What's a good towing vehicle?

[coryhynes]

I have a 2005 Rockwood Roo 17 footer. It is about 3500lbs. Currently I am towing with a 2004 Mazda in mpv van but she really struggles. It is a v6 3.6 liter. I was thinking of changing the vehicle. I was wondering what engine specs to look for to tow this size of vehicle. Do I need a v8? Or would a bigger v6 be OK?
Thanks

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[rockfordroo]

I towed my Roo 19 (max GVWR about 4500lbs, although I was <4000lbs) with a 2011 3.6L Chevy Traverse for one season. Was not happy. Ran at 3000 rpm in 4th gear at 60 mph on flat and level. Some other Traverse owners (see Traverseforum.com), but not all, don't seem to mind running in 4th, but I was not. Went to the Silverado shown below (7500lb tow capacity).

I think the only other V6 you might find worthwhile would be the Ford F-150 Ecoboost.

[Happy Vibe]

the 2004 mpv came with a 3.0l v6, it's max tow rating, according to edmunds was 3000 lbs. That engine would have a very hard time pulling a full height trailer. Some of the mid to large size suv's could pull that trailer but the engines will rev higher. A v8 will pull it the easiest but may not be needed for such a small trailer. More information is needed to give a good answer. what is the weight of the trailer, how many people in the TV, do you pull in the mountains?

[AMarrs]

I tow my 21SS with an '03 Dodge Durango. The Durango has a V8 and full towing package including oversized battery, oversized alternator, and tranny cooler. The 21SS is probably right at the upper end of what the Durango can handle but it does a good job. If I trade vehicles, I'd probably go with some kind of PU for the towing capacity. (The towing capacity is why I chose the Durango. My Jeep Cherokee with V6 was not happy towing my pop-up. The Jeep didn't have the towing package - just an dealer installed Mopar hitch.)

[coryhynes]

Originally Posted by Happy Vibe

the 2004 mpv came with a 3.0l v6, it's max tow rating, according to edmunds was 3000 lbs. That engine would have a very hard time pulling a full height trailer. Some of the mid to large size suv's could pull that trailer but the engines will rev higher. A v8 will pull it the easiest but may not be needed for such a small trailer. More information is needed to give a good answer. what is the weight of the trailer, how many people in the TV, do you pull in the mountains?

You are correct. It is a 3.0ltr V6.
I do travel up a couple steep hills when going to the camp site. The van struggles with high rpms.

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[thestrangebrew]

We had a 2013 Ford Explorer with tow pkg and we were looking at a Roo 19 for the longest time. I just didn't feel comfortable pulling a trailer with the SUV and took a lot of convincing the wife we needed to upgrade the vehicle before we looked at any more trailers. She finally gave in and we got the F150 in my sig and the Roo 233s. I literally got the trailer less than a week ago, and only pulled it from the dealer to home (15-20 miles) but I feel much more better with this combo than I would have with the Explorer. We go up some pretty steep climbs to camp, 4th of July will be the true test for our TV but I don't think it'll be a problem.

[Talonman]

GL or ML Mercedes Diesel followed by X5 is my vote.

[ChooChooMan74]

I tow my Roo 21BH with a Jeep Liberty 2.8l Diesel. The JGC Diesel will tow that without a sweat!

[coryhynes]

Cool

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[coryhynes]

I was looking at a 04 Toyota 4runner. V8. 4.7ltr. What you think?

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[RockyMtnHigh]

Like some on here, I started towing with an SUV (Jeep GC 4.7l V8). It towed our Roo 21RS ok, I suppose. It did fine on the flats and wasn't terrible in the mountains.

But after a few white knuckle drives with cross-winds, and my mind was set. We upgraded to a pickup and will never tow with anything else. Not a single shimmy or shake back there since. Towing is fun again! Plus, it's so handy to be able to strap the bikes in the back, load up the bed with firewood and go.

If you're planning on upgrading your tow vehicle, think about your next trailer, and get a pickup!

[ng2951]

I would always buy based on what my next trailer is going to be. Ask me how I learned this?

I agree with the others that you really need to supply more information. I am guessing that if you have a SUV then you are going to need another vehicle large enough to handle you family. You will also be better off with having some vehicle with rear drive and a tow package. Diesel is nice, but your current configuration a gasser should do well. V6 can do it, but you might actually get better all around economy and performance with a V8.

