Help in choosing tow vehicle needed
My husband and I are looking at light weight travel trailers, under 4000, about 23'. Could you guys give me an idea of what kind of vehicle you use to tow yours that is about this size? We would nee...
Forum Discussion
falconette51 wrote:naturist wrote:
I've since "graduated" to a BMW X5 a 3 liter, 6 cylinder diesel. Jeep, VW, Audi, and Mercedes all have 6 cylinder diesels as well capable of this.
That sounds like what we would like to buy, small and not too heavy. I like Jeeps but does it have to be diesel since the vehicle would be used for everyday driving also?
Test drive the Jeep and others. The new small V6 turbo-diesels are amazing and support the standard of a daily driver. Don't confuse them with the sluggish 60's vintage diesels used in cars of that era. Likewise, they are far more refined than the current 'big' diesels used in the 2500 and above trucks.
With ANY purchase of a new tow vehicle make sure it has the tow package, as usually not standard on SUVs, while may have some of the upgraded components on 1500 trucks. With the tow package, not only does it provide the receiver hitch, it may bump the axle ratio, and definitely provide a heavier duty alternator and heavier duty cooling, and possible brake controller. Some of the components you can't add individually. That is also my major frustration as I shop...but time is on my side with March/April timeframe to include the new F-150. While I am focusing on Jeep/Ram, haven't ruled out other diesel SUV's, but they tend to be more than the Jeep. Biggest frustration when looking at inventory online, besides the few diesels, is the lack of inclusion of the tow package (plus Nav as a luxury) in the Jeep. The biggest frustration with the Ram is the lack of insight of the purchasing managers not to include a $50 option. Among the secondary additions with the diesel option is upping the axel to 3.55 from base 3.21, which is OK (and the max in a Jeep.) However, the eye-catching tow rating is based on the 3.95 axel and the $50 omission cost 1000 lb in the tow rating. Essential, no...but it is like buying a 23' trailer and later saying wish I bought the 25' trailer.
Jeep, Ram (and Ford) web site is easy to search dealers, then new inventory when jumping to their site. And with 90% of them you can further drill down to the engine - where others you have to scroll through. When you find one of interest, click on the window sticker link. Also, use zip codes of cities/areas would travel to identify dealers in that 50 mile area if inventory doesn't support you locally
