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Tow SUV which can be towed 4 down
- Thread starter thataway
- Start date
Final resolution--after nearly a month of looking and lots of reading. Although we have towed the C Dory 22, with the Honda Pilot (capacity 4500 lbs in a boat due to less wind resistance and lower tongue weight), our vehicle was getting close to 10 years old, and we wanted something with a bit more room in back--due to a lot of towing planed in the next few years.
We were tempted by the Chevy Traverse, GM Acadia, Buick Enclave lineup. Great room in back, decent appointments, and styling. But were concerned that even though it was rated for 5200 lbs--that there was not enough reserve power for our long trips.
The biggest problem was finding a vehicle with enough room for me to lie down when under way, as well as excess towing capacity, and to be dinghy towed behind the RV.
We finally decided on a Yukon XL (same as Chevy Suburban), which has a number of features for towing, as well as a lot of space (not as much as the old Excursion)--and were finally able to find one with the two speed and neutral transfer case (allowing towing 4 down), cloth seats, and second row bench seat (as rare as hens teeth) It has 382 ft lbs of torque vs the 253 ft lbs of torque of the Traverse (almost 50% more torque), plus on a full 1/2 ton chassis.
I know I am going to pay some in fuel economy in the around the town, but that may be the price of a good road vehicle.
The other down side, is that Marie spotted a Cadillac SRX at the dealer, and fair is fair--so I probably will have to spring for one of those for her...
Again thanks for all of the suggestions.
We were tempted by the Chevy Traverse, GM Acadia, Buick Enclave lineup. Great room in back, decent appointments, and styling. But were concerned that even though it was rated for 5200 lbs--that there was not enough reserve power for our long trips.
The biggest problem was finding a vehicle with enough room for me to lie down when under way, as well as excess towing capacity, and to be dinghy towed behind the RV.
We finally decided on a Yukon XL (same as Chevy Suburban), which has a number of features for towing, as well as a lot of space (not as much as the old Excursion)--and were finally able to find one with the two speed and neutral transfer case (allowing towing 4 down), cloth seats, and second row bench seat (as rare as hens teeth) It has 382 ft lbs of torque vs the 253 ft lbs of torque of the Traverse (almost 50% more torque), plus on a full 1/2 ton chassis.
I know I am going to pay some in fuel economy in the around the town, but that may be the price of a good road vehicle.
The other down side, is that Marie spotted a Cadillac SRX at the dealer, and fair is fair--so I probably will have to spring for one of those for her...
Again thanks for all of the suggestions.
thataway":2weldm30 said:The other down side, is that Marie spotted a Cadillac SRX at the dealer, and fair is fair--so I probably will have to spring for one of those for her..
Bob, don't you just hate that when that happens?.....one of my former work buddies planned an African Safari. The only way he could go was to take his wife on a Caribbean cruise. He is on the Caribbean cruise now and after he returns he works a few days and then heads to Africa.
(I actually, think he's kind of happy about his predicament.... :lol: )
Captains Cat
New member
Bob, now I REALLY feel guilty about having your TomCat AND the Excursion. Those two cars will cost you a lot more than I paid! That having been said, I won't sell them back.. :?
Charlie
Charlie
Bob,
I am not one that has an allegiance to one car brand over the other. However, I have had the experience of towing my 2004, 22 foot Cruiser, over the last eight years with four different vehicles. The first being a 1995 Ford F-150 with a 300 cubic inch six cylinder, 2 wheel drive. The second being a 200 Ford Explorer with a 4 liter V-6, four wheel drive, The third was a 2005 Toyota, Tacoma, four wheel drive. I now have a 2011 Ford F-150, four wheel drive with the Ecoboost engine. I estimate my yearly towing average to be in the neighborhood of 10-12,000 miles. I loved my Toyota and until I purchased my new Ford with the Ecoboost engine it was the best tow truck I have ever owned. However, having said, that the Tacoma cannot compare with my experience over the pst year towing with my 2011 Ford F-150 with the Ecoboost engine. It has tons of horsepower, low end torque, and outstanding gas mileage, Driving it conservatively, I have expereinced over 16 miles per galllon over a long haul of 250+ miles. Without boat , I always seem to get get over 20 mpg on the highway. Granted this was over Michigan flat land and at 60-65 miles per hour. Normal combined driving, without boat, averages between 16-18 mpg. The truck is a very comfortable ride, but if you don't want a truck it is my understanding that the 3.5 liter V-6 Ecoboost engine that's in my truck , or a very similar engine, will be offered in the 2013 Ford Explorer. Before you decide, I urge you to take a F-150, with the Ecoboost engine for a ride and see for yourself if this drive train will meet your needs.
