Kyle Kelso
Adventurer
Raising this one from the dead, haha.
I've been driving new full size trucks for the last 7 years for work purposes and looking to sell my current truck and downsize into an older, much cheaper and "smaller" large SUV. We do a lot of camping and I plan to do more light off road exploring with the family. We only have one child at the moment and 2 large dogs. We also have a small pop-up tent trailer to tow that I've been thinking of lifting and prepping for a bit rougher trails but we still like to pack a tent if we are going way back in rough terrain.. Originally I started thinking Toyota Sequoia as the 4runner is too small and I can't afford to import an 80 series landcruiser plus it's likely too small also. After looking at prices of these compared to the mileage I decided to consider the GM offerings as they are cheaper and parts are plentiful. Although the Tahoe/Yukon will obviously be better off road strictly for the smaller size and has a better chance of fitting in the garage where we are moving soon, the rear seats would have to be permanently removed for space. The Suburban (or XL) might not fit in the garage but neither have any of my trucks. Considering the terrain I've forced my 1 ton crew cab trucks through I'm really not put off by the size of the suburban (garage aside) and I feel like I could fold up the 3rd row for day to day life and still have tons of room and the option to carry more people on odd occasion (though not likely ever) and pull it out for big trips to get more room.
I should probably do more research elsewhere but not being a GM guy I'm surprised at the comments preferring the older models with the 5.7 to the newer with the 5.3L. I have no need for a 6.0 although I do know they are as reliable as they are thirsty!
I've been driving new full size trucks for the last 7 years for work purposes and looking to sell my current truck and downsize into an older, much cheaper and "smaller" large SUV. We do a lot of camping and I plan to do more light off road exploring with the family. We only have one child at the moment and 2 large dogs. We also have a small pop-up tent trailer to tow that I've been thinking of lifting and prepping for a bit rougher trails but we still like to pack a tent if we are going way back in rough terrain.. Originally I started thinking Toyota Sequoia as the 4runner is too small and I can't afford to import an 80 series landcruiser plus it's likely too small also. After looking at prices of these compared to the mileage I decided to consider the GM offerings as they are cheaper and parts are plentiful. Although the Tahoe/Yukon will obviously be better off road strictly for the smaller size and has a better chance of fitting in the garage where we are moving soon, the rear seats would have to be permanently removed for space. The Suburban (or XL) might not fit in the garage but neither have any of my trucks. Considering the terrain I've forced my 1 ton crew cab trucks through I'm really not put off by the size of the suburban (garage aside) and I feel like I could fold up the 3rd row for day to day life and still have tons of room and the option to carry more people on odd occasion (though not likely ever) and pull it out for big trips to get more room.
I should probably do more research elsewhere but not being a GM guy I'm surprised at the comments preferring the older models with the 5.7 to the newer with the 5.3L. I have no need for a 6.0 although I do know they are as reliable as they are thirsty!