2005 plus SUV that can tow 6.5k (Edited title)

[IDoMyOwnStunts]

The wife and I were talking and I believe she is coming to the realization that we actually need 2 tow vehicles (one for the travel trailer and one for the horse trailer). This is because I've found myself having to make two trips to get the travel trailer and then haul the horse to horse shows. It's a hassle. Unfortunately, her 2010 Jeep Liberty doesn't have the tow package, and even if it did the max rating is 5000 lbs, so that's out.

I weighed our horse trailer with 1 horse and it tips the scales at 5300 lbs loaded (that includes tongue weight). The trailer GVW is 8000 lbs, so I figured I'd size a vehicle to tow that. Realistically, though, the trailer probably will never be loaded to that much because we are never going to tow 2 draft horses. Even a second smaller horse will probably only push it to 6500 lbs. It's not like a travel trailer where you would have propane tanks, batteries, and water tanks to deal with.

Frankly, I'd like to just buy her a truck, but she seems set on an SUV. *sigh* I'd also rather not buy new since I just bought my truck. So I'm looking at selling her Jeep and getting either a Tahoe (she's ok with a Tahoe but not a Suburban *sigh*), Expedition, Grand Cherokee, or Durango.

So, the question. Can any of the owners of these vehicles chime in and let me know any real world experience towing with these? In other words, should I just cross any of these off the list? I'm also considering reliability too, since I'm looking at units that are going to have 80k+ miles on them. Are there any other SUVs out there that could fit comfortably in a garage (no Excursions, sorry) that I missed and might consider?

I just wanted opinions of people here because I know many of you use SUVs to tow. Thanks.

Edited the title to be more realistic with how much the trailer actually weighs.

[carringb]

Bionic Man wrote:


The Infiniti I suggested is the same platform as the Armada, and I believe it is based on the Titan.

The Infinity QX80 is actually based on the overseas Nissan Patrol! This is much more stout platform than the Titan-based Armada. The Patrol is more equivalent to a Land Cruiser, just gussied up as luxo-barge for the US market. However, I'm not sure about payload.... I'm sure all the amenities eat up the ample payload of a Patrol.

[normal_dave]

A 12-passenger Ford E-350 is not a big as you would think. Has she ever test-driven one? Hauls your folks, stuff, plus 6,500 lbs easy.

Van as tow vehicle

[Rustycamperpant]

Not much press here for an Expedition, but my 09 tows my 30'TT fine. I'm sure you already know to look at the towing package available. I have a six speed tranny and the optional 3.73 rear end, but I have read with the six speed the 3.73 isn't really needed. I had my heart set on a Yukon Denali, with the bigger motor but a friend told me to take a look at an Expy. Im glad he did, the Expy has been a great TV for us. If you read comparisons many reviewers choose the Expy over the GM. Im not bashing a GM SUV, I think they look better and I know they are good TVs. I believe you get more for your money with the Expy and usually more towing capacity. JMHO

[SoCalDesertRid1]

If it's based on the Titan, then it must have a frame, which I would be OK with! Like I said, I don't know much about the 2 vehicles you talked about...

If Porsche made something with a truck frame under it, I sure did miss it! Then again, any Porsche that's not a 356, 911, 930/935 or 912 (my dad had a 912, so there's some sentiment there), I don't have much interest in, except maybe the 917 race car from the '70s. A Porsche towing something.. that just doesn't seem right to me! Oh the sacrilidge! 🙂

[Bionic_Man]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
Personally, I wouldn't consider anything without an actual frame under it to tow a significant weight trailer (trailer requiring a hitch of class 3 and up). The Tahoe/Yukon, Durango and Cherokee all have frames (at least they all did last time I knew). I don't think the Inifinity and Porsche have frames. They probably have plenty of power, but power is only one small part of a towing vehicle.

The OP is asking for something that could tow 6500 pounds with minimal weight actually inside of it. He is not asking for something that will tow a large travel trailer. If he was, my suggestions would be different.

The Infiniti I suggested is the same platform as the Armada, and I believe it is based on the Titan.

