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

[rickst29]

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.

I disagree; our 4R with Toyota V6 and 5-AT (no blower) has been really great. Other V6 engines (such as our Subaru) are much less capable, but I think that you're painting with too broad a brush (IMO, of course).

[Redtail Cruiser]

Originally Posted by rickst29

I disagree; our 4R with Toyota V6 and 5-AT (no blower) has been really great. Other V6 engines (such as our Subaru) are much less capable, but I think that you're painting with too broad a brush (IMO, of course).

Fair enuf, but everybody has their own comfort level, when it comes to how much weight a vehicle should tow. I have always preferred to have a little more separation between, what the max towing capability of a vehicle is versus the actual weight being towed.

[Padgett]

Opinions are going to be biased. That said for over thirty years I had nothing but GM vehicles and did A Lot of towing, mostly race cars.

Then I had an RV, a 21 ft diesel pusher with a manual transmission. For me it wa great but there was always the ssue of "when you get there, then what do you do ?

Now I have a '12 Jeep Grand Cherokee. DOHC 6, independant front and rear suspension, four wheel disk brakes with ABS, class IV towing package and is the best tow car I have had. Mine has a five speed and is rated for 5,000 lbs towing. New ones have an 8-speed and 6,200 rating. The Mercedes GL and the Jeep share the same chassis and was designed when Chrysler and Mercedes were joined. The standard equipment list is extensive.

I also purchased the Chrysler (factory not third party) lifetime warrenty (good until 999,999 miles or April 2095) so anything that breaks is covered. Do not know about anyone else but I tend to keep vehicles I like for decades.

You can get more power and a heavier towing rating (7200 lbs) with either the Hemi V8 or the EcoDiesel but I prefer a six particularly with DOHC aand VVT i&e. When not pulling a trailer it gets 20-22 mpg on 87 PON. Pulling the TM at 65 mph with the air con on it gets 17-18 mpg.

The Grand Cherokee is considered a "medium sized SUV" and mine weighs in at 4475 lbs with 2WD. 4WD is available but I have never needed it. It has all of the modern electronics like traction control and trailer sway control.

Three years ago I was rear ended while stopped in traffic by a full sized F*rd truck. The F*rd was totaled, I drove away normally and was shaken up but not injured.

So I am biased but have done a lot of towing. I also like being able to go to a nice restaurant (Orlando's "restaurant row" is just a few miles from my house) and just flip the fobic (keyless system) to a valet. OTOH it is small enough to be easy to park. It does need a rear view camera.

For someone looking for a tow car, the first decision is really "pick-up or SUV or minivan or... ?" and "does it have a towing package ?" Once you decide that the next issue is power: for me 290hp is enough and I have always liked 6's. Then 2WD vs 4WD. After that it is a matter of driving what is left and deciding what you like. There are also some leftover '14s around for significant discounts.

But since the '70s I have prefered a big two-seater with a lot of luggage space.

ps I think the Next Big Thing is direct injection with a supercharger that can give diesel performance on 87 PON. It is starting to become available and can give 125 hp/liter. Unfortunately theyare also quite thirsty as yet but that will change.

[Bill]

My personal experience -

I think the last "real" Explorer was the 2010 model. In 2011, it became a rebadged Taurus, with all that implies. I had 2 Explorers, a 2002 model and a 2007 model, both with tow ratings in the upper 6K range, and both with well over 130K miles when I traded them. Towing our TMs, we went everywhere with them, including the highest points in the Rockies and Sierras. If I could have purchased a 2013 or 2014 model, I would have done so in a heartbeat - but Ford's decision made that impossible.

If you could find a 2010 model with the factory towing package and the 4.7L V-8, I think it would be a great tow vehicle. I own an F-150 now, and it is great, but I miss those Explorers.

Bill

[Popupbenji]

I going to suggest a Chevy Tahoe with a 5.3 this engine has the perfect ratio of fuel mileage and power I have an 2008 LTZ also owned and 02 and 07 with the same engine.I would highly reccomend looking up the engine and technology it has on saving fuel ....good luck

[mecicon]

^^^^^^Lots of good advice above^^^^

Originally Posted by Padgett

Opinions are going to be biased.

[Padgett]

So far we have just concentrated on towing but that is less than 10% of the milage I put on the TV. What else do you want to use it for ?

[Bailey'sMom]

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.

Count me as #3

But.....I don't tow in mountains so no idea about that. Still miss things about my minivan though.

[TexasCamper]

Thanks for the great feedback so far everyone. As usual, this forum's participation is awesome.

To Padgett, I have ruled out pick-ups and minivans so SUV it is. Good Q on 2WD vs. 4WD; I will have to decide.

Current minivan has Chrysler factory bumper-to-bumper lifetime warranty. But warranty is only as good as your local dealership's service center. For me, warranty has become worthless. Durango is off shopping list for that same reason (sorry stormpeakco....p.s., avatar photo is at Grand Tetons NP).

Thanks for sharing things to look for on engines & trannies.

Let me throw out another question, and I know it is highly subjective....when buying a used car, how old/many miles is your cutoff? (I just looked at a 2004 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4.6L/2WD but no tow package, 150,000 miles but maintained well by a single owner that I know. It looks attractive, but man lots of miles! How many more until it needs to retire?)

[Padgett]

I find that after 10 years/150k things start to become expensive. I have a lot of old cars but also have many tools, instruments, and a lift at home.

My TV is a '12 mainly because there have been many improvements in the last decade. That I have a 290hp DOHC 6 with VVT i&e says part of it. Factory tow package is also important since it includes much more than just a hitch and my factory receiver withsttod a rear end impact that totalled the full sized Ford truck and I drove away with only cosmetic damage.

Typically a factory package will include the receiver, wiring, larger alternator, larger battery, heavy duty radiator, oil cooler, trans cooler. heavy duty axle, load levelling suspension and generally everything is a bit stronger than stock unless it starts out that way.

Despite all of that my towing package was only a $500 option and does not add much to a used value.

For example on a hot Florida day and after an hour at 65 on cruise (turnpike going south is over 100 mles with one exit) my coolant is usually in the 199-203F range, oil temp is 194F, trans temp is 170F (lockups run cooler than non). I know because all can be read from the dash.

One thing you do not need is to be concerned about a TV on a trip

I also tend to keep cars I like for decades (more than one has been around since the last century) and the Jeep was so superior to anything else then available that it was really a no-braner.

Perhaps we should begin with what you are able to spend for a TV but because you need to be more concerned about reliability than anything else since are liable to be far from civilization when things happen, it need to be held to a more strict criteria

I did pay for a lifetime warrenty but it is a Chrysler "Lifetime MaxCare" which is backed by Chrysler and not any dealer. It is the only one I would consider.

So an Expedition with a 4.6 232 hp V8 and at 5000 lbs curb weght is going to be straining a bit particularly with that many miles & a 4-speed automagic. Do you really want something that large ? If you do I'd suggest finding one with the 5.4l 260 hp engine but will mention that my TV is 600 lbs lighter and has 30 more hp.