Tow vehicle for a 21

[dunnet]

We are trying to decide on a tow vehicle for a 21C we have on order, if there is an existing thread on this subject can someone direct me to it? If not what are people using to tow their trailer? The trailer's GVWR is 5000 lbs. what vehicle capacity should I be looking for? Thanks.

[Civilguy]

Here's a few threads on this subject which have been posted on this forum, and also the FiberglassRV forum.

I enjoy spending other people's money, so just let me know if you can't decide and I'll pick one out for you!

https://www.google.com/search?q=Tow+...hrome&ie=UTF-8

More seriously, a good place to start is whether you would like a pickup truck, or an enclosed vehicle. Enclosed vehicles generally range from vans to SUVs and sedans.

Most people have a definite preference here. If you do not, thinking about that decision is a good place to get started.

[Doug2000]

Many have said they are happy towing a 21' with a Ridgeline, Tacoma, Highlander or 4Runner, but the truth is many eventually end up with a F150. My advice is buy a tow vehicle at about 50% of the rated capacity for long travel. Towing is very hard on a vehicle. Would I tow 10,000lbs of top soil with my Tundra, absolutely! Would I tow a 7500lbs travel trailer cross country, no way. When you pick a bigger tow vehicle, it makes towing safer and much less stressful.

If I was to suggest a truck for you today, it would be the F150 3.5L EcoBoost or the Ram Hemi 5.7L. I am a Toyota fan but the new Tundra will have to prove itself before I suggest it.

[cpaharley2008]

My Ram hemi has been in use for 8 years now, trouble free.

[kathytony1985]

Our 2016 F-150 with the 5.0 Coyote engine tows our 21NE no problem.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by kathytony1985

Our 2016 F-150 with the 5.0 Coyote engine tows our 21NE no problem.

I really like that 5.0 Coyote engine in my Mustang GT, it makes driving enjoyable.....

[kathytony1985]

Yeah my husband Is a Mustang guy, he would too!

[brroberts]

My 19 is 4620 fully loaded to go with empty black and gray, but full fresh water. My tongue weight is 560 pounds. I find either my ‘98 Chevy 2500 or my “21 Ford Ranger work well, but I get better mileage (4mpg on average) with the Ranger while towing.

[WillyB]

When you're towing your Escape up a long steep grade do you want your engine to be revving at a high RPM making a lot of noise or do you want something that remains at a much lower RPM at a lower decibel level?

Diesel trucks have low revving turbo engines and sports cars have high revving normally aspirated engines for reasons.

All in all you really can't go wrong unless you decide to be under powered.

[Fender]

I too am shopping for a new vehicle and I suspect my opinion will be a contrary view for many.
I currently own a full size truck (though my Gen 2 Tundra has been called 7/8th size!) but will almost certainly replace it with mid-size. Colorado, Ranger, Frontier, etc.
While purchasing a vehicle that is adequate for towing the reality for me is that if I put 20,000 km on a vehicle each year I doubt that 10% of that driving will be with a trailer connected.
Full size trucks get bigger every year and based on sales figures clearly that is what people want. For us though my wife is not comfortable driving a full size truck and I've seen too many people trying to squeeze them into a parking space.
So, in my search for a new vehicle I want to make certain it is the best solution for the majority of my driving (the 90%) AND is an adequate and safe vehicle for the towing (the 10%) that I'll do.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Fender

I too am shopping for a new vehicle and I suspect my opinion will be a contrary view for many.
I currently own a full size truck (though my Gen 2 Tundra has been called 7/8th size!) but will almost certainly replace it with mid-size. Colorado, Ranger, Frontier, etc.
While purchasing a vehicle that is adequate for towing the reality for me is that if I put 20,000 km on a vehicle each year I doubt that 10% of that driving will be with a trailer connected.
Full size trucks get bigger every year and based on sales figures clearly that is what people want. For us though my wife is not comfortable driving a full size truck and I've seen too many people trying to squeeze them into a parking space.
So, in my search for a new vehicle I want to make certain it is the best solution for the majority of my driving (the 90%) AND is an adequate and safe vehicle for the towing (the 10%) that I'll do.

