I was returning home after 4 days with my travel trailer last week, and while going up a moderate grade outside of Reno,it puked it's second plug in two years. I limped into Reno and waited for a flat bed tow to get back to Ca. and figured out where to leave the trailer for a couple days. Now I'm taking the thing into a shop tomorrow for another Helicoil op, and planning to look for something to replace it once fixed, but not sure where to begin looking.
My question is what suggestions does anyone have for a suitable replacement to tow, yet use locally for home depot trips etc, that I can find used, that are well put together and be purchased at a reasonably good price/value?
It is all stock, with 4WD, has tow pkg but has 182K on it, I consider it reasonably reliable, despite the 5.4 being not the most impressive at pulling grades but it always manages. I was told by a reliable Trans shop where I get it serviced that it has "the good trans"in it.
The gas mileage blows, and it has a few little problems (like a pinched wire in driver door harness making windows a pain to operate). It burns a small amount of oil between changes, but I don't use it enuf to know the amount.

BTW, I tow an 18'6" Pioneer trailer that spec's at 4,000 lbs dry, so probably closer to 5K with beer and other necessities...
Would enjoy hearing some opinions, and thank you in advance,

Mitch

 

Sell it and buy a newer model year. Better yet get a Navigator with the 4-valve engine, it has a few extra HPs to it.

 

Nothing wrong with getting that plug repaired and get back on the road. It's not got that many miles and the 4R100 is a good tranny as noted.
If your happy with the vehicle, the cost of repair should not be a major factor.
Sure, it's not the fastest up the hill but with that trailer, it really isn't overloaded with a 8,600 lb towing capacity.