Tow Vehicle recommendations for X20 or X23

raising4daughters · 07-20-2011, 08:32 PM

Hello, I'm a new poster on the forum. We own an '07 1007 PU. I took my wife on a trip to the trailer store for some parts and sundries, and she fell in love with the X20 and X23 hybrids.

We don't have a TV near able to pull one of those, but I am starting to plan for a new TV as my current TV (minivan) has 110,000 miles on it, and want to make sure it has the capability for a hybrid.

Pick-ups are out of the question. It seems like the mid-sized SUVs (Explorer, Traverse) are limited to 5,000 lbs and that seems a bit low for a hybrid.

I"m leaning heavily toward the new Dodge Durango which is rated for 6,200 lbs (and 7,400 lbs with the V-8).

Any input would be welcomed.

mcfarmall · 07-21-2011, 04:12 AM

Welcome to the forum

Quote:

Originally Posted by raising4daughters

Pick-ups are out of the question.

In that case I won't recommend the Ford F150 XLT SCREW Ecoboost with the max tow package 3.73 rear axle and rear view camera

Tows like no other vehicle I have owned. Can't help out with the Sport/Ute's.

jbwjbw · 07-21-2011, 06:22 AM

We tow our x20e with a 2003 Ford Explorer, I'd prefer something a little stronger, but it works for now. Main issue is the hills on the expressway.

mustang · 07-21-2011, 06:34 AM

WE have the 23b We tow with a gmc yukon 3/4 ton towing capacity is almost 12000. I think The 23b loaded weight is 5000 My understanding is that you have to consider the weight inside the vehicle in addition to the TT loaded weight for you total towing weight not just what you are towing. So a vehicle full of people and gear will add to the towing capacity numbers. We had the yukon long before we had the TT so we already had a tow vehicle. We eventually plan to purchase a pickup so we have the truck bed for things like bikes. But for now the yukon is very comfortable for travel and tows well.

29BHS ECO · 07-21-2011, 09:37 AM

raising4daughters-- take a look at the Expedition or the Tahoe, both can do the towing job & have third row seating .Both are a bit larger than the Dodge. Larry

Boss Wagon · 07-21-2011, 03:11 PM

If you are considering buying used entertain the thought of a used Ford E-350van. Check prices and you'll find that you can get a lot of towing capacity for far less $$$ than a comparable 1 ton or 3/4 ton pickup. You may have to travel a little to pick one up, but there are usually off lease models with low miles that are only a few years old. Many dealers list them on Ebay.

Yeah they ain't to cool to own but you can tow alot and have alot of room to store stuff inside. I never would have guessed that I would ever own one, but I got a heck of a deal on mine that even an old diehard Dodge man could not refuse.

raising4daughters · 07-21-2011, 03:32 PM

Thanks - all good suggestions. I was afraid of the answers I'd get, as we really didn't want to go as big as a Tahoe/Yukon or Expedition, but I think that may be the direction we have to go if we stay American-made. The age-old dilemma: we camp at most 2-3 weeks and 2-3 other weekends a year and don't need a big vehicle the other 49-50 weeks, especially not at $3.50 / gallon.

mustang · 07-21-2011, 08:01 PM

Maybe you could consider the 17z if you want to go with a smaller TV It is a little smaller but still sleeps6-8 and would not need as large a tow vehicle. It only weighs 3000 pounds.

bertscampers · 07-21-2011, 08:18 PM

Well we started by buying the 17z and thought we would pull it with our minivan (2006 ford freestar). It pulled the trailer but it was marginal at best. We put $4000 into it and then sold it for half that.

We shopped around for a long while. I drove the new explorer, traverse and Durango. I liked the finishes on the Durango the best but really didn't like the 5 speed transmission. I think dodge is fixing this after only having the vehicle on the market for a few months. I have only driven ford in the past but didn't like how the new explorer felt (big) and the hitch weight without distribution is really low. So with all of the incentives that chevy has out we bought a traverse. It has a tow capacity of 5200 pounds and dry hitch weight of 520 pounds and 780 with weight distribution.

All in all, i would have bought the dodge except its the first year out and I really did not like the five speed transmission.

The Traverse pulls our 17z well. We have had it for about a month and have pulled about 800 miles already. No problems. You will notice terrible gas mileage from pulling a PUP but its worth it.

Good Luck.

raising4daughters · 07-23-2011, 12:44 PM

Thanks Bertscamper - we figured the X17Z or the X18D if we went with the Traverse or Acadia as our TV. My wife actually prefers the Traverse, but she also wants the X20E which I think we could swing withe Durango and it's additional 1,000 # of towing capacity (2,000# extra if we get the Hemi).

Going to be a compromise one way or the other.

Quantum · 07-23-2011, 01:52 PM

We tow our Jayco 213 (x213) with a Chevy Traverse. The tow rating is 5200lbs, and it works really well for towing our Trailer. We needed an SUV/minivan too, and couldn't go down the pickup truck route at this point. We are very happy with the Traverse. It is quite roomy and we have 2 children with #3 on the way. Also quite comfy for 4 adults in the quad captains chairs.

