Help me choose a new Tow Vehicle

[Larry C]

I have a Ford Escape as my daily driver, and love it. I did get the v6 and 4wd, but not the tow package, which puts the max trailer weight at 2000 lbs. I get right about 22-24 MPG not towing anything, I'll find out soon enough what it is with a trailer behind it.

I have used it offroad, and was very impressed with its capabilities, and it is also very comfortable to drive/ride in. I like being able to fold the back seats down and have a large storage area in the back...thats actually the biggest reason for me having it, since I am always sticking something back there, and when I'm not, there is often a black lab and a chocolate lab back there. The roof rack is also very handy to have.

I even used it to finish pulling down a tree in my back 40 that was partially knocked down in a windstorm...it was a bit light for that, but still did the job. My bigger trucks would not fit back there, so it was a last resort sort of thing.

It doesnt pull nearly as much as either of my F-250's do though! weight, or fuel! LOL

I believe the Escape is beyond my 25K limit.......

[Gary and Cheri]

Gary

Thanks, Gary
I will try to find one to check out. BTW/ where was your Avatar pic taken. It looks at lot like a NE mountain top, Dak's, White's, etc.?

Larry C



New Hampshire on a trip to see the fall leaves.

Gary

[Kevin & Sandy]

We've put nearly 5,000 miles this summer on our VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI while pulling our TD, most of them traveling to IRG3.

Here we are in Wyoming.



Here we are going thru Lassen, the road goes up to 8514 ft but the variable vane turbo does its thing and it feels like there is nothing behind you.



Of course, when you pull a trailer with a diesel, you have to park with the big rigs...



They say the MPG goes up the more you break the diesel in, we were averaging 42 (no trailer) before we left and the last few tanks after we got back from IRG3 averaged 44 mpg.(no trailer) So I think it is getting broke in. Just drive sensibly i.e. when the big rigs were gearing down/slowing down up a big mountain, I would slow down too. I didn't have to slow down, but I didn't want to hurt anything or get the turbo too hot without a gauge to check it by.

Towing the trailer to CA and back averaged 29.4 mpg, we never went much faster than 65, mostly at the 60 mph mark.
Might have been better if I hadn't put so much Two Buck Chuck in the camper, we can't get it here!

I gave a little more that 25K but added the big sunroof, nicer wheels, Ipod plugin, etc. so under 25K is a definite possibility.
The extra room the wagon gives us is great, we usually haul our American Bulldog and a ton of cooking gear.

[Cliffmeister2000]

I don't know anything about it, but you might want to wait for this, to see if it is any good.

http://mahindrana.com/pdf/specsheet.pdf



Notice all the badging is backwards.

[angib]

Notice all the badging is backwards.

No doubt because they wanted it to look like it had the steering wheel on the left - Mahindra is from India where they drive on the left so the steering wheel goes on the right.

[Wolffarmer]

Larry

No one has mentioned the vehicles I tow with. I started with a 1994 Suzuki Sidekick, 1600 cc with 5 speed 4x4. It towed my 1150 lbs TD just fine plus my almost 300 lbs , firewood, and who knows what all I threw in. Have been over at least 3 passes over 9000 feet. Last year when I didn't have the use of my right arm during the winter I got a 2000 Chevy Tracker, re badged Suzuki, with a 2000 cc and automatic 4x4 ( I live in winter country and 12 miles from nearest town ) It tows the TD just fine but I sure wish it was a manual shift now I can use my right arm again. I also like the Suzuki as they have a frame like a pickup and a 2 speed transfer case, that low gear is real nice in backing up and in 4x4 conditions.

keep in mind I don't drive very fast even with no trailer.

In my looking at the used car market. ( I will buy new when I hit the jackpot ) I have found Toyota and Honda are overpriced, and Subaru is grossly over priced. ( let the flaming begin ). Last spring I took my Chevy Tracker to the dealer to have a guy I know flush the transmission before I began towing with it. After it was done he said that he almost never sees them in for anything other than servicing and minor repairs. If you read real owners reports of them you will find most of the problems are things like trim falling off or people expecting them to be a "car". Yes they did have to cut corners some place and they are not cars. Right now I have 192,000 miles on the 1994, i kept it. And 109,000 on the 2000

Randy

[Cliffmeister2000]

I had a Tracker for a while. Loud inside the cabin, but a lot of fun to drive, and darned easy to work on! I had too many cars, so it had to go. Whenever I see a dirt path heading off somewhere, I miss it.

[Wolffarmer]

My 94 is rather loud inside, can not deny it. The 2000 is a lot quieter. But in so many ways I still like the 94, and going deaf helps.

[Larry C]

I have been actively driving and researching lots of cars and small SUV's. Having driven my recently sold truck for 18 years and the only other vehicle in the household is a 1993, let's say I am overdue for a new ride.

I am leaning toward a Toyota Rav 4, probably a 6 cyl. I haven't driven the 4 cly. yet, but I have driven the 6 and it seems like a good fit for my use. I decided I need and want 4WD, decent tow capacity, and plenty of storage.

