Hybrid Tow Vehicles

[ycj]

Hello. We are new to the TT world. We are picking up our new Shamrock 183 in two weeks and will be towing with an '05 Dodge Durango 4.7 L V8. The trailer is 3600# dry, and I am way under the tow capacity but feel that it will be a struggle on hills for my TV. I am just curious what others are using or suggesting as a TV. If I have to buy a different TV, I would hope to find something that can be used as a daily driver SUV and not sweat pulling the TT.

[bikendan]

The weaknesses of SUV's for towing, are their soft suspension and low payload capacities.
if you're stuck on a SUV, as your only choice, then the only way you can get a better towing experience, is a longer wheelbase SUV with a bigger engine.
Or a 3/4 ton Suburban or an Excursion.

you should be fine towing the 183.

Also, a good WDH with integrated sway control, like the Equal-i-zer, will help greatly.

[rockfordroo]

I pulled my Roo 19 (probably 4100 lbs loaded) with a Chevy Traverse (280 hp, 3.5L V6, 5200 lb tow rating) for one season. I would call it just under marginal, although others think it's just fine; I got a Silverado with 7500 lb tow capacity and I'm a lot happier.

That being said, you've got a bit lighter trailer and larger V8 engine, so I'm guessing you'll be OK.

[Archicamper]

I pulled a Roo 19 through the Smokies and it pulled ok. It labored a little on the steep grades. Pulling into the wind is a greater load.


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[jking46]

The proof will be when you actually hook it up and go. 2nd gen Durangos have a body on frame construction and are better for towing than unibody suvs. That being said, I won't pull our 23ikss with my wife's 08 Durango. Tried once and didn't like it at all, but the ik is 1500 lbs heavier than the 183. With your lighter unit, I would think you will be fine. Just be safe.

[skyhawk133]

We pull a Roo 17 (about 3,800 lbs loaded) with my wife's 2014 Acadia 3.6L V6. Where we camp has some VERY steep grades. I can do right about the speed limit of 40 MPH in 2nd gear and it chugs right up the hills. Out on the high way, we flip between 3rd and 4th gear going up hills, and I can cruise at 65 MPH in 5th gear and get about 12.2 MPG on flat roads. The 17's tires are rated for 65, so we don't go much over that despite living in New Mexico where speed limits are 70-75MPH on most highways.

The tow capacity of the Acadia is 5,200. We're also at 5,000-8,500ft above sea level so TVs labor a little more. I can't say I'm thrilled with it, but it's doing a much better job than I expected it would.

[under_boost]

we just came back from myrtle beach, using a 2013 toyota 4runner 4L v6 as the tow vehicle. (pulling a 2011 21ss). 650 mile each way, through the mountains. long grades, with ac on we dropped to 50mph, as i wanted to keep it out of second gear. so, not to bad. rest of the trip was 65mph. we averaged 10mpg, during the trip. i also tow with my 2005 colorado, with the i5 in it. she does just fine as well.

[thestrangebrew]

The wife wanted to get a TT for camping because she was sick of staying in tents. At the time, we had a 2013 v6 Explorer, non-ecoboost, w/tow package. After doing a ton of research, I decided I was only going to be comfortable towing a popup because it was low profile and light, or we had to get a new TV to pull the hybrid we really wanted. We have a 2014 233s, typically it's loaded to about 5500 lbs with a 700 lb tw. We got rid of the explorer and I have the tv in my sig. It'll handle going up the Sierra Nevadas without too much of a sweat, but more importantly, it'll stop on a dime and handles the downhill superbly. With a good wdh, I enjoy the drive everytime we tow. Not saying you should get a new TV, just my experience based on all the research I did prior to buying our trailer. Good luck!

[karrun]

We also have a 2004 4.7L Dodge Durango and pull our 21SS (around 45oo lb dry) with it. We try to tow as light as possible, and stick to the Midwest, but 4 trips out so far and no issues. Hoping to upgrade our tow vehicle next year.

