how much horsepower and torque needed for 19' ?

[oak1056]

Hi, all, Doing the research on a SUV choice for 19'. What's the horsepower and torque needed to tow 19' sufficiently on freeway/long slopes hill/windy weather etc. thanks.

I know expedition/tahoe/yukon etc. will work great. What's the next line down to those choices?

Many thanks.

[Iowa Dave]

All day long 2018 Highlander. 295 HP. Over hill, over dale she pulls the Escape without fail and Iowa Dave just keeps rolling along. And that’s a 21 that weighs 4360 lbs. (Wolf Creek was with the 2012 Highlander 269 HP with the 2010 19 ft Escape @ 3680 lbs.
Stevens pass
Wolf creek pass
Pipestone pass
Bozeman Pass
Lolo pass
Cascade Pass
Cheyenne Pass
Clingmans Dome with black ice
And finally
Please Pass ( the spuds)
“With a steady hand to pull that load behind.”
Iowa Dave
https://www.google.com/search?q=wirh...&client=safari

[JeffreyG]

Anything with a tow rating high enough for an Escape will make enough power. More interesting for most people is where the engine makes that power.

The 'comfort' in most tow vehicles is related to how much the transmission has to shift, and how high the engine has to rev to deliver the power.

Take a look here comparing (just an example) the GM 2.8 diesel vs. the Honda 3.5L V6, both found in mid-size pickups.

The Honda is rated for 280 hp, but more importantly it reaches
100 hp @ ~2500 rpm
150 hp @ ~3500 rpm.

The GM is only rated for 181 hp, but it makes
100 hp @ ~1500 rpm
150 hp @ ~2100 rpm

The Honda makes more power peak, and will be faster up any serious grade if you floor it. But most of the time the GM diesel would be a quieter, more comfortable tow because the engine will stay in the high gears and low revs.

Engines that tend to be comfortable towing are:
1) small / medium sized diesels like the GM 2.8, GM 3.0, and the Stellantis 3.0
2) turbocharged gas engines of moderate size, mainly the Ford 2.3, 2.7 and 3.5 Ecoboost. That last, the 3.5 is kind of overkill but very nice in towing.
3) Large V8 engines. These are comfortable to tow with because they also make good power numbers at low rpm. Tend to only be available in the bigger vehicles, so if you want a smaller tow vehicle they may not be an option.

[Awilson]

Nice info!
Thanks

[oak1056]

thank you all for the valuable info. I need further research what's the best option. We are completely newbie in the RV world,no experience on towing, so a big,safe margin will give us a peace of mind.

[cpaharley2008]

"No replacement for displacement" is my motto........

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

"No replacement for displacement" is my motto........

Hi: cpaharley2008... "Torque tows" is mine. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[cpaharley2008]

Nice one Alf.......stay healthy until Niagara........

[HarleyD]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

"No replacement for displacement" is my motto........

I recently read an article about a 800 HP 3.5 Eco boost engine from Ford. At 231 CI, that may challenge your assumption. There was mention of 1000 HP for a full out racing venue, but it appears the 800 HP was quite reliable.

[JeffreyG]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

"No replacement for displacement" is my motto........

Boost is the replacement for displacement, says the diesel engine engineer.

My company's 2-stroke cycle diesel engines dominated the commercial market for a long time, until turbochargers became viable. Now the answer is turbocharged 4-stroke cycle diesel.

I think turbocharged 4-stroke cycle SI gasoline is coming into it's own as well. No reason to think the technology won't work there as well.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

"No replacement for displacement" is my motto........

I've towed now for 6 years plus, with no more than 2.7 liters of displacement, and can pass up a 6 percent grade in the mountains with no effort. Turbo engines like the Ecoboost (as well as a few others) have made that motto largely meaningless.

But to answer the OP's question, I would say don't focus on horsepower and torque as much as the published capacities. The numbers either work or they don't.