Hello, looking to add another tow vehicle to the herd. currently have a 99 1500 suburban as the daily driver and a 2004 2500 Suburban LS 8.1L for towing the camper. Not feeling real good about having the wife pull the 8,000 lb boat setup with a 1500 burb, so looking to add another 3/4 ton. found 2 options.

First is the same as what I have now: 2004 3/4 burb with the 8.1L and I mean the same. only difference is it has the barn doors and our current one has the lift hatch and the rims are different. Otherwise 100% the same down to the interior colors! Rated for 10,000 lbs and will tow that easily from experience. Milage peaks at 14 on highway, runs about 8.5 towing the camper at 10,000 lbs.

Second is a 2004 Excursion with the V-10. Same White exterior, grey cloth interior, both 9 passenger setups. Tow rating is 9,600 per ford. Excursion is $1k more, but has brand new E series tires (burb is 50%) and has about 1,500 less miles. Both are in the low 60's for milage.

So, do I buy basically the same truck as the camper has and simplify spare parts and maintenance, or jump the fence and add the big Excursion to the mix? Neither will be a daily driver, this will sit in storage mostly with the camper or boat hooked up to it. Prices are $15k to $16k. Both look very very clean and spotless.

Excursion has a curb weight listed at 7230, the 8.1L burb is 6,000 but mine weighs closer to 6,700 from what I have seen. Planning on calling the guy tomorrow afternoon.

Your choice and any reasons? Brian

go with the burb..hook it to your camper and see how you like it..i had a 2001 with a 7.3 yeares ago and hated it when towing.It really wore you out when towing and you fely every bump,did not matter what tires were on it and the tire pressure made no differance.my 92 suburban rode much better with the weight,,i used my friends gmc yukon xl to tow my snowmobile trailer and liked it even more,the Excursion had more room then the yukon xl 2500 but felt the same as my older suburban..My next tow vehicle will be a later 97-99 suburban with a 6.5..not the fastest but great on fuel..

What is your longest tow?
Have you ever towed with a modern Turbo-Diesel? (GM Duramax or Ford PSD 2000+)

I'm not Ford guy, but I was considering the Excursion because a Diesel was available in it and not in the Suburban after 99.
IIRC the interior changed in 06 and is a little nicer. Before I got that V10 I'd check out some Ford forums for issues. One thing is certain GM was killing Ford in fuel milage at that time and that V10 is a fuel pig. But if it is only driven occasionally maybe you don't care about 2-3mpg difference.

Sold a 1997 F-350 7.3 drw and bought an Excursion, 02 7.3, drove the V-10's and didn't like them at all. Just didn't feel like it had any power at all.

Drive a V-10 before you buy it.

V10s do feel weak, plus drink gas my father in law had one for a few years. I drove it occasionally.

8.1 suburban is a great truck. Crap mileage but low maintenance cost. Never towed with a 7.3 excursion but I do tow with a 7.3 f350 everyday and love it. I wouldn't buy a v8 or v10 ford don't really care for them.

Brian I tow with a Expedition EL 5.4 9300 rating about same mileage but lots of room ,a bit tough pulling up hill.
Rich

Why arent you considering the Diesel Excursion? Such a great package.

They can be had for $10K - buy the conversion kit to vegetable oil and run it for free.

Stick with the Burb. Or if you're open to a pick up, the crew cab Chevy with Duramax is a pulling machine and the back seat is very roomy. I pull my boat and forget it's back there! Excursions have tranny issues and stay away from the 6.0 Powerstroke. That one is plagued with problems. Used to have a Ford Dealership in the family but dumped it due to so many engine failures in the trucks.