Which SUV for Now & later

Petdoc87

New Member
Jul 24, 2007
4
I currently own a 200 Select. I have been towing with my 1998 Explorer (Modified to Increase capacity). No problem on the local run to the lake. Recently took an 500 mile road trip (each way). NOT FUN. Power was fine, up and down hill, BUT the vehicle simply wasn't heavy enough nor big enough wheelbase. We got blown around pretty good by the semi's and the wind. Needless to say I couldn't relax during the drive for even a second. We made it without incident and had a GREAT time. I pledged to my wife that I would NEVER take another long trip in that vehicle. Looking at vehicles to tow this boat I've come up with 3. Tahoe/Yukon, Expedition/Navigator, Nissan Armada. The towing capacity is Armada>Expedition>Tahoe (not the EL version). In my opinion the Tahoe rides the best, (The '05 expedition handles MUCH better than the new 07, weird). The standard Tahoe configuration(3.73 rear axle) is rated to tow 7200#. With the optional 4.10 rear axle and the trans cooler capacity increases to 8200#. This package increases the cost of the vehicle slightly, decreases the gas milage significantly, and is VERY hard to find.
Even though the Ford (8750#) and the Armada (9000#) are rated to tow more they feel less stable, and get lower gas mileage. I suspect that the Tahoe will ride and handle significantly better.
SOOO the question is not as much about now but later. My next boat will probably be a 240 Sundeck (2 foot-itis). I can't find an accurate tow weight but I suspect it is about 6500 (???????????).
Due to availability the Tahoe with the 3.73 is way easier to get, but tow capacity is 7200, pretty close. So I do not want to put myself in the same situation I am in new, new boat then new vehicle. I do not feel like buying a 3/4 ton at this point, so I guess the question is can I tow the SD240 with the Tahoe or do I 1) Need to get the 4.10 rear axle or 2) Just accept that no mater what I'll need a 3/4 ton for the 240 and know that if I upgrade boats a new truck will also be in the works.
SORRY to be long winded, but I am SO confused and am having trouble getting straight answers. Thanks to ALL for your help and advice.
Jeff
 
Jeff,

Your topic title starts out "Which truck" and you go on to discuss SUV's. The way I am reading it, you already have figured out that what you are looking at is marginal, you just aren't ready to buy a 3/4 ton truck. Maybe you should just wait until you are ready, and skip taking the hit on an intermediate vehicle that you suspect won't be adequate long term.
 
Re: Which Truck for Now & later

Petdoc87 said:
I currently own a 200 Select. I have been towing with my 1998 Explorer (Modified to Increase capacity). No problem on the local run to the lake. Recently took an 500 mile road trip (each way). NOT FUN. Power was fine, up and down hill, BUT the vehicle simply wasn't heavy enough nor big enough wheelbase. We got blown around pretty good by the semi's and the wind. Needless to say I couldn't relax during the drive for even a second. We made it without incident and had a GREAT time. I pledged to my wife that I would NEVER take another long trip in that vehicle. Looking at vehicles to tow this boat I've come up with 3. Tahoe/Yukon, Expedition/Navigator, Nissan Armada. The towing capacity is Armada>Expedition>Tahoe (not the EL version). In my opinion the Tahoe rides the best, (The '05 expedition handles MUCH better than the new 07, weird). The standard Tahoe configuration(3.73 rear axle) is rated to tow 7200#. With the optional 4.10 rear axle and the trans cooler capacity increases to 8200#. This package increases the cost of the vehicle slightly, decreases the gas milage significantly, and is VERY hard to find.
Even though the Ford (8750#) and the Armada (9000#) are rated to tow more they feel less stable, and get lower gas mileage. I suspect that the Tahoe will ride and handle significantly better.
SOOO the question is not as much about now but later. My next boat will probably be a 240 Sundeck (2 foot-itis). I can't find an accurate tow weight but I suspect it is about 6500 (???????????).
Due to availability the Tahoe with the 3.73 is way easier to get, but tow capacity is 7200, pretty close. So I do not want to put myself in the same situation I am in new, new boat then new vehicle. I do not feel like buying a 3/4 ton at this point, so I guess the question is can I tow the SD240 with the Tahoe or do I 1) Need to get the 4.10 rear axle or 2) Just accept that no mater what I'll need a 3/4 ton for the 240 and know that if I upgrade boats a new truck will also be in the works.
SORRY to be long winded, but I am SO confused and am having trouble getting straight answers. Thanks to ALL for your help and advice.
Jeff

