So in the next few months im planning to order a 19 foot Escape travel trailer, and need a tow vehicle. I was really hoping to get an SUV for this, as I prefer the day to day utility of an SUV over a pickup, but the only ones capable seem to be full size, which I don't want. It wouldn't even fit in my garage (funny how buying an old house isn't made for modern sized vehicles). Same with a full sized truck. Ive only ever driven cars or a crossover, so this is a bit new to me. So...it seems that my best option for this need will be a midsized truck. Which brings me to you guys...
Id be hauling a relatively small trailer that is 19 feet long with a GVWR of 4400 pounds. So a lot of the options I initially wanted, like the new Pilot, don't work. Or at least well. Most cap at 5000 pounds towing, so it would technically be possible, but a bad idea. Also, I live in Idaho, so it's not exactly the same as towing on level ground for hundreds of miles. Most of my travel involves mountain driving at altitude. As such, I am aiming for towing of 7k and above, but might be able to get by with 6k towing. I might not feel as good about things, but im confident that it would be doable if it would be a viable option that doesnt require the vehicle to struggle and want to die in the process. Hence why Honda options are off the list, unfortunately.
Payload is another concern. It's pretty remarkable that payload capacity is so low on many of these SUVs and smaller trucks. Hell, the new passport payload is below 1k pounds, even thought its towing capabilities are respectable. Wtf is that??? After accounting for tongue weight you'd be lucky to fit 4 people (at least two would have to be kids) and a couple bags. I guess my dog would have to stay behind.
So far, after lots of research, I've focused on a few that fit the specs I need.
-It seems like the Ranger and Colorado might be the best matches. On paper at least. Solid towing capabilities with pretty good (for the size compared to other options) payload. And the interiors are pretty decent for the price, with pretty good towing features already built in (Colorado), or for modest add-on costs (ranger).
-The tacoma and even the new 4runner might be ok, but after you add on a few things that are standard in the others (like the towing package with the Colorado which isn't additional), you're suddenly 10-20k more than the rest. Hell, to get the towing tech package you have to pick one of the highest two trims just to have the privilege to include that option. At that point, im already way past the other vehicles in cost before adding on anything else. Im close to done with Toyota's games, along with the fact that their quality control has dropped tremendously the last few years, so they're pushed further down on the list. It's sad, because I was ready to get the new 4runner or tacoma before I really started digging into what they provide and comparing to the other options in the category. Since they can't even claim to outclass the rest in quality anymore, they lost their main selling point in the current generation. Very disappointing to say the least.
-Nissan Frontier could be ok based on the specs, but from what ive read it isn't as capable as the other options. Not sure if that's actually true, hence why im including it on this list.
-GMC Canyon. I know nothing about this one, aside from that the specs fall right into the needs. So it's on the list.
So...what are your thoughts on these options in terms of capabilities, reliability, and overall value? What other options should I look into? What should I steer clear of? Ive read a ton on most of these, and it seems like the ranger and Colorado might be the best in this case, but im here to learn and I value the feedback from real experience, not just what online reviews say.
Id be hauling a relatively small trailer that is 19 feet long with a GVWR of 4400 pounds. So a lot of the options I initially wanted, like the new Pilot, don't work. Or at least well. Most cap at 5000 pounds towing, so it would technically be possible, but a bad idea. Also, I live in Idaho, so it's not exactly the same as towing on level ground for hundreds of miles. Most of my travel involves mountain driving at altitude. As such, I am aiming for towing of 7k and above, but might be able to get by with 6k towing. I might not feel as good about things, but im confident that it would be doable if it would be a viable option that doesnt require the vehicle to struggle and want to die in the process. Hence why Honda options are off the list, unfortunately.
Payload is another concern. It's pretty remarkable that payload capacity is so low on many of these SUVs and smaller trucks. Hell, the new passport payload is below 1k pounds, even thought its towing capabilities are respectable. Wtf is that??? After accounting for tongue weight you'd be lucky to fit 4 people (at least two would have to be kids) and a couple bags. I guess my dog would have to stay behind.
So far, after lots of research, I've focused on a few that fit the specs I need.
-It seems like the Ranger and Colorado might be the best matches. On paper at least. Solid towing capabilities with pretty good (for the size compared to other options) payload. And the interiors are pretty decent for the price, with pretty good towing features already built in (Colorado), or for modest add-on costs (ranger).
-The tacoma and even the new 4runner might be ok, but after you add on a few things that are standard in the others (like the towing package with the Colorado which isn't additional), you're suddenly 10-20k more than the rest. Hell, to get the towing tech package you have to pick one of the highest two trims just to have the privilege to include that option. At that point, im already way past the other vehicles in cost before adding on anything else. Im close to done with Toyota's games, along with the fact that their quality control has dropped tremendously the last few years, so they're pushed further down on the list. It's sad, because I was ready to get the new 4runner or tacoma before I really started digging into what they provide and comparing to the other options in the category. Since they can't even claim to outclass the rest in quality anymore, they lost their main selling point in the current generation. Very disappointing to say the least.
-Nissan Frontier could be ok based on the specs, but from what ive read it isn't as capable as the other options. Not sure if that's actually true, hence why im including it on this list.
-GMC Canyon. I know nothing about this one, aside from that the specs fall right into the needs. So it's on the list.
So...what are your thoughts on these options in terms of capabilities, reliability, and overall value? What other options should I look into? What should I steer clear of? Ive read a ton on most of these, and it seems like the ranger and Colorado might be the best in this case, but im here to learn and I value the feedback from real experience, not just what online reviews say.
