It's Time !!!!

[kenmyfam]

Mrs Ken and I are heading out today to look for a new tow vehicle. The Jimmy is getting "tired" and will need a lot of money putting into it over the next few months by the look of things. It has 325,000 km on it (200,000 miles) ish !!
Had a good look around it last night.
Needs or will need ball joints, exhaust, drivers window works when it feels like, rear wiper quit working, air conditioning quit last year, brake lines are getting extremely corroded, getting a bit of clunking from the front end in 4 wheel drive now as well, rad started leaking a couple of days ago. Don't fancy towing to cottage and back a few times this year with my fingers crossed !!
I think it's time has come !!!
Going to see what is decent and available that is a few years old. We would take another Jimmy if we can find one at the right price in the right condition. The last year for them was 2005.
Considering Envoy, Trailblazer or similar.
Will post later hopefully with news !!!

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Have you considered a used Acadia/Traverse/Enclave?

Good luck with your tow vehicle search.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Have you considered a used Acadia/Traverse/Enclave?

Good luck with your tow vehicle search.

We are considering anything and everything right now. requirements are, must have 4WD as Mrs Ken really likes having that in winter (so I get the Grand Prix to drive in the snow ) and have the ability to pull an 18 to 20ft house trailer when we eventually get around to getting one.
I am not one for "all the bells and whistles" though. Air, tilt and cruise are my requirements. Everything else is optional.
Just waiting for Mrs Ken to get ready and we are off to search.

 

[JB]

Re: It's Time !!!!

20' travel trailer, huh?

I think you are in the Expedition/Suburban/Yukon/FS pickup class with that requirement, Ken.

Good hunting.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: It's Time !!!!

20' travel trailer, huh?

I think you are in the Expedition/Suburban/Yukon/FS pickup class with that requirement, Ken.

Good hunting.

I hear you JB !!!
I am talking Mrs Ken down to a smaller ultra light with a lot less length (she started around the 30ft mark) There will only be the 2 of us and when in use it will be basically a sleeping quarters with a bathroom.
We will be discussing that as well while we are out as we will be passing a few trailer dealerships on route and I am certain she will want to "stop for a look".

 

[180shabah]

Re: It's Time !!!!

I think you are in the Expedition/Suburban/Yukon/FS pickup class with that requirement, Ken.

20' is not a lot of trailer and will not require a freight train to pull it safely.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: It's Time !!!!

20' is not a lot of trailer and will not require a freight train to pull it safely.

Great excuse for going smaller though !!! (better make sure Mrs Ken does not see this one)

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Well we got one.
2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4WD in dark red metallic with 52,000 km (30,000 miles) on the clock.
I will have it's history print out on Monday and as long as there are no issues with that we will pick it up Wednesday evening.
Mrs Ken has fallen in love with it so I have a feeling that I may be demoted to the Grand Prix unless we are pulling the boat !!!

 

[180shabah]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Congrats! Gotta keep Mrs. Ken happy

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Congrats Ken... great tow rig.... now you just have to hope Mrs. Ken will let you drive it

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Congrats Ken... great tow rig.... now you just have to hope Mrs. Ken will let you drive it

Mrs Ken hates towing so I know I will be driving it when we have the boat with us !!!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Well, checked out it's history and service / warranty records and all is well. Pick it up Wednesday evening. Will post a photo or 2 when we get it home.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Sounds like a great vehice. Almost bought a Rainier a couple months ago but the dealer sold it out from under me. Ended up with an '05 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 V8. LOVE IT!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: It's Time !!!! Update (Here are some photos)

Re: It's Time !!!! Update (Here are some photos)

Well just got home an hour ago with the new boat hauler. Drives really nice and a heck of a lot quieter than the old Jimmy. Going to hang the boat on the back at the weekend and see how it pulls.
Mrs Ken has christened it "Ted" the Trailblazer !!
Here are a few photos I just took.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Just towed with it for the first time. It is like a breath of fresh air !!!
Smooth, quiet, comfortable, plenty of power, no spare wheel to deal with covering the back window when backing the trailer only down the ramp and can't see it !!!
Very impressed so far.

 

[Lrider]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Sweet car

Congratulations

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: It's Time !!!!

20' is not a lot of trailer and will not require a freight train to pull it safely.

I agree. I pull a 21' hybrid travel trailer with a Tundra but have seen people do it with minivans. Not to my taste, but as long as you don't take anybody else out with you I really don't care. Ultalight TT might be just the ticket for you.

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but have you considered a Ford? I would have bought a Ford PU except Toyota had 0% going and Ford didn't. No brainer that one.

My BIL was a dyed-in-the-wool GM man and finally quit buying GM products based on what he saw with his business. He sold autoparts to dealers and auto shops. Selling more GM parts than anything else made him wealthy!

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Great choice. We pull with an '06 TrailBlazer with the inline 6 motor. Lots of torque with that rig.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: It's Time !!!!

Great looking new SUV, hard to go wrong with a straight six.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: It's Time !!!!

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but have you considered a Ford? I would have bought a Ford PU except Toyota had 0% going and Ford didn't. No brainer that one.

Had a couple of Fords that gave me the "exploding transmission" thing well before they should have. Couple of people I know have experienced the same thing with their Explorers. Not saying they are all bad and not trying to start a "which one is best" debate but that was enough for me. Until that time I had been a Ford driver for the previous 25 years.