Best Diesel SUV Tow Vehicles?

CandaceB wrote:
We're getting a 25 ft. Airstream travel trailer and would like to tow it with a diesel SUV. The trailer has a Gross Vehicle Weight of 7300 lbs. and the Mercedes-Benz GL350 we're considering has a maximum towing capacity of 7500 lbs. But in the articles I've read so many other numbers get tossed around - payload, hitch weight, etc. - that now I'm confused. Also, how big of an engine is adequate? Our travel plans include the Rockies, so we need enough power to climb hills. If the Mercedes isn't a good choice, what other diesel SUVs would be better? We travel with 3 large dogs, so a pickup just doesn't provide enough interior space for the "family."

I'm new to travel trailer ownership just having purchased mine a month ago BUT I'm very experienced in traveling with dogs. I compete in retriever field trials and have driven thousands of miles with between 2 and 12 dogs. The labs vary in weight from 49 lbs to some big males at 80+.

My recommendation from thousands of miles/multiple dogs and many configurations is the following:

Super Duty truck PLUS
Ainley or Deerskin 3-hole slide in insulated stainless steel box with drawers, lights, and water tank.

The Ainley or Deerskin will protect the dogs even in an accident, protect from weather keeps it about 20 degrees cooler or warmer, and protect from theft- locking T handles.

Every pro trainer who transports very expensive dogs use this type of system but on a larger scale. The truck will be able to easily handle the tongue weight of your trailer and the weight of the dog box (usually 600-800 lbs).

The boxes are not cheap and can take awhile to be fabricated but are worth every $.

-Janell