Need Suggestions on getting a tow vehicle

[EvilUncleEarnie]

Presently I own a 2000 Suzuki Vitara 2 liter 4 cyl. and love it. It still gets great gas mileage, and runs great. Unfortunately, we just bought a 1995 Jayco popup camper and the car cannot tow it. The trailer weighs a little over 2000 pounds. I really hate to get rid of my Suzuki but I also own a 4wd 1998 Chevy Tracker that I love and want to keep for off roading.

So, I need to get a tow vehicle. The problem is, I have talked to dealerships and the sales people seem to want to push me to get a monster size tow vehicle. I do not want something huge that gets terrible gas mileage.

I looked at used vehicles but most of the salespeople are clueless about towing capacity of vehicles and those that do all want to steer me to the big high buck vehicles with big motors.

The vehicle I need should have the following:

Room for 4 to 5 people (when not hauling stuff in the back.. i.e. the seats lift up for passengers)

Get at least 25 mpg highway when not towing. I looked at crew cab trucks and the ones that can pull the trailer get lousy gas mileage, and the ones that do get good gas mileage have a 4 cyl that won't tow my trailer.

Have room in the back to carry a medium dog crate, coolers and everything else that I do not want to put in the trailer.

Hopefully cost around $10K for a used vehicle or $15 to 20K for a new vehicle.

I hope someone can give me some suggestions...

[nirion]

2000 Lbs is not that much. Look at a 2006 or newer Rav4 3.5 V6. I had one and they were rated to pull 3500 with the two prep package. It got 25-26mpg consistently. I paid about $8500 for a used one with 120k miles. You should be able to find one easily for $10k in decent shape.

The Highlander with the same engine was rated at 5000 lbs, so I would expect it to do ok. Our Sienna also has the same engine (rated at 3500 lbs) and I pulled a 6x12 cargo trailer with it just fine.

[GeoBoy]

mad trapper wrote:
An older Honda Pilot maybe for that price. Doubt you'll get the 25mpg. My 2013 Pilot averaged 16mpg, could tow 4500 lbs and was 32k new.

You couldn't get a Honda Pilot to get 25 mpg. if you pushed it off a cliff. This comment is from personal experience and yes I traded mine, and one of the reasons was POOR mileage, but there are many more reasons not to get a Pilot.

[brulaz]

I towed our about 2000-2500# loaded tent trailer with a 2005 VW Passat TDI Wagen.

It was a wonderful tow vehicle, and still running up in Northern B.C. despite years of salt here in Ontario. But I think 2005 was the last year they made a diesel passat Wagen. In your neck of the woods, with no salt, you might be able to find a good one.

They get good mileage being a diesel. We got 23-29 mpgUS hauling our tent trailer, and about 37 mpgUS without the trailer.

I would recommend the oil pump chain conversion to gear drive (if it hasn't already been done) and a "Euro" hitch rather than the usual bolt-on N.A. hitches.



Prior to the Passat, we towed it with a minivan. That worked too, although I preferred the Passat's low-end diesel torque and mileage.

[APT]

Pick your favorite minivan. We had 3 Town and Countries before wanting the tow vehicle to have 3 rows of seats. They are bargains new and used. comfortable, reasonable power, and fuel economy. I like the 2005-2007 Chryslers.

[kwlincoln]

Terryallan wrote:
Want 25 mpg? Keep the car, and buy a tent

X2 I think it's time to adjust the expectations.

[MHWASH]

I don't know the mileage, but my inlaws towed a tent trailer with a Pilot w/ two kids.

[All_I_could_aff]

Five year old ford escape V6 3,500 towing, but reduced by passengers and cargo. But still plenty

[mad_trapper]

An older Honda Pilot maybe for that price. Doubt you'll get the 25mpg. My 2013 Pilot averaged 16mpg, could tow 4500 lbs and was 32k new.

[EvilUncleEarnie]

Greene728 wrote:
The kicker is 25mpg towing. I don't believe the vehicle your looking for based off your wants, needs, room, and mpg towing exists. But good luck with it. I hope you find one!

I corrected the mistake..that is what it should read... 25 or higher when NOT towing... Sorry about that...

[Terryallan]

Want 25 mpg? Keep the car, and buy a tent

[bikendan]

EvilUncleEarnie wrote:
Get at least 25 mpg highway, higher when not towing.

The only place you'll find something that gets 25mpg towing, is at Disney's Fantasyland or in your dreams.

There is NO vehicle, not even 4 cyls., that will get 25mpg towing.
Not even towing a popup.

[SouthpawHD]

Yeah, that's a TALL order for sure.

But maybe a Ford Escape? But still not sure you can get the MPG and needed towing capacity in that package.

[Greene728]

The kicker is 25mpg towing. I don't believe the vehicle your looking for based off your wants, needs, room, and mpg towing exists. But good luck with it. I hope you find one!

[Walaby]

I was gonna suggest looking at Toyota Tacoma until you said 10K used, 15-20K new. Haven't checked prices lately, but knowing Toyota's keep their value, not sure you'll get one for that rice. Maybe...

I don't know the tow capacity of the Tacoma, but I would think it would handle a 2K trailer. My Jeep Grand Cherokee will do that.

Mike