I'd love it if GM made the Tahoe/Yukon with a diesel motor.
Besides the Euros (Q7/Touareg/X5/ML) are there any other mid sized SUV's that have diesel motors?
I know about the '07-'08 Cherokee's having the 3 liter diesel, but I don't think that truck will pull an enclosed trailer/race car very well...
Grand Cheorkee or you step up to a 3/4 ton pickup if you really want a diesel. Or you could get a (used) full sized ford van with a power stroke. What's wrong with a Tahoe with the 5.3? I got 20 mpg on the rental I had which is way better than any of the HD diesels.
Only other one I know of is the Jeep Liberty unicorn-mobile. But that is sounding entirely too lightweight for you.
You can also get an Excursion with a Powerstroke, but cheap they aren't.
Cause a Tahoe with the 5.3 is really going to be taxed pulling an enclosed trailer/race car. It'll do an open trailer/race car ok.
I just don't want the tail wagging the dog...
mid 90's Tahoes/Hugekons had 'em.. good luck finding one.
You weren't kidding on the price of the Excursion diesels! Most are $15k or more for a 12 year old truck. Wow...
BoxheadTim wrote: You can also get an Excursion with a Powerstroke, but cheap they aren't.
Aint exactly mid-sized either... 
The problem with those is that the later models with the 6.0 are supposed to be a worse buy and there really isn't much of an alternative to them unless you manage to find a 'burban Turbodiesel. Those are cheaper but try finding one. I still am after a really nice one got away because the owner decided to keep it (smart owner - it needed a little maintenance but it was in rather nice nick).
alfadriver wrote:BoxheadTim wrote: You can also get an Excursion with a Powerstroke, but cheap they aren't.Aint exactly mid-sized either...
Minor detail, that 
docwyte wrote: You weren't kidding on the price of the Excursion diesels! Most are $15k or more for a 12 year old truck. Wow...
There's a company that charges a fortune to convert any new 250/350 into an Excursion as well. $$$$
You are basically screwed unless you go Excursion.
Is there a reason you need an SUV? At the price you are looking at for an Excursion, you can get a dmax quad cab or cummins quad cab of the 2003 era for much cheaper.
Chrysler announced that they'll be offering CRD in the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/06/chrysler-hiring-1-100-new-workers-to-build-diesel-jeep-grand-che/
^oooooh, thanks for posting. 
docwyte wrote: Cause a Tahoe with the 5.3 is really going to be taxed pulling an enclosed trailer/race car. It'll do an open trailer/race car ok. I just don't want the tail wagging the dog...
Huh? The engine isn't going to make that much difference in that regard, if any.
Buy a four door diesel truck with a cap on it. If the length bugs you, get one with a short bed. Those are easy to find. Not always cheap, but big-3 all made their own versions, so there's plenty of choices.
Hmm, a Tahoe is a "mid-sixed" SUV?
If this were Europe, you could get all the Range Rover models with diesel, all the "cute utes" with diesel, and all the Jeep models with diesel...even the Wrangler is available overseas with a turbo diesel.
Yes, but surprisingly enough, SOME people like to tow legally. A 04-ish Diesel Cherokee is not rated high enough to tow an enclosed trailer (MINIMUM 4000 pounds) with a full size car (minimum 3000 pounds). Assuming a race car, add at least another 1000 pounds for tools and tires, plus add the driver plus crew.
There are no diesel SUV's (besides the excursion) which legally can tow over 8000 pounds.
I love it when people say "oh, well, I towed 12,000 pounds with my pickup", and I don't doubt you did, but if the highway patrol ever pulled you over, holy crap in Canada you might as well be smuggling drugs cause you will be in DEEP E36 M3!
lots of them
in Europe.
SOME people like to tow legally.
AFAIK, everything i do (towing wise) is legal here. So your statement is functionally identical to "SOME people live in different places" and im sure was never intended to portray a right/wrong judgment. 
Go the military route and get a CUCV Blazer. Not sure what theyre rated to tow though.
3/4 ton Avalanche?
HiTempguy wrote: There are no diesel SUV's (besides the excursion) which legally can tow over 8000 pounds. I love it when people say "oh, well, I towed 12,000 pounds with my pickup", and I don't doubt you did, but if the highway patrol ever pulled you over, holy crap in Canada you might as well be smuggling drugs cause you will be in DEEP E36 M3!
My truck is rated for 12,000 lbs, but it is a C3500 Dually. That is the max trailer weight it is rated for though, ideally if you have a 12,000 lb trailer (or more) stepping up to a bigger truck would be the way to go.
Always a good idea to have a tow vehicle capable of pulling your trailer legally, just to keep you out of trouble both actually and legally.
You probably shouldn't be towing an enclosed car trailer with anything shorter than a suburban or tahoe. It's not just the engine power, wheelbase is important too or the trailer can manhandle you... If you're determined to tow with something like a grand cherokee, stick open. If you're determined to get an enclosed, get a tahoe/suburban/full size pickup/diesel van...
Unless of course you have the coin to buy an aerovault...
In the 90s you could get a 6.5 diesel in a 2 door Yukon/Tahoe (full size Jimmy) and you could get a 6.5 diesel in a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton suburban. In the early 00s, you could get a diesel in an Excursion, which is basically an F250. The 99-early2003 models came with the wonderful 7.3 Powerstroke and command top dollar today. I wouldn't touch a 6.0 Powerstroke if you plan on DIY, a lot of the service requires removal of the cab and that is a major undertaking on an Excursion.
I went through a similar situation 6 months ago after I sold my extended cab/long box Cummins powered Ram. I wanted something with more people room and lockable storage and didn't really use the truck part of my truck too often. I wanted something that returned decent economy, had good power, and was heavy duty, AKA full size 1/2 ton or better. I looked at a few nice mid 00's Z71 Suburbans and optioned out Yukon XLs, a few Denalis, and a few Escalades. I really wanted a Denali because they looked the best (in my opinion) and the 6.0 really makes them move. The 5.3 is pretty underpowered in a vehicle the size and weight of a Suburban or Yukon XL. If I could have gotten a 6.0 in a non-Denali or a Denali without AWD and with standard 4x4, that would have been an easy call but such beasts do not exist.
I ended up with a 2002 F250 crew cab/short box with the 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel. Its wonderful. Enough room for 5 people comfortably, 6 in a pinch. A decent size bed for dirty items, tons of power, and still no bigger than my extended cab/long box Ram. Plus it has that sweet diesel rattle and returns 16 mpg in mixed driving.
Roadmaster wagon + Duramax swap?
I wouldn't be surprised if towing with a 6.0 liter LS type SUV or pickup is better than any of the pre-Duramax diesels from GM. Cummins in a Dodge would probably be my #1 truck choice.
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