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]

If you love the Ody, buy a new one and tow right up to the max with a WDH. I'm serious. The Ody's (not your generation with weak tranny's) are GREAT TV's for towing 3500lbs. That's no joke.

I owned a 2009 for 3 years before buying a 2012 Pilot and towed near max with that also. Believe it or not, the Ody was better towing at max than the Pilot. The long wheel base and super engine/trans combo are no match for 3500lbs of pop-up or small TT. It was the Pilot's tires (same as the Ody's) that showed their weakness (gummy sidewalls) towing at max with a long trailer compared to its short wheelbase. Otherwise, the Pilot was also darn good for those 4-5 trips per year.

In addition, the latest gen Ody's can easily get 30+MPG on the highway all day. The 2009 I had would get 28-29, teasing me trying to hit 30! The Pilot would do 22-23 all day long, all highway.

Think long and hard, and don't let the "need a bigger truck" guys get to you.

[Ryanincc]

If you get an Acadia, make sure you get the FACTORY TOW PACKAGE no matter what the salesman tells you. You cannot add an aftermarket tow package and get the 5200 lb tow capacity. You will be stuck at 2000lbs without it.

Nothing wrong with the Costco tent trailer. You could put a porta-potty in there if needed, but with a shower, you will need a way to collect the shower water if you are in a developed campground. If you plan on going of the grid, boondocking, then you could put up a pop up shower tent or changing room tent (Amazon) on the outside and have whichever kind of portable shower unit you choose... sun powered heat or electric.

However, the Costco tent trailers are expensive for what you get, and the reviews are mixed. For $2400 + tax, you could get a decent popup camper ready to go. Spend a little more $3-4000 and you can get a nice one. And the resale value of the camper will hold much better than the Costco. Besides, what's the fun if you don't jump in head first?;)

[kfx216]

Hi All,

Just checking in to thank you for all the good suggestions and some innovative ideas, too. An F10 won't work for me bec. I really need 3rd row seating. I'm also a woman and just am not into driving a pickup as my daily ride.

I test drove an Arcadia and Traverse (same cars, just different trim styles) yesterday and liked the Arcadia - they said I could get under $30K for a 2015 Arcadia. I hope to test drive a Pathfinder (good idea re: a few years old), Highlander and Durango to compare. Highlander seems like it has the best safety ratings, which is key for me with my kids.

As my "ace" so to speak, I am considering another Odyssey and will test drive that, too. It's the cheapest, safest and best MPG. I'm leaning more and more to a very light camper, maybe even something like...please don't laugh at me or kick me off this forum...THIS to start with for a year or two to make sure we use it since I could use a high-sided utility trailer: http://www.costco.com/Lifetime%C2%AE-Camping-Tent-Trailer.product.11752397.html This isn't the price - they go on sale in the spring. Any way I could put a shower and toilet in this? 🙂

[rbpru]

My F-150 EcoBoost gets 20mpg on the road cruising at 70mph with no load.

I get 16mpg pulling my PUP at 65mpg. It goes the job, rides nice empty and does not cost a fortune for repairs or to purchase.

[xteacher]

I would look at a gently used Nissan Pathfinder (pre-2013, which is when its redesign ruined it, IMO). A properly equipped Pathfinder (years 2010-2012) has a tow capacity of 6000 lb. Also look for a gently used PUP under 3500 lb. With this combination, you should be fine.

I get 20.5 mpg not towing (highway driving at speed limit) and when we had our Aliner, I got 16-17.5 mpg towing. You need a larger/heavier PUP than our Aliner, but you should still get at least 15 mpg towing.

[patperry2766]

If you're looking for a vehicle that you can tow with, while still getting good MPG; rarely do these two meet.

Also, since you don't plan on spending much time at each place, possibly you could change the types of campgrounds that you're looking to stay at. Several I have looked at have cabins and yurts available. Maybe those would be the types of campgrounds you could be looking for, and just use your current vehicle to haul the family and camping equipment you would need without dragging a trailer around.

Just a thought.

[tatest]

You could wait for the diesel version of the Ram Promaster, but I suspect that engine will not be made available for the smallest van, so you might be looking at 4 or 5 rows of seats. MPG will not be as good as Euro models of the Ducato (and competive brands we don't get), which get by with yet smaller turbodiesel engines (and six-speed manual transmissions in some cases) but do not meet performance and frills expectations for U.S. market.

My choice in North America would be the Traverse, though it does not get as good MPG as the Honda, and third row accessiblity is not up to par with Japanese and Korean brands still configured as minivans.

Smallest thing sold here with three rows is the Mazda 5, but U.S. safety standards reduce seating from 7 to 6, and MPG is not that much better than a new minivan or 4-cylinder version of "compact" SUV like Escape, Equinox, or Calibre.

