Best SUV for towing

[tcc11tcc]

I have a jayco exp 17c and a 19' bass boat. I will be towing both in the south alot. I learned my Yukon has the 3:08 gears and no HD tow package which drops it to 5000lb tow capacity. I had no idea. Thought it was 8500lbs. It was struggling a bit up hills. Short distance I can manage but long distance, long term I might want something better.

If I was going to upgrade my tow vehicle & remain in an SUV, what would you recommend? Probably will buy a newer year, used vehicle. Was thinking of a Nissan Armada.

[crcr]

My suggestion would be 2008-09 Toyota 4Runner V8 (last years available with a V8) 2WD model has 7300 lb tow rating, 4x4 has 7000 lb tow rating. Awesome ultra reliable tow vehicle!

[Tystevens]

"Struggling" is obviously subjective, but how does the Tahoe struggle? Do you mean it downshifts a lot, or what don't you like about the Tahoe's towing performance? Maybe you can explain how you quantify struggling.

Just saying, all naturally aspirated v8 gassers are going to downshift a lot when towing, run at higher rpms, and so forth. The Armada, Expy, and others will downshift a lot as well. They have to -- none of them make very much power at low rmps.

I'd just hate to see someone buy a new TV with unreasonable expectations is all. If you want something that will tow the same as it goes unloaded, well, there probably isn't an option in the 1/2 ton SUV class that will do that. But given the loads the OP tows, I wouldn't say that is necessary.

[Dadoffourgirls]

For your towing needs, a Yukon Denali would be fantastic. The 6.2 with a 3.42 rear axle would suffice, and provide all the necessary comfort.

[bmanning]

IMO for a true "hd" SUV you have 4 choices:

1) Excursion diesel
2) Excursion V10
3) 01-07 2500 Suburban/Yukon 8.1L
4) later 2500 Burb/Yuk with 6.0L/6sp

Half-ton based SUV's, used within their limits, have their place and are adequate for (dare I say) the majority of TTs out there.

Truly a shame GM never offered a 2500 SUV with the Duramax

[steeleshark]

The Nissan Armada cannot be beat in its class for towing and payload (look at my sig). The Suburban 3/4 ton is a great TV if you have the money. One other option would be to look at a van. They are generally cheaper and can tow more. Ahh, I forgot about a used Ford Excursion.

[KD4UPL]

Since you apparently like a GM SUV I would simply upgrade to a 2500 Suburban (or Yukon XL). The standard 6.0L engine will be a nice upgrade. I would want 3.73 gears for your trailer weight. If you really want some power find one with the 8.1L big block. These were made from 2001 to 2007.
There are companies that will build for you a 2500 suburban with a Duramax diesel. Duraburb is one such company, located in Florida. I just say one of these creations Sunday pulling a boat at the marina. I asked the owner and he said a guy in Ohio built it for him.

[tcc11tcc]

But you have (except trans cooler) better gearing than a 10 year old half ton with 4.10 axle rated for 8k+ pounds. The difference in tow rating between 3.08 and 3.42 is less than 500 pounds. The HD towing group with trans cooler takes the 3.42 from 5500 pounds to 8000 just by having the trans cooler.

Be careful about adding a lot of weight to the rear of the RV. Frames are not usually designed to handle 500 pounds off the rear. And it can really upset the tongue weight percentage and handling.

Thank u I didn't know putting stuff on the bumper is not a good idea. I see people do it all the time. I don't begin to understand all the gearing "stuff" you guys are talking about. People like me expect the stated tow capacity to be the true capacity - not based on all these factors you have to figure out.

[Chuck_Gail]

Love my Expedition. When we looked it was by far the best for us, with Chevy Suburban next best. That is subjective of course.

IMHO be sure to ask for the VEHICLE tongue weight rating. A Class 5 hitch does NOT improve a Pintos towing capability. You want to get thye VEHICLE tongue weight spec.

[APT]

tcc11tcc wrote:
Trailer weighs just under 3000lbs, you're suppose to add 1000lbs for gear, and then I am going to put a hitch on the TT and transport 2 scooters and bikes. I am thinking I'll be pushing well over 4500lbs. The rating is 5200lbs.

