*Truck and Towing thread........ask your questions here.*

[jbrostek]

Be that was annoying as heck.

I would likely sell my truck on the open market, I know I would get more for it then trying to get a good dealer trade. Then just put the cast towards the new truck. I have not really sat down and tried to make a deal on an ordered dually yet. Really prefer to have the wifes car paid off before I go getting another payment.

 

[jbrostek]

The truck is 12 years old, its got a few memories thanks to others. Though she cleans up quite well. I am not a professional detailer, though do pay enough attention to the profession to do a pretty good job. The truck was overdue for a good polish and wax, the amount of dirt embeded in the paint took a lot of work. But now she is sealed up with a coat of Meguire's hybrid ceramic wax that I been having good luck with on our other vehicles.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

FYI, Just a heads up:

Friends bought a new Hummer EV, planned to tow a RV with it and it "bricked" day one on the driveway.
Dead in the water. A rogue problem.

Dealer service dept was beside themselves trying to get it "unbricked."
Finally they found it was the wiring harness.

Replaced the entire wiring harness's.
That is way more than a days work.

I mention it only because you may come across someone with the same issue, or maybe even you.

 

[bama_ed]

Well I am back in the tow vehicle market tonight.

My 2012 GMC Yukon XL coughed up its transmission today and I am kicking it to the curb. 233k miles is probably more than I could have asked for (bought it used). The vehicle before that was a 2010 Suburban which also croaked its transmission at 250k.

Focusing my search on a used Toyota Sequoia which has a strong V8. Towing my Aliner should be plenty of power for that task. In looking around, I'll be sacrificing 3-4mpg by going from the GM to the Toy but I'm okay with that. The ToyV8 has more horsepower and torque than the engine in the Yukon XL.

Thoughts or opinions? Bama Ed

PS - my mechanic of 36 years says GM transmissions are not getting any better in recent models. Plus, I still want an SUV instead of a pick-up.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Our trailer brakes on our GMC failed again.

GM has an additional bulletin out for certain trailers with certain modules need a electric modification on their 7 point plug connection to prevent rogue power back feeding to the trucks trailer towing module.
Works fantastic, no charge from the trailer mfg.

 

[Teamubr]

Focusing my search on a used Toyota Sequoia V8.

I think you'd like the Sequoia. The Toyotas are a different experience than the tried and true Suburbans, but the Sequoia is a similar vehicle. My brother has only had a Toyota of some sort for over 30 years and generally puts 400,000-500,000 miles on his before he decides it is time to trade.

j

 

[tigger92662]

I have a friend who has and tows with a Sequoia and he loves it. Says it tows very well

 

[bama_ed]

Joe and Jim,

I'm relieved to hear your positive comments.

Friday I went and test drove a 2016 Sequoia with 120k miles (1-driver, no accidents, full service history in CarFax), liked it, and pulled the trigger on it. It will be delivered in the next few days. I'm really excited about it - even though it's not as long (exterior) as the YukonXL, it feels bigger inside (it's as long as a Tahoe/regular Yukon). It is gray with gray leather seats/interior (hey, at least it's not white) and spotless inside. SR5 (lowest trim pkg) but with a Sport add-on to get the leather and a few other extras. No rear video screen. Nice and basic which is my speed (don't want a "luxury" trim model).







Hopefully I get a couple good years out of it.

Thanks for your help. ED

 

[Teamubr]

Good looking vehicle!

j

 

[bama_ed]

I'm surprised the Sequoia V8 has 20% more horsepower than the YukonXL V8. My mechanic told me "your truck won't even know the Aliner is back there".

 

[Sjm9911]

Good luck with it Ed!

 

[team bradfield]

Looks good

 

[bama_ed]

Truck was delivered today.

First order of business is to move the brake controller and get a new Toyota-specific wiring adapter.

Second order of business is to measure the hitch receiver height and calculate the drop required and get a new hitch/ball if needed.

Then at least I'm ready to go camping (in 3.5 weeks).

