Down to the wire on new used TV

[campingeyedoc]

OK, I have to decide by Friday- make a road trip for 04 Tahoe with 86k and 4.6 V8,or local '03 Trailblazer ext with 5.3LV8 and 73k for $1500 less. Which will make a better TV for family with 3 teens and Coleman Mesa?

[TheViking]

OK, I have to decide by Friday- make a road trip for 04 Tahoe with 86k and 4.6 V8,or local '03 Trailblazer ext with 5.3LV8 and 73k for $1500 less. Which will make a better TV for family with 3 teens and Coleman Mesa?

I think either would be fine.  The Trailblazer has a bigger engine and less miles. Plus it is cheaper.   Check out what the towing capacity is on each.   They will both tow your Mesa fine, but think of the future too.  If one tows more it may benefit you down the road should you decide to get a bigger pop-up or a Hybrid.  I'll bet the TB tows as much if not more than the Tahoe.
 
I will apologize right now to all you Tahoe owners, but as a person who looked into the Tahoe a few years back, I feel they are overpriced for what you get.  Sorry

[offagain]

OK, I have to decide by Friday- make a road trip for 04 Tahoe with 86k and 4.6 V8,or local '03 Trailblazer ext with 5.3LV8 and 73k for $1500 less. Which will make a better TV for family with 3 teens and Coleman Mesa?

Seeing the Tahoe is only 3 years old and already has 86k and I am assuming from a private owner.It sounds like a lot of highway driving.I would think about the Tahoe.

[Duronimal]

Personally, I'd hold off for a Tahoe with the 5.3 - sorry, I know you didn't ask that!
 I vote Tahoe, primarily because the wheelbase and weight make for a stable towing platform.
 A quick peek at the Chevy site(just as a reference, I realize the 4.8/5.3 have been revised since the model years you're looking at), it seems the Tahoe 4.8 and Trailblazer 5.3 would be close in max towing tonnage, with the slight edge going to the 5.3 Trailblazer depending on gear ratios.
 However Chevy does post this note under the Trailblazer trailering info:
"NOTE: Your vehicle may require additional special equipment to tow the maximum trailer weights listed here. The weight-carrying hitch limit for TrailBlazer is a 4,000-lb. trailer with 400-lb. tongue weight. Weight-distributing hitch and sway control required over 4,000-lb. trailer weight."

I would check the gear ratio on the Tahoe, I believe 3.23 and 3.73 are the options for the 4.8 motor. I run 3.73s in my 5.3 Suburban and would definately want them with the 4.8.

-Ron