Which Crossover or suv is best for towing??

I tow with a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder - tow rating 6000 lb., and I love it. The new ones are smaller, lighter weight, and not as tow worthy, IMO, which is why I bought a used one (as well as being cheaper - lol!). I tow an Aliner right now, but may move up to a small TT in the future. Watch the length of the TT with a short wheel base on these SUVs. Even if it has a higher tow rating like my Pathfinder, I wouldn't tow a TT more than 21 feet and 3500 lb., no matter how light it is.

You also need to take the frontal area into consideration, which affects the vehicle's ability to tow it. The frontal area allowed for my Pathfinder is only 8x10, I think.

I have a Nomad 173 TT that dry weights at 2600. I *tried* to tow it with a Nissan Quest with an aftermarket hitch.

Now, I stripped the TT. I took off the extra tire, I removed mattresses and used air blowups, all kinds of things like that.

I weighted it empty at CAT scales at 2400 on the trailer's single axle. So on a trip, I am sure I was getting up into 3000 or more pounds of the 3500 limit.

Look, my advice is make sure you get a 5000 pound Crossover. Minivans and CUVs without the tow package are going to tow horribly.

The Nissan was a champ, but frankly the tires are the bigger problem. The van has 18 miles on it and 3 almost bald tires. 1 had to be replaced for a nail. The wear on the tires was beyond belief.

Long story short, I bought a 3rd vehicle and got an F150 with 5.4l. It's MUCH better at towing the trailer.

That's not an option for all, but it's a 2006 F150 that I paid 13500 for. So that made it easier to take.

spike99 wrote:
My one buddy used to pull an HTT with a Ford Windstar. Its tranny blew and now, he uses a Chevy Traverse (with factory tow package). He loves it. And, would never go back to a Ford Windstar as a Tow Vehicle again.

I had an 01 windstar and and it towed just fine, and I was towing well beyond what I should have been @ 3700 lbs + family of 5 and a 90 pound dog. This was with a 18' hybrid so I was towing a brick behind me.
I had 350,000 km (220,000 miles) on the original transmission. Not that I feel the need to defend the windstar but saying the traverse tows better than a windstar is like saying an F150 tows better than a ranger.

My one buddy used to pull an HTT with a Ford Windstar. Its tranny blew and now, he uses a Chevy Traverse (with factory tow package). He loves it. And, would never go back to a Ford Windstar as a Tow Vehicle again.

Toyota, They have the best maintenence record. My BFF bought a Jeep and never could get it out of the shop long enough to go on a long trip. Always cussing Jeeps now.

I've towed my TT (2700 lbs) and/or a 6x12 cargo trailer with my '08 Highlander for more than 100K miles. 23 mpg regular highway, 10-12 mpg highway when towing. 5000 lb. rating on mine, with factory tow pkg. I agree with the others, do not get a tug rated for 3500 for towing your TT. Shoot for 5000 or better.

I've been satisfied with my HL up until this year. With 150K miles on the odometer, I am starting to think about a new vehicle... and I want it to have more under the hood. My current top candidates are the Explorer with 3.5L ecoboost and the upcoming Jeep or Ram diesels. One can never have too much torque.

Ford Expeditions can go up to 9200 pounds tow capacity. Just remember -- a SUV is a short wheelbase vehicle, so a long trailer may get some "wag the dog" action on windy roads.

kellybelly wrote:
Thanks everyone!! we understand about full trailers weight vs/ empty etc. What we really need to know is,,, what are you driving,,what are you pulling and how satisfied w/ gas and reliability. thanks!;)

5000 lbs. trailer with Ford F-250 4x4 CC. It's 10 yrs. old and running/towing fine. I dislike 10 MPG, even if it was a Lamborghini. That's mostly just me.

kellybelly wrote:
HI, we are going to purchase a 18ft travel trailer. it weighs 2500 unloaded. Please advise on which crossover or suv (with good gas mlg) is best for towing?? do we need v-6? 4whl drive? Help:h

What's the trailer? 2500 lbs. is really light for an 18 footer...

Better explanation, Spike. I still say the majority of OEM tow and HD tow packages are good values, but there are some key exceptions.