I still want to try a few more vehicles before deciding. What's surprising is how similar equipped different brands are so closely priced. It's like they all got together and conspired to sell them at the same price. This makes the job of choosing a vehicle come down to the fine details and maybe trying some a second time.

Full blown winter is just around the corner, so I better make a decision soon. Thanks for all the suggestions and comments......

Larry C.

[Cliffmeister2000]

I decided I need and want 4WD, decent tow capacity, and plenty of storage.

Larry C.

The RAV4 is nice, but it's not 4WD, it's AWD, and the rear wheels only kick in when slippage is detected. That's awesome wet or snowy conditions, but worthless for offroad.

The again, that may be all you need.

[Wolffarmer]

I decided I need and want 4WD, decent tow capacity, and plenty of storage.

Larry C.

The RAV4 is nice, but it's not 4WD, it's AWD, and the rear wheels only kick in when slippage is detected. That's awesome wet or snowy conditions, but worthless for offroad.

The again, that may be all you need.

And I get the feeling most car salesman, used and new, do not know the difference. Or if they do will tell you what you want to hear.

Randy

[Larry C]

I finally bought my new TV for the TD I don't have yet After driving literally dozens of new cars/Suv's I came full circle back to my roots...... A PU truck.

I have driven trucks all my life, and each time I am without one, I miss the utility. I had bought HF trailer to use for haul duty, but my pursuit of a small 4 cyl TV has been fruitless.

ALL the vehicles I have driven were so gutless IMO I just couldn't bring myself to buy something that could hardly get out of it's own way, let alone tow a TD efficiently. Another thing I don't like about most of the new cars is the steering is vague with no feedback. I guess it's the electric power steering.

I could have gone with a 6 cyl, or diesel, but the cost was over what I was willing to spend. I ended up going through the worst winter in 10 years (180" of snow) with my old 1993 Olds wagon (woody). I was ready for a new ride soon!

I checked out more and more cars, I was unimpressed with most or they were out of my price range. I was taking a drive through a Nissan dealers lot, I had already eliminated the Rogue, and was going to try the Altima again to see if I could live with it.

A Black PU caught my eye, it was a 6cyl 4wd Frontier. So...... We gave it a try. Didn't like it! It felt too much like a big Chevy, Ford, or Dodge, just too big and not nimble on it's feet so to speak.

Upon bring that back, I spotted the same truck, but it was a plain jane, 2wd
5 speed. We wheeled out with this one, and both my wife and I looked each other at the same time, and said "this is it" I came back and asked if we could take a longer drive. The dealer went and got some gas, and we proceeded to take her on a 30 drive, 45 minute drive.

Almost everything we had been looking for was in this vehicle. The 5 speed really makes this vehicle feel like it has a lot more power than the HP would indicate. It sits only 1" shorter in overall height than the 4wd model, and it's much higher than all the other small 2 wd pu's. I like this high panoramic view. The extended cab is great for storage, but forget putting people in the jump seats.

Soo.........with the rebate, dealer incentives, etc. We bought the beast. So far it's been great. Only time will tell if it was a good move. I am not worried in the least about towing with this truck. I haven't checked MPG yet because it has a 21 gal tank that costs $80 to fill. Also, I want to get a couple thousand miles on it before checking. It did come with a full tank, but I have not filled it since.

I do appreciate all the input from you all, but I guess it all comes down to what feels right to me. I must be destined to drive PU's till I die!! This is my 8th.

Now........ I need to find a replacement for the "Woody"

Thanks,
Larry C

[Cliffmeister2000]

Congratulations! I drive a Frontier 2wd, automatic. It works fine for me!

[Ned B]

Larry,
congrats on the new wheels... soon to be 'ex' neighbor (I'm migrating to VA from Lakeport) . Good luck with the CNY salt and the new ride.

Ned

[wired]

I am looking around for a TV in the next year. I don't wnat to step on any toes, but here are my perceptions. Liked the TDI's but have had a '99 Passat in the past that was problematic. Everyone I talk to with a new(er) VW complains about electrical issues, plus on a of a high maintenance trouble prone car. That being said, there sure are a lot of Subarus in the SF Bay Area and, apparently, a lot of Subaru loyalists).
As I need good MPG's (will also be my commute vehicle), and I need AWD, with a halfway decent tow capacity (1500# is fine), at this point I have it narrowed down to the 2010 (or newer) CRV (which is 180HP vs the 2009 @166HP) or the 2009 (or newer) Rav4 (@179 HP vs the 2008 166HP), either one in AWD.
I would be curious to know anyone's towing experience with either of the aforementioned vehicles, and, if you own either the TDI or the Subaru, what is your repair history in regards to the aforementioned problems.
As with politics and religion, I realize that brand loyalty can be a passionate subject to some folks, so if I did step on any toes, it was unintentional and I offer my sincere apologies!