I have a 240 SD and a Nissan Titan. I can tell you that it pulls fine your still going to feel the semi go buy and any bumps in the road can cause it to jump around a little bit.

I don't think I'd pull anything bigger then my boat with a Titan though.
 
OK so I should have said SUV. I honestly would wait if I could, but we do plan on taking multiple 8 to 10 hour, 1 to 3 week trips yearly. The Explorer is just not big enough for this. I also looked at the Titan, the F-150 Crew Cab, Silevrado 1500 crew. I actually like the pick ups, but the i found that ride is not as smooth as the SUV.
I also use the vehicle to haul people and 'Stuff", A pickup is great for Stuff, but can't hold 6 or 7 people.
Also I may or may not upgrade to the SD240. I do love my 200 Select, for the skiing, cruising and trailering it is the right boat for now, BUT the SD is way cool too, as we ski less and cruise more I'll probably make the switch. When????? I am trying to plan (if possible) for now and later. So I guess the question is what SUV with what towing capacity do I need for a 240 SD. Can I use a Tahoe with a towing capacity of 7200#? :cool: THANKS again.
 
Petdoc87 said:
OK so I should have said SUV. I honestly would wait if I could, but we do plan on taking multiple 8 to 10 hour, 1 to 3 week trips yearly. The Explorer is just not big enough for this. I also looked at the Titan, the F-150 Crew Cab, Silevrado 1500 crew. I actually like the pick ups, but the i found that ride is not as smooth as the SUV.
I also use the vehicle to haul people and 'Stuff", A pickup is great for Stuff, but can't hold 6 or 7 people.
Also I may or may not upgrade to the SD240. I do love my 200 Select, for the skiing, cruising and trailering it is the right boat for now, BUT the SD is way cool too, as we ski less and cruise more I'll probably make the switch. When????? I am trying to plan (if possible) for now and later. So I guess the question is what SUV with what towing capacity do I need for a 240 SD. Can I use a Tahoe with a towing capacity of 7200#? :cool: THANKS again.

We have a loaded 06 Titan LE Crew Cab no can't fit 6 or 7 but 4 plus the driver (5 total) fit with plenty of room.

Actaully if we had to for a short trip I'm sure we could fit 5 plus the driver (6 total).

The seating room in the titan is amazing for a truck. We got it like I said loaded with GPS, DVD wireless headphones upgraded stereo with tow package. The only things we didn't get were chrome step rails and 4x4.

We looked at the ARmada first cause we were upgrading from a Tahoe. The Nissa products were much cheaper then the Chrysler products.

I liked the truck idea for hauling dirt and plants and stuff from Home Depot to the house. The other great thing is the tie down system in the titan.

Also I felt there was more room in the titan then in the armada.

Eventually I will add a cover to bed right now we just keep a rubber maid bin back there to keep stuff dry.

Our last trip included myself, wife, sister in law and her boyfriend with a fully loaded bed of the truck coolers suitcases tables food etc etc and hauled the boat couple hours south of here for a week of fun and it worked great.

Gas milage is about 15/16 in the city and like 10 when towing.
 
petdoc87;

the vehicle you are describing based on you need's is the Ford Excursion with the Power Stroke Diesel. With seating for 9 and a towing capacity of 11,000lb's you should be good for a while no matter what you buy.
 
