What's a good DD that can Tow - Page 3

john · 07-21-2009

I guess the problem here is that your car is awd. If it wasn't AWD or you were fine dropping the drive shaft you could get a dolley and use a full size car or SUV like you want.

Car trailers are very heavy and that is why we are all recommending a vehicle meant to haul one as you will most likely be towing over 5,000 pounds.

viridionplague · 07-21-2009

im going to have to agree with the rent or borrow, if its so little a year im sure you wouldnt have a ton of problems borrowing your DD car for there DD truck or something along those lines.

i think giving up your car that gets 35+ mpg for a truck that got even 25 mpg, your gonna spend more in gas in a year than you would just renting a truck

niterydr · 07-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by john

Hook a brotha up. I am going to be getting rid of my two trucks and get a nicer one. Where are these deals? Will be a W/T, mileage etc don't matter that much.

No shit, that is a smoking deal.

Brandon-Everything I would have for suggestions has been said. 20+mpg +tow vehicle=missmatched request. Perhaps renting a vehicle a few times a year/borrowing a vehicle is your best bet.

curt_gendron · 07-22-2009

I've done a lot of research over the years on tow vehicles. Its hard to get a small vehicle to decently tow over 5000 lbs. And a DSM on an open car trailer is going to weigh about that. Once you figure in cargo, it will be over 5000 lbs.

A Ford Explorer or a Grand Cherokee with V8s would be good choices. The last generation of both of them were a little smaller in size then the new ones. They both can tow over 5000 lbs. But it might be tough to get 20 mpg out of them.

The 4Runner with the 4.7L V8 would do the trick too. But again 20mpg will be tough. You'll want a midsized SUV with a V8. But you can't get over 20mpg with any of them.

If you get a SUV with a V6, you might get over 20mpg, but I'm sure most, if not all, will not be rated to tow over 5000 lbs. But maybe one of them might do the trick for your few times a year towing needs.

later,
Curt

**Kracka** · 07-22-2009

The GMC Acadia that Rosey mentioned would be a decent choice, as would a V8 Grand Cherokee like I suggested. My mom has a Grand Cherokee and around town it averages about 17 and on the highway about 22 or so. The Jeep has a towing package and it has no problem hauling large loads; I'm sure the Acadia offers something similar. Nick Tufte used to haul his 1G around with his girlfriend's Jeep Liberty and he said even that did a decent job for occasional towing.

rose0529 · 07-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rose0529

what about somthing like the GMC Acadia... rated at 5200lbs towing and 24 mpg

I would still put my vote in for this or the Saturn Outlook (same thing different options). They seat 8, awd, and are rated up to 5200lbs...

curt_gendron · 07-23-2009

This topic is kind of interesting. I think the Acadia/Outlook/Traverse is a good option. They do tow 5200 lbs, and get 23mpg. Only possible downside is they are kind of big. 200 inches long and 78 inches wide. It will feel big.

Next best thing I can think of is a Toyota Highlander. They tow 5000 lbs and get 23mpg. But they are more car like in dimensions at 188 inches long and 75 inches wide. My brother owns one and they feel more like a car.

Another option is a Chevy Trailblazer with a V8. They can tow over 6000 lbs, and are about the size of a Highlander. Fuel economy will only be about 20mpg though.

later,
Curt

Kevin 1G Drummer · 07-23-2009

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think I would want to be pushing the limits of the vehicle's towing capacity every time I decide I'm gonna tow my expensive car some place. I wanna know that the vehicle is gonna have the power to get me where I wanna go and not cause excess stress on the drive train, the suspension to handle the load, and the brakes to stop safely and quickly should something happen.

john · 07-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_1G_Drummer

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think I would want to be pushing the limits of the vehicle's towing capacity every time I decide I'm gonna tow my expensive car some place. I wanna know that the vehicle is gonna have the power to get me where I wanna go and not cause excess stress on the drive train, the suspension to handle the load, and the brakes to stop safely and quickly should something happen.

Would suck to have to get a tow truck to come and tow your tow vehicle which is towing a vehicle....

