Tow Vehicle for Escape 19 and Escape 17

[gypsysouls]

When we decided to purchase our Casita 17, we had a Lexus RX300 AWD. It was rated to tow 3,500 pounds. I did not want to tow with it. Unibody construction and not enough towing margin (vehicle towing capacity versus loaded trailer weight) for a 3,000 pound travel trailer were the deal killers for me.

I sought a vehicle with a truck (ladder-style) frame. Purchased a Chevy Tahoe, which has provided a very pleasant towing experience.

We recently upgraded the trailer to an Escape19. So glad we don't have to also swap the tow vehicle. We still have plenty of towing margin. No regrets at all with the Tahoe.

[John in Santa Cruz]

the RX300 is basically a sleeker Highlander, with higher luxury content.

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

the RX300 is basically a sleeker Highlander, with higher luxury content.

A Highlander with lipstick and heels

[Rossue]

Yeah, and as it was equivalent to Gen1 Highlander- the tranny wasn't tough enough to tow a TT weighing 3,000 lbs. with a significant frontal area.

[Tonny LR]

I need feed back from you guys on 6 cylinder half ton diesel trucks which were available in last quarter of 2019. the GMC 1500 Sierra and Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. They both have excellent torque, HP , over 9000 lbs towing capacity and good diesel mileage. Are they worth considering?

TonnyLR

[cpaharley2008]

I'm on the Ram Eco forum and there are a lot of disgruntled owners there. A lot switch over to the Ram Hemi truck which I have had for past 11 years.

[Tonny LR]

Jim,
Thanks for the feed back. I learned that Ram V6 eco-diesel has air suspension whick tends to leak air.

Tonny LR

[salmo7000]

Originally Posted by Tonny LR

I need feed back from you guys on 6 cylinder half ton diesel trucks which were available in last quarter of 2019. the GMC 1500 Sierra and Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. They both have excellent torque, HP , over 9000 lbs towing capacity and good diesel mileage. Are they worth considering?

TonnyLR

I have friends who bought a new 2016 Dodge Ecodiesel. They use it to tow their horse trailer, which it does very well. Other than an issue with the exhaust system when it was still under warranty, they've had no issues with it. Going on 90,000 miles, I think.

I have a 2017 Chevy Colorado Duramax to tow my 19. It has about 27,000 miles on it now, and I've had no trouble. It's a half ton with 4 cylinders and tows the trailer very well. Gas mileage and the exhaust brake are the 2 selling points, in my opinion. If I had to replace it, I like it well enough I would probably buy another Colorado, or a GMC Canyon, or buy the Silverado 1500 with Duramax. Driving a 4X4 pickup that gets 30+ mpg is just something I don't want to give up. Plus the truck is a delight to drive, very comfortable, and very quiet. For me, it's been the perfect tow vehicle for our 19.

That said, to meet EPA requirements, the emissions systems on these diesels are notorious for being problematic. It's definitely something to consider. I'm not sure what percentage go on to develop problems, but it might be worth asking the question. For me it's been worth the risk so far, but of course I haven't had a problem, so easy to say!

[gypsysouls]

When the RX300 came out it stickered at about $40k. I always thought of it as the world’s most expensive Camry wagon!

Never heard of the Colorado/Canyon twins referred to as half ton pickups. Or any other midsize truck for that matter. Maybe more like 1/4 or 1/3 tons? Lol.

[salmo7000]

Well, the payload on my Colorado is 1,390 lbs, so I'm not sure what else it would be, if not a 1/2-ton.

[Tonny LR]

Hi salmo7000,
Thank you for your feed back. I am researching the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 inline 6 diesel. There is very little owner posted info except from auto review websites. I appreciated you taking time to respond. Tonny LR

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gypsysouls

Never heard of the Colorado/Canyon twins referred to as half ton pickups. Or any other midsize truck for that matter. Maybe more like 1/4 or 1/3 tons? Lol.

