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TravelGypsy's avatar
TravelGypsy
Explorer
Feb 23, 2016

Towing with a V-6 SUV?

Is there anyone else out there who has personal experience with pulling a light travel trailer (GVWR max 5,000lbs) with a V-6 properly equipped with a tow package and trailer brake system?

I really want to stay small and light on the TT and avoid having to have a full-size SUV or truck. I anticipate physically towing only about 10% of my total driving time, and a big ol' gas guzzler is more vehicle than I want or need for day to day driving for just myself and my pooch. If absolutely necessary, I can consider a V-8 in this same mid-size SUV category, or even a diesel engine if possible.

I live in SoCal and my intentions are to travel to various areas of the West, Northwest and Southwest of the country. I'm not planning any strenuous mountain treks such as the Teton Pass between ID and WY, but I do understand I'll be faced with some degree of up and downhill traveling (I am familiar with that just going 50 miles from home over the Grapevine towards Bakersfield).

I would really appreciate heariang from anyone with real-time experience towing a TT with a V-6.

Thanks!
Tow Vehicles

28 Replies

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  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Feb 23, 2016
    Although neither of my TVs have a V-6 (one is an inline-4, the other an inline-6), both have towed my 5,000 lb GVW TT just fine.

    The 4 is a 2005 Jeep Liberty diesel, the 6 is a 2012 BMW X5 diesel. The former was available only in MY 2005 and 2006, the latter has been and continues to be available new as well as used. Both are in the daily driver category for me. They both tow well, get 25 mpg when not towing, and have served me well.

    I've dragged that trailer over the Rockies several times with the Jeep, and once with the BMW. BMW, btw, does offer a trailer hitch and an "official" brake controller (although it is a Prodigy P-2).

    But, sorry, neither is a V-6.
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    If you're buying new I guess you might consider a diesel Colorado/Canyon. Put a canopy on it and you've effectively got a two row diesel SUV with a decent tow rating.
  • Chuck_thehammer's avatar
    Chuck_thehammer
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    I had a Dodge Ram 1500.. V6... and a 21 foot Ameri-lite trailer.. at 3,300 pounds empty...

    it worked its little tail off going up hills. it did it but lots of engine rpms.

    like 4,000 rpms in second gear to maintain minimum freeway speeds.
    3:55 gears and 17 inch wheels.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    the OP wants a TT, not a popup or A-frame trailer.

    i don't know of ANY v-6 SUV with a factory brake controller. it will need an aftermarket BC installed, which requires a factory tow package with the proper wiring.

    i owned an older Exploder 4.0 v-6, which i towed my popups with. it didn't have the factory tow package but i NEVER would tow even a small TT with it, even if it had the tow package.

    i know the newer ones will be better but Ford has surface area limits on towing with their vehicles. the Explorer also has such a limit.

    check the Ford Towing Guide for those amounts and other towing specs.

    i wouldn't go over 4000lbs. GVWR for a TT.
    i don't know of any modern TT that DOESN'T come with electric brakes.
  • SouthpawHD's avatar
    SouthpawHD
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    I had a 2003 Explorer V-6 4.0L and it pulled a Coleman pop-up trailer with relative ease. I also used it to pull a 19' boat that weighed around 3,000-3,500 pounds (with both the SUV and the boat loaded for a weekend) and it had to work a little bit to pull it at highway speeds. Stopping was a little more challenging at times and required planning ahead.

    So my point is it can be done, but I would keep it under 3500 pounds and find a trailer with brakes.
  • 2lazy4U's avatar
    2lazy4U
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    Have a V6 Toyota FJ Cruiser, tow limit is 5000#. Have towed a cargo trailer, Casita, Escape 17, Burro 13, and an Aliner Expedition. The Aliner was the easiest and best mileage to tow, the cargo trailer, though not the heaviest, gave me the worst mileage because of its non-aerodynamic shape.

    The heaviest of all these trailers was probably in the low end of the 3k range. Have towed with and w/o sway bars and no problems either way, have towed over the Rockies and felt all but the Aliner. Have done this for more or less 10 years, part-time to full-time.

    Having said that, I'm done with pulling trailers. They're too much of a hassle and limit where you can go (I like to go way out there). I'll tent camp and/or use a pickup and camper from now on, but YMMV.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Feb 23, 2016
    This frigiin website been dropping responses recently. Just lost a good one! Haha
    Short story, yes, plenty of 300hp + 6 bangers in nice heavy mid size SUVs that will tow well. And several 400hp V8 options in the same rigs.
  • scrubjaysnest's avatar
    scrubjaysnest
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    With our 4.3 L V6 S10 towing our 2400# Coleman Mesa pup it was marginal at best. Weight is from CAT scales with two weeks of supplies and no water. Our 4.7L V8 Grand Cherokee did much better. The 3+L V6 Isuzu Rodeo we had couldn't tow it at all. With our current 3680# TM, on the CAT scales again same conditions, the Grand Cherokee and main TV, a Dodge Ram 1500 with the same 4.7L V8 both do great even above 10k feet on 6 to 8% grades.

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