**Halon** · 07-23-2009

I've decided I will just get a Peterbuilt Semi, as a 3rd vehicle, because they were meant for towing, I have no where to put it but oh well I will buy a second house which gives me more garage space, so I can have somewhere to keep this ideal towing rig that I absolutely need as shown by my hard driven towing schedule, might as well right, go big or go home right? This makes the Peterbuilt the most practical answer for me since I'm going to tow something MAYBE 3 times a year a small distance, but daily drive it every day, and to Fargo twice a month so gas is no big deal. Best idea to just get a rough riding towing rig, there is no compromise, period.

Thanks all

Next topic to discuss: Everyone in Vegas needs North Face extreme winter jackets. It does snow there on occasion, and using a fleece coat those couple times simply doesn't cut it. They weren't made for snow and you will pay the consequences. No you can not get a Colombia where the inner liner comes out which makes it good for 99% of the time, and you can always throw the outter liner on those couple times you need it. Absolutely not, you need North Face's best!!!!

s1ngletracker · 07-23-2009

The problem is, that you don't really want to compromise too much with a towing vehicle. It can either safely tow a lot of weight or can't. There is no such thing about a vehicle that 'can safely tow a lot of weight 3 times a year, but no more'.

I really want to try to tow about 5000lbs with my Cherokee sometime. It is lifted a bit with really heavy duty suspension, so it won't squat. It makes decent torque, the only problem is the brakes aren't very good for towing.

MustGoFaster · 07-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halon

I've decided I will just get a Peterbuilt Semi, as a 3rd vehicle!

Excellent decision! Can I have some of your lottery winnings?

All I will say is that towing with the Pilot was my first experience towing with a "sub par" towing vehicle. And I didn't notice a difference between it and anything else (mostly Chevy 2500 6.5 Diesels) . It was a 2100lb car on a single axle trailer (~3500lbs total with gear) with electric brakes. Honestly, it towed no worse than anything else I have towed with. YES, it's a light car and trailer and that does help the "bad" tow vehicle, but it was 100% fine. Not a single hill it couldn't maintain speed (or accelerate on), not a single instance of sway, not a single instance of "oh shit I can't stop". We even did about 1/3 the trip on two lane roads, including passing cars, trucks and semi's. I used to think you couldn't tow with anything but a REAL truck. I have been proven wrong 1st hand.

I can't say I'd recommend towing 2x the rated tow weight, the Pilot was rated for 5000lbs (I think) and it handled 70% of it without question. Maybe some of the 6000lbs rated GM's whould be your best fit. But you're still taking a big hit on fuel economy while not towing.

Maybe a Crown Vic or a Lincon LS? The forum I linked to earlier has a few people more open to towing with "less suitable vehicles"

Seems like you have started looking well before you want to buy, you should be able to get something figured out. There is an AX guy that tows with an Audi Q7 and an S2000 in an enclosed motor cycle trailer. Get a little creative with the tow setup and you should able to get something that's close to what you want.

A//// Guy · 07-24-2009

Rofl @ brandon! Ahh too funny.

Brakes shouldnt be an issue on the tow rig, as trailers have integrated brakes.

Only thing I would be worried about, with a non "truck" rig, would be the tranny. An external tranny cooler would probably do the trick.

rose0529 · 07-24-2009

I think when you buy an acadia with the towing package it comes with a tranny cooler on it. Not sure about others (pilot) but would assume so.

SnoEclipse · 07-25-2009

you can always add cooling...... Not really a reason to reject any particular vehicle.

**Halon** · 07-27-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustGoFaster

Seems like you have started looking well before you want to buy, you should be able to get something figured out. There is an AX guy that tows with an Audi Q7 and an S2000 in an enclosed motor cycle trailer. Get a little creative with the tow setup and you should able to get something that's close to what you want.

Exactly. I'm trying to start looking at all options right now, well before I get one.

But I think I ran into a new problem that may have me looking a little sooner, I just bought a boat this weekend...

1QUICK4 · 07-27-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halon

But I think I ran into a new problem that may have me looking a little sooner, I just bought a boat this weekend...

1QUICK4 · 07-28-2009

ToterHome with 2 car stacker trailer

/thread

niterydr · 07-28-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halon

Exactly. I'm trying to start looking at all options right now, well before I get one.

But I think I ran into a new problem that may have me looking a little sooner, I just bought a boat this weekend...

Details!

TheBlizzard · 07-28-2009

http://www.mitsustyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23898