Need recommendations for a Tow vehicle.

[zulu01]

I am helping a recently widowed friend find a vehicle to tow her camper. Camper is about 3500# loaded up. She wants a midsize SUV of some sort. She doesn't want a huge gas guzzling beast.

How much power/torque is enough to get the job done in Colorado? Is a V6 with around 300 ponies enough to comfortably tow in the mountains? I think the tow ratings on some of these vehicles are a bit optimistic.

[Wulf202]

You're looking at the wrong number. Torque is for towing

The issue with most v6 vehicles is the gearing will fry the Trans or the diff.

Unless she knows how to drive a stick while towing get a v8 unless you want an in line 6. You can only manage with a v6 auto at much lower altitude without damage

[newracer]

A new Jeep Wrangler 4 door will pull that.

[Firehaus]

A new Jeep Wrangler 4 door will pull that.

Mine has problems pulling my little trailer up hills at highway speeds, but maybe without heavy after market bumpers and 35" tires it wouldn't have as much of a problem.


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[newracer]

My totally stock '07 pulls my popup (about 3500 lbs) fine.

[zulu01]

What about the Ford Explorer Sport with the 3.5L Ecoboost? 365 HP / 350 lb. - ft. Claimed 5000# towing. I've heard great things about the Ecoboost motors and towing although it has been the truck version which is tuned for much more torque- 470 lb - ft.

[zulu01]

A new Jeep Wrangler 4 door will pull that.

I don't think a Jeep would be her thing. Maybe a Grand Cherokee.

[Martinjmpr]

I'm on a few FB groups and message boards for small trailers and this is probably the most common question I see. Usually it's "I have a Subaru with a 4cyl and I want to pull a 2000 lb trailer."

A variation is "I have to pull this 4000lb trailer but I don't want a big gas guzzler!"

My opinion is this: You pay now, or you pay later. But you pay, one way or another. Choose a mid size or small vehicle because it's "rated" for 5000 lbs? Fine. But don't be surprised if you're spending $3k+ to put in a new transmission after a couple of years. You can buy a LOT of gas for $3k.

When we went from an 1100lb teardrop to a 2000lb T@B, I thought my 2007 V6 4runner would be fine. Well, it was adequate, but just barely. Going up to the Eisenhower tunnel we were crawling along at 15 - 20 mph and the transmission temp soared to 239 degrees. I was eventually able to cool the transmission a bit by shifting it manually.

And even though we were able to get around OK with the V6 4runner, MPG was terrible. I'm talking 11 - 14 while towing, even under normal conditions. Add in high winds or rain and 9 mpg was normal. With a 23 gallon tank that gave me barely 200 miles between fuel stops (this was driving across North Dakota in 2015.)

Now, once we got to the campsite and unhooked, the 4runner was great. Comfortable and decent MPG, and even capable of some mild off-roading. But even driving down a level highway, it always felt like the V6 4runner was at the max of its abilities, and this is with just 2,000lbs. So, at the end of 2015, the 4runner was sold and I replaced it with a 2004 Chevy Suburban with a V8 (5.3.) I'll be the first to admit that the 'Burb is "overkill" in terms of our needs but it's nice having that margin of safety. And here's something interesting - MPG while towing is about the same as the 4runner - 11 to 14. But the Suburban's 31 gallon tank means my fuel range is much farther.

One thing to remember about travel trailers is that it's not just weight you need to consider but wind resistance - you're basically pulling a 7 x 7 ' billboard down the highway and that's going to add to the stress on the tow vehicle.

If it was me, I'd go bigger.

[fitz19d]

Also to consider is vehicles with actual tow package options. Brake controllers and actual tranny cooler.

[Irving]

I would have her consider not having a trailer at all. What's so important about it that she feels she needs to have it?