QuestionI have a 2000 Pontiac Montana Van and a 10' cargo trailer with 2500 lbs.capacity(I think) The van a v6 3.4L is not strong enough to pull-loads of problems.
Can you please suggest 1 or several 6-7 seat, suv type vehicles with decent(atleast 19mpg-what I get now)or better yet better gas mileage, that will tow maybe up to 5000 lbs without issue.
I will be driving/towing 12 hours at some times between states and am looking for a vehicle that will have power to pull but still have good set up for kids and dog in the back.
Looking for 30k and down for 2006 or 2007.
I have looked at Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Xterra.....I just dont have enough info re the towing-every dealership states the vehicles will tow no problem but thats what the Montana stated, even in the sales manual as well.....
Please help with any suggestions for a decent family vehicle with good mileage and safety that can tow.
Any info will be GREATLY appreciated! I dont want to end up with another problem. If you have heard of any real testimonies of good tow vehicles-PLEASE let me know!
Also- the cargo trailer is 2 wheels-do you recommend getting the stabalizing bar or can a basic tow package with hitch etc usually be sufficient to tow trailer with the kind of vehicle I am looking to buy.
THANKS
AnswerKristin,
This is a tough sell. A 2006 or 2007 vehicle under $30K... No problem. You want it to tow... No problem. You want it to be fuel efficent... No problem. You want it to tow well (not lag on hills, pull straight and true)... Problem.
It's tough to have it all. Fuel efficient and cost effective go hand in hand quite well. Towing power and fuel efficent, not so much. In order to have the power to tow a load at speed, you need a bigger engine (or some very fancy engineering eg turbo diesel). I have heard good things about the Dodge Sprinter as well as the Chevy Express. These are probably bigger than you were thinking. I have a 2004 Dodge Dakota (4.7L V8) and it gets 11-14MPG when not towing (I have a lead foot). My mother drives a 2005 HEMI Durango which gets about the same mileage. It's all part of the trade off. If you want to go 143km/h uphill towing 3,000lbs. You suffer the fuel economy (and the speeding tickets).
That said, my father has a 2002 Nissan Xterra (previous body style) with a V6 and it not only burns almost as much gas as my truck, it barely pulls around it's own weight.
I do like the new Xterra, however I haven't towed a heavy load with one.
As for a weight distribution (WD) setup, I would look at the vehicle you end up buying. If it is a CUV or minivan style with soft rear suspension, I would look into the WD (If possible on that vehicle, it will require a Class III hitch or higher. Note: even some Cl.III hitches specify 'Not for use with weight distribution'). If it's an Xterra or similar SUV, I would hook up the trailer and see how much it drops the back of the truck before I spend the money. Three thousand pounds isn't a lot of weight to be towing, but it will be much nicer to drive with WD.
Good luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/
