What about the second row seats? Earlier Burbs have second row seats that folded flat but in my 2008 they fold up against the front seats and you lose quite a bit of room plus you have a hole behind them. The newer ones seem much more a soccer mom vehicle then a utility vehicle. However so far it still seems to be better then it's competitors.

Padraig

Original owner here of 2002 Excursion 4x4 with 7.3L. 155,000 original miles. Wouldn't trade it for the anything. It might have been overkill for my 22 Crownline back in 02, but fast forward to today, wouldn't want anything less for my 35 Outlaw....Ditto on the other comments relative to keeping a look out for one, give it a test drive and decide from there.

Cold air intake with K&N filter, long tube headers, ECM tune with HP Tuner software. I also added an Eaton True Trac posi as I drive through a lot of snow. I also recommend a higher stall torque converter as the 5.3 doesn't get moving till its above 3000rpm. Also Hawk Performance brake pads. The difference from stock is amazing. It used to die above 80, now it pulls great till over 100.

The ecm tune by itself is pure majic for the early 5.3 . The towing pkg and 410 gearset and awd options round it out well .

Well I talked myself into buying a new Yukon Denali, take delivery next week. With the 6.2, 8 speed transmission, load leveling and over 8,000lb towing capacity, it's hard to choose anything else. Anyone interested in the 22" wheels? I'm going with a 20" and BF Goodrich AT's for better off road traction.

you won't have any problems unloading the 22s. Most people want to upgrade from 20s.

I have a '12 Suburban with Escalade 22s, Escalade roof rack, HID conversion....should have just bought the damn Escalade

While I actually like the Ford. Good call on staying with GM. There's a reason you see 50 of them for every Expedition on the road. They're super easy to sell when it comes time.

I had an 01 Expedition that I absolutely loved but when I bought the 32 Fountain it just wasn't enough truck or engine for it. I was always a Ford guy but looked into the Yukon or Suburban El and read things about transmissions not being as strong. I found a mint 03 Excursion and It tows like a dream. I went with one with the 10cyl. gas,although poorer in mileage, instead of diesel for a couple of reasons. I didn't want the huge diesel oil changes, not as convenient to buy diesel fuel everywhere, extreme cold here in winter for diesel warm ups and the 6.0 and now 6.2 diesels have a horrid reputation. The old 7.3's were monsters but again my issue with diesels aforementioned.
I too have dogs and the rear seats fold flat and the 3rd row is removable. Its like a playhouse for the dogs in there with all the room!