I am looking to get a new TT this coming October 2004. I have two kids and a very large dog so I think a truck is out of the question for me. Whats my best bet for a SUV type towing vehicle? I am looking at the Forest River Wildcat 26FBS with a dry weight of 6245lbs. I have read some good posts on the Nissan Armada, what else should I be looking at? This will also be a daily driver.
Stay away from any V-6, especially with that long of a trailer. Get as much engine as you can. I'm not sure in the real world how that Armada will perform, it's short on wheelbase and more like a 1/2 ton.
Suggestions are Yukon XL or Suburban 2500 with the 8.1L engine. Excursion with Diesel (discontinued I think, but still out there used) or V-10 engine also. The longer WB will give you more stable towing, and make your trip more enjoyable.
When towing, you can never have too much power.
* This post was
edited 12/08/03 10:32am by hotrod4x5 *
Rodney 2005 Laredo 29GS 2002 F250 V-10 Hughesnet Satellite Internet
If you're looking at a trailer with a dry weight of 6245 lbs, IMHO, I think the Nissan Armada (or any other similar 1/2 ton SUV) would not be near enough tow vehicle.
6245 dry weight is just that - that means the trailer weighed that much, when it came off the assembly line. In many cases, that weight does not include any options. Once you get the options you want and load that trailer up with a battery, LP gas, water, all your clothes, food, etc., I promise you it will weight well over 7000 lbs, maybe close to 8000.
With that much weight, and since you said you want to stick with an SUV, I would suggest a 3/4 ton based SUV, which would be either a 3/4 ton Chevy Suburban, or Ford Excursion. These two are the only 3/4 ton SUVs out there. Sure, there are several smaller 1/2 ton SUVs that "on paper" look like they could handle your trailer. The new Dodge Durango (8900 lb towing capacity), Nissan Armada, Ford Expedition, and Chevy Tahoe all come to mind (as well as many others). But, you're going to find with that much trailer (> 7,000 lbs), a smaller SUV will not be very fun to drive with that much weight behind it. Been there done that, don't care to do it again.
We towed our current trailer (bout 5100 lbs) with a Dodge Durango previously. Although it was within the limits of the Durango, and the Durango handled the trailer "safely", it always seemed like the engine was working really hard, any time we hit even the slightest hill. The fact that engine was always working so hard showed in mileage, too - the Durango never saw any better than 8 mpg towing. With our Excursion, we get 10 mpg nearly all the time when towing. And, the Excursion tows it "effortlessly" - the way I like it.
Anyway, you're going to get lots of different advice, and suggestions on this. The subject of what is a safe/comfortable towing combination is very subjective - what one person calls a comfortable towing combination, another will say is terrible. I think, though, that with the amount of weight you're talking about, most of the responses are going to say the same thing - start looking at either a Ford Excursion, or 3/4 ton Suburban (assuming it must be an SUV - there are other good tow vehicles as well - pickup, vans, etc.).
BTW, Ford has recently announced that they are going to continue to build the Excursion at least until 2006, when they come out with a replacement for it. So, do not let the "rumors" of the Excursion dying out dissuade you from buying one - they are great trucks!
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4 ("No Taxpayers were harmed by the makers of this truck")
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control Our Rig
I'm with willald. I tow a 7,000+ "wet" boat (Much more aerodynamic) with a 1/2 ton Yukon XL (Suburban) Denali with a 6.0L. The only thing saving it is the drivetrain and its wheelbase, otherwise it is handily outmatched. You would be very disappointed with any half ton truck with that much trailer. Your only real options are a Ford Excursion or a 2500 series Yukon XL/Suburban.
And my opinion of the best SUV towing vehicle would a PSD Excursion, hands down.
Go with the 3/4 ton SUV with a diesel engine. I use a 1500 series GMC Yukon (5.3L, 3.73 rear ratio) to tow a 4700-5300 # TT (wet weight) and it is all good, but the TV is straining. More power, more WB, and more TV mass would enable a much more relaxing drive.
CRL
Temporarily (6! years & counting)displaced Alaskan
My Other RV is a 1946 PA-12
Suburban. I love them and have had great service from all three that I have owned. I would recommend the 3/4 ton given the weight of the TT. My 1/2 ton is pretty well at the limit with our 5300 dry weight Kiwi Too. Had I known we were going to upgrade TT I would have gone with the 3/4.
Great vehicles!!!!
David,Wife,4 kids,SIL,1 grandchild
2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer 7.3 PSD w/3.73 rear end
Jayco Kiwi Too 30T bunkhouse w/triple bunks
Prodigy Controller
Reese Dual Cam HP
Michelin LTX M/S
2001 F150 SuperCrew
You need an Excursion or Suburban, would be nice to have the diesel Excursion.My friend just bought one, real nice except for the $936 a month payment (only in America).
Offline
years & counting)displaced Alaskan
