What's a good towing vehicle?

[DDC]

My Touareg TDI does very well with our 30ft 264 surveyor, we do use a Hensley also.

[Talonman]

A friend of ours really likes his 2011 Durango.

[CLT]

Originally Posted by DDC

My Touareg TDI does very well with our 30ft 264 surveyor, we do use a Hensley also.

Pretty much required in this scenario.

[CLT]

Originally Posted by Talonman

A friend of ours really likes his 2011 Durango.

A word of caution on the Durango. If you are looking for first and second row seating only then this might be the one for you, but if you truly need third row seating then something like an Expedition (or EL if you have cargo) might be better. I sat in the Durangos and although nice looking, I failed to see the functionality of the seating arrangement.

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by coryhynes

. Do I need a v8?

yes a v8 duramax would be my choice because you are going to up grade and the truck will already be taken care of..lol

[coryhynes]

Was thinking about Ford explorer. I heard from a local dealer that 2006 and up V8s there were lots of issues with sparkplugs. Something about them getting jammed or something. Anyone heard of this?

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[B and B]

Hello, I would look at a Pickup. SUV are nice but when you do hit some winds or a steep descent the extra weight of the truck and dynamic braking will certainly help. Ecoboost fan here myself, have fifth when and did tow a bumper pull with the same truck. I also sued a 5.4 l V8, did well , not as much torque. You can get 2 yr old off lease ford F150s often for a small investment.

[asquared]

If you want an SUV, I suggest an Armada, Yukon or other full size SUV so you are able to handle your next purchase. The armada is grateful to 9100 lbs (although withered short wheelbase, I would stay at or below 26' with it). More than you need yes? Good tow vehicle with 3rd row seating and enough towing capability for what you want to do? yes

Ideal is always longer wheel base and more powerful tv. Reality is you have to be able to afford to camp and fit your family in the tv. If a truck will work, go for the f150 eco boost with max tow to handle most tt you could pick. Good luck striking your balance.

[CLT]

Originally Posted by coryhynes

Was thinking about Ford explorer. I heard from a local dealer that 2006 and up V8s there were lots of issues with sparkplugs. Something about them getting jammed or something. Anyone heard of this?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Forest River Forums mobile app

Read this then consider. http://blog.upack.com/posts/why-u-ha...-ford-explorer

My take on it is that if a company who loves to make money renting trailers scratches this one from their list, then I wouldn't be hauling any TT with it. Not to say you couldn't. But I wouldn't.

[Talonman]

Maybe the OP needs to post a budget so we have an idea of what is realistic.

[chriscowles]

I just took delivery of a 2014 Shamrock 21DK and pulled it about 30 miles near Asheville NC with my 2005 Durango Hemi, using a BlueOx SwapPro 750 hitch. I recently replaced the P-rated tires with load range E tires. I stopped at a scale for a quick weight. With a full fresh water tank and most of my camping gear in the back of the Durango, I was well under the Durango's capacities, including rear GAWR. While I have not towed for extended periods or extreme conditions, I think I'm in good shape.

Another respondent stated the third row seats are useless. That is not the case with my Durango. I've had a car full of high school athletes including 2 in the back seat and it's reasonably comfortable. However, with the third row up there's essentially NO storage. I had to buy a rooftop bag on a trip back from Tampa with a car full of kids, to compensate. For my camping and towing purposes, though, it's fine. I won't ever fill up the car with people and have to carry camping gear, too. If I'm pulling a trailer, I can store my stuff in it.

My Durango is a 2005 and has a full frame. I believe that model design lasted through 2009, after which it got smaller and has a unibody.

[rlocicero]

I prefer the F150 with the 5.0 and max tow for towing. We towed with Chevy and Dodge over the years and settled on Fords in 1994. Haven't had any problems since.

[Blueridger]

I tow a 2005 19' shamrock hybrid with a 2007 Honda Ridgeline. It works great but tends to use a lot of gas when towing.

[Roocrew1]

I've always been in a full sized truck, and I'm quite surprised at how many folks are using mid sized suv's for a TV, especially anything over the 21' trailer. Family of 5 and all the trappings, I don't think I would ever go smaller.

[davel1971]

funny how people can't justify the cost of a 1 ton diesel, but the sticker price on the one I got last year was cheaper than the sticker of most of the popular V6 mid size SUVs. So who got the better value in a tow vehicle

[kho6658]

I towed my current TT with a 2005 Durango which now has 188,000 miles on it. I have retired it from towing but it is still my daily driver. It was a great tow vehicle and had no problems towing in the Texas hill country. Also nice to have a 27 Gal fuel tank. For a family of four it just doesn't have enough cargo space. Expedition just has more room for my family and is great tow vehicle.

[CLT]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Another respondent stated the third row seats are useless. That is not the case with my Durango. I've had a car full of high school athletes including 2 in the back seat and it's reasonably comfortable. However, with the third row up there's essentially NO storage. I had to buy a rooftop bag on a trip back from Tampa with a car full of kids, to compensate. For my camping and towing purposes, though, it's fine. I won't ever fill up the car with people and have to carry camping gear, too. If I'm pulling a trailer, I can store my stuff in it.

My Durango is a 2005 and has a full frame. I believe that model design lasted through 2009, after which it got smaller and has a unibody.

Yeah, I should have clarified. I was referring to the current generation Durango not having enough room in the third row. I have no opinion on the generation prior to that because I haven't been in one of those.

[Boat67]

Anyone look at the new Ram V6 Diesel

[BamaBob]

See my Sig. Get this and tow 11,000+ Lbs

[dwaynerz]

ram v6 diesel would be an excellent option. nearly 30 mpg empty the car mags report. towing at or near 20mpg. what wouldn't be to like? im sure you could get it in quad cab 4wd to boot if so desired.