If you need any more info, let me know.

29BHS ECO · 07-24-2011, 08:06 AM

raising4daughters--- You would do well to get some real world info on the Dirango gas mileage from actual drivers. I have 2 friends that own them and they say that the mileage is worse that the larger tahoes the traded .Larry

bender031177 · 07-24-2011, 09:27 AM

One of the best tow vehicles (according to a magazine article I read) is the Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter. They are diesel powered and have an amazing amount of room inside. They also are tighter turning than the other tv options you are looking at.

With the price of fuel only going in one direction you might want to consider it.

elstonian · 07-24-2011, 03:54 PM

We have a 2011 X23J, our TV is a 2006 GMC 2500HD, pulls it flawlessly, we have the weight distribution and sway control and our truck doesn't sag at all when the trailer lowers onto it,even before the weight system is engaged, we also only camp about 10-15 times per year and the truck sits most of the time, we drive it on weekends and when the snow gets so deep the car wont make it out of the parking space....it is a good investment tho, it tows great and you never know when you might need the truck for things other than camping.

_______________________________________________
2011 Jayco 23J
2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab (gas)

geoffdaddy · 08-03-2011, 10:30 AM

Considering your forum name, I think I would consider going the full-sized SUV route before the midsize SUVs. One thing to consider is that anything you add (including passengers) to the interior of the vehicle reduces the towing capacity and they typically figure their tow ratings based on 1-2 drivers and no other cargo/occupants. You will probably appreciate the extra cabin room as well.

I am nearly in the same boat as you since the In-laws tag along sometimes. Thankfully we have their Suburban to pull the X18D with when they want to go.

Edit: Oh yeah... we're pulling with a V8 powered Volvo XC90. It's rated tow capacity is 5000lbs which is nearly the same as the mid-sized GM platform equivalent. Gas mileage is roughly equivalent to the Suburban while towing and around town when not. We love the Volvo, my wife really loves it, but in retrospect I wish we bought bigger when we bought the Volvo. At the time though we had just a pop up camper that weighed 1000lbs less.

campingfamily · 08-07-2011, 09:52 PM

We have a 2009 23B that we tow with an '07 Durango with the 4.7L engine, not the hemi. We started our journey owning a Honda Odyssey and hoping to tow a 17C. Pretty quickly realized we would be unhappy with such a small camper on a rainy day...and those do happen more often that you'd think! So, we decided it was time to purchase a tow vehicle that could pull either the 19H or 23B. We got a great deal on a used Durango, and based on its towing capacity, decided on the roomier 23B. Two years later, we still couldn't be happier with our choice! My only concern has been towing in very hilly terrain, like the foothills of the Appalachians, or the Ozarks. In those situations, I worry that we spend a lot of time with the RPMs in the 3-4K range, vs the 2-3K range when pulling down the flat highways. I think if I had it to do again, I would have looked for a Durango with a hemi.
As for mileage....well...ouch! Our minivan got 24 mpg. Our Durango gets 13-15 in town, and maybe 19 on the highway. When towing, we get 6-9mpg, and it's usually in the lower end of that range. We only camp a few weeks a year, and I have to use this vehicle for carpool duty the rest of the year. It's quite an expense, but at least I can still seat 7 (like in the minivan), and the 3rd row folds flat for storage- rather than having to haul a seat in and out.
I hope this helps you- I know I probably wrote far too much. I sure remember when we were making these expensive decisions! Good luck to you!

29BHS ECO · 08-08-2011, 01:14 PM

rraising4daughters-- As you can see the mpg of the Durango with the 4.7 is below the other larger tv's with larger motors and it will go down further with the hemi, lot's-o-power, not-so-good mileage. Larry

29BHS ECO · 08-08-2011, 01:21 PM

raiseing4daughters. Just as an fyi my F250 with 4:10 rear end gears also gets 13mpg around town. The Durango's get the worst mpg of most any suv out there. Just my .02$ and info from owners. LARRY

RustyFairmount · 08-14-2011, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcfarmall

Welcome to the forum

In that case I won't recommend the Ford F150 XLT SCREW Ecoboost with the max tow package 3.73 rear axle and rear view camera

Tows like no other vehicle I have owned. Can't help out with the Sport/Ute's.

I haul an X23b with a 2011 F150 Lariat Ecoboost. It's an amazing truck, and my fuel economy is indeed better than comparable V8's. There's more interior room than "regular" sport utilities. It fits 5 large men comfortably, and with a locking tonneau cover there's plenty of storage space. So...why are pickup trucks out of the question?

Love that truck!

mustang · 08-14-2011, 12:00 PM

." Our Durango gets 13-15 in town, and maybe 19 on the highway. When towing, we get 6-9mpg,"

So the Durango get s a little better mileage than our Yukon XL 2500 but the Yukon has lots more intereior room since it seats 8 or 9 and still has cargo room. We get about 10 miles when towing. So the kids have a little elbow room or room to bring a friend along. B

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