Pickup truck or SUV to tow 5000 lb RV?

Reformed_Stockbroker · 07-18-2013, 08:10 PM

I would like to buy a towable RV and travel for the next few yrs. My thinking is that a MT (manual trans) is the best way to tow. If the clutch goes, you can replace it with a heavy duty component if needed. Where as if you blow an AT (auto trans), a rebuilt is far more expensive. Rebuilds don't last near as long as the original. Only like about 30,000 miles. I suppose it's possible to insure against major component failure (this of course is a different subject).

The problem is that there is a very limited selection of trucks with a MT. Nissan now charges more for a MT, that for an AT. Toyota & Nissan have a V6, that would work. A new double cab would be over $30,000, by the time I got it out the door. I don't like buying used. That's just somebodies else's headache. In 2007, I saw a Chevy Silverado, w/V8 that could tow that much TT, priced at $16,000. But, that truck now is $24,000. Not including tax and all that. To me that's a lot for a pickup, w/AT that's the weak point in the powertrain.

Anyone have any other suggestion?

OL Creeker · 07-18-2013, 08:19 PM

I ret from GM., Trans plant, Toledo, OH. The auto tranny's put in vehicles that are designed to tow, will tow just as well as a MT.

jlgail4309 · 07-18-2013, 08:25 PM

You might find the travel trailer that fits your needs. The pick the truck or suv the fits the bill. All of the TV you listed makes a good products. I picked a Jeep with a Diesel so I get 28 miles per gallon unloaded. The best I got towing is 12 to 16 .

wneise · 07-18-2013, 08:41 PM

X2 on the trans. As long as its properly cooled, you should be good. As far as the TV, a light duty (F150, Silverado/Sierra 1500, Ram 1500, Tundra etc) WITH a tow package will do this good. As far as SUVs, only consider full size body on frame models, (Expedition, Suburban, Sequoia, maybe Durango) again with tow package. You may want to consider HD versions of SUVs since the extra body, seats and goodies on those takes away available payload.

Sgt. Schultz · 07-18-2013, 08:57 PM

From what I see out there your choice for a MT vehicle that can tow well is going to be limited and most likely a special order -- if you are still in the looking stage I suggest you start with the trailer find what you like and get the numbers you have --- then select a tow vehicle that will safely meet the rest of your requirements.
.
I personally prefer a manual but as the only one in our household comfortable driving a mt we had to go with auto -- a little more care required but I am sure it will last as long as a clutch/manual gear box

Happy shopping

OL Creeker · 07-18-2013, 10:13 PM

Look at the Acura MDX. That is a wonderful vehicle. There are few options - so many things are standard. It'll tow 5K as well.

wneise · 07-18-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjerram

Look at the Acura MDX. That is a wonderful vehicle. There are few options - so many things are standard. It'll tow 5K as well.

Never buy a vehicle when you want it's max towing capacity with AWD and dealer upgrades. Plus for the price, you can get a F150 Platinum screw with max tow/payload giving you twice the payload and towing capacity.

**ependydad** · 07-18-2013, 10:57 PM

While I'm accused of being the weight police and answering questions that weren't answered, I'm going to do it again... Reformed_Stockbroker, do you realize that the "this vehicle can tow X,XXX lbs." is only a small portion of determining towing capacities?

Many times, smaller SUVs and trucks run out of payload and hit GVWR long before ever realizing the towing capacity.

But, if you're already aware- I'll slink away quietly.

OL Creeker · 07-18-2013, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wneise

Never buy a vehicle when you want it's max towing capacity with AWD and dealer upgrades. Plus for the price, you can get a F150 Platinum screw with max tow/payload giving you twice the payload and towing capacity.

The capacity of the Ford on the bumper is 5K lbs., like the Acura! I owned one.

commander · 07-18-2013, 11:26 PM

We tow with 2010 jeep commander with a 5.7l hemi.Equppied with tow/haul package and rated for 7400lbs.Roughly getting 12-15mpg at 90 km's per/hr at 1800 rpm.Here is a pic of what we tow with and no issues and safe in manitoba canada.

wneise · 07-18-2013, 11:40 PM

Who tows from the bumper on a pickup? 11000 from the receiver.

wickedwyrm · 07-19-2013, 02:29 PM

Nothing wrong with SUV's with AWD for towing. My diesel X5 is rated for 600/6000 and tows a SP-220 just fine. Just look for the TV you want and match it with the TT.