The Porsche is a very common tow vehicle for high end boats, and I have seen plenty of them towing horse trailers. I believe their tow rating is 7000 pounds. Porsche has a history of being very conservative of their ratings (especially HP ratings), so If Porsche thinks it is capable of towing that amount of weight, I believe them.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

Personally, I wouldn't consider anything without an actual frame under it to tow a significant weight trailer (trailer requiring a hitch of class 3 and up). The Tahoe/Yukon, Durango and Cherokee all have frames (at least they all did last time I knew). I don't think the Inifinity and Porsche have frames. They probably have plenty of power, but power is only one small part of a towing vehicle.

[Bionic_Man]

Sounds like you have made up your mind, but throwing my .02$ worth in for anyone else considering this.

Grand Cherokees would be fine to tow a 6500 pound horse trailer. Durango would be a bit better since it has more weight.

Another option would be the Infiniti QX56. Those are pretty nice. Or a Porsche Cayenne S. I looked at those pretty hard as a tow vehicle for my boat.

[Kinlo502]

I pull a 30' TT with a 2015 Tahoe. I just did a trip that I started at 1200is feet elevation and end around 7,500. I've been using it for over a year and haven't had one problem

[SoCalDesertRid1]

Yes I remember our E350 van was a tall one.

[tatest]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
Chevy/GMC Tahoe/Yukon with 6.0/4.10, or Expedition with 5.4/4.10 are the only smaller SUV's I would consider.

The standard length E250/350 vans fit in most garages fine for the length.

You can always do it the old fashioned way... a 3/4-ton pickup with a fiberglass camper shell, window boot and carpet kit...

Length OK, but the vans are just enough taller than SUVs to be a problem for garage door height. E250/E350 sits at about 84-85 inches unloaded and a lot of residential garage door openings are just under 7 feet when finished. It is even trickier because the vans sit a bit nose low, so you check that it is going in OK, then end up scraping the roof at the back of the van. My E-350 van has the marks to prove this. Not my doing, it is ex-rental.

The other gotcha is backing a loaded van in to unload it, it just fits, but take the load out and it rises 2-3 inches on the springs and you are stuck under the door.

[ktosv]

Fordlover wrote:
what's wrong with the 2005 Yukon Denali?

If you can get over the gas mileage (15-16mpg probably max on the highway, 12 around town) there really isn't anything wrong with a 2005. There are several things better about the GMT900, but for a great deal it might be hard to argue about purchasing a GMT800.

While it has the 4 speed transmission, it does have the 4L65E, which is a step up from the 4L60E behind the 5.3L v8's. The other nice thing about that is that from a power stand point it actually is better than a 4 speed 6L 3/4 or 1 ton from that era. The 4L65E has a lower first gear ratio than the HD 4L80/85E. So, the 6L in the half ton is faster/quicker/more responsive than the 6L in the HD trucks off the line. On the highway they would be similar, other than the Denali was rated at an extra 30-35 HP.

The other nice thing is that GM only made a couple (few?) million trucks off of that platform. So there is lots of parts/upgrades and known typical issues (window regulators).

When I talk talk to a friend at work who is pushing like 300k miles on his 2002 Suburban and really has only replaced the window regulators and 4WD selector switch it makes me question why I got rid of my 2005.

[APT]

2007-2014 Yukon Denali is GMT900 design/platform/body style instead of GMT800. 2007 Denali offers a lot stronger motor and 6-spd trans compared to the 2000-2006 models.

[Fordlover]

APT wrote:
2007+ Yukon Denali would be great!

what's wrong with the 2005 Yukon Denali? I might have an opportunity to trade my explorer out for one for a steal of a deal, but I'm not sure how much of an upgrade it would be. Going from my 5 speed to a 4 speed is also a downgrade in my book.

OP, My Explorer is rated at 7K, but I run out of payload at about 5K of travel trailer.

[Hammerhead]

Grand Cherokee's with a V8 or diesel have enough power to tow 6,500 lbs and are among the smallest SUVs with that capability. A VW Toureg or Land Rover might also work.