Tow Vehicle size and power. - Page 4

Jim Bennett · 10-21-2015, 10:17 PM

LOL.... Better wear my flesh jacket.

Brian B-P · 10-21-2015, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

The Ford Ranger would be small sized. I look forward to it being re-introduced to the North American market in 2017, with it's 2.2L and 3.2L diesel engine options.

Those are the diesel engine choices offered in other parts of the world (or at least the UK). In the unlikely event that the new Ranger comes here (perhaps if the Colorado / Canyon is a huge success), the smaller diesel seems extremely unlikely to be in it. Normally, the biggest engine offered in Europe is the only one offered here, as there is little reason for buyers here to choose the smaller one.

Ford's 3.2L diesel is the PowerStroke 3.2 currently offered here in the Transit as the only diesel... and the Transit is offered only with 2.2L diesel engines in the UK.

Bobo · 10-22-2015, 12:16 AM

Another issue to consider: how much weight will you carry in the tow vehicle. In our case, we carry up to three 17 foot kayaks on top of our Sequoia. Inside the tow vehicle we keep some tools, mini jack, chairs, a table, small barbecue, dog stuff, kayak equipment, bicycle panniers, helmets, and other miscellaneous stuff.
We also carry two or three bikes on back of the trailer, and tend to load our trailer with some heavy items including water depending on where we are headed since we prefer our local water.
All of this can test the tow vehicle.
Bob-o
Bend, Or

Catchlight · 10-22-2015, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmk7580

Hello All,

It appears to me that the folks that chime in on this topic (with a few exceptions) are those that are towing with the smaller vehicles and engines. Perhaps they are in the majority. I wish I knew. But I’m thinking that there could also be a lot of folks towing fiberglass trailers with large vehicles and engines. It would be equally valuable to hear what they have to say.

Thanks very much for any input I receive.

We towed our Escape 21 with a 2011 4Runner before switching to a 2012 Tundra. Based on our experience towing a trailer significantly heavier than yours with the 4Runner -- which has about the same power, torque, and transmission as the Tacoma -- I believe that a Tacoma would be more than adequate for pulling an Escape 17.

A Tundra would be overkill, unless you had other reasons for needing a full-sized pickup. If you're buying new, the updated 2016 Tacoma would be worth a look.

Jim Bennett · 10-22-2015, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catchlight

A Tundra would be overkill, unless you had other reasons for needing a full-sized pickup.

I think this is one of the key considerations, use outside of towing. Not too many Escape owners use their tow vehicle only for towing, but more often than not, use it for other purposes.

titanizer · 10-22-2015, 07:00 AM

Attachment 13616
Plan on using my '11 SuperDuty Lariat with 8'bed and 6.2L engine to tow new 21' when I get it next year. May be overkill, but it's paid for, very comfortable and I can store lots of gear in back with the locking Undercover lid.

escape artist · 10-22-2015, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanizer

Attachment 13616
Plan on using my '11 SuperDuty Lariat with 8'bed and 6.2L engine to tow new 21' when I get it next year. May be overkill, but it's paid for, very comfortable and I can store lots of gear in back with the locking Undercover lid.

Hi: titanizer... Looks more like "Overturn" to me!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

steve dunham · 10-22-2015, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I consider an F150 to be mid-sized, and the Super Duties to be full-sized. The Ford Ranger would be small sized. I look forward to it being re-introduced to the North American market in 2017, with it's 2.2L and 3.2L diesel engine options. I guess it is all just interpretations of size, as it is what it is.

Where I live a small size truck is considered a " toy truck" , a half ton truck is a " Grocery Getter " and a 3/4 or 1 ton truck is a pickup truck.

kvermeulen · 10-22-2015, 08:46 AM

I wud go with full size 1/2 with tow pkg. Better suspensions dont get tossed around in wind nearly as much as smaller toyctrucks.
ken

craiginpetaluma · 10-22-2015, 12:00 PM

I tow my 21 with a 2002 Tundra 4x4 4.7 L V-8 auto trans, with tow package and 127,000 miles. Going up 6% grade at 40-45 mph @ 3100 rpm The truck is not working hard. If needed to pass a slow truck I can excelerate to 50-55 mph but at 4000+rpm the truck is working very hard.

While towing In the mountains of southern Oregon I get 11 mpg, On flat terrain 14 mpg. Non towing milage 17 hwy 15 city.

Light cross winds of 10-15mph are not a problem but over that I really feel it.

The first generation Tundra is close in size to the new tacoma. When parked next to a 2015 tacoma I noticed the bed rail height was 3 inches higher than my tundra.

My biggest challenge is to not exceed the payload. With a camper shell, people,fuel, gear , etc. Am right at or over the 1500 LB. The 7200 tow limit seems a bit high for me. I would not want to tow a trailer any heaver that the 21 @ 4000 +Lbs that is enough for me.

A big help for me was to add Sumo Springs on the rear suspension. They replace your bump stops and fill the gap mostly between the frame and Axel.
Before the sumo springs my truck would drop 3" when the hitch was loaded with 500lbs. With The sumo's only 1/2 " drop, Which puts me just right to be level.

I decided to test first with no weight distrubing hitch. So far I very pleased with how it tows, but would like to try towing with WDH.

Steve R · 10-22-2015, 12:31 PM

I pick up my 17B in February, and I too am thinking about a pre-2013 RAV 4 V-6. What is your mpg when towing your trailer? Thanks.

gbaglo · 10-22-2015, 12:48 PM

Towing, almost always over mountain passes, I average 15 litres / 100 kilometres. I'm likely doing the speed limit or close ( usually 90 kph / 56 mph )
I am not adverse to punching the accelerator when I need to.
Around town, not towing, mileage varies a lot ( between 10 litres / 100 K and 13.5 / 100 ).

titanizer · 10-22-2015, 01:23 PM

Don't know why pic posted upside down; it was "saved" right side up. Anyone with expert knowledge regarding same?

I fixed it... Donna D.

J Mac · 10-22-2015, 01:44 PM

I've got a 2015 Pro series Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with the towing package. It has all the power I need for towing a 17b, can carry all my camping needs in the truck bed, has good enough gas mileage for around town driving, has 4 doors for 4 passengers (comfortably) and fits in my garage. As far as full sized trucks are concerned...I don't need or want one.

gbaglo · 10-22-2015, 01:50 PM

Do you have to serve an apprenticeship before you can buy a Pro series truck?

yardsale · 10-22-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve R

I pick up my 17B in February, and I too am thinking about a pre-2013 RAV 4 V-6. What is your mpg when towing your trailer? Thanks.

We get about 15 mpg while towing on varied terrain and 22 when not towing with our 2011 rav4 with tow package. I have an AC unit which dosen't help the mileage.

**rbryan4** · 10-22-2015, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanizer

Don't know why pic posted upside down; it was "saved" right side up. Anyone with expert knowledge regarding same?

Here you go. The metadata that orients the photo sometimes gets stripped when it shouldn't be. I know the cause on an iPhone, but other systems sometimes produce the same problem.