Nothing new is going to meet your price expectations, car prices have almost doubled in the last ten years. Try shopping 3-5 years old, about 50,000 miles used, for prices that leave room in $30K to also buy a trailer. But as little as you plan to use the RV, you might consider a 10-20 year old motorhome, and not worry about MPG on those trips, because nothing really gives good mileage towing a box with 65-90 sq ft frontal area, no matter how well it might do in daily driving.

E.G. my daily driver (actually used more like 2-3 trips a week) is a 35 mpg subcompact MPV, RV is a 7.5 mpg sel-propelled house that can tow the daily driver.

[RoyB]

For what ever it is worth - my 2010 F150 SUPERCAB 4WD truck gets great gas mileage pulling my 2008 OFF-ROAD Camper in my signature block. We can make it from King George VA to Gatlinburg TN on one tank. Fillup when we first get to Gatlinburg, visit the town sights for a week while staying the Smoky Mtn ELKMONT camp.

Then fill up again usually around $20 for the trip home... The Gatlinburg trip is usually around 1100 miles counting running around town for about a week in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area I'm guessing 2 1/4 tanks of gas consumed (60 gals)...

My 4000lb loaded up camper of course offers very little wind resistance when being pulled and I am a very easy driver when on the road. The supercab truck having two captain seats in the front and full seats in the rear is very roomy for us.

The truck bed covered with our hard plastic fold-a-cover bed cover and the 5X8 front deck of the camper provides us room for all the camping supplies we need for out outings...

Works great for us with this setup...



Roy and Carolyn

[Ryanincc]

We are currently in a similar boat. I have no desire to change my 3500lb GVWR pup anytime soon, but I tend to keep vehicles until they die on me 😉 My current daily driver/tow vehicle is a 97 4Runner with a 5K tow cap. Actually after doing the math on the correct rating it has a 5200lb capacity but that includes people and gear in or on the SUV. I wouldnt tow anything heavier with it. So, we are loosely in the market for a 2013-ish daily driver/tow vehicle. We want similar things like 3rd row seating and good gas mileage. On my short list at the moment are the Dodge Durango (6200lb tow cap) and the Chevy/GMC Traverse/Acadia (5200lb tow cap IF you get the factory tow package) We might want a hybrid in the next decade or so, and those seem to be our best options with room to grow. BTW... its SUPER fun to shop for pups and vehicles isnt it 😄

[Dakota98]

I believe these THREE CHOICES all being 2014 models, may be your best bet for staying within budget. If not, maybe a late model used vehicle 1-2 years old. Your options will increase & still stay within budget. Lease return vehicles would be a good avenue.

[camp-n-family]

GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse twins offer 3 row seating and a 5k tow rating. Good power in the V6 with somewhat decent fuel mileage.

[valhalla360]

Your numbers aren't adding up (dollars and tow rating).

People get nervous towing when they try to overload the tow vehicle. If you get a capable tow vehicle towing bigger is not as intimidating but you lose MPG.

You aren't going to be able to buy a new dodge 1/2ton diesel and camper for $30k. If you get an extended cab, you probably can't get the pickup for that price.

If you go with a small popup, you can probably just stay with your current minivan. (key: SMALL popup).

Once you go hardsided, you are probably up in the 4000lb range and a capable truck won't get good MPG.

Of course, it might be good to have you tell us what you think is good MPG both towing and not towing.

[kfx216]

Dakota98 wrote:

kfx216 wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:
Question ?

So, the point is, you need to replace the Odyssey anyway & in doing so purchase something that has the ability to tow a Hybrid or PUP within the weight requirements you are comfortable with, along with passenger accommodations. Got it.

Yep, this exactly.

[rexlion]

I agree, the Durango is a good choice. About 6000 lb tow rating with the V6, I believe. It feels peppy with the way the gears are spaced on the 8 speed transmission. You might also consider the Toyota Highlander, with 5000 lb rating (V6). I've done a ton of towing with mine.

Fuel economy, if important to you, points toward another popup or a molded-fiberglass trailer. A conventional, boxy TT will drag you down to 10-12 mpg in all likelihood. A low profile, rounded Scamp, Casita, Lil Snoozy, Parkliner or similar trailer will probably net you 15-17 mpg. A popup, probably 18-20 mpg. Parkliner is sold from the factory in NC, Lil Snoozy from their factory in SC... not too far from you. Another possibility would be a Trailmanor, but they are considerably heavier (and higher priced).

[Bionic_Man]

You are asking for a LOT with a $30k budget.

3.0 diesel in an Audi Q7 would hit everything but your price point (good MPG, 5000 towing, 3 rows).

A used new body style Durango V6 would get you towing, 3 rows, and your price point, with decent MPG.

Your best bet might be to stay with the smaller trailer, and sink a little cash into your Odyssey.