Tow Vehicle for a Casita
Hi,
My DW and I just bought our first RV! Last Saturday we purchased a 2005 Casita 17' Freedom Deluxe. We have no tow vehicle. The previous owner was gracious enough to drive 240 miles, one way, to deliver it to us. We have given many tours over the last eight days to family and friends during the Thanksgiving Holiday. :)
The Casita is a small fiberglass (FG) travel trailer. The prior owner had it weighed and it came in at 2,900 lbs. The axle is rated for 3,500 lbs. We are looking for a tow vehicle rated to tow at least 5,000 lbs to allow for a margin of tug comfort. Casita Deluxes tend to be a bit tongue heavy for their size and I am estimating a 400 lb. tongue weight, plus/minus 50 lbs.
In terms of a tug, my DW will use it as a daily driver to bop around, thus no pickup trucks! :( Since it will be used as a daily driver, we are leaning toward a used Toyota 4 Runner. We want to stay as close to $10,000 as possible, but could go a bit higher. This means a 2004 to 2007 4 Runner.
We currently have a 2008 Kia Rondo that we have enjoyed driving (kinda of a small minivan alternative). However, it is only rated to tow 2,000 lbs, so it is not an option. However, Kia made a Borrego in 2009 that was kinda of a 4 Runner/GX 470 alternative. The V6 Borrego will tow 5,000 lbs., while the V8 will tow 7,500 lbs!!! A used V8 is not really any more expensive than a used V6. So, the 4 Runner is my benchmark, but I can buy a Borrego that is newer ('09), has less miles, and has more options than a 4 Runner. My research indicated that it is reliable, but I know the reliabilty of a 4 Runner is bullet proof.
I know the 4 Runner is a solid option. Borrego? Thoughts about the above in terms of a used tug?
Thanks,
Dean
My DW and I just bought our first RV! Last Saturday we purchased a 2005 Casita 17' Freedom Deluxe. We have no tow vehicle. The previous owner was gracious enough to drive 240 miles, one way, to deliver it to us. We have given many tours over the last eight days to family and friends during the Thanksgiving Holiday. :)
The Casita is a small fiberglass (FG) travel trailer. The prior owner had it weighed and it came in at 2,900 lbs. The axle is rated for 3,500 lbs. We are looking for a tow vehicle rated to tow at least 5,000 lbs to allow for a margin of tug comfort. Casita Deluxes tend to be a bit tongue heavy for their size and I am estimating a 400 lb. tongue weight, plus/minus 50 lbs.
In terms of a tug, my DW will use it as a daily driver to bop around, thus no pickup trucks! :( Since it will be used as a daily driver, we are leaning toward a used Toyota 4 Runner. We want to stay as close to $10,000 as possible, but could go a bit higher. This means a 2004 to 2007 4 Runner.
We currently have a 2008 Kia Rondo that we have enjoyed driving (kinda of a small minivan alternative). However, it is only rated to tow 2,000 lbs, so it is not an option. However, Kia made a Borrego in 2009 that was kinda of a 4 Runner/GX 470 alternative. The V6 Borrego will tow 5,000 lbs., while the V8 will tow 7,500 lbs!!! A used V8 is not really any more expensive than a used V6. So, the 4 Runner is my benchmark, but I can buy a Borrego that is newer ('09), has less miles, and has more options than a 4 Runner. My research indicated that it is reliable, but I know the reliabilty of a 4 Runner is bullet proof.
I know the 4 Runner is a solid option. Borrego? Thoughts about the above in terms of a used tug?
Thanks,
Dean
