Looking for a new vehicle, possibly a tow vehicle.

[thcole]

Wow, Thanks for all the great feedback. I think we have really narrowed in on a 2015-2017 Durango. We are thinking it may be a V6 though so I will have to check out the tag to see tow rating. We just cant seem to find any v8 for a resonable price. I am still really leary about getting rid of my truck though because it tows it so well, I am just a little nervous.

 

[2kwik4u]

Those are great points, from your first hand experience, which makes them even more valid. I humbly disagree on the cost area. Similarly equipped vehicles seem to be 8-20k higher in mid side vs full size on ford and Toyota options. It's not a fair compare because they are different cars, but the price difference does exist.

Explorer vs expediton 4wd limited 44k vs 63k. I don't know how many they sell at those prices, but at least on list price there is a significant difference.

Since I am also at the research stage figuring out what to do with our pilot long term, I'm very interested in this conversation. I very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss your experiences.

If buying brand new the prices aren't close at all. If buying used they are very similar. When I had my 2004 S10 (4wd crew cab) I paid $18k for it with under 30k miles, traded 18mo later for my 2006 Yukon for $21k. Little different on my current vehicles. Paid $25k for our Traverse, and paid $30k for my Sierra. Total cost out of pocket in terms of payment, insurance, and fuel is within $100/mo. The capability jump in both cases is profound. Just about every aspect is improved, and the penalty in monetary terms is very low. On top of that, there is a general robustness in the larger vehicles that isn't present in the smaller ones. My Yukon took MUCH more of a beating than my S10 could have, and we never had a problem from it. Using 50% of a vehicles capability is a much better plan than using 90% of a vehicles capability. The length of time it will last is extended, by not abusing it as badly.

Another issue that has me convinced on a fullsize for towing is the mental stress. When towing with my Trailblazer I was ALWAYS worried about overheating the engine/transmission, or making a panic stop with a short wheelbase/lightweight tow vehicle. More worry about having enough space for people and gear, and having enough capacity to ensure safe passage for all. The mental stress on me wasn't bad, until it was gone, and I realized how stressed I really was while towing. Once I moved over to a fullsize platform, my stress level dropped significantly. That alone is worth the price of admission into the larger vehicle. Especially in a situation that is supposed to be my leisure time!

 

[swatski]

I have towed with a Mercedes GLE & GLS but doesn't even come CLOSE to towing with my truck. It sways a lot and i don't feel comfortable with it.

Never towed or even driven any of the newer MB SUVs, but I would think one needs a 450+ or a diesel, typically heavier, to compare to the truck.
I know for a fact that my Q7 TDI weights exactly the same as the RAM 1500 ecodiesel (even though the Q doesn't look it). It feels about as planted as it gets, not even a bit of sway. Just saying.
Need to go Audi, man, they make their own cars. Well, the 8-speed trans is Aisin, which I believe is Toyota. But CATA engines, traction, and suspension is all native.

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[Jgorm]

I'd keep the truck. I'm about having dedicated vehicles for each purpose. If the boat weighs 3300 dry, add another 50x6.3=315lb gas, 200lb gear / cooler, and 1500 lb trailer and your at 5300+ easy. Not a lot of suvs will tow that amount very well. I bought an excursion just to tow to the river. Tows the ar230 like nothing, even over 6000' mountain passes, but it's rated for 10k lb.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

New rams are going for 30% off right now. Not sure of your budget, but you can pick up a loaded Laramie for about 40k. Much nicer than the Durango IMO, and put a cover on the bed and it's basically a giant sedan with a huge trunk.

 

[PEARCE]

Once I moved over to a fullsize platform, my stress level dropped significantly. That alone is worth the price of admission into the larger vehicle. Especially in a situation that is supposed to be my leisure time!

Once to you move from a 1/2 ton to a heavy duty platform with a diesel your towing stress drops even more. That's what happened with me anyway. The tail quit wagging the dog! I've only towed our 5th wheel camper with our current truck and the truck doesn't get pushed around in windy conditions or when getting passed by semis.

 

[Shuck Water]

Still love my Durango! Will probably upgrade from the R/T to the SRT at some point. Power of a truck but handles more like a car.

 

[blacksapphirez]

Never towed or even driven any of the newer MB SUVs, but I would think one needs a 450+ or a diesel, typically heavier, to compare to the truck.
I know for a fact that my Q7 TDI weights exactly the same as the RAM 1500 ecodiesel (even though the Q doesn't look it). It feels about as planted as it gets, not even a bit of sway. Just saying.
Need to go Audi, man, they make their own cars. Well, the 8-speed trans is Aisin, which I believe is Toyota. But CATA engines, traction, and suspension is all native.

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weight is one thing but wheelbase is another...and Im not trying to start an argument but show the differences between the two.

GLS450 5700lbs and 121.1" wheelbase
Ram1500 6000lbs and 140.5" wheelbase
Audi Q7 TDI 5500lbs and 118.2" wheelbase (added for comparison)

GLS450 is almost 20" shorter wheelbase... which a HUGE difference when it comes to towing...