All the 1/2 ton trucks with extended cabs would fit the bill quite nicely. Some of them will also handle trailers up to nearly 10K pounds, but you need to pay attention to the rated capacities. They are not always an easy read.

Tow packages are very important. The most important piece of equipment they include is the transmission cooler. Those greatly enhance the reliability and longevity of the transmission. They also come wired with the brake controller, usually heavier duty brakes, bigger alternator, and bumper rated for towing.

By next year, Nissan is suppose to have 1/2 ton diesel on the market too. But it really sounds like you have too much trailer for your TV already.

[muddyrode]

I really like the new chevy 3500 dully 4X4 duramax with a 8 foot box that way when you up grade your set to go.

[gmills60]

I'm pulling a 21FBRS (about 4500lbs) with 2012 Nissan Frontier. 4.0 liter V6. No complaints, but I haven't tried it in any hill country yet. Got an equilizer/stabilizer hitch installed also. Gets about 13 mpg. at 60 mph

[CLT]

Originally Posted by thestrangebrew

We had a 2013 Ford Explorer with tow pkg and we were looking at a Roo 19 for the longest time. I just didn't feel comfortable pulling a trailer with the SUV and took a lot of convincing the wife we needed to upgrade the vehicle before we looked at any more trailers. She finally gave in and we got the F150 in my sig and the Roo 233s. I literally got the trailer less than a week ago, and only pulled it from the dealer to home (15-20 miles) but I feel much more better with this combo than I would have with the Explorer. We go up some pretty steep climbs to camp, 4th of July will be the true test for our TV but I don't think it'll be a problem.

No wonder you upgraded from the Explorer. 113" wheelbase and only 5000 lbs max towing.

[thestrangebrew]

Originally Posted by CLT

No wonder you upgraded from the Explorer. 113" wheelbase and only 5000 lbs max towing.

Yep! The wife wasn't too happy, but I think she finally understood the Explorer's limitations and gave in. Safety was the primary concern for us so it didn't take too long. The SuperCrew F150 has a ton of room in the back for the kids to boot.

[CLT]

Originally Posted by coryhynes

I have a 2005 Rockwood Roo 17 footer. It is about 3500lbs. Currently I am towing with a 2004 Mazda in mpv van but she really struggles. It is a v6 3.6 liter. I was thinking of changing the vehicle. I was wondering what engine specs to look for to tow this size of vehicle. Do I need a v8? Or would a bigger v6 be OK?
Thanks

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I think you said something about a 4 runner? I think most of those only are available in a two row seating arrangement, not a three row. So if you are considering one that has only two rows, with a V-8, I would just consider going to an extended or quad cab pickup.

In my case, we need a full size SUV with three rows of seats when the TT isn't being used, which will be 95% of the year. But your case could be different.

EDIT: looked it up on wikipedia and 3 rows of seating was an option. Towing capacity stated 7,300 pounds RWD V8 models (7000 pounds w/4WD.) Could be ok, but only 110" wheelbase. I would think this might work out well for your current setup, but might want to consider your future TT upgrade as someone said above. If you only need an extended cab or quad cab full size pickup for the amount of passengers you are carrying then I would still lean toward that. Chances are you are going to get much more wheelbase, therefore making a more stable base when you do eventually upgrade.

[Talonman]

Hmm, Mercedes GL has 3 rows of seating, 7600lbs towing capacity with AWD and a choice of diesel or gas engines and a 121" wheel base....

K I'm done, just so happy with mine so far and need to spread the word and no they don't cost that much.

[ChibullsAN]

Originally Posted by gmills60

I'm pulling a 21FBRS (about 4500lbs) with 2012 Nissan Frontier. 4.0 liter V6. No complaints, but I haven't tried it in any hill country yet. Got an equalizer/stabilizer hitch installed also. Gets about 13 mpg. at 60 mph

Almost the exact same, except completely different...

2010 Nissan xTerra pulling a 4400# 21DK. 10k Eq 4pt hitch. Driven mountains through West Virginia to North Carolina (avg 7.5 mpg through 23,000 total feet of up and 23,000 ft of down throughout the trip).

Its not a $50,000 - HD3500 diesel truck, but if i started with that, then I probably wouldn't have the 21DK either.

Most full frame SUVs with at least 250 hp should be able to cope with the sub 5000# trailers. They wont break any speed or MPG barriers, but will be most practical for people who need the mid sized SUV.

[blingo]

toe FR microlite 23ft. 3800lb. with tocoma. it has 4.0 v6. been Yellowstone and S Fla. from TN.