MID-SIZE SUV/Crossover Tow Vehicles?

[decooney]

Question:
Any experience out here on club Cobra towing an open trailer and Cobra around 4,300 lbs. with a mid-size SUV that can only tow 5,000lbs. I'm parting with my existing Chevy Tahoe and Honda Accord, getting down to ONE SUV/Crossover; probably in search of something that does not exist yet, but keep looking. I have a feeling the new SUVs in 2010 will be what i need, but what exists in 2008/2009 that can do what I need, what am I missing out there?



Considerations:

- Shorter hauls, 500 mile trips or less.
- My dual axle 1,800lb trailer has electric brakes
- Car weighs 2,500lbs, tongue weight is nomimal.
- Total trailer/car weight is a total of 4,300 lbs.
- I gave up on aluminum trailer idea, keeping my steel trailer.

Requirements:
-Smaller mid-size like a V6/4Runner size
-Would like something a tad more nimble than my current '02 Tahoe
-Must be proven safe, worried about tail whipping issues
-SUV Crossover / Crossover Truck like Ridgeline or Avalanche still a consideration
-Must get over 22mpg on Freeway without a trailer
-Supports class 3+ tow hitch setup


Vehicles Researched So far:
-Ford Edge (limited to 3,500lbs)
-Murano/FX35 (limited to 3,500lbs)
-Honda Ridgeline (a bit too large for me, limit at 5,000lbs - still considering)
-4Runner (reports state V6 sags easlily, squirley, needs other costly leveling device provisions)
-Tahoe' 5.3 / Fuel Mgmt system (still a possibility, but not really midszie, want smaller)
-Tahoe Hybrid (too expensive, and still too big)
-VW Toureg II (bad MPG, expensive, reliability issues)
-Porsche Cayanne (I wish, big $$$, bad MPG)

Is there a Midsize Needle in the Haystack here somewhere, or coming out soon in 2009/2010?

Any great reports towing using a newer Honda Ridgeline, for long distances?

[madmaxx]

I towed my spf back on an all aluminium serpent express (1200lbs) with a gmc 1500. Towed it great. Hooked it up to my GMC envoy with 6800lb towing capacity and yes it would tow, but no where as well as the 1500 pick up. Tow rating are for a guy towing something 25 miles to the boat ramp, if you are towing cars 100's of miles you need a full size vehicle or part ownership in transmission shop.

[Mark IV]

Ford Flex.

The Flex has an optional Class III tow package that allows 4500#. I have run one (a FWD) down the highway on cruise and averaged 26 MPG (EPA highway rating is 24 for the FWD, 22 MPG for the AWD.) Tons of room inside, good wheelbase for towing stability. The tow package includes a engine oil cooler and hitch reciever with both 7 pin and 4 pin connectors.

[wtm442]

GMC Acadia (or the Chevy or Buick equivalent). 4500 lbs towing capacity. The 4300 lbs you have now plus you at 200 lbs gets you to the limit. So no passengers and no other stuff in the car. You have to look at the footnotes attached to the towing specs.

I have no idea how it tows, but I like the looks.

Maybe it is time for the lightweight aluminum Serpent Express trailer.

[RICK LAKE]

Decooney Wayne Safety wise you are better with a cab and a half pickup truck with a trailer towing package. Min gearing is 3.73. The better ones are 4.10 or 4.11. Get the 5.3 motor. The 6.0 will pull easier but not sure what the price differents is. I have replaced or repaired many 4L60e and 4L65E trans missions in the Envoy and TrailBlazer. The gearing is TOO low in them and they burn up the trans even in towing mode. The other big question is SPEED??? How fast are you trying to pull your rig? I have a dually with a 350 mouse motor and 4.10 gears. The trailer is 1,900 pounds and the car is 2,705. Add another 600 lbs for tools, spare trans and rearend. I pull in the mountains and get about 10-12 mpg on the flat areas I get 12-14 mpg. This is between 65-70 mph. Truck empty get 14-15 everyday driving. You could buy a short wheel pickup with cab and a half in a 1500 series For a good price. The 2500 series will have a better drivetrain and cut the MPG buy about 2 miles per gallon. Rick L. I work for GMC and Chevy at this time and for the last 11 years.

[Frank Messina]

I know you want NEW but what you're looking for is a '96 Explorer 2WD 5.0 with the trailer towing package. It's rated to 7800 lbs. Gas mileage is close to your target but probably 1 or 2 short. Great ride with Michellin tires. Super comfortable interior. Last year( maybe the only?) for front seats with the extendable thigh supports. Very cool feature on long trips. Regular maintenance only except for a new radiator at 136000 miles when the plastic tank cracked. Maybe Ford or somebody will reincarnate this one, ..... or not. I'm keeping mine though.
Frank

[letsboogie351]

How about this beauty towing capacity 2300KG

[John S Peterson]

Keep your ears/eyes open for a very, very "kool", cool Hemi/Hybrid Durango If I told you any more I'd have to kill my self.
John

[decooney]

Originally Posted by John S Peterson

Keep your ears/eyes open for a very, very "kool", cool Hemi/Hybrid Durango If I told you any more I'd have to kill my self.
John

Hi John,
You mean this one on the Dodge website? Bolded a few things below. Look like they announced it on 06/17/08.
http://www.dodge.com/en/2009/durango_hybrid/
__________________________________________________ _______________

Chrysler announced today that it is pricing its full-size 4x4 sport-utility vehicle (SUV) hybrid electric vehicles nearly $8,000 below the competition.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the new 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI(R) Hybrid is $45,340, including $800 for destination. The MSRP for the new 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid is $45,570, including $800 for destination. Additionally, customers are expected to receive an estimated tax credit of $1,800.

