Towing smaller trailers - your vehicle choice?

[ExtraSlow]

So me and nzwasp have been having this discussion. Half ton pickups are awesome, but sometimes your lifestyle means you want a smaller vehicle for the 50 weeks a year you aren't pulling a trailer.
Mid-sized trucks like the Colorado, Ranger, Gladiator all have excellent capacity. The Tacoma is a really old platform, but capable. The Ridgeline is basically a minivan, which is good and bad. Expedition is very capable, but expensive, and nearly too large. The Explorer is good.

Anyway, what do y'all think? Must be comfortable pulling a 5000 lb travel trailer and be smaller than an F150. Bonus points if it's a reasonably modern vehicle.

[killramos]

Tahoe?

Tahoe RST would be a fun truck imo. And almost 30 inches shorter than my Sierra if the internet is correct (doesn’t sound right to me, but even 12 inches shorter would be great, 204 inches Tahoe 232 inches Sierra crew cab short box).

8,000lb towing capacity all day long.

[ExtraSlow]

It's been a long time since I drove a Tahoe/suburban/yukon, but I liked them back when I did. The short wheelbase versions are probably very good for this type of duty.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

5.7L Grand Cherokee is rated to 7,200lbs and is reasonably-sized. Whether it will do that comfortably I don't know, but it might be worth testing.

[killramos]

I have been making quite good use of my bed on my Sierra. But if I didn’t I would replace with a Tahoe in a heartbeat.

[ExtraSlow]

Hemi grand Cherokee is a pretty nice choice.

I mean the "short" Expedition with tow pack is rated to 9200lbs, and would be amazing too. I have fond memories of back when I owned my '99 Expedition.

[AndyL]

Q7 is rated to 7700lbs, Q5 is 4400lbs...

I don't think I'd want to be near max with either of those in Alberta... Wheelbase plays a big part in stability, think I posted pics of that Q towing a 24-26' foot RV I had to flip back onto wheels once upon a time - that didn't even make it from dealer to Calgary before he learned his lesson.

Friend used to run a 2dr diesel Tahoe, scared the begeezus out of me watching his trailer wag him down the highway at times...

[killramos]

I feel like Tahoe’s have come a long way since then. It’s within spitting distance of the tow rating of my Sierra.

Plenty for 5000lb, a small trailer or a boat.

Overall I feel like you can’t beat a domestic for tow duties.

[spikerS]

Overall I feel like you can’t beat a domestic for tow duties.

QFT

The domestic brand trucks have the whole "truck" package mastered. They just do it all really well, especially versus the import brands. The import trucks are nice, but are just out of their league when comparing them to a domestic. I mean, I don't even think any import brands have a 3/4 or 1 ton offering for the consumer market either...

[killramos]

QFT

The domestic brand trucks have the whole "truck" package mastered. They just do it all really well, especially versus the import brands. The import trucks are nice, but are just out of their league when comparing them to a domestic. I mean, I don't even think any import brands have a 3/4 or 1 ton offering for the consumer market either...

The competition is also so fierce between the big three, the amount of $'s that goes into incremental improvements here and there between the three of them i have no idea how its profitable to compete.

Now that domestic trucks are also ridiculously nice inside ( at least imho ), i don't see how its even a conversation. We might bicker amongst ourselves on which flavor is better, but they are all ridiculously solid if you want to do real work.

[Clever]

5.7L Grand Cherokee is rated to 7,200lbs and is reasonably-sized. Whether it will do that comfortably I don't know, but it might be worth testing.


Late last year I was looking into this myself. I ended up test driving an Overland which they say can pull up to 7,200 while the 3.6 V6 Was rated at just over 6,000. Not sure if anything changed with the 2020 models, but I’ll probably go this route down the road.

[SkiBum5.0]

Late last year I was looking into this myself. I ended up test driving an Overland which they say can pull up to 7,200 while the 3.6 V6 Was rated at just over 6,000. Not sure if anything changed with the 2020 models, but I’ll probably go this route down the road.

My brother tows a 22ft Mini Off-road trailer with a 5.7 G Cherokee, and he said the hemi is a big step up in ease of towing vs the V6 (which they used before).