Third order down the road sometime is to get a front hitch for the bike rack as I had on the YukonXL (which worked great). But we won't be taking the bikes in February.

Bama Ed

PS - I've also read that a front hitch means the skid plate can't be removed each time the oil/filter is changed so people cut about a 6" hole in the skid plate for oil drain/filter access

PPS - Finally I've learned that the Sequoia (SUV) and Tundra (pickup truck) of the same year have many functional similarities so Sequoia questions are often asked and answered on Tundra forums.

 

[tigger92662]

What about a Bama sticker?

 

[jbrostek]

Nice upgrade Ed!! You are right they share a lot of common components. So at least should help keep prices down.

My truck is about to go in for service. Only two issues I need checked out is a possible exhaust leak in the engine bay, an noticed some gear oil on the back of the transfer case. Still not ready to trade up.

 

[mco65]

nice ride.

 

[5stljayhawks]

What's been your TV progression? Any regrets getting new shinny, gas guzzling tv /V8?
Started with '99 explorer w/ '24 hybrid. Lots of white knuckle driving. Then went to 3/4 ton 06 suburban with '24, then upgraded camper to '36. was on mostly flat ground, MO to FL. V8 power was nice and Burb was great people mover. Then moved out west upgraded to '16 F350 w/6.7 diesel. Sold camper, still have F350 75Kmile and '99 explorer 240k miles.

 

[bama_ed]

What's been your TV progression? Any regrets getting new shinny, gas guzzling tv /V8?

Well keep in mind, @5stljayhawks , I only pull popups (a 12' box Jayco Highwall 2003-2013 and a 15' box Aliner Expedition 2013-now both less than 3500#). At first I had a Dodge Caravan with tow pkg but with 3 kids needed more space for stuff. Then a Chevy Suburban 1500 2005 and most recently a GMC Yukon XL 1500 2012. Both of them had the transmission go bad at 225k-250k miles. They were essentially the same vehicle under the skin (General Motors products) although the YXL was the next generation.

The GM trucks were V8s but better mpg and lower axle ratios. The 2016 Sequoia now has a worse mpg but higher axle ratio. Yet when towing the popup (and I have only this experience thus far with the Sequoia), the towing mpg was identical to the YXL. The Toy could accelerate up interstate hills in the same gear that the YXL would have to kick into a higher gear to do. So happy with the power.

Where I lose is on the daily driver side with the Sequoia with lower city/highway mpg. It also has a slightly smaller tank than the YXL. It handles nice and smooth (and is shorter so turns tighter) so we will see. Wouldn't mind getting a beater for around-town daily drives to keep the miles off the truck some.

We shall see. So far so good.

Ed

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

On the list for the intended range Scout gas/EV.
Plan to do a lap around the USA towing a rated trailer.

 

[bama_ed]

An update on my Toyota Sequoia 2016 now that I have had it for about 6 weeks.

First I quickly adjusted to its shorter length and tighter turn radius. I was shocked how much tighter I can get around.

Second I towed the Aliner to the beach for a half marathon a month ago and the Sequoia V8 could maintain speed easily going up long slight hills that used to bleed speed from the GM products I've had.

Third, the Sequoia for that model year is rated at 13/17 mpg. In city driving I'm getting 14 and just took my first longer interstate trip (120 miles) and nursed the highway mpg to 21 mpg. For comparison, my most recent GM (YukonXL 2012) was 15/20 in reality so very similar. The towing mpg was about the same as well.

Fourth, I have to get used to having a smaller gas tank when I fill up. The Sequoia has a 26.4 gallon tank versus the 31.0 gallons the YXL had. Thus when full, my distance-to-empty number is smaller. But it was a cheaper fill too.

So far so good.

Bama Ed

PS - last thing to do is determine if I need a front hitch on this truck like I had in the YXL. The receiver on the back of the Aliner will take my lighter, smaller 2-bike rack I used on the front so I plan to put the rack and bikes on the back of the Aliner and go for a test drive to see if any wiggle/waggle crops up like it had with the YXL.