Is there a good tow vehicle that also gets good MPG?

[kfx216]

I decided to split my original post to focus only on the vehicle, since it's best if I buy it by the end of the year.

But which one?

I have learned from my other post that I need to know about payload, whether it's recommended to use a weight distribution hitch and rear axle ratings. What are the best resources to find this information out?

And beyond that, is there any truck out there that will give me the sweet spot I want: good MPG and optional 3rd seating for carpooling, carries up to 2 adults and 2 growing kids (both girls though, so only so big) and meets the requirements to haul (for me, 5000 is as high as I need since I will buy an ultralight TT/hybrid or light PUP). I try to live a green life, so buying a car with low MPG really hits my values. I'm also a single mom, so $$ is always an issue and would like to keep a new car under $30K and have good MPG so I'm not shelling out lots of $$ at the pump (no, I don't expect gas prices will stay low).

I also wonder if anyone has a suggestion for alternatives, like maybe have a used truck for the camper and a different car for day to day, although insurance and the likelihood of maintaining a second car doesn't seem feasible. I'd love to just rent a truck when we camp, but know from moving that no one rents vehicles that allow towing (for good reason).

The reality is I'll probably only use the camper 3-4 times per year for "traveling" trips (vs. staying in one spot for a week) to explore first the East Coast and into Canada. In a few years, I'd like to ride through the US with my kids and the camper, but that could be 4-5 years from now.

I can't imagine that I'm the only one with this issue. What have others done?

btw, my current car is a 2005 Honda Odyssey. Has everything I need except towing ability and MPG. It's probably just a little larger than we need day to day but great for carpooling. Any camper I buy will be 2200 pounds or less, ideally less than 2000, because I don't feel comfortable hauling more than that.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[RinconVTR]

kfx216 wrote:

The reality is I'll probably only use the camper 3-4 times per year

Any camper I buy will be 2200 pounds or less, ideally less than 2000, because I don't feel comfortable hauling more than that.

Thanks for any suggestions!

I've owned a 2009 Honda Ody and a 2012 Honda Pilot, and towed at max with them both. If you are not buying a camper over 3500lbs, by all means stick with the Ody, or buy a new Ody! At max weight, the long wheel base of the Ody makes for a fantastic tow. Its a great van for towing a pop up 3-4 times a year.

With the Ody, you will not beat the long distance travel space and comfort, nor touch the very high MPG for such a large vehicle. Nothing can touch it.

EDIT: I've been banbooseled! I already replied to this thread 2 months ago! Ha!

[PAThwacker]

2005/2006 Jeep Liberty CRD The only 5000lb rated tow vehicle that can boast heavy towing, and great mpg.

[kfx216]

CharlesOK wrote:
Have you thought about a Toyota Sienna Van. Very similar to the Ody but comes in all trims with the towing cooler on the trans and the 3500 capacity from the factory. I just recently traded a 2013 Ody in on a 2014 Sienna just because it would cost almost 2K to get the Ody ready to tow and buying a new 2014 only cost me about 3K. I will be towing a Jayco A-frame weighing all up unloaded at 2,200 lbs. We only travel with 2 people onboard and watch our weights. JMHO.

Good idea re: Sienna! I just saw in Consumer Reports (thank you to an earlier poster for that suggestion) that the newer Ody isn't the ol' reliable that my '05 has been. I looked at the Sienna quickly in CR, but really do prefer an SUV. I have it narrowed down to a Highlander (unlikely to get the price I need) and a Durango. The Durango dealer offers engine replacement and paint touchup for free within 100,000 miles - prior dings against the Durango it seems.

Anyone have experience with the Durango? I am a bit concerned about prior engine troubles, especially since that was why I kicked out the GMC Acadia even though I liked that one the best.

[CharlesOK]

Have you thought about a Toyota Sienna Van. Very similar to the Ody but comes in all trims with the towing cooler on the trans and the 3500 capacity from the factory. I just recently traded a 2013 Ody in on a 2014 Sienna just because it would cost almost 2K to get the Ody ready to tow and buying a new 2014 only cost me about 3K. I will be towing a Jayco A-frame weighing all up unloaded at 2,200 lbs. We only travel with 2 people onboard and watch our weights. JMHO.

[rickm]

Up here in Ontario, the majority of tow vehicles is the F150...... the choice of campers everywhere 🙂

[rbpru]

My saying is; Tow Vehicle, Floor Plan and Cost, are the three legged stool of the RVer. All three have to be right to sit comfortably.

Each is somewhat independent on the other.

The DW and I started with the Cost. It dictated the other two.

[4runnerguy]

kfx216 wrote:
if I should resubscribe to Consumer Reports OR if there are other options now. Thanks!

Here's how I buy. First, I research using Consumer Reports. Your neighborhood library probably carries it if you don't get it. Start with the April Auto issue and narrow your choices. Then go to the individual months that cover the vehicles you are interested in and read the description in detail. Sometimes I'll see something that makes me opt out right away, like not enough headroom for tall people.

The way I buy new now is to find all the dealerships nearby (I've driven 250 miles to save $500+). Then I send an email to their fleet sales department, giving a description of the vehicle I am looking to buy, including options I want and don't want, and asking for their best price. Let them know you will buy from whomever gives you the best quote and that several dealerships are on your contact list. Make sure they give you a list of the options on the car you will be purchasing.

Make sure you know if there are incentives available and let the dealership know that you know what they are. One source: http://www.edmunds.com/car-incentives/

I've saved many, many hundreds of dollars on a new car using this method. No time wasted in negotiation. You walk in, check out the car you are buying, spend some time on paperwork, and you're out the door. We've walked in, finished everything up, and walked out with the keys and seen the same people in the lobby still negotiating on a car!

