Needing a tow vehicle

[gocamping58]

On tuesday my tow vehicle caught on fire and is a total lost.
I am looking for advise on a tow vehicle to pull my 2720SL. Interests are Jeep Commander/Cherokee, Explorer & sport trax, Trailblazer.
Leaning toward the Commander as a first option. Need to buy something within a couple weeks.

Thank in advance for any suggestions. Bill

How about something like a Tahoe? I think it's rated to tow 6,000 Lbs. We have a Saturn Outlook (07) that is rated to tow 4,300 Lbs. We used it to pull our 2720SL and always kept thinking perhaps I should have gotten something stronger. It's not fun always thinking should I take this or that with or will that add to much weight. LOL

[scrubjaysnest]

Originally Posted by gocamping58

On tuesday my tow vehicle caught on fire and is a total lost.
I am looking for advise on a tow vehicle to pull my 2720SL. Interests are Jeep Commander/Cherokee, Explorer & sport trax, Trailblazer.
Leaning toward the Commander as a first option. Need to buy something within a couple weeks.

Thank in advance for any suggestions. Bill

We haven't tried the Cherokee yet but ours has almost the same ratings as the Dodge so I think the Commander or Cherokee would work fine. But then we are partial to Jeep.

Originally Posted by John Wahlsten

How about something like a Tahoe?

Worked For Me

[Bill]

A 2002-2010 Explorer 4-door is a good choice. The 2011, not so much. The Explorer Sport Trac, if I recall, has a really short wheelbase, so I wouldn't consider it. Like any tow vehicle, you really should get it with the factory tow package. Search this board on the term Explorer for more discussion.

Bill

[T and C]

Originally Posted by John Wahlsten

How about something like a Tahoe? I think it's rated to tow 6,000 Lbs. We have a Saturn Outlook (07) that is rated to tow 4,300 Lbs. We used it to pull our 2720SL and always kept thinking perhaps I should have gotten something stronger. It's not fun always thinking should I take this or that with or will that add to much weight. LOL

I agree with the above suggestion. Also Bill's comment on the Explorer. Although there are quite a few folks on the board who tow with vehicles that don't quite measure up to recommended GVW and tow capacities, I just don't like the idea of having to constantly know that I am pushing safe limits.

Too bad about the Astro. They were a great concept and I understand that they had a 5000 lb. tow capacity with a good 4.3 engine. GM probably dropped it because of CAFE standards they had to meet.

There are a number of folks who tow with Jeep products. Moabboy comes to mind. Look around the forum for them and PM them for more details.

For me...I'll take a pickup for towing. The modern crew cab or extended cab ones also do great as daily drivers, while having the capacity for family trips and towing.

Tom

[commodor47]

Originally Posted by Bill

A 2002-2010 Explorer 4-door is a good choice. The 2011, not so much. The Explorer Sport Trac, if I recall, has a really short wheelbase, so I wouldn't consider it. Like any tow vehicle, you really should get it with the factory tow package. Search this board on the term Explorer for more discussion.

Bill

Bill,

The Ford Explorer Sport has a short wheel base (2-door is 102 inch; 4-door is 111.9 inch). The Ford Explorer Sport Trac has a 125.9 inch wheel base.

Dick

[Bill]

You are absolutely right, Dick, and I stand corrected. I confused the two in my mind. One of the things I love about this board is that "authoritative statements" are subject to investigation and correction by other knowledable members.

Bill

[Brutus]

Gocamp,
among your list of possibilities, personally I'd go with the Explorer Sport-Trax. 130" wheelbase and 7000# tow rating (according to ford.com) means you can tow your 2720SL like it wasn't even there. You could most likely skip the WDH as well. "Hitch up and go" works for me with the Frontier V6. But of course, everyone's needs are different. Gotta decide between towing vs non-towing MPG etc etc. Like any reasonably big decision, weigh the pros and cons. All I can say is I've pushed (beyond) the limit with my previous 2004 Nissan Murano, 3500# tow rating with a CVT, and am now in the "once-burned- (tranny-smell) twice-shy" camp. After that not-so-fun experience with the Murano, my mantra is "overkill-is-still-dead", meaning a 5000 tow rating is the minimum I'll consider to tow my 2720. Good luck with your choice! r/Pat

I thought most Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) were not recommended for towing. I know the Ford Escape Hybrid is like this and a few others. I'd be curious what that manual said about towing.

My 2005 Chysler Town and Country with factory tow package is marginal. (3800# rating) I have decided it is fine for instate Michigan, but I will be in the market for a tow vehicle before heading to the mountains.