"The new 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid deliver fuel economy up to 20 miles per gallon - a 40 percent improvement in the city and 25 percent overall - best-in-class cargo room, and are priced nearly $8,000 below the competition," said Deborah Meyer, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer - Chrysler LLC. "Offering the unique combination of value, fuel economy, performance and capability, Chrysler's hybrid vehicles deliver exactly what SUV owners are demanding in today's marketplace."

The 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid vehicles are Chrysler's first entries in the hybrid market.

Capable of towing 6,000 lbs., the 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid vehicles deliver seamless, dependable power and performance on demand, in an efficient package. With an electrically variable transmission - featuring the best characteristics of an automatic transmission and hybrid drive - and two different hybrid modes of operation, the drive system dramatically improves fuel economy around town and at highway speeds.

The 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid and Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid are coupled with Chrysler's renowned 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine. Total output, when combined with the advanced two-mode hybrid system, is 385 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. In hybrid form, the HEMI continues to feature Chrysler's fuel-saving MDS technology, which allows the engine to seamlessly alternate between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. The two-mode system provides assistance from electric motors, allowing the HEMI V-8 to remain in four-cylinder mode more often than without a hybrid powertrain, improving overall fuel economy.

[John S Peterson]

Duane...Drove one yesterday, although not actually in production yet...they will build on a "when technician's are trained" basis and have to say I was impressed. Not enough space to say why, but rated at 6,000lbs towing capacity, 4 link rear susp with a watts linkage. The Aspen is the luxury version of the same.
John

[Larry N Johnson]

Duane,

How are you? Hope all is well w you and your family.

Regarding tow rigs, we get involved with a lot of different units in the Serpent Express business.

My personal experience is interesting.

We had an Explorer 5.0 for years and towed all over the West as you know. Very reliable rig, tows perfectly for our size trailer/roadster combo. But the solid axle setup was not fun; rode too harsh for everyday. Spring rate is for loads, not everyday use. And the gas mileage just was not there. 18 at best on long trips w out a trailer, babying it to get that.


In July of this year we made the decision to get a 4.6 V8 Merc Moutaineer. What a pleasant upgrade! It tows equal to the 5.0 except the revs are higher uphill. (5.0 has torque at lower rpm) On the level about the same revs, 2000. Gas mileage when towing about the same: 14. But without the trailer, this thing gets fabulous mileage. On 3 recent trips to Bonneville Salt Flats, I was able to get the average gas mileage reading up to 23.9 mpg! Granted I babied it, 65 mph, etc. But 21-22 on the freeway at 70 is doable. Ours is black, but here is what they look like:


And the Mountaineer has a lot of "creature comforts"; this one is the Premier model; backup sensors, 6-cd changer, premium sound, heated leather seats, DVD, etc, etc. Shirley and I both like it a lot.

Another interesting rig would be the 06 and newer Explorer w the 4.6 3-valve V8 engine. Gobs of hp, mod engine for good mileage. "With the V8 engine, the Explorer is rated to tow up to a whopping 7,300 pounds"; for more detail, see review. (EPA gas mileage 20 Hwy)

Here is a comparison of smaller Ford V8 engines HP and Torque:

SUV____________ Engine_____HP___________Torque
Explorer XLT AWD____5.0 V8______215 at 4200___288 at 3300
Mountaineer AWD____4.6 V8 2V___239 at 4750____282 at 4000
Explorer XLT_________4.6 V8 3V___292 @ 5750___300 @ 3950

Good luck on the search!

[decooney]

Hi Larry,
I completed my research and decided to keep my Tahoe and buy a new sedan instead. I now spend more money on insurance than I would have before on gas, but go figure, logic did not prevail in the end.

Thanks! DC

[What'saCobra?]

Smart move. Keep what you got. Comfort is very important.

Next time, consider a two or three year old stretched Chevy Trailblazer. Big straight six, seats 7, comfortable, pulls at least 6K, only available with trailer package and limited slip. Paid 14K last year for my uber-clean 37K miles stretched 2004. Love it and it pulls superb. 20 on highway (W/O trailer),15 city (W/O trailer) and 14 highway, w/trailer (65 mph... leave early, drive relaxed, easy starts). Conserve momentum, trail throttle early up to lights.

[mtml427]

I know you decided to keep your Tahoe but I have waiting for the Mercedes ML diesel. The reports seem to vary on fuel mileage. I have heard as low as 24-25 hwy and as high as 30-33 hwy. They can tow 4500 lbs no problem.