Is towing w/SUV in mountains unrealistic?

[FlowerPower-TMO]

Hi all. New to the forum as I'm looking at a couple of different used TMs (2619, 2720) and wondering if I'm in dreamland when it comes to driving from IN to MT/WY/ID in the fall. Other trips would be less arduous and at much lower elevations.

I have a Honda Pilot (4500lb TC) and a GMC Sierra 1500. The Pilot is more comfortable to drive long distances and my first choice. After reading some posts on the forum, I'm more confused than ever. If I use the Pilot, I'd absolutely get a WDH. Not sure if I'd need WDH for the truck?

This would be my first travel trailer and want to make it an enjoyable experience, not a regrettable and expensive nightmare.

Thanks for any thoughts and tips!

Kathy

 

[E & S Lindner]

Towing not a problem .

Hi Kathy,
We just bought a TM 2720. We towed it with a Chevy Silverado 1500. We took it home via Mohawk Trail @ 2,200 feet elevation with no problem. I think you will find it enjoyable to own a TM and towing it not a problem.

 

[Padgett]

My Jeep is considered a medium sized SUV and has a 3.6 V6. It has the factory towing package rated at 500/5000 lbs. It has no problem with the 2720SL and runs cool on the Interstate.

I do drop down a gear or two on mountain grades (Tennessee and Carolinas) mostly to keep the trans in lockup but temps stay under 200F.

ps my 2720SL is currently for sale in Orlando

 

[BrucePerens]

Hook that Honda up, and then see how long it takes to stop from highway speed. That will be your main limitation on towing with it, not whether it can pull a Trailmanor over a mountain. Trailmanors are light and have low wind profile.

I two a 3023 with a Jeep Grand Cherokee rated for 6500 lbs towing. It works excellently. You should get a WDH whatever you are towing with, unless the tow vehicle manufacturer recommends against using one. Its function is to move the center of pressure from the tongue weight forward of the rear axle, so that your tow vehicle maintains traction. It does this by torqueing the vehicle down by the tow receiver. You do not, however, need sway reduction with a Trailmanor.

I don't recommend the Andersen, because it's really difficult to see how much torque it could develop with its very short lever arm pulled by two chains tensioned by two bolts. I have a Blue Ox, which is fine except that the buttons used to hold the bars can fall out. Once the bars are tensioned, they won't come off whether or not those buttons are in place. There are really expensive ones called Henley and ProPride which are overkill for a Trailmanor.

 

[Casey Freswick]

MT vacations

I suspect the pilot will manage in the mountains. However, I opted for a Yukon with 8000 lbs tow capacity. I have made frequent trips to Montana. The Yukon does better than manage the mountains, it easily handles them.

 

[StoneyBurke-TMO]

Tow a 3023 with Honda Pilot

A close friend has a Honda Pilot and they have been towing their 3023 Tm for several years. We live in BC Canada with lots of hills and mountains. We are new TM owners and while we picked it up - a used 3124- with our Nissan truck - we are planning to tow it with my Nissan Pathfinder and don't expect any issues.

 

[Larryjb-HILO]

With the more modern 6 and 8 speed transmissions, engine power isn't what seems to limit towing capacity. Our 4.6 L Explorer handles pulling our 2720 better than the 5.3L Tahoe. I believe body structure and suspension plays a bigger role now. Full frame construction seems to have higher towing ratings than unibody, but not always.

 

[inghamm]

You should be fine with the Pilot

We've done 2 trips into Idaho Montana, and Wyoming with our 2720 loaded with 3520 lbs on one trip and 3560 lbs on the other and no problems at all, either going up the passes or braking. Heading off for our 3rd trip this fall. Our towing capacity is 3500 lbs. For sure get the WDH. We do pack with weight in mind.

 

[Larryjb-HILO]

I would say it's a challenge to pack like Ingham does. At least, for my family. But there you go, he shows is it can be done.

 

[FlowerPower-TMO]

Wow

An RVing friend of mine suggested I ask people who have TMs, but I never would've expected so many responses -- thank you!

I do regularly tow a 10' trailer loaded w/an ATV and 60 gallons of water for work so not un-used to hauling, just wary of something new -- and twice as long.

I really appreciate all the insight, makes jumping into RVing a bit less scary. :-D

 

[Shane826]

As for the Andersen WDH... It seems those who have never used one always say it CAN’T work. And those who do use one, simply love it. Mine works great with the 3326, first towed by a GMC Envoy now towed by a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel (still dialing it in with the Ram).

 

[tentcamper]

We towed for years with a mini van with a 3.0Lin mountains. Now with a highlander 3.5L No real issues, A little slow down on steep grades.

Bigger engines are nice for mountains and if our primary camping area was the mountains, I would be thinking about a large v8. But we only camp where we travel through mountains maybe 5 to 10 trips a year. So the 3.5 V6 is just fine for us.

Downshifting going down mountains is you brake's friend.

 

[BrucePerens]

As for the Andersen WDH... It seems those who have never used one always say it CAN’T work. And those who do use one, simply love it. Mine works great with the 3326, first towed by a GMC Envoy now towed by a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel (still dialing it in with the Ram).

I'd love to get one on a scale, an axle at a time, both installed and not. That would tell us what's really happening. And of course, every brand could use that test.

 

[Padgett]

A back up camera mounted on the rear is a big help. Be aware that the cheapie wireless ones do not have enough range, I had to go to a 802.11 (WiFi) system to get a good signal.

Had the same issue with the TPMS, had to find one designed for a long trailer.

ps Have a WDH but have never felt the need for it and the other half of the bow is adding downforce on the trailer axle.

 

[Craigrrr]

I would use the 1500 truck, mountains on the west coast area can go up in the high 7-10k feet range, your tranny will work hard and that motor too.

 

[FlowerPower-TMO]

Having both an SUV and PU gives me more options, esp if I would end up spending more time out west. My mechanic made the same suggestion.

My Pilot is just so much more comfortable, though, and set up with crates for my working dogs. They breathe down my neck from the back seat of the pick up! :-D

 

[Kwantau]

Just came home from Vancouver Island to Calgary. Had a 2013 GC with 5 speed tranny and it handled the long tows up to 4,400 ft but engine speed sometimes a little high. Had to slow her down to drop it. Now have a
2017 GC with an 8 speed tranny and there is no comparison. It is as if I'm driving a different vehicle although the engines are the same and the towing ability went from 5000 lbs to 6200 lbs. She hauls up the long inclines without a problem as those extra gears seem to make all the difference dropping to 4th gear only on the 8% grades with engine speed at 4000 rpm.

 

[Padgett]

I have the same 3.6 DOHC engine. With a 6400 rpm redline will cruise all day over 4k rpm.

 

[tentcamper]

I try to keep my rpm's below 4k. Does just fine on interstate highways, including the max grade allowed on interstate highways of 7.5%.