NA: Vehicle recommendations

Chrisgoesflying said:
The Mercedes G-Class, GLS and even GLE I think can tow 7,700 lbs. That’s just 300 lbs below your minimum requirement. Maybe still okay? That way you wouldn’t have a “Mercedes like” interior but an actual Mercedes interior.
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Too bad the pickup isn't available in the U.S.. And they quit building the ML.
 
bluerooster said:
Too bad the pickup isn't available in the U.S.. And they quit building the ML.
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They didn't really quit building the ML. It was just renamed to GLE but it's basically the same car. In fact, if you take a 2015 ML and and 2016 GLE, you barely notice any difference between the two. They renamed the SUV line up in 2016 to align them with their Sedan classifications e.g. the GLE is the SUV version of the E-Class, the GLA is the SUV version of the A-Class and so forth.
 
ElPaso Pilot said:
The hard core off-roaders don’t like the reduced articulation either.
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I think the real reason for independent rear on an SUV is cost savings, but maybe not. My Xterra has a solid rear axle, just like all the other SUV's I've had, and I like it. Yeah, the rear will bounce out a bit if you're taking a turn fast and hit bumps, and it wiggles a bit going over things like speed bumps, but it's a truck, not a sports car or a mini-van. If you want a mini van, get a dodge caravan and be done with it.

Besides, if you don't have a rear axle, it's kinda tough to have a locking rear axle, and those are pretty cool.
 
I’ve shared before; I’ve got a 17 F150 King Ranch 5.0 4WD. Interiors in the KR and up trims are excellent. I tow in the 8K range as a max, despite my trucks 11K rating simply because even with electric brakes, you can get into a lot of trouble quick with a trailer that’s nearly twice the weight of the tow vehicle.

I’ve done near max towing with my truck and as capable as it is, living on the edge ain’t that fun anymore. When I replace this truck, it’ll be a 3/4-ton gasser unless we decide to get a 5th wheel RV at which point I’ll likely be looking for an FL Sport Chassis.
 
Chrisgoesflying said:
They didn't really quit building the ML. It was just renamed to GLE but it's basically the same car. In fact, if you take a 2015 ML and and 2016 GLE, you barely notice any difference between the two. They renamed the SUV line up in 2016 to align them with their Sedan classifications e.g. the GLE is the SUV version of the E-Class, the GLA is the SUV version of the A-Class and so forth.
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I've parked next to some GLs, and my ML makes them look tiny. Even the E, and S.
 
mandm said:
Any EV trucks with self driving capability recommended? Typically on long haul routes, I’d plan on 8 hours driving per day.
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Oh h#ll no. Towing that load will limit you to less than 200 miles per charge. You'll miss your grandkids birthdays while trying to get to the west coast.
 
SoonerAviator said:
Lol I was mainly poking at being able to have the largest SUV, with a solid rear axle, and a Powerstroke. It does a lot of things, but 38 mpg isn't one of them unless it's at idle and coasting down a mountain.
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A true American behemoth, for sure. A shame they went away along with the 3/4 ton Suburbans.
The last option left is a 3/4 ton Savannah/Express or Transit to haul a crew and tow.
 
bluerooster said:
I've parked next to some GLs, and my ML makes them look tiny. Even the E, and S.
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I highly doubt that. Your ML, if it's the last generation ML they built, from 2011 onwards, is the EXACT SAME car as the GLE built from 2016 until 2019. Internally, they even have the same name (W166), it's just externally for marketing purposes, they changed the name from ML to GLE in 2016, for the reasons I mentioned in my post earlier. I know a thing or two about Mercedes. I grew up around this brand through family ties ;-)
 
Mabe they shrank the W166. Mine's a 163. Actually just did a comparison. The 166 is a bit longer and wider, while the 163 is taller. Mabe the height is what visually makes it appear to be larger?
 
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