Suggestions for tow vehicle with good mpg

Windwalker55 wrote:
My daughter wants to buy a new/used 4WD vehicle that gets good mileage yet pulls up to about 4,000 pounds. Any suggestions?

I think this was meant to say that she wants a vehicle that gets good gas mileage for normal driving and also is capable of towing 4000 pounds.

She needs to think about how many miles per year towing and no trailer she is probably going to do. Less than 2,000 miles of towing a year and a vehicle like the Toyota 4Runner will work. 8,000 towing miles a year and a full size SUV or 1/2 ton pickup with crew cab is better. Nothing is going to tow 4,000 lbs and get 20 plus MPG.

Important to get something that has brakes that can stop not only the vehicle but also the vehicle with a 4,000 lb trailer in an emergency. Most vehicles including SUV's do not have great brakes to stop the vehicle when it is fully loaded with passengers and with a 4,000 lb trailer load as well.

The Highlander and many other SUV's have a car unibody construction and this is not great for towing a heavy trailer. The Highlander for example is under the skin much the same as the Camry which uses the same platform.

If gas mileage is very important it would also help to get a lighter trailer to tow. Lots more options for towing a trailer with a loaded weight under 3,000 lbs. like the Subaru wagons that get a true 30 MPG at 70 MPH on the freeway when not towing.

skipnchar wrote:
Lots of options but.....towing AND good fuel mileage are not compatible with one another. With just about any tow vehicle you find with adequate power to make towing easy, you will get around 10 MPG.

Exactly - once you put that 10+ foot tall sail behind any vehicle.

I don't know what the new Ram 3.5 gasser is rated to tow/haul but I'd be looking at that one, too. Craig

X3 on the new Ram Eco Diesel, after that any gasser that makes good mileage empty. But as soon as you hook up a TT to it your mileage is toast, even with the Ford Eco-Boost. Gas and towing fuel economy do not go together.

Don

Jeep Liberty diesel? or the MB ML with the same diesel may do the trick too. Again, depending upon budget.

My son has no issues towing that wt with a tacoma 4x and the 4 banger. Not as quick as my dmax was......but hey, with 175HP it gets the job down!

marty

dreeder wrote:
She could look at the new Ram's with the Ecodiesel.

X2

Lots of options but.....towing AND good fuel mileage are not compatible with one another. With just about any tow vehicle you find with adequate power to make towing easy, you will get around 10 MPG.

2013 Silverado 5.3 ext cab pulling 4000 lb TT and 1000 lb in extras gets 10 mpg

The truck carrying about 300 lb plus a 300 lb cap gets 17 to 18

How does your daughter define "good gas mileage"?