jukes wrote: Still researching, any suggestions on following appreciated:
Looked at 2 Expeditions-both 4x4 EB. One a 2003 128k, would take $9500 or the 2006, 116k, dealer price $12,995 so would have to bargain hard.
Like them but do seem big to also drive as my daily car, perhaps no getting around this though, may get used to it.
Or we Also looked at a gas Excursion ltd with 96k, yr 2000, $7300 could get it for. My husband would then use it as his work vehicle, and our family TV, leaving me $6000 to get a smaller 6 seater run around car. However the MPG on Excursion concerns us, keep reading different opinions on this. Also if i can get myself something for the $6000 as the family run around??
OR we don't get a TT and get Pop up?? Need to go see some though. Could we then get a smaller TV that I could use as my family car too instead of Expedition, or is it betrer to still tow with an Expy?
IMO I would go w the excursion first it's lower miles and less money assuming that it is relatively good condition then the 03 I would bail on the 06 unless they come down 2000 at least. Now you did mention a pup. If you went this way you may get by with a little smaller vehicle but then you still need the room for your camping gear. If the excusion is a few grand less I think this is your best choice from your options cuz even if it is a little worse on fuel economy. It will take a lot of miles of fuel to make up the diff in gas if that makes sense to you the excusion prob gets 10-12 mpg and the exped prob goes in the 12-15 mpg range so if your only getting 2mpgs better so at 1000 miles your going to get an extra 200 miles which will equal about 65$ more you would spend in the exc.so you would have 30000 miles driven in the excursion to equal the initial cost of the xpedition. Then at that point gas would start actually costing you more but who knows how long 30000 miles will add up and at that point you may be looking for something diff. Basically your not going to see much interms of fuel economy from the exped to the excursion hope my rambling and math help your decision.
From what I read, I think you should get the Excursion too. The trailer choices are so much greater when you have a 3/4 ton truck. The MPG will be more like 10-12 city with the "X". It is a beast to manuver around town but people do get out of your way.
Use your $6K and get a nice used Ford minivan.
Second choice, the Expedition is a great truck for daily driver and towing but you will have to be careful with what you choose for a trailer. MPG on mine is 12-14 city. Towing is 7-9. I'm towing 6000 lbs, pretty much the max for the truck's numbers. Running down the highway its 14-16 MPG and so darn comfortable to drive.
Trying to narrow down search! I have located a Jeep Commander Hemi for sale, owner says it has problem door handles, $300 to fix.said it should have been a recall as common in for this year? It is for sale at $12500, 92k. Does this sound worth looking at? We could fix handles.
Also located a Suburban 2003, 100k, one owner, well looked after, $10,650 asking price, but it is 2wd and the 1500. Is this worth considering too?
Went to camping world, sales rep said we could easily tow most TTs with any of these vehicles!
Trying to decide this week! Thanks.
jukes wrote: Went to camping world, sales rep said we could easily tow most TTs with any of these vehicles!
Stop listening to the sales rep!
I don't think you'll be happy with the Commander and towing. You will be limited to 25' and 5000 lbs loaded. It doesn't have a lot of payload. Plenty of power, not a lot of payload. It has less payload than the Grand Cherokee.
Jeep Commander door handle problems are a constant and expensive for even one to fix. Multiply this times the number of doors you'll have and give some thought to it. It's not a nickle and dime issue but more like many dollars with wings repeatedly. I won't go into the other cons of the Jeep Commander but be aware and do your research.
I'd certainly stick with the Ford or GM models as they are so well known and have been owner tested for a decade or even much longer and are the most desired. Sales numbers year after year tell a learned tale very accurately. 3/4 ton size most desireable because you have not only a unit towed behind that has needs for all people going but also have those same people inside the vehicle when traveling which is "weight" and the kids aren't going to get any smaller or lighter in weight nor will their takealong needs or yours. 3 kids very likely will transform into hauling 3 bikes also in the near future. If a TT or a 5th wheel is desired, a crew cab pickup is the logical answer. A light hybrid TT will work behind a 1/2 ton size but limits your future wants. Having sleeping, eating, shelter when raining etc, room and comfort makes an RVing trip SO much more fun and desireable. Tent issues get old very fast and think of having room to carry all that stuff too. Tent, air mattresses, sleeping bags or blankets, etc. It all adds up! Once you start camping/RV traveling, your wants and needs seem to change quickly and not to a smaller unit. Fuel mileage will likely be in the 8-10 MPG range with gas power when actually loaded and on the road whether you have a hybrid or a hard side trailer as it's the wind resistance caused by the frontal area of your total rig that uses most of the extra fuel required over traveling with the vehicle alone.
A superb CC LB 4X4, GM HD Diesel, airbags, Rancho's, lots more
Lance Legend TC 11' 4", loaded including 3400 PP generator and my deluxe 2' X 7' rear porch
29 ft Carriage Carri-lite 5'er - a specially built gem
A like new '07 Sunline Solaris 26' TT
travelnutz wrote: Jeep Commander door handle problems are a constant and expensive ....I won't go into the other cons of the Jeep Commander but be aware and do your research.
I am not sure where all this negativity against the Commander is coming from. I haven't had door handle problems and have never heard of the problem. I am also not sure where the 5000 payload number is coming from (payload is actually 7500lbs with the tow pkg) It seems like a lot of diehard Ford or GM fans not willing to accept the capabilities of the Commander.
