Need a vehicle that can tow... suggestions?
unlost dogs
Posts: 12,553
Advice, please.
Sadly I am going to have to trade in the Mighty Honda Element for a vehicle that can tow a camping trailer. Looking to do this in the next month.
I'm open to suggestions. Most of the camper trailers I'm looking at appear to be in the 3,500-5,000 pound range. Although I am somewhat confused by the dry weight/curb weight/gross vehicle weight etc. numbers. I guess I have to go by the gross weight, right? Taking into account the trailer, the gear, the passengers, the stuff in the towing vehicle...
So I'm looking at the Nissan Pathfinder and a bunch of other things in that category. Ideally the vehicle I end up with will be able to tow a fair amount, will have rear seats that fold flat so I can work the dogs out of the car and travel with them crated. (Nervous about that now since two good friends were in bad accidents on their way the same tournament earlier this month.)
#1 priority: Comfy for the dogs with rear seats that fold flat
#2 priority: Can tow a lot
#3 priority: Fuel economy (I know, it's a pipe dream...)
#4 priority: Comfy for me
Any advice?
Sadly I am going to have to trade in the Mighty Honda Element for a vehicle that can tow a camping trailer. Looking to do this in the next month.
I'm open to suggestions. Most of the camper trailers I'm looking at appear to be in the 3,500-5,000 pound range. Although I am somewhat confused by the dry weight/curb weight/gross vehicle weight etc. numbers. I guess I have to go by the gross weight, right? Taking into account the trailer, the gear, the passengers, the stuff in the towing vehicle...
So I'm looking at the Nissan Pathfinder and a bunch of other things in that category. Ideally the vehicle I end up with will be able to tow a fair amount, will have rear seats that fold flat so I can work the dogs out of the car and travel with them crated. (Nervous about that now since two good friends were in bad accidents on their way the same tournament earlier this month.)
#1 priority: Comfy for the dogs with rear seats that fold flat
#2 priority: Can tow a lot
#3 priority: Fuel economy (I know, it's a pipe dream...)
#4 priority: Comfy for me
Any advice?
15 years of sharks 06/30/08 (MA), 05/17/10 (Boston), 09/03/11 (Alpine Valley), 09/04/11 (Alpine Valley), 09/30/12 (Missoula), 07/19/13 (Wrigley), 10/15/13 (Worcester), 10/16/13 (Worcester), 10/25/13 (Hartford), 12/4/13 (Vancouver), 12/6/13 (Seattle), 6/26/14 (Berlin), 6/28/14 (Stockholm), 10/16/14 (Detroit)
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New, range around $40k.
I had a Land Rover Freelander a while back and loved it, but it's too small for my needs. I'll check out the other versions and the Tahoe.
Would love a Blenderman pimped ride, but I suspect you're a bit to far away, my friend!
Not too pricey, either. But this would be a "functional" choice versus an aesthetic one.
If you get the tow package, it's rated for 5,200 lbs. You have to get the factory tow option (only like $500), and it has a transmission cooler, hitch, wiring etc.
We just got one a few months ago, and we love it. Haven't towed yet, but might look for a small trailer or popup this summer.
seats 7-8, seats fold down flat, very roomy and has a lot of power.
Gas milage is my only complaint. It's rated 17-24 (i think), but with how my wife drives (and her stop & go commute) she only gets like 18-19. On trips, it gets well over 20 though.
We got the second level up, and with tow package & sunroof the sticker price was in high $30's and we ended up getting it for like $34ish I think.
The GMC Acadia is the same vehicle, but a few bucks more (and maybe different option packages).
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Have I mentioned that I've never driven anything on a trailer before? I hope all roads go forward only, and I never have to back up... :?