Forum Discussion

Pwac1968's avatar
Pwac1968
Explorer
Sep 17, 2014

Tow Vehicle Suggestions

Thank you in advance for any advice you have to offer. I currently have a 2011 Navigator L with a GVWR of 7700 lbs and what I think is a payload capacity of 1522 lbs. The wheelbase is 131 inches. I was hoping to buy a TT that I could tow with this vehicle but I'm beginning to think this might not happen. I'm currently looking at 3 TTs that range in dry weight from 4730 to 5246 lbs. Based on my readings here and elsewhere, it seems that the payload capacity is going to be an issue, especially if I need to sometimes travel with fully loaded water, propane, etc.

My DH will be needing a new vehicle in the not-too-distant future and buying him a PU is not out of the question. However, if we are going to buy a PU, I would probably go with a slightly larger trailer. Any trailer we buy will be in the ultra lite range. We both commute to our jobs and he works downtown in a major metropolitan area and has to park in a parking garage.

Given these factors, is there a vehicle that will meet our towing needs and still fit into a daily commute routine? We would probably want to buy something new so we will be looking at vehicles that are 2014 or 2015. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
  • The tow guide does say that my Navigator will tow 8700 lbs but the plate on the door of the vehicle says 7700 lbs. I've tried searching to see if there is something I can add to the vehicle to boost the GVWR to 8700 but I can't find anything. My assumption is that there are additions to this particular vehicle that lower the weight to 7700 lbs.
  • Here's a LINK to the Trailer Life Towing Guides. They are a wealth of information.

    A quick look at the 2011 Guide shows your Navigator has a tow rating of 8700 pounds. If you figure the dry weight of your trailer and add around 500-1000 pounds of your 'stuff' then you might get a realistic idea of how much weight you'll be dragging around. It appears that the trailers you're looking at will be able to be towed by what you currently own. You might not have to get a new tow vehicle.

    BTW, the 2014's have about the same tow rating as your 2011.
  • I hate to recommend (based on MY personal experience) anything made by Ford, but a short bed Eco-Boost is probably your best bet for combination of pulling a LIGHT trailer and commuting.