SUV for under $4000 - which of these are the best options?

[cardiac]

2004 Chevy Trailblazer, 143,000 miles asking $3300. This one isn't as good of a value in terms of miles but maybe it's in terrific shape relative to that Explorer above, who knows.

First year Trailblazers came out, I would be wary?

First year for Trailblazers was 2002. I have one. Best SUV I have ever had. It can pull a 3-4k lb. trailer without incident. I have 177,000 miles on it and it still get 19 mpg combined. Parts are cheap if anything breaks. Find a decent one you like and just buy it. Don't overthink it for $4k....

 

[desy]

Explorers were never based off the F150's but at first off the very old Ranger platforms and then a different BOF platform from the trucks
I was trying to buy a camper hauler like you but eventually settled on pulling a tent trailer with my Flex, did a spectacular job in the mountains last year