Which SUVs to consider....your opinions please!

[TexasCamper]

Hey everyone,
I'm entering the shopping market for a SUV. I'd like the tow capacity to be north of 5,000 lbs. so I can have more flexibility with packing my 3023 and traveling more Rocky Mountain passes and higher elevations.

I've noticed that the current batch of mid-size SUVs (like Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Chevy Traverse) quote a standard 2,000 lb tow capacity but a 5,000 lb tow capacity with their tow package. I'm skeptical on how a tow package can more than double the tow capacity. Your thoughts?

So I'm looking at larger SUVs such as Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon. These are in the 6,000-9,000 lb tow capacity.

So what SUVs do you suggest I look at?
(p.s., considering used vehicles say 2010-2014 vintage due to sticker shock of some of these 2015 models!)

Thanks,
John

[stormpeakco]

Originally Posted by TexasCamper

Hey everyone,
I'm entering the shopping market for a SUV. I'd like the tow capacity to be north of 5,000 lbs. so I can have more flexibility with packing my 3023 and traveling more Rocky Mountain passes and higher elevations.

I've noticed that the current batch of mid-size SUVs (like Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Chevy Traverse) quote a standard 2,000 lb tow capacity but a 5,000 lb tow capacity with their tow package. I'm skeptical on how a tow package can more than double the tow capacity. Your thoughts?

So I'm looking at larger SUVs such as Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon. These are in the 6,000-9,000 lb tow capacity.

So what SUVs do you suggest I look at?
(p.s., considering used vehicles say 2010-2014 vintage due to sticker shock of some of these 2015 models!)

Thanks,
John

TC John, (IMO) the ideal tow vehicle is one that may be utilized every day and decent at towing the TM on those occasions. A few TMOs have 3rd generation Durangos (w/ factory tow package) and seem to be satisfied with the overall performance, handling, brakes, safety features-air bags, cargo carrying capacity/3rd row seat, mpg, parking, wheel base and amenities outside of towing our 2720QB (w/ WDH) in the Rockies (620#/6200#, w/V6. Really wanted to avoid fueling, garaging and parking a larger land yacht). We considered a 4 Runner though liked the DD more for virtually everything but for the serious off road performance (not something we do a lot of on a regular basis).

This is nothing like our previous first generation Durango and my Brother in law from Texas (who previously owned Benz SUVs in the last 25 years) just purchased a DD for their everyday vehicle, long trips to Virginia and to tow their boat to the lake. There are other contributors on this forum who will present other decent vehicles. Good luck with your search. Dave

[GolfingDebby]

We tow our 2008 3326 with a 2004 Chevy Tahoe LT. We purchased the car new and it now has 190,000 miles on it. The only repair in all those miles (other than routine maintenance) was to replace the water pump. It has the 5.6L engine with the factory towing package. We get about 12 to 13 MPG when towing the fully loaded beast and barely know the TM is there...except when you pull out. We would recommend the Tahoe to anyone towing a larger TM. When this one finally goes off to the happy hunting ground it will be replaced with another Tahoe.

[stormpeakco]

Originally Posted by TexasCamper

Hey everyone,
I'm entering the shopping market for a SUV. I'd like the tow capacity to be north of 5,000 lbs. so I can have more flexibility with packing my 3023 and traveling more Rocky Mountain passes and higher elevations.

I've noticed that the current batch of mid-size SUVs (like Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Chevy Traverse) quote a standard 2,000 lb tow capacity but a 5,000 lb tow capacity with their tow package. I'm skeptical on how a tow package can more than double the tow capacity. Your thoughts?

So I'm looking at larger SUVs such as Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon. These are in the 6,000-9,000 lb tow capacity.

So what SUVs do you suggest I look at?
(p.s., considering used vehicles say 2010-2014 vintage due to sticker shock of some of these 2015 models!)

Thanks,
John

BTW, was your photo taken just north of Leadville, CO?

[klpauba]

I tow my '05 2720SL with a 2012 Traverse. The tow package gives you a heavy-duty radiator and a transmission cooler to provide the 5200 lb towing capacity. Additionally, there's a special "tow" switch that alters the behavior of the transmission shifting patterns.

I'm very happy using it for towing and not having to purchase a new vehicle just to enjoy the TM.

[TrailManorMan]

Originally Posted by klpauba

I tow my '05 2720SL with a 2012 Traverse. The tow package gives you a heavy-duty radiator and a transmission cooler to provide the 5200 lb towing capacity. Additionally, there's a special "tow" switch that alters the behavior of the transmission shifting patterns.

I'm very happy using it for towing and not having to purchase a new vehicle just to enjoy the TM.

Me too!

[MarkoPolo]

Not sure if the 3.5L Ecoboost is available in an SUV, but it is absolutely effortless pulling at high altitude. An amazing engine.

[Redtail Cruiser]

Hi John, because you want to pull your 3023 thru mountain passes, I wouldn't get a vehicle that has a V6, unless it is turbocharged. A V8 will get the job done, because it will have the HP and torque you'll need.

[stormpeakco]

Originally Posted by Redtail Cruiser

Hi John, because you want to pull your 3023 thru mountain passes, I wouldn't get a vehicle that has a V6, unless it is turbocharged. A V8 will get the job done, because it will have the HP and torque you'll need.

8 speed tranny makes a world of difference while towing w/ V6 in Rockies (but we're retired, allergic to cities and we're not speeders by any stretch).

[Padgett]

+1 nothing wrong with a properly balanced V6 in the 3-4 liter range and VVT i&e.

Travelling up steep passes is a small fraction of your total travel (speaking as someone who travelled all around the Rockies and Cascades in a single port VW Westphalia wirh an RVEECO cooler on the side - that teaches you patience).

Also where you go is important: if you plan on a lot of Forest Service and "unimproved" roads then a 4x4 with a low range transfer case is going to be important. Personally have never needed more than posi.

Have mixed emotions about lotsa gears (more than 5 or 6) and an engine with a very wide torque band (90% of peak from 1800 to 6400 rpm) negates the need for 8 or 9 gears unless it skips a lot. (My Crossfire has a 6 speed with trerrible ratios: Granny, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Direct, OD fwith the first good for mall crawling, slow parages, and going stright up the side of a wall. I still enjoy it just usually start in 2 and winds higher than I like on the Interstate).

However am one of the strange people who looks at a plot of torque vs rpm vs speed in gears. Also need to consider that taking a grade a 4,000 rpm is about like 3000 with a V8 or 2500 with a diesel.

For me the total cost of ownership is better with my Pentastar than anything else and the only time an archaeic V8 would be noticed is a very small percentage of actual driving but the lower MPG is forever. Further the additional initial cost of a turbo diesel plus the higher cost of diesel fuel make it a non-started and I like diesels just not this century.

Can say that vehicles of this decade are much improved over all earlier.

Finally when I bought my jeep, I considered used ones first but the difference between a used one with 12k miles and a new one with the towing package and 15 miles/full warrenty on the dealer's lot was less than $1k. A no braner for me.