[Afguy]

We have a 2015 Explorer Sport with the 3.5L EcoBoost and did not have any difficulty pulling our Roo 19 over Pacheco Pass (1600ft). Having a WDH makes a huge difference in my towing experience with this TV. We pulled a smaller trailer over the same route a few months back and it was rough. The Roo is much heavier but pulls like a dream with the WDH.

[rocknroos]

I have a Roo 17 and tow with a Lincoln MKT 3.5 L w/ecoboost which is equivalent to a Ford Flex(350 HP and 355 lb-ft torque). 450 lbs tongue weight and a 4500 lbs tow capacity. 6 speed trany with an overdrive. On flat road car tows in overdrive. Head winds and small hills will drop out of overdrive back to 6th gear. Get 10-11 mpg. HTT and gear I am pulling around 3600 lbs.

[caper375]

We tow with a Touareg TDI. High tow capacity and sweet mpg. Tows our mini lite like a dream. The towing capacity is around 7800 pounds.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by ycj

Hello. We are new to the TT world. We are picking up our new Shamrock 183 in two weeks and will be towing with an '05 Dodge Durango 4.7 L V8. The trailer is 3600# dry, and I am way under the tow capacity but feel that it will be a struggle on hills for my TV. I am just curious what others are using or suggesting as a TV. If I have to buy a different TV, I would hope to find something that can be used as a daily driver SUV and not sweat pulling the TT.

I tow my 21DK with an '05 Durango 5.0L Hemi Limited 4x2 using a BlueOx weight distributing hitch. It has the factory tow package with HD cooling gear. I bought a ScanGauge so I could monitor the transmission temp without having to add any sensors. I haven't seen a problem. It was my daily driver until my kids graduated high school and I was no longer schlepping high school athletes around town. Now, it's relegated to tow vehicle duty.

The Durango has more than enough capacity (<- link to Dodge towing site) to pull (and stop) any hybrid but it's near its limit with respect to its ability to carry the payload. That said, unless I fill all three tanks on the hybrid, I'm within specs. (If I filled all 3 tanks on the hybrid, the trailer itself would be overloaded.)

I don't like the steering or suspension on the Durango, and never did. Pulling a trailer didn't make it worse. I don't consider it unsafe, it's just mushy. I replaced the passenger radials with Michelin LT load range E tires, which helped. But the relatively short wheelbase combined with the trailer ball being ~15" behind the bumper results in my being very aware of every large truck I pass.

If I had no other considerations I'd get a new 4 door 3/4 ton pickup truck with a fancy electronics display. That will handle a future trailer upgrade. But, this being the real world, I can't afford a new truck right now and prefer the interior comfort and flexibility of the Durango, when I have need for it. It's a nice passenger vehicle for driving around 4 adults plus some inside cargo, or 6 adults around town. Replacing it with a used vehicle would mean another car payment and inheriting someone else's problems.

My next step is to buy a ProPride hitch. That should mitigate the effect of passing trucks and side winds, and is much cheaper than a different tow vehicle. Also, I can take it with me.

Feel free to PM me. I can give you my phone number if you want to chat. My vehicle is a match for what you're towing with, so I have personal experience. That said, listen to others here. I've learned a lot doing that.

[Nandev27]

We pulled the Roo 183 with an Explorer V6 4WD (5,000 tow capacity) and I have to say, it wasn't great. We then pulled a Roo 233S with my Jeep Grand Cherokee (6,500 tow capacity) and although it is a smaller vehicle and a larger trailer, it was way better. BUT, we took two cars and only had our bikes in the trailer and everything/everyone else in the other car. That is not ideal for most people but we had kids and kids friends and the dog so it was what we had to do anyway. We have been renting hybrids and our trips are short. When we purchase we will be upgrading our TV, just not comfortable for longer trips with either of those SUV's - and I want the peace of mind to be able to pack up whatever gear and people I want and not worry about it.