But you have (except trans cooler) better gearing than a 10 year old half ton with 4.10 axle rated for 8k+ pounds. The difference in tow rating between 3.08 and 3.42 is less than 500 pounds. The HD towing group with trans cooler takes the 3.42 from 5500 pounds to 8000 just by having the trans cooler.

Be careful about adding a lot of weight to the rear of the RV. Frames are not usually designed to handle 500 pounds off the rear. And it can really upset the tongue weight percentage and handling.

[BenK]

tcc11tcc wrote:
I have a jayco exp 17c and a 19' bass boat. I will be towing both in the south alot. I learned my Yukon has the 3:08 gears and no HD tow package which drops it to 5000lb tow capacity. I had no idea. Thought it was 8500lbs. It was struggling a bit up hills. Short distance I can manage but long distance, long term I might want something better.

If I was going to upgrade my tow vehicle & remain in an SUV, what would you recommend? Probably will buy a newer year, used vehicle. Was thinking of a Nissan Armada.

You are still in the same class TV with consideration of an Armada (Nissan
is my fav Japanese badge)

Do note that in the 'half ton' class...there is a HUGE range of GVWR's
and why so many confuse the 'bigger' ones (I call them fake half ton)
are in essence 3/4 ton range (GVWR)

Era is also important if buying used. My 1980 C10 Silverado is the
Heavy Duty version of it's day at 6,200 GVWR. Today's HD versions run
up to 8,xxx GVWR. Back in 1980 a 3/4 ton ran in the 7,600 GVWR range

Best to use their specifications...AKA ratings

Compare their GVWR's, front/rear GAWR's and GCWR's as that is the best
way, IMHO

Baked into those ratings will be the sizing of frames, brakes, trannies,
engines, gear ratios, etc, etc

But first decide whether you believe in the ratings system or not

If not, then academic and just do whatever you wish

If yes, then use their ratings as comparison...not marketing verbiage
and badging

[maxwell11]

old school rule of thumb:

Towing:

at the very least, have a tow vehicle that has a tow rating of 20% more than the max load you ever expect to tow. That way you should have no problem towing up/down hills, hot weather and brakes large enough to stop the load in an emergency stop situation.

in the old days to meet these numbers, if you had a trailer of any size, you would see 3/4 ton trucks, now the tow ratings of the 1/2 trucks are much higher.

I stuck a trans cooler on a 1/2 ton pickup and the next thing I had was a radiator cooling issue as the trans cooler is just another item in front of the radiator to slow the flow of air,
trans cooler, ac condenser, then radiator, with air having to travel through all of this the temp started going up
so I traded and got a 3/4 ton truck and all problems were solved, towing wise.

[tcc11tcc]

Trailer weighs just under 3000lbs, you're suppose to add 1000lbs for gear, and then I am going to put a hitch on the TT and transport 2 scooters and bikes. I am thinking I'll be pushing well over 4500lbs. The rating is 5200lbs.

[Rbertalotto]

I had a Yukon with 3:08 gears. Shifted like a maniac going up hills pulling just a small motorcycle trailer with two bikes inside. And I'm talking Eastern hills, not western mountains. Loved the truck but the worse tow vehicle I ever owned.

Traded it for a Dodge Diesel (2006)...could not possibly be more happy. 20mpg, NEVER down shifts even with a 10,000 pound trailer. Cruise all day at 70 with zero issues. 180,000 miles with only normal maintenance.

NOTHING like a diesel for towing.

[APT]

4000 pounds loaded for what you have should be fine. That's well under your tow rating. Using the first 4 gears only should provide decent performance and improved fuel economy (Tow Haul, M4). Get a trans cooler. $50, or $200 installed. Towing in the 2500rpm range (whatever gear that is) should provide a decent towing experience. Better throttle response, fewer downshifts, lower trans temps, and better fuel economy.

Read this thread of similar circumstances.

If you want to change the TV, then:
2008+ 2500 Suburban/Yukon XL
00-06 2500 Suburban/Yukon XL
00-05 Excursion

Do it right. Check the payload stickers as you shop. I don't like the Titan/Armada gearing. And it doesn't have that much power like the Hemi to make up for its poor gearing. Very few gas engines can tow any high walled RV in top gear at 65mph.