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Old 01-17-2017, 02:48 PM   #1
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SUVs that can safely tow a 233s?

Hi friends. I am to the point where I need an SUV, not a truck that will tote the kids and also tow our 2013 Rockwood Roo 233s. I need some suggestions for some older SUVS like 2005-2010 models. It would be 2 adults and 2 kids ages 8 and 2. Thanks for the help.
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Old 01-17-2017, 03:09 PM   #2
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Tahoe, Suburban, Durango v8, Expedition. Smaller v6 suvs will not have the payload necessary to pull a 23 ft hybrid. Be sure to check the payload rating,subtract the loaded tongue weight of the camper. Remainder will be weight you can carry in the tv.

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Old 01-17-2017, 03:20 PM   #3
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Additional to what jking mention, I will list BMW X5, Audi Q7, VW Tuareg, Mercedes GL and Lexus GX.
Those are smaller in size but the dynamics in suspension, brakes, etc are way superior than the big ones.
Some of them come in diesel versions if you are inclined to it.
We are 5, have a 23IKSS and are pleased with its performance as a tow vehicle.
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Old 01-17-2017, 03:35 PM   #4
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With only a family of 4, not sure why you are choosing a SUV over a truck.
Have you been inside a crew cab pickup?

A pickup will be more versatile than a SUV. Especially when you want to take bikes, generator, firewood and so on.
It will also have a higher payload capacity.

If you have to have a SUV, I would choose a Suburban or Expedition.

If you've got money to burn, RACarvalho's list is good.
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Old 01-17-2017, 03:39 PM   #5
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Second the crew cab pickup if it works for you.
The old style explorers with a V8 might do it, I think it goes to 7 or 7500
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Old 01-17-2017, 04:57 PM   #6
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I agree with Dan on this one.. I have a Dodge Ram that can easily pull my 23ws. Plenty of room for passengers, and room in the box for bikes , wood, etc etc
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Old 01-17-2017, 06:13 PM   #7
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I just went through this last year with my 233S. I had an Excursion which towed it fine but in the end after a few trips we got a Crew Cab truck. Now we can put stuff in the bed that you wouldn't want in a SUV like trash, firewood, and bikes.

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Old 01-17-2017, 09:48 PM   #8
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For our family of 5 our original plan was to pair a used full-size 1/2 ton SUV, like the Nissan Armada, with a new <6,000 lb. hybrid like the Roo 233S. (The Roo 233S packs a lot into the space...) Although the used 6+ year-old Armadas we were looking at had a tow rating of 9,000 but a payload of <1,700, were still in the $25K range, were starting to show rust, and had older engine/tranny tech compared to newer 3/4 ton trucks...

When we found a rust-free 2 year-old Ram 2500 Crew Cab w/balance of warranty for only $14,000 we scrapped the idea of getting a pricier/older SUV. With newer engine/tranny tech the Ram gets 17 mpg commuting compared to the Armada's 13-15. We have seating for 6 combined with a payload of 3,000 yet the Ram still fits beside our minivan in the garage. I found a like-new fiberglass cap on CL so our 5 bikes, kayaks, generators, firewood, etc. stay dry. The stylish tinted windows on the cap make it look very SUV-like...

Friends who have hybrids complain that they can't sleep next to noisy camping neighbors or in strong storms... At least 2 weeks per year we like to use our TT as basecamp next to popular tourist destinations & it seems those CGs are only packing units closer & closer together.

With the Ram 2500 we are able to get a gently-used 2-slide bunkhouse for less than the price of a new Roo 233S. Ours weighs 8,000 ready-to-camp & provides our 3 boys with their own slide-out bunk room. I like that we can ALL get dressed & ready at once with separate rooms/doors for the master, kids' room, and bath. We also have a GREAT outdoor kitchen which is especially wonderful for preparing a quick meal when we first arrive at the CG tired & hungry. Setup & teardown are quick...

The Roo 233S is about the best hybrid out there but if you want something with a little more privacy/space a 3/4 crew cab provides more choices for the future...
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Old 01-17-2017, 10:01 PM   #9
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VW Jeep BMW makes a nice diesel . That will pull that trailer and still get 25 on the highway .
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Old 01-17-2017, 10:31 PM   #10
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No offense gang, but there are some folks who are not "pick-up" truck people.

Us for example. Our TV is a 2014 Ford Expy with the factory HD tow package and tow cap. at 9200lbs. Plus the Expy is built on a Ford F-150 chassis. This is my DW main driver and she wouldn't feel comfy driving a pick-up. Just my 2 pennies FWIW......
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Old 01-17-2017, 11:40 PM   #11
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We had a 2008 Nissan Armada with the big tow package. Came with tranny cooler, tranny temp gauge and was rated at 9800 lbs tow capacity. Pulled our 233s no problem other than less than desired gas milage. We have since traded up to a newer 17' armada, but have yet to pull the 233s with it.

