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MargaretB's avatar
MargaretB
Explorer
Oct 05, 2014

What do you tow with?

We have abandoned our plan to buy a small hybrid and are looking at a number of hard-sided TTs, in the 22'-26' range. We have to buy a new vehicle to tow it with and are thoroughly confused. We've decided that we want an SUV instead of a truck. We've been looking at used vehicles.

A dear friend who tows a 22' Airstream does so with an MB diesel and insists that diesels are the only way to go, because they develop full torque at 2000 rpms instead of 3500 rpms for non-diesel cars. We can't afford an MB, so he recommends a VW Touareg.

We love he idea of smaller "regular" SUV because whatever we buy will tow for maybe 5-10% of the time and b a town car the rest of the time. A local dealer says that the Touareg certainly has the torque to tow at 6000-7000 lb. trailer, but probably does't have the braking power to handle it on a downhill slope. Touareg diesels are incredibly hard to find - we've found three used ones in all of California and can't afford a new one.

We've been looking at Toyota Sequoias and Ford Expeditions, which aren't diesel. Our friend is pooh-poohing those options.

We're hoping not to add another vehicle to the mix, but we're hearing good things about the Tahoe and the Silverado.

So my question is - what do you drive to tow a TT in the range we're considering? How is it working for you? Is there anything else you wish you'd bought instead? What are your thoughts with regard to diesel vs. gas?

47 Replies

  • '05 1500 Suburban pulling a '95 Sunnybrook 26 DB. Suburban has the tow package with 3.73 axle. I really like my Suburban, though I wouldn't want any more trailer behind it than I have.
  • See signature line, my TV is a Ford Expedition with the heavy duty tow package. The TT is 32' hitch to bumper. Sometimes I wish I had a 3/4 ton based GM Suburban or Yukon for the extra payload, but I just don't like them as well and everywhere I looked I could get more for my money with the Expedition. The 5.4 V8 has enough power for what I need, but certainly does not have the torque of a bigger V8 or of course a diesel. The 6 speed tranny and HD tow package with the 3.73 gearing makes this vehicle pull well and I do not regret my choice.

    Watch closely what you buy, many SUVs or trucks may look the same, but are optioned out differently and towing ability varies a lot. Good luck with your search. BTW, when pulling my TT I get 9 - 11 MPG ... depending on the terrain.
  • What is the weight range of the trailers you're looking at?

    The most limiting aspect of an SUV or smaller pickup will be the payload capacity. This is the allowable weight of all passengers, cargo, and the weight of the tongue of any trailer you choose.

    If you are selecting a 26' TT with slides, full bath, a queen bed, and all of the other wanted accessories, you would want to be looking for a bigger SUV. IMO, the newer crew cab trucks are a better fit for towing and many have the same luxury as an SUV. Then again, there are some folks that have never driven a truck and are fearful of the experience.
  • I tow my 2006 75th Anniversary 19ft Airstream Bambi Custom (built by David Winick) with a 2006 Chevrolet SSR 6.0L LS2 400hp/400lbft 6spd manual...

    ...after tens of thousands of miles with the ability to fly up nearly any hill imaginable, I get 12-14mpg towing in 6th at 70-75mph and my truck actually rides and drives better WITH the trailer using a meticulously set up Husky Centerline hitch.

  • TV is a 2011 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Vortec, Plenty of torque for the job which is a very heavy 2003 25' TT, (previous owners towed it probably 30K miles with a Ford Expedition. I bet it never saw anything north of 8mpg.). It does 11mpg below 60mph and much less above but it is not unusual to see an average of 20 mpg on a tank w/o the trailer attached. I am retired so I am not commuting and doing a great deal of stop and go. Dodge has other vehicles with this drive train that probably would give much the same result. I think the days of diesel have always been overblown for any application that is weekend or less than full-time. Today's vehicles, gas or diesel, have engine management systems that adjust for load, speed etc. and have transmissions that keep the rpms in a sweet spot for torque etc. Gas engines that are reasonably, not exquisitely maintained will far exceed 100K miles even as a tow vehicle unless that is the exclusive application and may even accomplish that achievement. The cost of diesel used to be offset by longevity and cheaper fuel but a quick look along the road indicates the fuel is now being priced more by btu/gal than cost to refine and the higher performance from diesel engines exacts a toll on longevity.
    I have a Dodge Ram because it was a really good deal when I found it used, previous vehicle was a Ford Explorer, before that a GMC truck and before that a Chevy truck, I am not eclectic I am cheap, or thrifty so I am not endorsing the Ram but it behaves well, does its job and so far has made me happy. My friend has a Ford half ton with the eco boost and it makes him happy and he gets good mileage. He also tows occasionally. There is no better test for what you need and may want than to check a series of capabilities, find ones in your budget then do a butt test. Do they sit right, will you be comfortable spending time in them? The butt test kept me away from any Ford that did not have power-seats that allowed angle adjustment, standard angle killed my hips after two hours. I sold an SUV I really liked because the seat angle prevented long trips, all else was wonderful, even thought of installing custom seats until I priced that option. You have to be comfortable, at least over 50 you do, and I got that number beaten by more than one decade.
    BTW diesel smoke is addictive, I used to stand up in the tractor seat when it was dark, the plow was pulling hard and there was a beautiful purple flame above the stack just so I could smell the perfume. Diesel was half the price of gas and the engines lasted 3 to 4 times as long. Diesel fuel is not the same, the engines are not the same but the diesel religion has not changed for the un-enlightened and un-converted, Hail dyno-fuel may diesel be thy name.
    Good night as I duck for cover(s)
  • PS - forgot to add - all those torque numbers I've quoted come from our friend. We know nothing about what happens under the hood of any car.