Towing with FWD based SUV/Crossover

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Stewart Fan

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We're in the market for a family hauler that'll tow in the neighborhood of 3000lbs. The load being a utility trailer,a couple ATVs and a couple dirt bikes.

We've considered selling our fifth wheel (paid for) and buying a tow hauler,but that doesn't feel practical for the 2-3 times a year we takes the bikes with us camping.

A daily driver that can double as a tow rig on occasion will fit the bill better.

We don't want a full sized SUV,and our CR-V isn't up to the task.

The Toyota Highlander has caught my wifes eye. I kinda like the Toyota Sienna SE.

The Highlander is rated at 5000lbs and the Sienna at 3500.

I'm not brand loyal and am considering all options.
 
Does the new dodge ram promaster come in a passenger version?

What about the transit connect?
 
I don't see any problem, as long as you're staying within the tow ratings. Lots of people tow campers and other trailers with minivans and smaller SUVs.

Towing the trailer behind the fifth wheel is allowed in most places, something else you could consider.

2011-09-11_13-13-40_428.jpg.html
 
Ford Escape with the 2.0L engine is rated to tow 3500 pounds. From what I have been reading - it pulls it really well. Over 200 ft/lb of torque available nearly off idle.
 
If your looking at a highlander, look at a durango. Everything is very comparable, but the dodge has higher tow rating.

We almost bought a highlander last spring, but pulled trigger on durango instead. If you are interested in our reasons, just ask.

We researched and drove all the mid sized SUVs and for us, these were the only 2 that we liked.
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Ford Escape with the 2.0L engine is rated to tow 3500 pounds. From what I have been reading - it pulls it really well. Over 200 ft/lb of torque available nearly off idle.


The Escape needs the factory towing package to tow 3500 lbs. Without the factory package, it's limited to 2000 lbs. Still pretty good for its class. The Escape would also have the benefits of being about the same exterior size as a CR-V or other small CUV.
 
I would compare wheelbase length, and pick the longest one. For utillty trailers it should be fine. I did tow a 16ft trail lite bantam camper behind my ford escape. The escape pulled and braked it fine, but it was down right dangerous at highway speed, any buffeting from tractor trailers caused sway that the escape could not handle with the short wheel base. I had to active the trailer brakes alone one one occasion to prevent the rearend loosing contact with the pavement.
You should be fine with utility trailers but no campers bigger than a popup.
I'd pick the longest wheelbase with the towing capacity you need.
 
I'll probably get SLAMMED for even posting this (the anti-Ridgeline crowd is very vocal on BITOG)....but a Honda Ridgeline tows 5,000 no problem....seats five....has a great bed.....and handles like a dream.

I also use it as a daily driver and it's fantastic at it. Very comfortable and if it snows...no problem at all.

I've had mine for a few years and it has been perfect in every way for my needs.
 
Originally Posted By: thunderfog
Whatever you get, put a transmission cooler on it, especially if you're pulling in any kind of terrain.


Interestingly....the Honda Ridgeline has this built right in from the factory.
 
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: thunderfog
Whatever you get, put a transmission cooler on it, especially if you're pulling in any kind of terrain.


Interestingly....the Honda Ridgeline has this built right in from the factory.


My first gen Tacoma didn't have one (I put one on) and my second gen did. Easy to set up on trucks, but I'm not so sure on FWD cars.
 
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
I don't see any problem, as long as you're staying within the tow ratings. Lots of people tow campers and other trailers with minivans and smaller SUVs.

Towing the trailer behind the fifth wheel is allowed in most places, something else you could consider.

2011-09-11_13-13-40_428.jpg.html



Not in Washington.
 
Originally Posted By: Rand
what do you tow the 5th wheel with?


2011 Chevy 2500HD.

I think I know where you're going with this. Why not use my truck to tow the bikes?

The issue is getting the fifth wheel and the bikes to the campground. Its either a toy hauler or my wife towing the bikes.
 
Originally Posted By: andrewg
I'll probably get SLAMMED for even posting this (the anti-Ridgeline crowd is very vocal on BITOG)....but a Honda Ridgeline tows 5,000 no problem....seats five....has a great bed.....and handles like a dream.

I also use it as a daily driver and it's fantastic at it. Very comfortable and if it snows...no problem at all.

I've had mine for a few years and it has been perfect in every way for my needs.


I've never been a fan of the Ridgeline. Not a hater,just not excited about the styling. A Pilot is on the list to look at this weekend.
 