My suspicion is that the optimimal tow vehicle will not be the optimal everyday vehicle. Unfortunate. . but true.

Can you test drive any of these vehicles with the boat hooked up? I guess that would give a dealer fits if you showed up with your boat saying "How's trailering with this shiny new thing?"
 
comsnark said:
My suspicion is that the optimimal tow vehicle will not be the optimal everyday vehicle. Unfortunate. . but true.

Can you test drive any of these vehicles with the boat hooked up? I guess that would give a dealer fits if you showed up with your boat saying "How's trailering with this shiny new thing?"

If he really wants to sell you a vehical he might let ya.
 
I would think you could tow your 200 with any of those full size SUV's. I tow my 260DA with a 2005 Expedition. Not the ideal combination, but I don't tow often or more than an hour or two. But going down the road is no problem, getting up to speed can be at times.
 
8-10 hour trips, white knuckle. Not me, buy the 3/4 ton suv or truck. Ask your self, how many times did you almost lose it on your trip. How much can you push your luck on one trip. If it rains and the road gets wet, what then. Man, would you take thoes chances with your family. If you get into a wreck and are over loaded wait for the &*%#$# to hit the fan. Just my opinion. :grin:
 
LOL, Exactly NO more white knuckle for me!!.. All 3 of these 1/2 tons have their advantages. I re-drove the Armada today. What a monster. Towing capacity is 9100#. Good acceleration flex fuel, stable and predictable, autoload leveling class iv hitch, 5300# curb weight. I did put my boat on the back and didn't even know it was there. its also $8,000 less expensive than the Tahoe (8200 tow). Gas milage is only slightly worse, but I suspect they will both be pigs. The 1 nice thing about the Tahoe is that at highway speeds the engine runs on 4 cyclinders.

SOOO... Anyone have any experience with the Armada, the Tahoe and the Expedition. The 3/4 tons will not fit in my garage, I'm not sure that there would be any difference with my current boat. Has anyone towed the SD240 with any of these vehicles??

Thanks
:smt001
 
Armada/Titan same thing one has a bed the other has a roof with a 3rd row of seats :)

Are you sure the armada will fit in your garage? Our titan I have to put the pumper 2 inch from the wall and the tow ball/hich has to be removed for the garage door to close. Closes fine with the every day plastic boat propeller on it :grin:
 
Yep it fits, brought it home and put it in the garage. I had to take off the hitch too. clears he top by 1/2" and the door closes with 3" to spare. I tried to convince my wife about the Titan. Boy that went over well. :wink:
So you've had good luck with yours?? Any problems??
 
I'm on my second Titan and I highly recommend the Titan/Armada. If you do move up to a 25' size boat you will be pushing the towing capacities of lesser vehicle in a hurry once the boat/truck are wet and loaded. A friend borrowed mine to tow his 29' Baja that he normally tows with an '04 Suburban and he couldn't believe the power. He said it compared more closely to a diesel than to his Chevy.

The Titan/Armada are substantial vehicles. Hills/semis/wind do not affect me at all towing a good 8000 lbs. and I have never encountered a hill that slowed down the Titan when towing the boat. The most dangerous thing about towing with the Titan is feeling so relaxed that you can actually forget its back there on a long trip. :)
 
Petdoc87 said:
Yep it fits, brought it home and put it in the garage. I had to take off the hitch too. clears he top by 1/2" and the door closes with 3" to spare. I tried to convince my wife about the Titan. Boy that went over well. :wink:
So you've had good luck with yours?? Any problems??

We have had no problems with ares. With the Armada it might actually pull the trailer better because of the extra weight in the back vs having a bed.

My wife wanted the armada to, I told her do you really want me hauling bags of dirt mulch plants etc in the back of this armada where you have to vacume it and it will get stained or do you want a truck so that you can just hose it out. This seemed to work since we ended up with the truck.

I love it, nicest truck I've ever been in or owned nicer then alot of cars I've been in and owned.
 

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