How often, far, and much are you towing? If you could get away with a half ton burban I'd go that route if it will also be a daily driver. The 3/4 ton will tow better but you will be giving up a lot of mileage with the 6.0 or 8.1 vs the 5.3, the 1/2 ton will also ride a lot better.
That's the problem, won't use it that much as it will be just a tow vechile. I have a 2011 Chevy 1/2 with a 5.3 and it isn't enough truck for the 8000 lb trailer. I'm leaning towards the Suburban with a 8.1, mileage will suck but you can never have too much power!!
I have an '02 f350 7.3 and an '04 yukon xl (same size as suburban) with 6.0. I was very surprised how well the suburban towed my trailer (around 5000#). Mine has the 4 wheel steer but that shouldn't change anything. IMO the chevy has a more car-like interior but I personally prefer the ford interior.
I have a 96' burb 2500 (454) and love it. I have a 26' enclosed that I haul with it. doesnt even sweat it...
I have driven excursions. I wouldnt buy a gas one (especially the 5.4) for towing. BUT if you get the 7.3 parts are more expensive.
if you can afford the 00+ model suburban I would go with that. and the 8.1 is over kill. the 6.0 would be fine for you and you would probably still get 14 unloaded.
I'm loving my 7.3 diesel Excursion. I've owned both this and two Suburbans and would take the Excursion any day. Solid axle, leaf springs, and yes, more truck like.
Another thing to consider is whether the third row seat is important to you or not. It was a big factor with me since I tote around 6 kids. The rear doors on suburbans are just the short rear doors from a crew cab. Excursions have their own special rear doors that are longer and make it easier to get in the third row, which also has more room than a Suburban.
Another thing is what flavor you like your rear most cargo doors in. Most Suburban fans greatly prefer the barn doors for usability. Problem is they have a big post in the middle that limits visability. Excursions have a hatch on top and barn doors on bottom, best of both worlds!
Suburban all the way. I maintain a pile of fords and wouldnt buy one of their trucks, unless I stold it and had a buyer in mind.
The v10 makes decent power but has all the typical ford problems. Coil packs, exaust studs that are a joke when new and a major pain later. The spark plugs blow out and take threads with them. The trans lines, brake lines,fuel lines all run behind the gas tank and are a pita to fix. Steering colums fall apart. Clutch perches explode. Seats dont hold up nearly as well as a gm product,imo.
I can give you a million reasons not to buy a ford. Cant think of any reason to buy a ford unless it's a smoking deal. Then I would resell asap.
The 8.1 sub with a 4L80 will probobly need a fuel pump at some point. Some early 8.1 had a bad rear main from the get go, most likely recalled. They get shitty gas mileage but probobly no worse then our v10. The 3/4 chevy will likely need some front end work by 100,000 miles, our fords are rebuilt twice by then and still dont drive as well as a used up chev. Im forced to like chevys because I make a living maintaining fords.
bdd1469 read a few posts up, he bought a suburban with a 6.0 in it.
I loved my superduty, until it went to shit in no time flat. Biggest issue was how quickly the truck was rendered useless by what appeared to be a bad GEM module.
I feel so lucky to have traded that truck in when I did and not gotten stuck with an 8,000 lbs heap of scrap in my front yard.
And I am FROM Michigan. Just stuck in Texas for now.
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