Originally Posted By: andrewg
I'll probably get SLAMMED for even posting this (the anti-Ridgeline crowd is very vocal on BITOG)....but a Honda Ridgeline tows 5,000 no problem....seats five....has a great bed.....and handles like a dream.

I also use it as a daily driver and it's fantastic at it. Very comfortable and if it snows...no problem at all.

I've had mine for a few years and it has been perfect in every way for my needs.


WORD
 
Originally Posted By: Stewart Fan
Originally Posted By: andrewg
I'll probably get SLAMMED for even posting this (the anti-Ridgeline crowd is very vocal on BITOG)....but a Honda Ridgeline tows 5,000 no problem....seats five....has a great bed.....and handles like a dream.

I also use it as a daily driver and it's fantastic at it. Very comfortable and if it snows...no problem at all.

I've had mine for a few years and it has been perfect in every way for my needs.


I've never been a fan of the Ridgeline. Not a hater,just not excited about the styling. A Pilot is on the list to look at this weekend.


There is a new Pilot that will be coming out this year:

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/02/12/2016-honda-pilot-chicago-2015/
 
The problem with the Ridgeline, ultimately, is that it's a very good vehicle, but a terrible pickup truck. It's outclassed so bad in the pickup world.

I think Honda's theory was that the same crowd that clamored for SUVs based on cars were going to oust the truck chassis from the pickup segment too; and then came to the sad realization that people who buy pickups still appreciate the utility of a true truck design and actually use them for something.

Their next mistake was sitting on the fence regarding whether to keep the boring, safe image that Honda owners have come to know, or abandon the lukewarm image for something decidedly more masculine that would fit into the segment. The result is not as bad as the Pontiac Aztek, but not for lack of trying. It doesn't come out as "ugly" necessarily, but it looks horribly confused, as if it starts to look like a truck, but then changes it's mind and decides it wants to be a little more cute and playful.

Of course, it suffers from the same problem that all SUT's fall victim to: The consumer realization that they could have skipped the pseudo-pickup B_S and just gotten an SUV and enjoyed the advantage of third row seating.

As the options, refinement, fuel economy, capacity, and usable space has climbed on the true pickup trucks, the SUT has become even more irrelevant.

SUT's have traditionally enjoyed very short effective lives in the marketplace. I think Ferrari was moving more F430s than Cadillac was Escalade EXT's at one point.
 
Originally Posted By: DoubleWasp
The problem with the Ridgeline, ultimately, is that it's a very good vehicle, but a terrible pickup truck. It's outclassed so bad in the pickup world.

I think Honda's theory was that the same crowd that clamored for SUVs based on cars were going to oust the truck chassis from the pickup segment too; and then came to the sad realization that people who buy pickups still appreciate the utility of a true truck design and actually use them for something.

Their next mistake was sitting on the fence regarding whether to keep the boring, safe image that Honda owners have come to know, or abandon the lukewarm image for something decidedly more masculine that would fit into the segment. The result is not as bad as the Pontiac Aztek, but not for lack of trying. It doesn't come out as "ugly" necessarily, but it looks horribly confused, as if it starts to look like a truck, but then changes it's mind and decides it wants to be a little more cute and playful.

Of course, it suffers from the same problem that all SUT's fall victim to: The consumer realization that they could have skipped the pseudo-pickup B_S and just gotten an SUV and enjoyed the advantage of third row seating.

As the options, refinement, fuel economy, capacity, and usable space has climbed on the true pickup trucks, the SUT has become even more irrelevant.

SUT's have traditionally enjoyed very short effective lives in the marketplace. I think Ferrari was moving more F430s than Cadillac was Escalade EXT's at one point.


I completely disagree with your summation of the Ridgeline....as do thousands of others.

You should do yourself a huge favor and go pay a visit to the main Ridgeline owners website. You can read more virtues and satisfaction with the Ridge than you could imagine.

It's a fantastic vehicle that performs as designed. The new version will be out next February/March as a 2017 model.

Anyway...you are entitled to your opinion...as am I.

Back on topic...sorry.
 
Everyone knows that if it's not RWD, 2 door and with a 10' bed then it's not a "real" pickup truck. Duh.

Sometimes I wonder just how ostracized people from the teens would have been had we been around to criticize their cut down Model T's (and whatever else had been pressed into service).

*

I presume you are keeping the 2500HD, and the 5th wheel; and are looking for a separate vehicle for moving bikes/ATV's/etc on rare occasions?
 
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