[danno]

I went from ram 1500 to navigator, I don’t tow anything but needed the 7 seats. But as mentioned it can tow 9000lbs, get a 2015 and up to get the eco boost.

[Kloubek]

I tow my 3600lb trailer with ease in my 5.7 WK GC. I believe the towing capacity is a pretty solid 7500. Not that I would attempt anything remotely near that due to the relative light weight of the vehicle.

Worst part is the truly atrocious mileage - especially against the wind. I saw close to 40l/100k at times... though average is about 30l/100k. (Still bad)

[nzwasp]

Trying to convince my wife that our next vehicle should be a truck. I guess she doesn’t want to replace for another 2 years so we will see what’s avaliable then. If it has to be a suv I would want something much bigger like sequoia size. I was interested that the Honda Pilot which I think it bigger than our suv (the boxy one) can only tow 3300 lbs. I guess that’s the 2wd size. The awd can 5000 lbs

[ShermanEF9]

Highlander is a decent option.

[dirtsniffer]

tow 5000 lbs and not a half ton does not compute. Would likely be over gvwr in any sort of family situation. Shit even some half tons couldn't make this work, my friends limited RAM has like 1300 lbs of payload.

Maybe Tahoe / yukon or expedition, but those are half ton based and no smaller so I think kinda miss the point? But if they are in the running they are a good choice.
Mid size trucks could work depending on how you package them.
Grand Cherokee may work but a lot of them have 1100 lbs max payload. Going to be tough taking the family and a 5000 lb trailer anywhere.

[2020]

Toyota Highlander is a great tow suv. Very stout transmission

[Brent.ff]

Got 21 l/100 k on my taco pulling a 19’ hybrid this weekend so was happy with it. Only issue is the stupid 75L tank size being a limiting factor...

[nzwasp]

Toyota Highlander is a great tow suv. Very stout transmission

This is what I currently tow with and to be fair my trailer is only 2900lbs dry and we are only loading with approximately 400lbs if we take our bikes. My dislikes currently is that the WD hitch has a low point because it accompanies different hitch heights and when the WD bars are off it is only 1” off the ground. That only happens however when we are in the campground backing in or trying to get off our driveway. When the WD bars are on we have about 6”-7” of clearance With the road (I might have to measure this)

92483
Photo of the hitch

Towing from Calgary to Bow Valley we averaged 17.5L

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Grand Cherokee may work but a lot of them have 1100 lbs max payload. Going to be tough taking the family and a 5000 lb trailer anywhere.

1260 payload (5.7) and (assumed) 500lb tongue weight leaves 760lb payload, which seems pretty adequate. You're pulling a trailer, put your heavy shit in there.



This is what I currently tow with and to be fair my trailer is only 2900lbs dry and we are only loading with approximately 400lbs if we take our bikes. My dislikes currently is that the WD hitch has a low point because it accompanies different hitch heights and when the WD bars are off it is only 1” off the ground. That only happens however when we are in the campground backing in or trying to get off our driveway. When the WD bars are on we have about 6”-7” of clearance With the road (I might have to measure this)


Can you undo the two bolts and flip the hitch over? That might increase the clearance an inch or two.

[ExtraSlow]

Every vehicle towing near its rated capacity will run into payload issues. It's true with SUV's, half tons, 3/4 tons etc. People buy bigger heavier vehicles and still end up overloaded.

[nzwasp]

1260 payload (5.7) and (assumed) 500lb tongue weight leaves 760lb payload, which seems pretty adequate. You're pulling a trailer, put your heavy shit in there.




Can you undo the two bolts and flip the hitch over? That might increase the clearance an inch or two.

I read up on this Reese hitch and it seems like a lot of people do that to get the extra ground clearance I think I will do that when I get back to Calgary. Might need ExtraSlow to give me a hand :angel:

[ExtraSlow]

If ground clearance if your biggest problem, yeah, a new hitch is an easy fix. You may not even need my help.