If you are financing your car, arrange that through your bank or credit union (better rates often) ahead of time.

If you are trading in the old van, you might find it best to sell it yourself on Craigslist or the like. Research what the trade in value is at Edmunds, NADA, etc. Clean it up, maybe paying for a detail. It's generally best to make the sale of your old vehicle an independent transaction from the purchase of your new vehicle. Dealerships know how to shift things around to make it seem like you're getting a great deal, so be aware.

Another thing to consider is a certified used car from a dealership. Depending on the make, you can get a pretty good warranty and save yourself a bundle in the process. We actually flew to NJ to purchase a vehicle that had only 16,300 miles on a five year old vehicle. It came with a 100,000 drive train warranty. It was priced thousands less than a similar vehicle here in CO with over 50,000 miles on it. It was worth the airfare, gas, and motel costs to get it back here. Plus, we got a cross country vacation in our new-to-us vehicle!

Good luck. Personally, I like getting a new (or gently used) car, but I hate the whole process.

[kfx216]

You all are a wealth of info - thank you!!

What's the best report to buy to know what dealer pricing and incentives are? I used Consumer Reports New Car Pricing Report to buy my Ody 10 years ago and it helped me save a lot, but I no longer subscribe.

I just found this guy online, Fighting Chance/James Bragg and wonder if he's legit, if I should resubscribe to Consumer Reports OR if there are other options now. Thanks!

http://www.fightingchance.com/banter.php?js=y

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/customer-service/consumer-reports-advice-and-prices-on-buying-a-new-car/index.htm

[RinconVTR]

kfx216 wrote:
Quick update if it helps anyone...

The dealer said he has a few customers who tow with their Odys and that I can get an upgraded transmission for towing.


Am I missing any key option? Thanks!

Honda's do not have transmission "options" exactly, and they DO NOT have "upgrades" for towing. At times they change with trim levels, where they had put the 6 speed in the Touring only.

For the latest Ody trims, you get a VERY good 6 speed trans at ALL trim levels. I thought their 5 speed was really great until I drove my neighbors 2013 Ody Touring. Holy cow, what a great match up with their V6.

Regarding a key option, yeah you're missing something alright! Only that your dealer doesn't know WTF they're talking about.

For towing, you want to make sure you add the towing package, which typically includes a transmission cooler and power steering cooler. Along with the hitch and wiring of course. (let the dealer install it) Make sure you deal on price here, never pay their retail (highly inflated) price.

And if the Highlander (or Traverse) is a close #2, may be take it for another spin. The extra 1500lbs+ in towing may offset the high MPG's of the Ody.

Remember, you'll only see those high numbers on pure highway drives. Not city and not even mixed. You'll be see 17-20 in 80/20 city driving in both Ody and Highlander. Ditto on the Traverse.

[Wakita46]

Have you thought about Buick Enclave, Ford Flex, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe,
Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Murano, Nissan Xterra,
Toyota 4Runner,or Volvo XC60?

[kfx216]

Quick update if it helps anyone...

I've test driven the Arcadia, Traverse, Pathfinder, Odyssey and Highlander.

Liked the Arcadia and liked it better than the Traverse (due to the trim).

Really didn't like the Pathfinder, which is a bummer because the price was great on a 2014.

Liked the Highlander well enough, but first dealer didn't have any and the second only has a few. Price is unlikely to be low enough for me and I didn't "love" it enough to pay $6K more.

And then there was the Odyssey. I actually prefer the 2005 Ody I have now, but if I buy need to do it now vs. 1-2 years. it was the lowest price for a 2014 although the Pathfinder was close. The dealer said he has a few customers who tow with their Odys and that I can get an upgraded transmission for towing. It's boring, but it hits all the things I want, including MPG. Just wish I enjoyed driving it more.

I might look at a used car, but that seems to get into a whole slew of new issues that I don't have time to assess given my timeline.

Am I missing any key option? Thanks!

[PAThwacker]

If you get a 5000lb rated cuv with measly third row, you are stuck with a popup camper or single axle
15 to 17ft htt 3500lb gvw.

18 to 23ft htt are 4000lb to 7600lb

[RinconVTR]

kfx216 wrote:


But is it really that good of an idea to tow with a front wheel drive car?

Nothing at all wrong towing with FWD, within limits of course.

I mostly towed a 3 place ATV trailer with my 2009. Fully loaded, fueled and trunks full of gear, I have no doubt we were closer to 4,000lbs and we could not use a WDH. We had 3 grown men inside the van for each trip, and the Ody impressed us all every time. We would have used my buddies Burb, but it was my trailer and he drives like he stole his truck. Even he admitted the Ody did great, it just needs to rev as any gas motor does when towing.

I also towed a 2200lb pop-up all of 3 times? May be twice. But anyway, I hardly knew it was back there. Not until we loaded the van up with kids and lots of gear (that didn't fit in the camper) did I notice the rear sag a bit. But nothing that concerned me.

You could always add air bags for less than $100 if the sag bothers you and you don't want to or cant use a WDH. (WDH is the best choice though)

Those mid-size SUV's are a great option also, but wont get near the MPG of the newer Ody's if that is really a big deal. City MPG is going to be similar across the board, but on the highway the Ody has serious legs. Other things I miss are road handling like a Sedan, and the all the SPACE and rear cargo area of the van!

Good luck to you.

[kfx216]

Thanks, Rincon. I don't love the Ody, but I want to minimize $$ in a car and maximize MPG since those are my key cost points.

Good to know about the new Ody trans. My Ody is a 2005 and gets 250-ish miles per tank for around town driving, which is what I do the most.

But is it really that good of an idea to tow with a front wheel drive car?

One thing is I absolutely won't pull up to the max - I was there with my old camper and my Ody and just didn't like how it felt to me.