Towing a 4500lb TT with an SUV

[ChristyAndJorda]

We currently tow our 17ft ultralight TT with a 2007 Honda Pilot. It is rated to tow 4500lb, we are 3500 dry and about 4350 loaded. We know we're near the top of our capacity, and had planned to tow close to home until we upgrade vehicles, but with work from home privileges during the pandemic, we took it on a now or never 2 month social distancing trip out west. She's doing it, but the mountains are a strain and the gas mileage is terrible. When we get home, we know we need to upgrade tow vehicles. We are looking for recommendations.

My strong preference is for a large SUV. My husband drives when we tow the trailer, so when we park the trailer, I do all the local driving. I am more comfortable in an SUV. I like that our cargo is accessible from inside the car. We also both like that if we want to leave the trailer at camp and have a more rugged overnight adventure (where it would be difficult to tow the TT), we can sleep in the back of the SUV.

Ideally we would like to get 12-15mpg or better. Do you have any recommendations for a large SUV that could do this? Or are we looking at a truck as the only option for these mpgs? If you think we need a truck, what do you recommend? We are probably looking for a somewhat older model as this will be our 3rd vehicle and the TT is primarily for recreation (1-3 week trips) and not full time travel (2009-2013 ish).

[Lwiddis]

Twelve to fifteen or better MPG with a 4350 trailer, even a hi-lo, isn’t realistic. At that weight a full size SUV or truck is best IMO. Are you within payload on the Pilot?

[wanderingaimles]

I just bought a used Jeep Grand Cherokee. And tried it on a 4000 lb tt with good results.
I borrowed a friends tt and went only a couple hundred miles but the little Jeep did well.
It has a 4.7 V-8, 4wd, and the 3.73 final gear so the tow cap is listed as about 6500. I don't know that I would want to go there but for what I picked up, I've been impressed.
Non towing Mileage has been close to 16, towing it dropped to just under 12, and I do have a light foot.
There are some 5.7 engine ones out there with a little more ooomph, but this seems good to me.