[FraserB]

I read up on this Reese hitch and it seems like a lot of people do that to get the extra ground clearance I think I will do that when I get back to Calgary. Might need ExtraSlow to give me a hand :angel:

I have the same hitch, or at least the same style, and flipping it is fairly straightforward. Just need a few breaker bars to put enough torque on the bolts

[zieg]

This was basically my thinking when I bought my xterra. Smallest suv that had a 5k lb tow rating. The pathfinder was slightly larger but had a higher rating, especially with the v8. Newer pathfinders have a decent rating but are not supposed to be used with a WD hitch.

If i was going to buy new and still had my 3k lb trailer, I'd probably go Blazer.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Toyota Highlander is a great tow suv. Very stout transmission

Lexus RX350 to class it up a notch.
I'd consider adding a bigger tranny cooler and giving the brake fluid a quick flush before the once a year it'll actually get used for this.

[ExtraSlow]

In the case of wanting a vehicle rated to tow "a 5000 lb trailer" I guess in my mind I'm thinking of something rated to tow OVER 5000 lbs, so you wouldn't be close to going over your specs if you did end up with something that was a full 5000 lbs. NZwasp already had a highlander, and it hasn't been a great experience for him, even with his lighter trailer. I think (and correct me if I'm wrong buddy), power has been fine, but braking isn't super, and it's not a relaxing driving experience.

[ThePenIsMightier]

In the case of wanting a vehicle rated to tow "a 5000 lb trailer" I guess in my mind I'm thinking of something rated to tow OVER 5000 lbs, so you wouldn't be close to going over your specs if you did end up with something that was a full 5000 lbs. NZwasp already had a highlander, and it hasn't been a great experience for him, even with his lighter trailer. I think (and correct me if I'm wrong buddy), power has been fine, but braking isn't super, and it's not a relaxing driving experience.

You're right, it won't be a relaxing driving experience...
Except for the 50 weeks of the year that you aren't pulling a trailer.

[benyl]

Is the wife going to drive this new vehicle? If so, you better rent one of that size for a week or two and have her drive it the entire time. It's worth the $500 in rental costs (get the insurance) to see if she can really drive it. Can she back into a parking spot in one go?

My wife hated the F150. She drove the Expedition Max maybe 3 times in the year and a bit we had it. She really didn't like the bigger vehicle. And yes, she can back into a spot in one go. It was a preference.

[ExtraSlow]

You're right, it won't be a relaxing driving experience...
Except for the 50 weeks of the year that you aren't pulling a trailer.
Is the wife going to drive this new vehicle? If so, you better rent one of that size for a week or two and have her drive it the entire time. It's worth the $500 in rental costs (get the insurance) to see if she can really drive it. Can she back into a parking spot in one go?

My wife hated the F150. She drove the Expedition Max maybe 3 times in the year and a bit we had it. She really didn't like the bigger vehicle. And yes, she can back into a spot in one go. It was a preference.
Good points on vehicle size. Bigger ins't always better.

[94boosted]

If it were me it'd be a Grand Cherokee for sure. A good buddy of mine has a V6 and tows his ~4000lb 20' trailer quite happily. Neighbor of mine has a Durango w/ the 5.7 (which I'm assuming is basically the same as a GC) and tows his 5100lb 25' trailer without complaints (though I don't see how he's not over his rear GAWR).

[spike98]

I have some experience with a couple of the vehicles mentioned so ill add my $0.02

Audi Q5 with OEM hitch/electronics and 3000# utility trailer with quads - Towed well with absolutely atrocious economy. I mean like 40L/100km or more i reckon. The gauge maxed out at 40. This would be about the most i would pull with that. While it pulled fairly well, a little wind would get it a little too squirrely for my liking.

Jeep GC Overland V6 and V8 - Pulled a 4500# RV. Obviously i upgraded to the V8 because the V6 was severely lacking. Pulled my 4500# ok. Had a capacity of 7500. There would be no way you would catch me towing anywhere near that. The jeep is just simply too light for weights that heavy. Stopping was dicey at the weight i was at.

After trying the SUV/Xover towing i bit the bullet and went with a truck. Boy am i glad i did. There was a few truck and trailer combinations in the middle but the end of the day, i went with a diesel dually. There is something about pulling literally anything with absolute comfort and without worry. Ive had some white knuckle experiences in my time and it just makes me not want to tow.

