jth442
Kingwood, TX
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Joined: 10/05/2007
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We are currently pulling a Jayco Eagle 12 with our '01 Quest. It does OK. But we are in "flat" Texas. And I've never towed with anything else to compare it to. My guess is the camper is ~2500 lbs. The van is just above 100K miles. The only trouble I've had is the cooling system which was replaced a couple months ago (radiator, thermostat, timing belt).
We are a family of 4 (including 2 pre-schoolers, so not a heavy family).
I'm really thinking about moving to a SUV. I'm thinking it will give me a little more power and towing ability, since I'm not sure the van is really meant for towing. Another reason is that now seems like a good time to snatch up a used SUV. The market seems overloaded as people are "downsizing" for mpg reasons.
For example, I've seen 2004-2005 Tahoes for sale in the $12-14K range. These are fully loaded with Towing package, DVD,... with around 50K miles.
Question is:
If anyone has towed with a minivan and a short-wheel base SUV like Tahoe or Expedition, what is the difference?
And is the change worth it?
Thanks for any replies.
Jason
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SemperFiCop
USA
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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The Explorer has a 113 inch wheel base
The Tahoe has a 116 inch wheel base
The Expedition has a 119 inch wheel base
All have V8 options
All will tow a popup with ease... 
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2manytoyz
Central FL
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Joined: 06/16/2002
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Most any SUV (not a cross-over) will tow your Popup with ease.
My SUV pulls our 25' TT just fine. I know it's back there, but I have plenty of power. When I tow our boat, which is closer to the weight of your Popup, can't hardly tell it's back there.
FWIW, I'm getting 18-20 MPG in mixed driving. 265 HP, 284 ft-lbs of torque. 4400 lbs, 4x4.
Bargains to be had right now for sure. But keep in mind a brand new Titan (with warranty), 4x4, 4 door, most of the bells & whistles, is $25K. I'd be careful not to pay too much for a used vehicle since the prices of the new gas guzzlers is coming down.
Robert
Cocoa, FL
2007 Rockwood TT 2502
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res08hao
La Mirada, CA
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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Those suv's are being dumped for a reason. It is not reasonable to expect fuel costs to come down anytime soon. Perhaps you should look at something fuel efficient, like a hybrid suv or small diesel, to tow your little pop up. But you will most likely succumb to buying a larger trailer, etc. A lighter setup means you can either go farther or more often.
over the hill and enjoying the view
diesel pickup and 5th wheel trailer.
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Caddywhompus
Southeast WI
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Joined: 06/27/2001
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I went from a full size SUV with a 7000 tow rating and UPGRADED to a minivan with a 3500 pound tow rating. One of the best decisions ever made.
The minivans work very nicely, and your Quest is more than capable for pulling your trailer. Unless you really want to feel the hurt at the pump, I would keep what you got and be happy.
Don't be fooled by silly marketing-driven tow ratings that slant the truth about towing. Your VQ series motor (one of the best engines ever made) will put as much USABLE power to the ground as some V8 trucks, and run all day at redline if it has too.
There is no reason to concern yourself with the minivan.
'04 Ford Freestar (Primary tow vehicle)
'05 Subaru Forester (Backup tow vehicle)
'65 Bethany popup (best popups ever made!)
Looking for a tow vehicle
Minivan towing
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Nyssa
Colorado Springs
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Joined: 06/29/2006
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A lot of people pull PUPs with minivans. Your camper is not too heavy, but I would consider a weight-distribution hitch with a mini-van. Hitch helps keep the front wheels on the ground  $350 - $400 well-spent. I assume you have a V-6. That will work just fine. A 2500 pund trailer is not a big deal. Driving on flat-land you will do just fine. An add-on that MIGHT help is a Hayden Transcooler - helps cool the transmission - useful in hilly conditions - not a requirement though.
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Campfire Time
Wisconsin
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Joined: 07/20/2007
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My feel is this is personal preference and it also depends a bit on what you want to tow.
If you're planning on sticking with a PUP, then I'd stay with the mini-van. Mini-vans and PUPs are very good combinations. We towed our '93 Jayco 1208 (like yours, about 2500# loaded) with a Pontiac Montana. I had less HP than you and my setup towed great. I also got 19-21mpg towing. About the only difference you're really going to notice is that you won't "feel" the trailer as much. The other difference is that you're wallet will be a lot lighter because you'll be eating more gas. Even if you're considering a small TT or HTT, the mini-van may work for you just fine if its set up properly.
Chuck D.
'03 Jayco Kiwi 17a, '03 Chevy Trailblazer EXT, Garmin Nuvi 200 GPS
Photography is my obsession: http://coldwater.smugmug.com/
“Adventure is just bad planning.” - Roald Amundsen
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Road Ruler
Canada
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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Good day Jason... I have towing experience with a 1993 Nissan Quest GXE. Here is a summary of our 10 years of towing with the van.
10 Years of towing with a Nissan Quest
I would suggest that going to an Suv in many ways would be a down grade from your vehicle. A number of SUV's will have less room, be less safe, and more expensive to operate compared to your van. However, some of the prized, good performing SUV's for towing are the BMW X3 and X5's, VW T-Reg, Porsche Cayenne, newer Expeditions with IRS and there are some more.
If you really want to upgrade look at the more powerful Freestar, Sienna or Honda Oddy. They are good vehicles for the money and are not guzzlers.
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Guest
USA
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Joined: 08/02/2004
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We pull a 12 foot Fleetwood popup of around 2,700# with our Honda Odyssey (with 106k miles on it). 19-20 mpg @ 68 mph in flatlands, a bit less in the Smoky Mountains. This summer we're taking it to Glacier NP. Will I blast up the big grades in the passing lane? Nope. Will I keep up easily in the truck lane with the torque converter locked all the way up? Yup.
100k isn't a ton of miles for a well maintained vehicle anymore. If you've done the maintenance on time you should be good. But having a good wdh and excellent brakes are a must. Don't chintz on the good stuff!
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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Get what you feel most comfortable with and ignore the varied and suspect info you can sometimes get here. The mini van or any decent SUV will tow the PUP just fine.
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