Hopefully, with your new Escape, your camping and towing percentage will increase.....

[davescape]

For myself, the most fun towing experience is the lowest cost per ft/lbs torque. Add the vehicle purchase price to the expected fuel consumption over the life of the vehicle to get the total cost. Calculate the torque ratio by dividing the torque by the combined trailer and truck weight. Calculate the Fun Experience by dividing the total cost by the torque ratio. The lowest number wins. Easy on the bank account and the hills.

I've attached my most recent pdf sheet (excel file wouldn't upload). Its a little incomplete after my last buying frenzy and out of date but you can get the idea.

[Vermilye]

Everyone has a different idea of what is acceptable beyond meeting the "legal" towing requirements. In my case I towed a 2017 21C for 9000 miles with a 2016 Tacoma (with the 3.5L engine). While it worked, and I loved the truck, I got tired of listening to the engine at 3500 - 4000RPM, stopping at every gas station because of the small tank & poor towing mileage (under 10 MPG). I switched to a F 150 3.5 EcoBoost with real tow mirrors & a 36 gallon tank. Fewer stops, better mileage (13MPG towing) and well under 2000 RPM at 65MPH.

[WellTraveled]

It is also important to look at the payload rating of any given vehicle. It is actually quite easy to exceed the rated payload of a vehicle like a 1/2 ton pickup. Passengers, tongue weight, cap on the truck, tools, camping gear, sports equipment, etc. all adds up and can put you overweight for payload even though you have plenty of tow rating to accommodate the trailer. A little margin for safety is nice to have especially if you are going off the beaten path. With that in mind
I am currently waiting on a F250 as well as a 21NE. Overkill to some, peace of mind to others.

[LRCURTIS]

+1 to Civilguy's comments.

Additionally, you should confirm the spare tire configuration of the tow vehicles you are considering. Several related past posts share the surprise of folks finding out their new truck has only a temporary spare vs. a full-size wheel/tire spare. Otherwise you will loose either truck bed or rear hitch space for a "real" spare for the tow vehicle. Happy hunting...

[brroberts]

I agree payload is an issue with many trucks. For traveling with my E19, I wanted a minimum of 1800 pounds. Some folks get by with half that, but we take “stuff.”

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by WellTraveled

It is also important to look at the payload rating of any given vehicle. It is actually quite easy to exceed the rated payload of a vehicle like a 1/2 ton pickup. Passengers, tongue weight, cap on the truck, tools, camping gear, sports equipment, etc. all adds up and can put you overweight for payload even though you have plenty of tow rating to accommodate the trailer. A little margin for safety is nice to have especially if you are going off the beaten path. With that in mind
I am currently waiting on a F250 as well as a 21NE. Overkill to some, peace of mind to others.

True, and I forgot to mention that another reason for switching to the F 150 is I was 150 - 200 pounds over the payload of the Tacoma.

As to the payload of an F 150, obviously, it depends on the options & model, but my Supercab 6.5' bed came with a 1823 pound payload, plenty even for my heavily loaded bed.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by brroberts

My 19 is 4620 fully loaded to go with empty black and gray, but full fresh water. My tongue weight is 560 pounds. I find either my ‘98 Chevy 2500 or my “21 Ford Ranger work well, but I get better mileage (4mpg on average) with the Ranger while towing.

Wow- that is a heavy 19! I wonder if this is average or not. Our Gen1 21 heavily loaded is 4300# with 500 lbs. tongue weight. Btw, we get about the same mpg with the Expedition & Transit Van: 13-14- as per onboard computer.

[Civilguy]

I was just curious why my new signature line doesn't show in previous posts.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by Civilguy

"Every tow-vehicle thread is just two posts from a 1-ton diesel dually."