Good used mid size SUV for towing
I am in the market for a used mid size SUV as a daily driver and to pull my boat. The boat weighs 2600# and does not have brakes. I'm looking for suggestions. I absolutely do not want a large SUV l...
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In the small SUV category the only one that I would use for towing is the Toyota 4Runner which has the same frame as the Tacoma pickups and is much much stronger than the car unibody structures on other SUV's (Camery and Highlander share the same body structure). The Toyota 4Runner is rated for towing up to 4,700 lbs. and has a vehicle weight of 6100 lbs. which is within a 100 lbs. of the weight of my Chevy Tahoe. Small wonder that the 4Runner's fuel economy is no better than what I had with my Tahoe.
My Tahoe got 17 MPG on average during the 172,000 miles I put on the truck. No SUV gets better that is going to be a good choice for towing upwards of 3,000 lbs. on a regular basis. Download the towing guides from Ford, GM, Chevy, Toyota, and Honda, and look at what they specify as Maximum towing capacity and take two-thirds that amount as a comfortable towing figure.
The Honda Pilot would be up to the task but it is not as reliable and less fuel efficient than the Tahoe - I know I owned one for several years.
Check also on 2WD versus 4WD towing capacity. Honda Pilot 2WD is rated for only 2,000 lbs. but the capacity of the 4WD is 4,000 lbs. And passenger weight is another part of the equation. Add in 1,000 lbs. of passengers and pets and that cuts down the towing capacity on many of these smaller vehicles as well (check the Gross Combined Weight Rating.
My Tahoe got 17 MPG on average during the 172,000 miles I put on the truck. No SUV gets better that is going to be a good choice for towing upwards of 3,000 lbs. on a regular basis. Download the towing guides from Ford, GM, Chevy, Toyota, and Honda, and look at what they specify as Maximum towing capacity and take two-thirds that amount as a comfortable towing figure.
The Honda Pilot would be up to the task but it is not as reliable and less fuel efficient than the Tahoe - I know I owned one for several years.
Check also on 2WD versus 4WD towing capacity. Honda Pilot 2WD is rated for only 2,000 lbs. but the capacity of the 4WD is 4,000 lbs. And passenger weight is another part of the equation. Add in 1,000 lbs. of passengers and pets and that cuts down the towing capacity on many of these smaller vehicles as well (check the Gross Combined Weight Rating.