Another benefit of the bigger SUVs, the 3rd row, can't count the times where friends are hauled along and the 3rd row helps out.
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Old 01-18-2017, 12:33 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Uvafan15 View Post
I need some suggestions for some older SUVS like 2005-2010 models.
I had a 2005 Durango Hemi V8 that served us well towing a popup and later our current 21DK hybrid. The transmission ran hot on long uphill tows but I relied on the factory trans cooler. It supposedly was an upgrade for towing but I'm sure an after-market cooler would have helped. Gas mileage was terrible, of course.

I recently replaced it with an F150 SCrew EB. I think the F150 will tow more comfortably due to the longer wheelbase and the torque of the EB engine. But our Durango served very well as a kid activity hauler (team sports) for many years, and towed the trailer safely. It was also a nice car for 7 adults. Smaller adults were comfortable in the 3rd seat for around-town trips.

I believe the 2005-2007 model years of Durango were all of the same basic design. Dodge changed it after that. I have no knowledge about the later model years.
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Old 01-18-2017, 02:24 PM   #13
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We pull our 233 with a 2011 Dodge Durango V8 Hemi. It's okay, gas mileage is not great 11-13 mpg. Hubs wants to get a Ford F150 crew cab. The inside is huge and I'd like to pack things in the back bed.
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Old 01-18-2017, 02:32 PM   #14
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If you have to have a SUV, I would choose a Suburban or Expedition.
These would be hard to beat. Not sure when they started offering the EL version of the Expy, but that would be nice. Also not sure about engine choices by year on the Expy, but make sure you get the 5.4 V8 and not the smaller 4.6 V8. The XL versions of the Tahoe and Yukon would work well, too, I would think. You want the heavy duty trailer tow option and the lowest gears (highest number- 3.73 is better than 3.55, for example) for towing.
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Old 01-18-2017, 08:25 PM   #15
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SUV

A Chrysler Aspen properly equipped will easily tow 8900 pounds.
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Old 01-18-2017, 11:49 PM   #16
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We pull our 233S with a 2008 Escalade ESV. It does a good job and its very spacious. Definitely not without fault, like any 9 year old domestic SUV would have by now, but its comfortable and no issues with power (the 6.2L is sweet) and braking with the camper hitched up.
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Old 01-19-2017, 08:29 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by The_Rhino View Post
For our family of 5 our original plan was to pair a used full-size 1/2 ton SUV, like the Nissan Armada, with a new <6,000 lb. hybrid like the Roo 233S. (The Roo 233S packs a lot into the space...) Although the used 6+ year-old Armadas we were looking at had a tow rating of 9,000 but a payload of <1,700, were still in the $25K range, were starting to show rust, and had older engine/tranny tech compared to newer 3/4 ton trucks...

When we found a rust-free 2 year-old Ram 2500 Crew Cab w/balance of warranty for only $14,000 we scrapped the idea of getting a pricier/older SUV. With newer engine/tranny tech the Ram gets 17 mpg commuting compared to the Armada's 13-15. We have seating for 6 combined with a payload of 3,000 yet the Ram still fits beside our minivan in the garage. I found a like-new fiberglass cap on CL so our 5 bikes, kayaks, generators, firewood, etc. stay dry. The stylish tinted windows on the cap make it look very SUV-like...

Friends who have hybrids complain that they can't sleep next to noisy camping neighbors or in strong storms... At least 2 weeks per year we like to use our TT as basecamp next to popular tourist destinations & it seems those CGs are only packing units closer & closer together.

With the Ram 2500 we are able to get a gently-used 2-slide bunkhouse for less than the price of a new Roo 233S. Ours weighs 8,000 ready-to-camp & provides our 3 boys with their own slide-out bunk room. I like that we can ALL get dressed & ready at once with separate rooms/doors for the master, kids' room, and bath. We also have a GREAT outdoor kitchen which is especially wonderful for preparing a quick meal when we first arrive at the CG tired & hungry. Setup & teardown are quick...

The Roo 233S is about the best hybrid out there but if you want something with a little more privacy/space a 3/4 crew cab provides more choices for the future...
What he said! Been there, done that, agree wholeheartedly!
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Old 01-19-2017, 02:46 PM   #18
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VW Jeep BMW makes a nice diesel . That will pull that trailer and still get 25 on the highway .
Lol, no it won't
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Old 01-19-2017, 02:49 PM   #19
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Get a truck, you will eventually end up in one anyway. Or..... just tow uncomfortably
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Old 01-19-2017, 04:27 PM   #20
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Get a truck, you will eventually end up in one anyway. Or..... just tow uncomfortably
The size camper the OP is talking about, and yours too, for that matter, can be easily and comfortably towed by any full size SUV properly equipped using a good WDH setup properly.
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