Our current vehicles are a 2013 Ram 3500 Dually (no need to comment) and a 19' Yukon Denali. The Yukon tows great and is an excellent vehicle. The 10spd transmission and 6.2L engine has power for days. Tows a 6000# boat with ease. If i was wanting a family hauler with the occasional tow, i would go right with the Yukon or some other body on frame full size SUV.

[killramos]

In the case of wanting a vehicle rated to tow "a 5000 lb trailer" I guess in my mind I'm thinking of something rated to tow OVER 5000 lbs, so you wouldn't be close to going over your specs if you did end up with something that was a full 5000 lbs. NZwasp already had a highlander, and it hasn't been a great experience for him, even with his lighter trailer. I think (and correct me if I'm wrong buddy), power has been fine, but braking isn't super, and it's not a relaxing driving experience.

This. 5k tow rating =/= can tow 5,000 lb.

I would want upward of 7 personally.

- - - Updated - - -


Is the wife going to drive this new vehicle? If so, you better rent one of that size for a week or two and have her drive it the entire time. It's worth the $500 in rental costs (get the insurance) to see if she can really drive it. Can she back into a parking spot in one go?

My wife hated the F150. She drove the Expedition Max maybe 3 times in the year and a bit we had it. She really didn't like the bigger vehicle. And yes, she can back into a spot in one go. It was a preference.

My wife essentially refuses to touch my truck for similar reasons. Definitely a Consideration.

Doesn’t help that the first time she drove it she sent it straight throughout 4 foot high parking pylon :rofl:

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

How much can a Trackhawk tow?

[Tik-Tok]

A V8 4runner towed our 5000lbs trailer beautifully around AB, and most of the interior BC. It did the coquillhala with no complaints either, but I couldn't comfortably go faster than 90, without being over 4k RPM's, which I didnt much like.

A V8 Taco is my dream truck.

[bjstare]

This is what I currently tow with and to be fair my trailer is only 2900lbs dry and we are only loading with approximately 400lbs if we take our bikes.


This doesn't compute. Do you actually only have 400lb of water, food, clothes, toys, tools, dishes, bbq, bikes etc etc etc? How is that even possible?

[FraserB]

This doesn't compute. Do you actually only have 400lb of water, food, clothes, toys, tools, dishes, bbq, bikes etc etc etc? How is that even possible?

Not to mention bedding and mattress, which isn’t in the dry weight

[nzwasp]

My braking issue is when I’m going 120+ and suddenly braking. This is all without the trailer. I didn’t feel any issues with the trailer on because I was only driving 100 and the trailer brakes are pretty good. I think I just need some new rotors and pads

[BerserkerCatSplat]

How much can a Trackhawk tow?

Same as the 5.7, 7200lb. Probably mass-limited as you obviously get better brakes than the 5.7. I like your thinking.

[ThePenIsMightier]

And, it's done!
Thread is now Track Hawk Thread of EXTREME Towing 2020!!!

[sabad66]

anyone have real-world experience towing a 20-22' or so camping trailer with a 2017+ Q7? I've seen the 7700lb / 1367lb towing and payload ratings but wondering how it actually is in reality.

[benyl]

And, it's done!
Thread is now Track Hawk Thread of EXTREME Towing 2020!!!

I think he should stretch his budget a bit to the Bentayga Hybrid. Only $168K.

But true beyond.ca style would be to say he should get a Cullinan.

[ThePenIsMightier]

I think he should stretch his budget a bit to the Bentayga Hybrid. Only $168K.

But true beyond.ca style would be to say he should get a Cullinan.

Singer Porsche.
/Thread

[90_Shelby]

How much can a Trackhawk tow?

As someone mentioned, 7200 lbs. This load was much less but I think I need more power.
92493

My buddy tows this with his SRT although he recently got a pickup to save the Jeep from getting beat up.
92494

[nzwasp]

This doesn't compute. Do you actually only have 400lb of water, food, clothes, toys, tools, dishes, bbq, bikes etc etc etc? How is that even possible?