DDC · 07-19-2013, 03:06 PM

I'm having no problem towing my 264 surveyor with my new VW Touareg TDI, it is actually better than my Avalanche was, it is rated for 7700 lbs. I have had the hitch strengthened by Can-Am trailers in London Ontario as have many before me. It's great having the diesel power and the awesome milage that it gives both towing and not towing.

tanddc · 07-22-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwyrm

Nothing wrong with SUV's with AWD for towing. My diesel X5 is rated for 600/6000 and tows a SP-220 just fine. Just look for the TV you want and match it with the TT.

X2

I am towing that with a AWD explorer and it does just fine. Just make sure that once you match your TV and your TT you also load appropriately and get a good hitch.

Also, as epy said, its not all about the tow rating.

wneise · 07-22-2013, 11:53 AM

I'm not saying anything bad about AWD. It's good to have since it can give you a little more GCVW with its beefier drive line. I'm just being cautious when the vehicle has to have every single goody added on for the max tow weight to equal the weight of your trailer.

Yetii · 07-28-2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDC

I'm having no problem towing my 264 surveyor with my new VW Touareg TDI, it is actually better than my Avalanche was, it is rated for 7700 lbs. I have had the hitch strengthened by Can-Am trailers in London Ontario as have many before me. It's great having the diesel power and the awesome milage that it gives both towing and not towing.

What king of mileage do you get with the TDI Touareg not towing and towing? My 2009 Toyota Highlander towing my Rockwood 2306 get about 25l/100km (9.4mile/USG) with the wind and 30l/100km (7.8mile/USG) against the wind and about 11.5 l/100km (20.5mile/USG) alone. I will be changing vehicles next summer and I am looking at the mid size diesel SUV's...expensive but will it be worth it?

wickedwyrm · 07-30-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yetii

What king of mileage do you get with the TDI Touareg not towing and towing? My 2009 Toyota Highlander towing my Rockwood 2306 get about 25l/100km (9.4mile/USG) with the wind and 30l/100km (7.8mile/USG) against the wind and about 11.5 l/100km (20.5mile/USG) alone. I will be changing vehicles next summer and I am looking at the mid size diesel SUV's...expensive but will it be worth it?

Not the TDI Toureg, but the Diesel X5 35d is getting about 12-14mpg with a sp220 and 25-27mpg just regular driving. That is mostly flatish driving. With the trailer on the hills it's more like 10mpg with the trailer.

DDC · 07-30-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yetii

What king of mileage do you get with the TDI Touareg not towing and towing? My 2009 Toyota Highlander towing my Rockwood 2306 get about 25l/100km (9.4mile/USG) with the wind and 30l/100km (7.8mile/USG) against the wind and about 11.5 l/100km (20.5mile/USG) alone. I will be changing vehicles next summer and I am looking at the mid size diesel SUV's...expensive but will it be worth it?

So far I am getting 28.44 mpg not towing and 15.1mpg towing, the towing has all been fairly local so it is quite flat around here, all in I have towed about 90 miles I am hopping it stays there or maybe gets better as it gets broken in, it has only got just over 2000 on it now.

GalsofEscape · 07-30-2013, 02:24 PM

I tow with a 2011 Dodge Durango 5.7 Liter Hemi with factory tow package. It is the first year of the redesign. It tows great but I got it with room to spare: the tow rating is 7400 lbs with a payload of just over 1400 lbs and I am towing a 3800 lb high wall PUP with it. I get 22 mpg highway/18 city (not towing) and 14 - 16 mpg towing. But yes, the closer you get to tow rating in your TT weight, less you can put in the vehicle. And where I am right now, I do not take bikes - we take a second car when we want to do that.

Yetii · 07-30-2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDC

So far I am getting 28.44 mpg not towing and 15.1mpg towing, the towing has all been fairly local so it is quite flat around here, all in I have towed about 90 miles I am hopping it stays there or maybe gets better as it gets broken in, it has only got just over 2000 on it now.

Thanks for the info! Do you use a WDH? I have been reading about VW and the how it is a no no...any thoughts?

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