Was going to get a 1500 chevy but leaning more towards a trailblazer or some other crossover suv type so the family can use it, only needs to haul lighter import cars on a dolly and small trailer for engines and other items that won't fit in the vehicle.

Anyone have experience using one for this type of duty?

 

A 1500 might be okay for small import cars, but my opinion is a Trailblazer would not. For a family type vehicle get a Suburban.

Also my opinion is if you're going to haul anything get the biggest truck you can afford. You can't go wrong with more brakes than you need or more heft. A pickup/burban will be easier to drive when towing and won't struggle.

 

Most trail blazers have the 4.2 motor it's okay but not for heavy towing you can find them with the 5.3 but still I think that they are heavy SUV and under powered my self.

Most newer 1500 trucks have higher towing max these days so depending on what your budget is you could do fine with a taho it's a few feet shorter than the suburban.

My opinion

 

I just went thru the same thing. Needed something for family and towing. Went with the 2011 F150 with the 5.0 litre 4 door. 6 speed tranny, good on fuel and has the weight, power and stability to tow safely. IMO, any newer PU is the way to go.....

 

I'd get a Vista Cruiser wagon. I agree a Trailblazer is a waste of good sheet metal as far as towing. You need something with a V8 and a strong transmission/rear end.

 

If you are looking for a suv, look at a VW touareg. Awesome on fuel with the diesel and power. Can legally pull 7700 lbs

 

I had a TrailBlazer with the 4.2 I-6 and it was a good truck overall. I hauled a 85 Fiero on a very lightweight ( man made I might add ) trailer down to Indy and back. It did ok. I had 3:42 gears in it, so up any sort of grade it chugged, downshifted, etc, but I got about 13/14 MPGs towing, so it wasn't too bad. I had a buddy with a 98 Z71 make the same trip hauling his mustang and got 10 mpg. My personal opinion is; it's a great truck. If you were going to go with the TrailBlazer, I would go with the 5.3 V8 in a heartbeat. I drove them both and I got the same fuel mileage average as my 4.2. They are a little harder to find, but well worth it. I know a good friend of a family member who has a 03 Envoy with the 5.3 and I kid you not, last I knew it had 586,000 miles. Just had its tranny replaced. So it's proved itself very well.

 

The guys that said no to a trail blazer, can you tell me the difference between a trail blazer chassis and a 1500?

Dont forget he said family use.

Id say ditto on the v8 trail blazer.

I have the Oldsmobile Version so i am limited on towing. Light car with light trailer , yup no problem. And it seats 4 with heated seats and moon roof. I have a 26 foot inclosed trailer, no problem to haul it empty or with something other than a car inside.

I even use it for plowing !!!

image_zps0173052e.jpg

 

The Man Van was great for that
Brand C 1/2 ton
HD brakes
Towing pkg including trailer brakes
comfy inside conversion van with bed in the back
lots of storage [even now that it's dead]

Wonderful until the diff got too noisy
then it got parked
then the fuel pump died from sitting
I am NOT putting 100's into a fuel tank/ pump/ sending unit plus a differential.

 

I never said NO To the trail blazer just gave you my opinion

Now comparing the trail blazer witch I don't think they even built tell 2000 to a 98 chev 350 is apple to oranges the Tahoe has the 5.3 and towed my 96 chev 300 miles on a flat bed trailer avg gas milage it got was 14


Edit Tahoe used was a 2002

 

2006

Trail blazer 4.2. 5550
Trail blazer 5.3. 6200
1500 SS 6200
1500 4x4 6900
1500hd. 8600
Tahoe 6500

Like I said for the size I feel its heavy for a SUV Just My Opinion

 

They say the Trailblazer will tow up to around 6800#'s. I tell you from selling those turds it will not like it and it will break. Get something that was meant for towing.

 

X100 from the guy repairing them

Ball joints and links noise
And those dang exhaust manifolds that crack

 

Go with a 4-door pickup 6.5" bed and a V8. Still a family vehicle. But has the power and weight rating to tow a car trailer with a full size car. Don't forget trailer breaks either surge or controller operated

 

I was under the impression a trailblazer was a fwd unibody. I'm guessing I'm wrong?

My old man tows once in a while with a 95 2 door tahoe with 350 Chevy. Does well. Any full size frame SUV or truck will do well. Toyota Sequoia is an awesome beast that will tow well, if you want about the last big truck SUV standing.

 

My 05 Avalanche is almost a truck an almost an SUV. It does very well towing. It is a 1500 2wd with tow package. No complaints.