No water no bbq. I’m sure I’m towing about 3500-3600 total with all my stuff. Who tows water? Not me.

Anyway bringing my wife around on getting a Tundra to replace the highlander but probably not until 2022.

[ExtraSlow]

I know you like Japanese bud, but check out ford/Chev because pickups is the one thing they do really well. I HATE the driving dynamics of the tundra.

[dirtsniffer]

Right up there with a 2000 silverado, because that's how long the Tundra has existed for.

[brucebanner]

Anyway bringing my wife around on getting a Tundra to replace the highlander but probably not until 2022.

I have a '19 trd sport, hate it for towing. Towed a car from lethbridge to edmonton and it hunted for gears all the time on QE2. Also towed a holiday trailer, probably around 6-7k #'s roughly 100k west of Edmonton and same thing, I don't like towing with it.

I had a' 13 & '15 F150's with the 3.5 WAAAAY better towing in my limited times I've towed anything. I definitely won't be keeping the Tundra long term but I don't keep anything terribly long anyways.

[killramos]

I think he should stretch his budget a bit to the Bentayga Hybrid. Only $168K.

But true beyond.ca style would be to say he should get a Cullinan.

Please. No one has even suggested towing with a G wagen yet.

[Tik-Tok]

Please. No one has even suggested towing with a G wagen yet.

No one in Aspen goes camping. How plebeian.

[AndyL]

Please. No one has even suggested towing with a G wagen yet.

92496

7000lbs baby! Surely the aspenites can appreciate the 6x6

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

The Tundra is really feeling ancient, lots of power but that’s about it. Not a fan of the trans programming or extremely light steering with zero feedback.

[benyl]

No one in Aspen goes camping. How plebeian.

https://www.sportchassis.com/

/thread

[nzwasp]

I know you like Japanese bud, but check out ford/Chev because pickups is the one thing they do really well. I HATE the driving dynamics of the tundra.

Actually my wife really likes Japanese I quite like the ram and the gmc trucks because I had to drive them for 2 years while I was working at Fort Hills.

[nzwasp]

I have a '19 trd sport, hate it for towing. Towed a car from lethbridge to edmonton and it hunted for gears all the time on QE2. Also towed a holiday trailer, probably around 6-7k #'s roughly 100k west of Edmonton and same thing, I don't like towing with it.

I had a' 13 & '15 F150's with the 3.5 WAAAAY better towing in my limited times I've towed anything. I definitely won't be keeping the Tundra long term but I don't keep anything terribly long anyways.

I use the manual shifter when I’m towing. I took my old trailer to Edmonton first trip last year and my mileage was 28. Ever since i shifted to controlling it I haven’t seen mileage over 22.

[ExtraSlow]

Actually my wife really likes Japanese I quite like the ram and the gmc trucks because I had to drive them for 2 years while I was working at Fort Hills.

I think the solution is to consult your wife on her opinion and then disregard it.

[JustinL]

anyone have real-world experience towing a 20-22' or so camping trailer with a 2017+ Q7? I've seen the 7700lb / 1367lb towing and payload ratings but wondering how it actually is in reality.

I tow my race car with an aluminum open trailer with an '08 VW touareg. Similar chassis to the Q7 and Cayenne. It's not perfect, but it's got big Cayenne brakes and the same 7700lb capacity with a pretty decent payload. It tows fine, but it's quite slow accelerating with the little VR6 engine. Stopping and handling are adequate. For every non-track day of the year it's my wife's car for commuting and weekend family driving. It's excellent for that job even though it's German and... gasp! Out of Warranty!

[killramos]

I think the solution is to consult your wife on her opinion and then disregard it.

The man has spoken

[brucebanner]

I use the manual shifter when I’m towing. I took my old trailer to Edmonton first trip last year and my mileage was 28. Ever since i shifted to controlling it I haven’t seen mileage over 22.

I do too, then when I think it's fine to be in "drive" I'm sadly mistaken with the tundra and it drops to 4th ALL the time when it shouldn't.

The truck is fine for what I use it for on the regular, but if I was towing more often, I wouldn't even consider having it.