SUV Help

Really depends on the weight of the tt and how much weight in the SUV. Casitas are pretty small and light, so if it's just her she could get away with any of the newer V6s like a Toyota Highlander or Ford Explorer for example. If the SUV will be loaded with passengers, the trailer over 4K loaded or a lot of mountain towing, she'll want something with a V8 and more payload like a Tahoe/Yukon, Sequoia (they are essentially trucks) or a Durango. Really hard to say without more specific info.

Thanks. Actually she does have a significant other, but he is pretty skinny.

I think an early 60's ford econoline van would look "pretty" pulling a small trailer. If she wants pretty, she will have to pick it out herself.

'94-'96 Bronco

I'm definitely an advocate for the Tahoe with the heavy duty towing package. It's pretty, rides nice and does a great job of towing, esp if she'll have a small trailer.

Needs to decide on a camper first and then get a suv capable of towing it.

I agree with camp-n-family.

I towed my Ascend 17rd with my 2011 Highlander, adequate, a casita would be easier.
bumpy

Roy&Lynne wrote:
Okay, pretend your old aunt, whose claim to fame is that she has been driving a standard shift all her life, and has driven just about anything, Class A's, C's, but has never towed, has decided she wants to buy an untra light trailer like a Casita but needs a vehicle to tow it with. She doesn't want new because she would have a heart attack paying that kind of money, but she doesn't have clue about tow packages or tongue weight. Also she really wants an SUV, not a truck because the look pretty.
Could you give her some advise? She has learned that dealers will tell you anything to make a sale so she would like to go to a dealer with the right questions.
And remember she is your favorite aunt, not one who your expecting to inherit from?
Thanks

The smaller Casitas can be towed with a properly equipped Toyota Highlander, and any of them with a Sequoia. Also look at Ford Explorers. The hard part will be finding a used Highlander or Explorer with a tow package, they are not common. She is much more likely to find a used Sequoia with a tow package, but they are pricey.

Others that would work would be a Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, Acura MDX, Nissan Pathfinder or Nissan Armada.

And BTW, I'm with your aunt, I prefer a SUV to a truck. :D And I know the SUVs that would work, because I'm looking at doing exactly the same thing. :D She should also look at the smallest Jaycos and Gulfstreams.

For a casita, any V6 SUV with available towing package (At least hitch and automatic transmission cooler) and a tow rating of 5000 pounds or more will be a comfortable and easy to drive combo. The casita ready to roll will weigh slightly above 4000lbs and have a tongue weight a bit over 400 lbs. assuming their longest model at 17' with most options. If she wanted a smaller trailer like the 13' patriot or another brand closer to 2000 lbs., most of the 4 cylinder cute utes with 350lb. tongue weight and 3500lb. towing capacity will make a great tow. I'm partial to Toyotas myself but there are a host of choices in this vehicle segment.

Now if you need any more info, we need to talk about how good of a cook Auntie is. ;)

A Casita, even the heaviest, is well within the towing capacity of a five or six-cylinder midsize SUV (or crossover) like Explorer, Trailblazer/Envoy, Highlander, Pilot, Pathfinder, Journey. Also GM's Traverse/Enclave/Terrain (which replaced both minivan and midsize SUV). I'm not sure which models from the Korean manufacturers. Assumption here is it doesn't have the 4 cylinder engine option, does have factory trailer tow package (I got caught on that when I bought a Durango).

Any full size SUV (Expedition, Tahoe/Yukon, Durango, Armada, Land Cruiser or their luxury-car twins) would be more than capable with the smallest V-8 offered. Again, look for factory towing package.

That's for Casita (or Scamp) which are exceptionally towable with small frontal area and maximum GVWR of 3500 pounds. Other larger "lightweight" trailers you might have to check on actual weights (lightweight is only relative to a heavier trailer of that size) and frontal area issues for the midsize SUVs, as well as capability of SUV structures to handle weight distribution hitches.

A couple in our RV club successfully towed an AmeriLite 19-footer with a Highlander for several years, but not very far and never very fast.