What tow vehicle for a small TT?

[AlmaGitana]

Hi everyone,
we're new here on the forum but we've been reading a for awhile. We just bought a 1998 17.5' Tahoe Trailer (we still don't quite know what it weighs but we think around 2800). We're having a hard time deciding what vehicle to tow it with. We had planned on towing with our Ford Aerostar van until we found out our year (1997) only tows 2300 while the 93 model tows 5000. We're on the lookout for an SUV or truck with smaller towing capacity and better mpg than most other common options (diesel truck), only because the trailer doesn't weigh as much as a 30' or a fifth wheel. We're planning a five month trip around the U.S and would like a tow vehicle that can give us the best mpg for the power. Granted this could be a lot to ask for but we thought we'd give the forum a shot for advice. 

Thanks!

 

[Frizlefrak]

In your shoes, I'd step up to a good half ton pickup.  It will do the job nicely, and have extra capacity left over.  There are some full sized SUV's that would fit the bill too.  Thing is, the closer you get to your tow vehicle's limitations, the less fun towing is.  This is where having extra capacity makes your trip soooo much more enjoyable.

If your 2800 lb guesstimation is dry weight, you're likely close to 4000 lbs or more loaded.  You're getting out of small SUV range there, particularly towing in the mountains. 

 

[R. J. Barton]

Yeah, I'd go with at least a 1/2 ton truck, maybe even a gas 3/4 ton! 

You can never have too much truck.

Rick

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

A half ton puck-up (F150 or 1500) would do the job nicely, but so would a larger SUV, e.g. a Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban or Expedition. Even a Trailblazer/Envoy would do it, though I would prefer a bit more vehicle for more comfortable handling.

A mid-size pickup like the Canyon/Colorado or a Dakota should also be adequate.

Don't go too far on the economy kick, cause a vehicle that is super-economical will labor when towing and actually burn more fuel that one with a larger engine and higher geared rear axle. And you will be frustrated with the performance besides.

 

[Mopar1973Man]

In your shoes, I'd step up to a good half ton pickup.  It will do the job nicely, and have extra capacity left over.  There are some full sized SUV's that would fit the bill too.  Thing is, the closer you get to your tow vehicle's limitations, the less fun towing is.  This is where having extra capacity makes your trip soooo much more enjoyable.

If your 2800 lb guesstimation is dry weight, you're likely close to 4000 lbs or more loaded.  You're getting out of small SUV range there, particularly towing in the mountains.

I tend to agree. I would still suggest a diesel 3/4 ton truck even still. Because of the MPG factor. Even towing my smaller trailers around I still get 16-18 MPG and then empty running I get better than 20-23 MPG running around. Diesel pull much better than than 90% of all gasoline engines. Require much less maintenance over gasoline. Typically have much high MPG rating and travel farther on a tank fuel compared to gas power. Even though price per gallon of diesel is higher diesel engine are still more efficient than gas.

 

[warsw]

A half ton puck-up (F150 or 1500) would do the job nicely, but so would a larger SUV, e.g. a Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban or Expedition. Even a Trailblazer/Envoy would do it, though I would prefer a bit more vehicle for more comfortable handling.

A mid-size pickup like the Canyon/Colorado or a Dakota should also be adequate.

Don't go too far on the economy kick, cause a vehicle that is super-economical will labor when towing and actually burn more fuel that one with a larger engine and higher geared rear axle. And you will be frustrated with the performance besides.

X2.....This is where you should be to pull that trailer. Pretty much anything with a 5K lb tow rating and a small V8 or more will pull that trailer nicely. I have a little 1996 Wilderness 17 LG that I pull around a lot. It weighs about 3800 lbs loaded going down the road. It pulls so easily I think it could be pulled with a tricycle LOL. Just kidding but, I have pulled it with a Jeep Wrangler, a Toyota Tundra and now my Chevy Duramax. I do have to admit the Jeep was a little low on power and short on wheelbase for the trailer, which is why we got the Tundra.

 

[braindead]

I'm towing my small TT (sub 3000#) with a Nissan Frontier V6 (6800# towing capacity).  It works well however in the mountains fuel mileage can really suffer.  Last long trip I took I averaged about 12mpg, that's going up over Donner Pass from Reno all the way to the coast and back. 

If I was looking for a new TV I'd certainly be looking at 3/4 ton gas or perhaps a smaller V8 SUV.  I'd rather have too much TV if I can.