Beginning research for a new tow vehicle. Our Kia Sedona has 125K on the odometer. Our tow capacity would preferably be around 5-6K. Seating for six or more. This would be a daily driver so fuel economy is important. Also nothing too big like a Saburban. Probley buy slightly used. Any thoughts? SUV or van. Not a truck.

Ford Transit. A 130" wheelbase model has a footprint only a little larger than your Sedona, and still fits in a standard garage. It'll feel similarly-size too, and actually handle a little better. The EcoBoost would be even better, but you have to spring for the 148" wheelbase to get it.Other than that, or going full-size, I think the new Explorer and the Durango are about the only options for that many seats and over 5k towing capacity.

The best tow vehicles are trucks. They work fine as daily drivers. I have driven a one ton Ford diesel as a daily driver for 18 years. Best vehicle I have ever had.

^And he said "nothing too big like a suburban." So your reccomendation is a "smaller" Van that is only as big as a Sub, rather than your previous reccomendation of one that is larger than a Sub?Bob, did you lose the thread you started a couple weeks ago? You never replied to the responses in that one and just now asked the same question again as if it is a new question. Me confused. And if you want actual specific suggestions you need to be more specific with budget, features, fwd/rwd/awd, etc. Since you obviously don't want a "big" vehicle like a full size van, then with the info you've given, you have answered your own question. Get a minivan or a short wheelbase full size SUV. Those are your only options for 3 row seating. But a minivan won't tow 6k and a car full of people and their "stuff", effectively or within its tow rating. And 3rd row seats in SUVs aren't convienent for day in day out use unless you step up into the big buck SUVs that have rear captains chairs. I'm envisioning 4-5 kids having to flip the back seat up down up down up down up down about 6 times a day. Find ya the right minivan for mileage and daily kid hauling and an old SUV for a spare vehicle/ tow rig. $5k or so will get you a very serviceable older V8 SUV capable of hauling the whole herd AND towing 6k.

Will those six seats be occupied when towing?

6 seats while towing 5-6k pounds? I do not recommend anything smaller than a full size half ton. You can pick the shorter wheelbase if you think your family will be comfortable, but Suburbans aren't that big when you have a family of 5-6 and want to tow.

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Me_Again
Explorer III
Apr 02, 2020
The Toyota 4Runner's are body on frame rigs. Highlander is a uni-body.
Oasisbob
Explorer
Apr 02, 2020
We have eliminated the Ford Transit. Not enough creature comforts says my wife. Now researching Toyota Highlander
ppine
Explorer II
Apr 01, 2020
Grit dog wrote:
ppine wrote:
The best tow vehicles are trucks. They work fine as daily drivers. I have driven a one ton Ford diesel as a daily driver for 18 years. Best vehicle I have ever had.

And the best fried chicken comes from Louisiana, but that has almost as little to do with the OPs query as your post.
Unless you didn’t read his post...in which case, still applies.

A truck with four doors and a bench seat can seat 6, and pull whatever is behind it.

In order seat more than 6, and be able to pull with it, you need an E-250 or 350 instead of an F-250 or 350. Trucks are made to pull with. SUVs mostly aren;t.
Oasisbob
Explorer
Apr 01, 2020
Thank you all for your input. I now have some direction. Yes, I did post similar and lost the thread. Thought I was getting senile. My bad. Sorry.
APT
Explorer
Apr 01, 2020
I do agree that if you want tow capacity for a safety margin with current RV, then most mid-sized 3-row SUVs will work. Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, etc...

Get the heavy duty tow equipment (i.e. trans cooler). Check the payloads to ensure enough for your family and tongue weight.
ppine
Explorer II
Mar 31, 2020
Who goes camping with more than 6 people? If you really do then an E-350 a one ton Ford van might work for you.

It is definitely a truck.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 31, 2020
But to that point, the OP doesn’t post much and ghosted his original thread 2 weeks ago and then asked the exact same question again, soooo
Open discussion I guess.
Or waiting for that magic answer of a not so full size minivan that pulls like a full size suv.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 31, 2020
ppine wrote:
The best tow vehicles are trucks. They work fine as daily drivers. I have driven a one ton Ford diesel as a daily driver for 18 years. Best vehicle I have ever had.

And the best fried chicken comes from Louisiana, but that has almost as little to do with the OPs query as your post.
Unless you didn’t read his post...in which case, still applies.
bikendan
Explorer
Mar 31, 2020
ppine wrote:
The best tow vehicles are trucks. They work fine as daily drivers. I have driven a one ton Ford diesel as a daily driver for 18 years. Best vehicle I have ever had.

The OP said they need seating 6 or more. What truck has seating for more than 6?
rexlion
Explorer
Mar 31, 2020
Assuming you want the 5k-6K tow rating for overkill (I see you have a B19, 2900 lbs dry), you could consider Toyota Highlander (my '08 was very reliable and did 140k miles of towing for me).
Durango has been mentioned, and their 3.6L does seem to get relatively good gas mileage, but parts availability from FCA would have me concerned.
The Subaru Ascent (new for 2019) could work.
Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia is another to look at.
Honda Pilot has 3 row seating.
So does Nissan Pathfinder, and my mechanic thinks they may have finally gotten their act together and solved their CVT issues.

In terms of long term quality and reliability, I favor the Highlander and Pilot, with the Subaru maybe coming in at 3rd place.

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