I would like to also add that some unibody SUV can tow 24 footers just fine. a lot of people do it. I just feel more comfortable with the truck

 

[swatski]

weight is one thing but wheelbase is another...and Im not trying to start an argument but show the differences between the two.

GLS450 5700lbs and 121.1" wheelbase
Ram1500 6000lbs and 140.5" wheelbase
Audi Q7 TDI 5500lbs and 118.2" wheelbase (added for comparison)

GLS450 is almost 20" shorter wheelbase... which a HUGE difference when it comes to towing...

I would like to also add that some unibody SUV can tow 24 footers just fine. a lot of people do it. I just feel more comfortable with the truck

No argument here. But also need to consider the absolutely superior traction and the low center of gravity (e.g. Q7 - that I know) - these cars are like tow tugs. (But it is also true that they are getting lighter - the newest models are no longer diesel, and very light)
Like I said, driving in good conditions on a highway is one thing. But place the combo on something steep and slippery and we have a different situation all of a sudden. I routinely pull my new 240 out over sandy unpaved "ramp" in BSL where no 2x4 truck can launch.
I was not really aware of the towing prowess of these import SUV like Q7 until I talked to a friend of a friend who uses one to haul his track porsche, and the guy doesn't even need the third bench like I do.

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[cozilla]

If I am not mistaken the Durango (I have a Citadel 2wd with Hemi) and MB GL are built on the same or close to the same chassis. I used to tow with my Durango and it did an awesome job. I am on a lift 100% of the time now but it is a great tow vehicle.

 

[Van T]

Chrysler's are gay, get a moped with heavy duty springs on the back

 

[thcole]

Anyone use the v6 Durango, I took one for a drive last night

 

[swatski]

Anyone use the v6 Durango, I took one for a drive last night

@MrMoose used to have one and liked it, I think.
Albeit his was running on a hydrogen cell I believe, and had three axles.

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[MrMoose]

@MrMoose used to have one and liked it, I think.
Albeit his was running on a hydrogen cell I believe, and had three axles.

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Haha @swatski. Actually, mine wasn't the V6, so I can't help you @thcole. If you wanna know about the R/T model, I can help you.

 

[Van T]

I pull my 190 fsh sport with the high roof Transit van you want to talk about fun you can't see anything backing up and on top of that my streets only about 10 ft wide in front of my house with ditches on both sides real fun getting in the driveway especially with no trailer experience the first night I brought the boat home all the Way from Pennsylvania 6 hours plus away I had a real good time getting into driveway at night .with my Powerful V6. I could have got out of the van and walked up the mountains faster I was more nervous than ever in my life new van and new boat and never drove a trailer with a boat on it I'm just when I thought I couldn't get any worse GPS wouldn't work in the mountains in the most torrential downpours I've ever drove in once we stopped to eat I didn't even have the temporary tag left the rain disintegrated it v6 410 gears almost almost horsepower and torque as a Ford Fiesta . I did just buy my wife a new off-road 4Runner but she said Im not allowed to trailer the boat with it I'm pretty sure I'm the one that paid for it

 

[JeffVans]

This has kinda already been stated, but I was worried about a tow vehicle too since I sold my truck (2500 w/ Duramax). I now have a 2011 Grand Cherokee w/ Hemi and was worried that it would not tow well (even though the total weight is well below the max towing capacity) I actually have it up for sale right now, but I have talked to a couple people with 240s and 242s and they said it tows them fine. I will see once I get a chance to tow, but I'm still considering selling the Jeep and getting a 1/2 ton truck.

 

[AZ Native]

@thcole I wonder if you have taken your wife to drive a late model Tahoe or Nisaan Armada? I keep hearing all this talk about mid-size SUV's and I understand the appeal, but it's hard for me to take them seriously for truck duties. I know you can make a lot of light duty vehicles work for towing, but safety to me is the number one consideration. Everyone talks about the power train, which matters, but suspension and stability control ultimately dictate safety. Full size SUV's like full size trucks are built that way for a reason. I bet she would fall in love with a full size. Ever watch someone at home depot trying to stuff a large payload in a small or mid-size SUV? It's like putting a 40 lb pile of potatoes in a 10 lb flour sack. The haul anything, go anywhere, transport the kids, respect in the parking lot attributes of a full size SUV is the only way to go. In my 45 years of driving, I've towed a lot of different trailers and loads with a lot of different vehicles. There is nothing to compare to a full size utility SUV. I just can't picture all these trailers behind a Honda.

 

[thcole]

Yeah, I agree the full size is the way to go. She does not want to drive a large SUV though, I guess I should put her in one to see how she likes it though. She has an Equinox now that she likes but it needs replaced.

Living in PA with the hills and bad roads I am more worried about stability than power. I want to drive the boat not have the boat drive me.

I am now debating just keeping my truck around just as a tow vehicle again.