The "ton" terms are confusing and obsolete. Pickups are sensibly referred to by size (the Colorado is mid-sized while the Silverado is full-size) and the gross weight rating class. The weight rating is where it gets confusing, because almost no one uses the proper class names. "Half ton" means almost nothing because the actual payload of trucks commonly described by this label can vary from under half a ton to over a ton.

[NellieFlower]

We towed our 17B with a 2010 Nissan Frontier for several years and last year bought a new Chevy Colorado. Both vehicles were V6’s and 4wd and had canopies. Both vehicles were/are more than adequate plus we got an average mpg of 16 with the Frontier and vloser to 18 with the Colorado. Often the canopy is full of extra gear plus often we’ll be carrying our canoe on top. Both pickups performed great. The Colorado is a better riding truck and I can get 25 to 26 mpg on the highway when not towing, 20 mpg around town.

And the weight capacity on the Colorado is 1456 lbs.

[Defenestrator]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

the RX300 is basically a sleeker Highlander, with higher luxury content.

Not quite. The Highlander is actually a size larger than the RX. The RX350L is Highlander-sized, but it wasn't released until 2018. Same platform, but not as 1:1 as the ES:Camry/Avalon, CT:Corolla, etc.

[Defenestrator]

Originally Posted by Tonny LR

I need feed back from you guys on 6 cylinder half ton diesel trucks which were available in last quarter of 2019. the GMC 1500 Sierra and Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. They both have excellent torque, HP , over 9000 lbs towing capacity and good diesel mileage. Are they worth considering?

TonnyLR

A one-off anecdote, but a co-worker who got a RAM Ecodiesel really liked it.. when it wasn't in the shop. He eventually gave up and got something else. Some people don't seem to so many problems though, so I guess it's a bit of a roll of the QA/QC dice. I haven't heard of similar issues with the 3L Duramax, but it's probably too soon to tell for sure.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Defenestrator

Not quite. The Highlander is actually a size larger than the RX. The RX350L is Highlander-sized, but it wasn't released until 2018. Same platform, but not as 1:1 as the ES:Camry/Avalon, CT:Corolla, etc.

shorter wheelbase only, isn't it? certainly the box on back is smaller/sleeker too.

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by NellieFlower

We towed our 17B with a 2010 Nissan Frontier for several years and last year bought a new Chevy Colorado. Both vehicles were V6’s and 4wd and had canopies. Both vehicles were/are more than adequate plus we got an average mpg of 16 with the Frontier and vloser to 18 with the Colorado. Often the canopy is full of extra gear plus often we’ll be carrying our canoe on top. Both pickups performed great. The Colorado is a better riding truck and I can get 25 to 26 mpg on the highway when not towing, 20 mpg around town.

And the weight capacity on the Colorado is 1456 lbs.

Jeesum, we only get 13 mph with our Colorado/17b combination on the highway. Less with headwinds. Cruse at 65 mph.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by Defenestrator

Not quite. The Highlander is actually a size larger than the RX. The RX350L is Highlander-sized, but it wasn't released until 2018. Same platform, but not as 1:1 as the ES:Camry/Avalon, CT:Corolla, etc.

Actually the RX 300 was essentially the same as a Gen1 Highlander without all the lipstick. That is why Consumer Reports recommended the Highlander for much less $$.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Actually the RX 300 was essentially the same as a Gen1 Highlander without all the lipstick. That is why Consumer Reports recommended the Highlander for much less $$.

The 1st gen RX had 3" shorter wheelbase than the first gen highlander, but yeah, otherwise same platform. the rx has a much nicer ride, more comfortable seats, etc. CU seems in love with utilitarian.

[Melusine]

New at this all, so I'm wondering three things (for the moment):
1. is a 2015 Toyota Tacoma (TRD Off Road) with a 4.0 V-6 up to pulling a 19;
2. assuming I need a brake controller, what is the recommended brand/model. and
3. do I need/should I get a weight distribution hitch (he asked, not actually knowing what that is)?
Many thanks.
Jonathan