Forum Discussion

IDoMyOwnStunts's avatar
IDoMyOwnStunts
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016

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

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.
Tow Vehicles
  • SoCalDesertRid1's avatar
    SoCalDesertRid1
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    Ford E250/350 vans make great tow SUV vehicles, with either the V10 or diesel.

    Chevy/GMC 2500 Suburban/YukonXL's with the 8.1 make great SUV tow vehicles.

    Ford Excursion with the V10 or diesel makes a great SUV tow vehicle.
  • IDoMyOwnStunts's avatar
    IDoMyOwnStunts
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    SoCalDesertRider wrote:
    Ford E250/350 vans make great tow SUV vehicles, with either the V10 or diesel.

    Chevy/GMC 2500 Suburban/YukonXL's with the 8.1 make great SUV tow vehicles.

    Ford Excursion with the V10 or diesel makes a great SUV tow vehicle.


    I agree. But I already said she won't consider a Suburban (and by extension an Excursion). It's a size thing.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:
    SoCalDesertRider wrote:
    Ford E250/350 vans make great tow SUV vehicles, with either the V10 or diesel.

    Chevy/GMC 2500 Suburban/YukonXL's with the 8.1 make great SUV tow vehicles.

    Ford Excursion with the V10 or diesel makes a great SUV tow vehicle.


    I agree. But I already said she won't consider a Suburban (and by extension an Excursion). It's a size thing.


    Then she just may be out of luck.
  • IDoMyOwnStunts's avatar
    IDoMyOwnStunts
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    Not helpful and completely ridiculous. There are more SUVs than just Excursions or Suburbans that can tow 8000 lbs.

    But, let's try this again. Set the bar at 6500 lbs instead. The trailer has already been weighed at 5300 lbs and will not weigh more than 6500 lbs. I already have a one ton truck to pull it. I need a second vehicle. A Suburban will not fit in the garage with room. Neither will an Excursion.

    What else is out there?
  • mrkoje's avatar
    mrkoje
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    I think that year range of Toyota Sequoia might be a good fit with the v8. I believe it was smaller or around the same size as a Tahoe of that generation. I would lean that way if you can find a good deal on one. The Toyotas have had traditionaly higher than average reliability. However, you might find yourself having to pay a premium for that. My second choice would be a Tahoe/Yukon and if you can find one with the 6.0L would probably be better for towing. 3rd up would be a Durango or Aspen with the 5.7L HEMI. (Make sure it doesn't have any exhaust manifold issues) They had a tendency for the exhaust manifold bolt to break off in the head which then required a new head which isn't cheap. I love the Grand Cherokee and with the 5.7L HEMI would make for a good tow vehicle but the short wheel base compared to the others would probably make it last on my list for towing a trailer. That pretty much goes for the Ford Explorer as well with the V8.

    Toyota sequoia
  • SoCalDesertRid1's avatar
    SoCalDesertRid1
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    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...
  • K-9_HANDLER's avatar
    K-9_HANDLER
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    That is going to be tough to fill those specs. I was in the same boat. I have a horse trailer that is 3K dry weight but was hauling drafts 18+ hands at the time. I didnt haul both drafts at one time but did haul a mini, his meadowbrook cart strapped to the back of the trailer and the draft + his harness and his drag harrrow (light weight). I ended up buying an older F150. It survived 10K miles of this and was still going strong when I sold it.
  • IDoMyOwnStunts's avatar
    IDoMyOwnStunts
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    K-9 HANDLER wrote:
    That is going to be tough to fill those specs. I was in the same boat. I have a horse trailer that is 3K dry weight but was hauling drafts 18+ hands at the time. I didnt haul both drafts at one time but did haul a mini, his meadowbrook cart strapped to the back of the trailer and the draft + his harness and his drag harrrow (light weight). I ended up buying an older F150. It survived 10K miles of this and was still going strong when I sold it.


    Thanks. Ours is only 17 hands. But now the daughter is training a young mare and it's only a matter of time until she wants to show her off.

    I think you may be right. I was doing some research last night in my downtime at work and I think I can get an old cheap 2wd V8 truck and just have her keep her Jeep. That'll put me at 4 vehicles and is something I wanted to avoid.

    I did like the Sequoia idea, though. I might have to check that out.
  • K-9_HANDLER's avatar
    K-9_HANDLER
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2016
    IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:
    K-9 HANDLER wrote:
    That is going to be tough to fill those specs. I was in the same boat. I have a horse trailer that is 3K dry weight but was hauling drafts 18+ hands at the time. I didnt haul both drafts at one time but did haul a mini, his meadowbrook cart strapped to the back of the trailer and the draft + his harness and his drag harrrow (light weight). I ended up buying an older F150. It survived 10K miles of this and was still going strong when I sold it.


    Thanks. Ours is only 17 hands. But now the daughter is training a young mare and it's only a matter of time until she wants to show her off.

    I think you may be right. I was doing some research last night in my downtime at work and I think I can get an old cheap 2wd V8 truck and just have her keep her Jeep. That'll put me at 4 vehicles and is something I wanted to avoid.

    I did like the Sequoia idea, though. I might have to check that out.

    No problem. Thats were we ended up to at 4 vehicles. Depending on the age of your daughter her interests may change. They did for my daughters. I bought the old 150 to get us thru rather then make a huge purchase. I paid 1500 for the truck with 67K original miles. I figured it would do the job or die trying and I wasnt out alot of cash. Funny that old thing was one of the most reliable haulers I have ever had.

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