Thoughts on next tow vehicle
I have a 2006 Subaru Outback that I have towed my 2009 Coleman Yuma pop up with for several years. The Outback is getting up there in mileage, and I would like some ideas for a more ideal tow vehic...
Forum Discussion
Hiker88,
You might want to tell us a little more about the non-towing uses you want for the vehicle as well.
I went from an '07 Subaru Outback to the '11 F150 in my signature last year, and I couldn't be more pleased w/ my decision.
I didn't tow w/ my Outback (we had the Suburban for that), but I mountain bike a lot and take a bike with me about everywhere I go. Going from the Subaru to the F150, I have only lost about 20% mpg, but gained a ton of room, power, cargo capacity, and everything else.
My Outback just didn't get very good mpg. No bikes on the outside, it was 25-26 mpg maybe. Throw a bike on the hitch rack, and I was lucky to break 23 mpg on the freeway. Bikes on the roof and hitch, well, I was well into the teens. My truck gets 21 mpg on the freeway no matter how many bikes I have in the bed! The rear seat in the truck is far, far more spacious for my kids or co-riders as well.
I don't know a lot about the CUVs for towing and outdoors stuff. IMO, it is hard to beat a truck for all of that; based on your name, it looks like ourdoors capability is a priority.
I'd certainly recommend looking at a 1/2 ton crew cab. For those who aren't "truck people," they might have one vision of what a truck is in their head. It may end up being something much different than you thought after a test drive or two. Just a thought.
You might want to tell us a little more about the non-towing uses you want for the vehicle as well.
I went from an '07 Subaru Outback to the '11 F150 in my signature last year, and I couldn't be more pleased w/ my decision.
I didn't tow w/ my Outback (we had the Suburban for that), but I mountain bike a lot and take a bike with me about everywhere I go. Going from the Subaru to the F150, I have only lost about 20% mpg, but gained a ton of room, power, cargo capacity, and everything else.
My Outback just didn't get very good mpg. No bikes on the outside, it was 25-26 mpg maybe. Throw a bike on the hitch rack, and I was lucky to break 23 mpg on the freeway. Bikes on the roof and hitch, well, I was well into the teens. My truck gets 21 mpg on the freeway no matter how many bikes I have in the bed! The rear seat in the truck is far, far more spacious for my kids or co-riders as well.
I don't know a lot about the CUVs for towing and outdoors stuff. IMO, it is hard to beat a truck for all of that; based on your name, it looks like ourdoors capability is a priority.
I'd certainly recommend looking at a 1/2 ton crew cab. For those who aren't "truck people," they might have one vision of what a truck is in their head. It may end up being something much different than you thought after a test drive or two. Just a thought.
