Researching options for a future tow vehicle (SUV)

ClutchDisc

ClutchDisc

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South Dakota
I hope to be in the market for a used tow vehicle later this year. Budget will probably be around 10k max, would prefer to be lower if it works out. The intended use would be to pull a future travel trailer (my goal is to replace my current motorhome with a tow vehicle / travel trailer). Trailer size will probably be around 23 feet or so, nothing super long or very heavy.

I am looking for:
  • Good reliability - especially from the transmission and engine
  • SUV - will be traveling with stuff and dogs and will need the space (vehicle will also be used without towing at times too)
  • 4WD - will occasionally be in places where 4WD would be useful, plus this vehicle will be a spare for snow duty to my Subaru
  • Longer wheelbase is preferable for handling while towing
All that being said, I am looking closer at the first gen Nissan Armada. It seems to fit everything I need in this case. Plenty of power, decent wheelbase, 4WD options, and from what I read, good reliability from the engine and transmission. One thing about the first gen Armada is most for sale seem to be near the 200k mark. Not necessarily a bad thing, assuming the vehicle has been maintained well. From what I read, it seems the engine and transmission on these are generally good for many more miles than just 200k.

Would love a first gen Toyota Sequoia but I am not sure about the shorter wheelbase and less powerful engine. I would be interested in hearing from anyone else towing with one of these.

But I am open to other thoughts too. I appreciate any suggestions and wisdom.

The idea is to keep whatever I buy for the long haul. Thanks in advance!
 
You're going to have to keep a close eye on your payload. Even a 23 foot travel trailer is going to put at least 500#'s on the hitch by the time you're loaded up and ready to camp.

I'm not super familiar with what those big SUV's carry for payload, but if history is any indication, probably 12-1500 pounds tops. Take your tongue weight out of that and you're not putting a whole lot of people/gear in the SUV. It seems like every time I see an SUV on the highway, they're dragging their butts down the road obviously severely overloaded.

Not saying it can't be done, or that a truck is better, god knows the 1/2 ton market is short on payload as well. Just do lots of research beforehand and be realistic with what you're going to put where. Sometimes it might be better to carry everything in the trailer if possible and balance that out to keep the weight off of the tow vehicle axles.

But yes, Armada/GMC Tahoe something along those lines.
 
budget seems light for a reliable vehicle

23ft'er is full size truck territory.. unless you get some kind of ultralight and dont put anything in it.

I'm assuming this is for traveling and not just to go park it at a camp 50 miles away?
 
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Good thoughts. Armada with the tow package and lower final gear can tow around 9,000 pounds. I wouldn’t be trying to go close to maximizing that at all. From everything I read, the Armada is really more than a 1/2 ton truck.

If I could buy my Sienna last year for $5,500 and it be reliable, I think I can find something in this dollar range for a tow vehicle too. I know, trucks generally will cost more than a van of course.

@Rand Yes, this will be more than just camping 50 miles away. It will be for actual travel.
 
Rand said:
23ft'er is full size truck territory.. unless you get some kind of ultralight and dont put anything in it.
Click to expand...

Today's midsize trucks will do it all day every day....Well, at least a Ranger/Colorado and to a lesser extent the Frontier/Gladiator. Toyota need not apply, they're barely at 1000#'s payload to start with.

Anyways, the towing rating is almost never able to be reached in any 'towing' vehicle these days without overloading the payload, unless you are super-mindful of it.

I pulled a 26' 6600# Camper all over the place with my (2020)Ranger and was super happy with it, staying completely inside all of the specs. CAT scales are your friend in this regard, but you're not going to be able to do that until after you buy the truck. Until then, just pay attention to what you're buying, check the payload stickers, and set reasonable expectations.
 
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ctechbob said:
Today's midsize trucks will do it all day every day....Well, at least a Ranger/Colorado and to a lesser extent the Frontier/Gladiator. Toyota need not apply, they're barely at 1000#'s payload to start with.
Click to expand...
Sign me up, Where can I get one of those rangers or Colorados for under 10k in good shape.. Something I wouldn't hesitate to
drive cross country with a TT.

if you are talking a 2012 or older.. I towed 5k with mine a few times and it wasnt even a TT.. but not a great tow experience.
I had the 4.0sohc 4x4 5r55e combo with 4.10s
I drove 55-60mph and we got there.. then I got feeling back in my fingers.. 🤣

I was suggesting in a 15+ year old vehicle you want something full truck size or similar. You dont want the tail wagging the dog.
truck should weigh at least the amount of the trailer and likely need a good WD Hitch setup.

An armada fits most of that.. wheelbase is abit shorter, and rear suspension is likely somewhat soft (at least on later models), but the mass is there.
 
Having owned a gen 1 tundra and a 24’ TT, I would NOT recommend the combination at all. The engine can handle the load but will have to spin to make power, and it makes a lot of noise at those RPMs north of 2700. The braking will be lax, the suspension too soft, but most of all, in my experience the vehicle wasn’t stable with that much weight behind it, over 50 mph.

You really want leaf springs; they are just sturdier. You’ll probably want to use a weight-distributing-hitch, which means the frame needs to be strong enough to handle that torque at the hitch.

I know very little about the armada. It might be fine. But I wouldn’t suggest the sequoia based on my experience with the tundra. Tundra was probably really good to 4500-5000 pounds.

I realize pickups of any year demand high prices. Might I suggest a used half-ton van? You get all the frame and engine plus excellent interior room.

-M
 
Rand said:
Sign me up, Where can I get one of those rangers or Colorados for under 10k in good shape.. Something I wouldn't hesitate to
drive cross country with a TT.
Click to expand...
Correct in this context. I was just throwing it out there as a general.

For something that old, I want NA, old school tech. Good luck.
 
@meep I kind of figured that would be the first gen Sequoia too. Thanks for confirming what I suspected.

Yes I would absolutely be using a weight distribution hitch. Not going to be doing anything unsafe.

I am 99% sure it will be an Armada. I haven’t found anything else yet that beats it in reliability for my needs.

I would consider a van but for wanting 4WD.
 
ClutchDisc said:
@meep I kind of figured that would be the first gen Sequoia too. Thanks for confirming what I suspected.

Yes I would absolutely be using a weight distribution hitch. Not going to be doing anything unsafe.

I am 99% sure it will be an Armada. I haven’t found anything else yet that beats it in reliability for my needs.

I would consider a van but for wanting 4WD.
Click to expand...
Wouldn’t a diesel powered E250 4x4 be the jam?

There, now I did it, thank you very much!
 
You're probably going to have to stick with used for sure. I can't think of any larger sized SUV that has an actual live axle rear. You don't want to be towing moderate weight with independent rear suspension.
 
First Gen Armada fits what you’re looking for. It took me almost a year to find mine. If you’re patient and willing to travel a bit, I’m sure you’ll be able to find one with probably 150k miles in your price range. If you don’t really need the SUV, consider a 1st Gen Titan instead. Same vehicle different body style. Good luck
 
An Armada will tow a 23 footer assuming no more than two passenger in tow vehicle because of payload concerns. Otherwise a half ton truck. Do not go any longer on the trailer.
 
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@snarl Not bad. I would consider a 2500 Suburban but they seem very scarce around here. I generally prefer Japanese over domestic but would certainly consider one if I found one. Don’t want the 1500 with Cylinder Deactivation.
 
Could this be done with a ridgeline? They were reasonably beefy? It wouldn’t win any hill climb awards…?
 
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