SemperFiCop wrote: 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...
Don't forget the 2008 Ford Explorer "SPORT TRAC". It has a 131" wheelbase, 7000 lbs tow and 730 lbs tongue rating and a powerful 292 hp and 300 lbs of torque 3V 4.6L V8. Gas mileage is better than my 2005 4.0L V6 Nissan Pathfinder with the Sport Tracs 6 speed automatic and I also get better mileage towing since Ford Recommends using the overdrive when towing, unless there's excessive shifting. Nissan recommends against towing in overdrive at all.
Has everything the regular Explorer has but swaps the enclosed wagon with 3rd row seat for a 4' bed, that's water tight with Ford Hard Tonneau. It has 3 "trunks" or cargo areas in bed that are water tight. For camping, it's better than the Pathfinder and Xterra I had. The bed allows cargo to be carried without damaging the interior and clean out is very very simple. Everything is completely water tight and lockable also when you use the Ford hard tonneau cover.
I opted this over the Explorer Wagon because it's suites camping and my lifestyle a bit better than a wagon. If you have 7 people you may need the Wagon but the Sport Trac will fit 5 easily.
2manytoyz wrote: 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.
I wouldn't even consider the Titan. It's gone. Nissan announced the Titan is gone as of 2010 and Dodge will start making fullsize pickups for Nissan. The Nissan Armada will continue to live though. Most likely because the Titan has been a piece of garbage reliability wise and quality wise. I had one and learned my lesson.
Also watch for 2005 Nissan midsize paint problems. That's the reason I rid myself of my Pathfinder. Everyone I knew with a Nissan Midsize truck in 2005 had this problem along with the showroom floor models. Hopefully you're free of this.
See this link to see of the paint problems and to see of all the problems I had with my Titan, through a link in the my signature on that linked page.
We've been towing our PUP for 4 years with a minivan, but are probably retiring this setup at the end of this season. The kids are getting bigger & we've heard the siren song of the hybrids calling us.
We will really miss the 27 mpg without towing, 17.5 mpg with the PUP back there, and the huge interior space.
Mike Butts
DW+DD+DS
’07 Kodiak 23TT, 2004 Ford Expedition 5.4L with H.D. Tow Package
Hi Jason...It's really comes down to personal preferance..i have 2005 Xterra and i love it,i must say though when i'm not pulling anything the back suspension is very bumpy.( my 16 months\ son loves the ride in his chair but adults find it kind of annoying ). I like the ride and comfort of a mini-van and the space efficiency in a van is unbeatable...most vans or suv will tow ur pup...if ur gonna change vehicule because u want something then get something thats practical for ur everyday lifestyle..The price of gas is getting ridicules but between a CUV, SUV and Minivan ur talking a small difference of dollars and i think comfort and personal preference should sway ur choice more...that's just my opinion..good luck...( also remember if it aint broke dont change it,better something older that ur sure of then something new and unknown)...see-U
I downsized from a Durango to a Town & Country. Hands down my T&C is a much better vehicle than my gas hog SUV ever was. I can fit more people, more stuff, and it tows just fine. The thing I love most about my van is my stow-n-go seats. I did buy my van with the "towing package" which included a heavy duty radiator and the ability to tow 3800#. The Durango got 9 mpg when towing, my T&C gets 19-21 mpg when towing.
I would take a look at the total package and how the vehicle will work best for you. You might want to take a look at different vans, they will have more room for your kids as they get older, and there are several out there that have great towing capabilities.
Don't let the stigma of a van bother you, I know my van doesn't look cool, but I love the looks on people's faces when I am at Home Depot and am shoving a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back and closing the gate! I could never do that with my Durango!
I agree with several on here, if you plan to stick with a PUP, go for a minivan. But do make sure it has the biggest tow package available for that model.
You can tow with a minivan or an SUV. Just be sure that your TV is properly equipped for towing. If you decide to go for an SUV, don't assume that size is related to fuel economy. I towed for several years with a Nissan Pathfinder. It was a great vehicle for me. When it started to get a lot of miles on it, I decided to upgrade to a GMC Yukon XL. I did so because my PF would no longer hold my growing family. The Yukon has much more room, is easily capable of towing my popup or my boat and it gets the same mileage as the Pathfinder. I get 18 MPG on the highway and 14 MPG when towing. The Pathfinder actually dropped to 11 MPG when towing. The Yukon is not the most fuel efficient TV out there, but I'm satisfied with my choice among ease of towing, fuel economy and comfort.
My main issue was not that I didn't like our minivan. It's just SUV prices in the used market are so enticing. You can get a $45K vehicle that is 3 years old for over 60% less.
If I stick with the Quest, I would like to figure my options for reducing sag in the rear. I do not think I can use a WDH with the Jayco frame. If I'm wrong, then please let me know.
So, that leaves air bars or better shocks as the option. Any advice here?
My main issue was not that I didn't like our minivan. It's just SUV prices in the used market are so enticing. You can get a $45K vehicle that is 3 years old for over 60% less.
If I stick with the Quest, I would like to figure my options for reducing sag in the rear. I do not think I can use a WDH with the Jayco frame. If I'm wrong, then please let me know.
So, that leaves air bars or better shocks as the option. Any advice here?
Jason
When towing the PU the stock rear shocks worked fine with Minimal sag. With the 600lb tongue weight on the Airstream I used a Reese WDH with 750lb bars and also replaced the OEM shocks with Gabriel Bruiser HD shocks. These rear shocks were very firm and were the same ones (part number) that was used on the Ford F150 pick ups.
I believe Monroe makes a load leveling shock but a light duty WDH would be ideal if you can use it. (Reese Mini 350)
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