I am not one that has an allegiance to one car brand over the other. However, I have had the experience of towing my 2004, 22 foot Cruiser, over the last eight years with four different vehicles. The first being a 1995 Ford F-150 with a 300 cubic inch six cylinder, 2 wheel drive. The second being a 200 Ford Explorer with a 4 liter V-6, four wheel drive, The third was a 2005 Toyota, Tacoma, four wheel drive. I now have a 2011 Ford F-150, four wheel drive with the Ecoboost engine. I estimate my yearly towing average to be in the neighborhood of 10-12,000 miles. I loved my Toyota and until I purchased my new Ford with the Ecoboost engine it was the best tow truck I have ever owned. However, having said, that the Tacoma cannot compare with my experience over the pst year towing with my 2011 Ford F-150 with the Ecoboost engine. It has tons of horsepower, low end torque, and outstanding gas mileage, Driving it conservatively, I have expereinced over 16 miles per galllon over a long haul of 250+ miles. Without boat , I always seem to get get over 20 mpg on the highway. Granted this was over Michigan flat land and at 60-65 miles per hour. Normal combined driving, without boat, averages between 16-18 mpg. The truck is a very comfortable ride, but if you don't want a truck it is my understanding that the 3.5 liter V-6 Ecoboost engine that's in my truck , or a very similar engine, will be offered in the 2013 Ford Explorer. Before you decide, I urge you to take a F-150, with the Ecoboost engine for a ride and see for yourself if this drive train will meet your needs.
Rollie,
Thanks for the information. It certainly sounds as if this is a great engine. We did look at the 2012 Ford Explorer yesterday--and for several reasons it was not suitable (size of bed and not being able to be towed 4 down). It is possible that Ford will make a 4 WD/neutral case in the Explorer which is towable, but apparently they do not now. Many of the vehicles have gone to all wheel drive, with no two speed or neutral transfer case.
One of the criteria was that I could lie down on the back when Marie was driving---and even the Tahoe and Yukon did not have enough room--we had to go to the longer length because of the way that seats fold down these days.....convenience/ vs function! I tried lying cross wise in the crew cab pickups--not enough room.
The deal is done and we should get the truck the first of the week.
Thanks for the information. It certainly sounds as if this is a great engine. We did look at the 2012 Ford Explorer yesterday--and for several reasons it was not suitable (size of bed and not being able to be towed 4 down). It is possible that Ford will make a 4 WD/neutral case in the Explorer which is towable, but apparently they do not now. Many of the vehicles have gone to all wheel drive, with no two speed or neutral transfer case.
One of the criteria was that I could lie down on the back when Marie was driving---and even the Tahoe and Yukon did not have enough room--we had to go to the longer length because of the way that seats fold down these days.....convenience/ vs function! I tried lying cross wise in the crew cab pickups--not enough room.
The deal is done and we should get the truck the first of the week.
We have 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees-
01 Limited - 4.7 engine 6500 lb tow capacity
09 Overland - 5.7 engine 7500 lb tow capacity
The Limited handles the boat ok.
The Overland-- "wow" Hardly felt the boat behind us.
Both are capable of being towed behind our motorhome.
We love the Jeeps for their dual purpose capabilities of towing and being towed.
01 Limited - 4.7 engine 6500 lb tow capacity
09 Overland - 5.7 engine 7500 lb tow capacity
The Limited handles the boat ok.
The Overland-- "wow" Hardly felt the boat behind us.
Both are capable of being towed behind our motorhome.
We love the Jeeps for their dual purpose capabilities of towing and being towed.