From Santa Barbara, I bet your thinking includes Yosemite / Sequoia / King's Canyon. If so - well, you know where I'm going. The high altitudes and steep grades will be very hard on any vehicle. Bigger is better in terms of handling the stresses. You would hate to skimp on the cost of a vehicle in the name of MPG, and then spend a bundle on towing-induced repairs. In particular, transmissions are vulnerable - and very expensive.
As general statements, the following are true. You decide to what degree they apply to you.
1. More horsepower / torque is better
2. More transmission gears is better (6 is better than 5, and 5 is better than 4).
3. A tow/haul mode is better.
4. More wheelbase is better.
5. More tow rating is better.
Whatever you get, make an effort to get a factory-installed towing package. There are some things, such as a higher-numeric-ratio differential - that you can't install as aftermarket items.
Bill
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