I am in frequent contact with other Commander owners and even meet up with them once per year for Camp Commander. In these meetings, I hear nothing but praise for the 7-seater Jeep. Visit http://www.jeepcommander.com/forums/ for insight from people who actually own a Commander. We bought our Commander new in 2008 (2009 model) and it has been trouble free.
Ultimately, it is up to the OP regarding which vehicle meets their needs and which type of trailer they are looking for. While a Commander won't tow a 13,000 lb TT, perhaps that isn't what this family needs.
Our Commander and 26' TT meets our needs, and we have a family of 7. I have pulled our TT over the Rockies several times, and am constantly impressed with its abilities. We can run up the mountains without the engine screaming. The engine/tranny combo make it a great tow vehicle; it has the power, torque, and gearing in all the right places.
-TJ
* This post was
edited 07/01/12 03:11pm by rebelopie *
Past:
2001 Alfa Gold GF34RLIKBS
2006 T@B T-16L Towed with 1996 Lincoln Town Car then 2005 Dodge Dakota
Current:
2011 Skyline Nomad 248 towed with 2009 Jeep Commander
Perhaps you haven't researched the door handle issue. There are booCoo pages/sites on the internet alone for this problem. Funny you don't know about it or are in denial but thousands of others sure do as they even make aftermarket kits for the problem. Why do you suppose that is?
A few:
AAA Gray Jeep Commander Interior Door Handle Repair Kit | Zach ...www.denlorstools.com/.../aaa_gray_jeep_commander_interior_door...Cached
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Now in stock. *For Tan / Khaki click here Gray kit to fix all four doors. Jeep Commander interior door handle repair kit. Affected vehicles are 2006 and up
2006 Commander interior door handle - Jeep Commander Forums: Jeep ...www.jeepcommander.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16580Cached
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10 posts - 7 authors - Aug 25, 2011
2006 Commander interior door handle General Commander Discussion.
crappy interior door handles - Jeep Commander Forum?
Inside Door Handle Broken - JeepForum.comwww.jeepforum.com/forum/f67/inside-door-handle-broken-927017/Cached
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Dec 16, 2009 – Anyone had thier door handle break on the inside. one of my kids yanked ... Cherokee & XK Commander Forum > Inside Door Handle Broken ...
On and on!
FYI, I'm a retired automotive engineer and had exposure to the door handle issues for Jeeps.
travelnutz wrote: Jeep Commander door handle problems are a constant and expensive ....I won't go into the other cons of the Jeep Commander but be aware and do your research.
I am not sure where all this negativity against the Commander is coming from. I haven't had door handle problems and have never heard of the problem. I am also not sure where the 5000 payload number is coming from (payload is actually 7500lbs with the tow pkg) It seems like a lot of diehard Ford or GM fans not willing to accept the capabilities of the Commander.
I've got nothing against the Commander, but I suggest you recheck your payload before you load your Commander up with 7,500 lb. of payload. I'm betting the payload is more like 1,200 lbs. tops.
As far as door handle issues, I've not heard of any, but Chrysler has been known for less than steller interior/hardware pre 2010ish.
02 Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 4x4, prodigy and equalizer
07 Crossroads Sunset Trail ST19CK
and no payments
I would check out an older Toyota Sequoia. It has a V8, and it can tow up to 6500lbs. The engine and transmission is generally very reliable. You will have plenty of room for your kids.
2003 Honda Pilot
Prodigy brake controller,Weight Distribution Hitch
2000 17' Kiwi Hybrid Trailer UVW 3090lbs
I have a 2003 Tahoe 5.3L 4x4 with 3.73 gears that I use to tow with- in fact that's about all I use it for. I actually purchased it about 6 months ago for about 10k, and I got one with very low miles and all the service records. I only have one kid so we don't really use the 3rd row seats unless we are hauling around guests (the rear seats are removeable). We like it a lot and get about 10.5mpg pulling our 4800 lb Keystone Passport 238ML trailer, which has a queen bed and two bunk beds, bath, shower, a/c, etc. I would get a Suburban if I had to use the rear seats much or was towing a trailer above 25 feet long. The Tahoe has plenty of engine and braking capacity but a short wheel base. The nice thing about the Suburban family is that there are a lot of them on the market, it's a very time-proven platform, and parts and repairs are generally inexpensive as long as you don't abuse the truck. Just pay attention to fluid maintenance and don't overload the axles and you will be fine. Get one with the factory tow package if you can, you get a transmission cooler and usually a better axle gear ratio.
I get 16mpg with my Tahoe on the highway when not towing, and about 14 mpg in the city. The newer Suburbans and Tahoes get far better mileage with the 6 speed transmission and active fuel management, but you will pay more than $10k for one.
The only thing I've needed to do was replace the fan clutch on my Tahoe. It was getting weak and the A/C wasn't cooling at idle. The part cost me $40 and about 45 minutes to fix.
For towing you want a 3/4ton as mentioned. Better brakes, better frame and better suspension. The Commander would be ok for light duty around town towing. 1/2ton SUV's normally have soft rear suspension for better ride. For Chevy try to swing the 6.0 Gas engine. The 5.3l is underpowered for towing and hauling. Reminder, avoid the Ford 6.0l Diesel engine. They are a good deal for all the wrong reasons.
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