View Full Version : What's a good DD that can Tow
Halon
07-20-2009, 09:27 PM
I do remember having a Mercury Mountaineer as a rental a couple years back, and that thing was real nice I thought. I also remember that it got some shitty gas milage though ;(
Speedfreak
07-20-2009, 09:39 PM
I would look at Toyota 4Runners, it's probably the perfect mix for the exact criteria you are looking for.
Otherwise a Pilot/MDX or Pathfinder/QX4 may suit your needs as well.
Brandon, I love my 08 Frontier. 260hp 4.0 V6 with a tow rating of 6500lbs. I have the crew cab w/short box and utilitrack system. Lots of interior room, comfortable on longers trips (down to IA and such) and it gets good gas mileage for me as well, 20-23 for me on the hwy. They also hold their value quite well. I was thinking about trading it in for another car this summer for easier baby hauling, but just couldn't pull the trigger. They would of sold my truck used for 1k more than I paid for it new.
I think 06-08 can be had for a fairly good price if you looked around (not sure what is too high or not).
A//// Guy
07-20-2009, 09:46 PM
Yea I was going to by a newer xterra or pathfinder last summer, decent mileage. If you want something a little nicer, id go MDX for sure.
TheBlizzard
07-20-2009, 10:06 PM
Brandon when I bought my Tahoe I didn't want one at all, I was looking at the smaller crossover type vehicles, Trailblazers, Explorers, ect. I know you said a Tahoe isn't what you are looking for because of the shitty gas mileage, but I found that they get as good if not better than a Trailblazer, Explorer, most AWD minivans, ect. Mine has the 5.3l V8 300hp300trq, and it still gets 20+mpg on the hwy, and 16avg in town.
Even if you are only towing a few times if you go the small V6 route you are going to kill the tranny in no time pulling a car. Now if you were to put a tranny cooler on a smaller vehicle and then take it easy you should be fine.
Usually tow vehicle even if it's only a few times a year and daily driver don't go hand in hand, andif you want something that is an all around vehicle you are going to have to sacrifice something, and usually that is gas mileage.
I would say an Envoy would be good for you, but they suck gas just as much as a Tahoe/Yukon.
Gravy
07-20-2009, 10:31 PM
4 runner would be a good choice, i have used an 02 Ford Escape for towing in the past, only class 2 hiches from the dealership, but can get class 3/4 aftermarket for the vehicle. I've nailed 29mpg going up north unloaded and around 20-25 normal city driving. They are a newer Ford product though, issues with transmissions but they come with 4wd are FWD normally, and very roomy and comfortable and easy to drive/park. Something i guess is a big deal to a bunch of people, but removing your upper intake manifold is needed to replace your spark plugs. Beyond that it's not that hard of a vehicle to maintain.
3.0 v6 and can find them for a good price. S-10 pickups i've had in the past never towed as well as the escape has odly enough, but the trucks offroad better.:bullrider:
Halon
07-20-2009, 10:37 PM
Again this isn't going to happen for probably a year or so. But for now I'm trying to look at spending less than $15k.
carltalon
07-20-2009, 10:37 PM
I love our tahoe payed less len 10k for it. And I wouldn't even think about pulling a car with anything smaller. one thing alot of people over look when sugesting smaller SUV's and crossover is the weight of the tow vehicles. You want something on the hevvy side so the trailor wont push you around if its starts swaying or if you have to swerve quickly.
If you do go with something smaller then a 1/2 ton rated SUV your deffinitly going to want some air bags for the back so it doesnt squat like crazzy.
MustGoFaster
07-20-2009, 10:38 PM
Most car trailers are 1700-2300lbs, they aren't light. Even the light ones are 900+lbs.
http://www.allprowest.com/3Open_CarHaulers.html Look at the 3rd row down. 6.6 feet x 14 feet AL frame open deck trailer, 910lbs. "Lightest Car Trailer on the Market," according to them. That's about as light as it's going to get, unless you use a dolly (250-400lbs?) and disconnect the drive shaft from the rear diff. Plan on 4000-4700lbs+ any extra stuff you want to bring.
And some extra mods like air bags will be a must, the Pilot we used had them added I'm pretty sure. Also a trans cooler.
I used to be very anti towing with a "poor" towing vehicle. I was very skeptical of the Pilot, it did way better than I was expecting. But definitely take vehicle weight into consideration.
Goat Blower
07-20-2009, 10:56 PM
I've towed with everything out there, and for the money, you're probably best off with a Tahoe. The MDX, Pilot, Pathfinder and most of those midsize SUV's will struggle to pull a car on a trailer. Like someone else said, a DSM and flatbed are right around 5000 lbs. I've pulled my car many times with a 4.0 Grand Cherokee, but if you get any wind or a steep hill, you're screwed. At least their trannies are pretty strong, I know the MDX one isn't. And there's really only a few SUV's that get anywhere near 20mpg anyway, you can't have your cake and eat it too, unless you're willing to buy something pretty new.
BTW, Kiggly's 4Runner was a V8 model.
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