedition, w/ 5.4 ltr, its OK for the open trailer. Not good for enclosed.

the chevys tahoe/burban/yukons would be better, (more power, more mass)
durangos are midsize right? marginal imho.

if you want enclosed trl, you'll need (want) a diesel. or a big *** truck 3/4 ton or dually..

Can you get away with the durango... maybe. but I would not buy it


GL!

Giacomo

The 03 Expedition lists a wheel base of 119.0 inches, the 04 Durango comes in at 119.2 inches and is available with a 5.7 litre Hemi. The Yukon/Suburban is bigger at 130.0 inces. Is the aversion with the Durango over build quality and reliability issues?

Jarez Mifkin

What type of oil are you going to run in it?

mrbill_fl

never been in a durango... but they looked smaller... my bad!

once search works again try 'towing' or 'tow vehicle'.... for much better info

my .02, is you should be fine with whatever you pick, on the open trailer...

-But if you move up to enclosed, you'll want a real truck....

Oh yeah.... whats the torque on that 5.7

Giacomo

The 5.7 Hemi output is rated at 335 hp and 370 lb-ft. Does that get into the real truck range? I'm not at all partial to the Durango it's just that the price seems to get you into a newer or more powerful unit compared to the others.

DanR

I looked at the Durango with the 5.7 hemi. Has good tow capacity with the right axle (8950 from memory) and as you say you can find them for good money!

Mike Buck

Sent you a PM about a nice 2500 suburban in NY!

slawek

I used to pull my enclose 24' trailer with Chevy Trailblazer SS-- 6.0l with air suspension ad I would never recommended to anyone. Get a Suburban orTahoe-- these are great suv's with longer wheelbase.

multi21

The Suburbans/Yukons are bulletproof compared to those other 2. I would stay away from any Chrysler product period.

Giacomo

Now that's the kind of opinion evidence I wanted to hear.

Chris M.

I researched this to death before buying an 04 Expedition and unless you get a 2500 Suburban the Expedition has a higher towing capacity than a Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban 1500, or Yukon XL. It pulls my 82 911 on an open steel trailer easily and I got 13mpg on a 1000 mile round trip which included the mountains of I-40 in Tennessee/North Carolina. From the feedback I got from others on this board you will see 7-8mpg with the 8.1L 2500 Suburban/Yukon. Good luck with your search.

Chaos

Yukon or burban,I have a 96 Yukon,love it.

Giacomo

I recall reading that thread where guys were suggesting they only got 7 to 8 mpg and was quite shocked. Although they all appeared to be towing enclosed trailers with much heavier loads. Chris M., are you satisfied with the 04 Expedition? I presume it has the 5.4 litre, does the tow package come with brake controller or do you have to add that?

Rich Sandor

I've towed my 968 on a heavy u-haul trailer behind an '04 Navigator (same as Expedition) between Vancouver and Porltand (~8hours) and I was impressed with the stability. Honestly, if it wasn't for the rear view mirror, I wouldn't have even known the car was back there. Despite the 45mph limit stickers on the fenders of the Uhaul trailer, it had no problem doing 80mph on the freeway. Fuel consumption was crap, but that was to be expected. Fit 4 people VERY confortably with 4 wheels and a variety of tools stored in the back of the Navigator.

Giacomo, which side of Canada are you going to be tracking your 968 on? East or West?