What Tow Vehicle for Escape 19?

[caddoster]

We were looking at 4runner and gx460 (same frame) as replacement when our FJ was totaled. In the end we decided on the gx460 because it has the V8.. I am not sure if the V8 is really making any difference but if they still make v8 4runner we would've picked the 4runner.

[Iowa Dave]

Manually Downshifting my 2012 Highlander on the downside of passes from New Mexico to Montana and from the Smokies to Washington has allowed us 40,000 miles of effective towing with no mechanical problems and no close calls and no excessive brake wear on the tow or on the 19 or the 21. "Don't stop for a cup of coffee I'll be along directly" My dad always said that and developed that philosophy hauling gasoline for tanks in the 3rd armored division 32nd armored regiment company B (oriole) with his favorite truck "Black Mariah" which was painted on the fender in white shoe polish where the tire pressure recommendation was usually written.
169,000 miles and headed out in the morning.
Iowa Dave

[P&L]

For our commuter vehicle,we were surprised to learn the base model Lexus didn't have heated seats. We ended up getting its Toyota counterpart at the mid-level model for less and with all the comfort. Love those heated seats in the winter!

Lorna

[thoer]

I like this one a lot.

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by CADreamin

Now we're looking at a new Tundra with a higher tow rating which, if we get one, would mean we could tow a larger Escape. Sigh!! It's a vicious cycle.

That will be great for you two. I didn't ask Reace about an E25 the last time I saw him, I didn't want to see his eyes roll.

I regeared the Ram to a lower (higher numerical) number and the mountain towing was more .... relaxed.

[cpaharley2008]

Bet you took a hit on the gas though, did you not Bruce? With 3:21 I'm avg 15 towing, BTW, you need to get a full sized spare. I bought 4 new tires today and an extra chrome wheel to put one of my old tires on for a spare.

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Bet you took a hit on the gas though, did you not Bruce? With 3:21 I'm avg 15 towing, BTW, you need to get a full sized spare. I bought 4 new tires today and an extra chrome wheel to put one of my old tires on for a spare.

12mpg average over hill and dale for 600miles. Maybe 1mpg hit? Very happy regardless. Flat highway without trailer might be in the 22 range.

[Devil Dog]

What ever tow you pick for the 19 make sure its a V-8 (on the large side) . People like my self Forget to mention that on a 7% grade at 55mph (80kmh) the little v-6 is doing 5,000 RPM in 3rd . And on the down hill the v-6 has no down shift compression . So you have to use more brake ware and tare .

[wetzk]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog

What ever tow you pick for the 19 make sure its a V-8 (on the large side) . People like my self Forget to mention that on a 7% grade at 55mph (80kmh) the little v-6 is doing 5,000 RPM in 3rd . And on the down hill the v-6 has no down shift compression . So you have to use more brake ware and tare .

??
We went from Chilliwack all the way back to Florida through Montana and such and I'm sure we had at least a few 7% hills. Heck They have hills that steep up in Franklin N,C, area where we go all the time.
I do not remember the engine screaming at 5000 RPM and coming down the other side a tap on the brakes caused a slight downshift that often was enough to keep us legal. If not a few smooth applications of the brake pedal brought us back to sane speeds.
And I'm sure the dealer would love to sell me a brake job but at 39,000 miles the brakes are still fine. Tires though are getting closer to needing replaced.

2013 Tacoma V6

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog

What ever tow you pick for the 19 make sure its a V-8 (on the large side) . People like my self Forget to mention that on a 7% grade at 55mph (80kmh) the little v-6 is doing 5,000 RPM in 3rd . And on the down hill the v-6 has no down shift compression . So you have to use more brake ware and tare .

The Toyota may run 5,000 rpm uphill and while holding the 21 back on the downhill may buzz the engine to 5,000 or better. It's made to take that and more. Pulling the Wolf Creek pass in Colorado 10,200
ft. The transmission did not get hot going up and I did not crash into anything in Pagosa Springs going down. I got 108,000 miles out of my first set of Highlander brakes and well over 45,000 out of the Escape 19 brakes. Many of us are finesse drivers with millions of miles on all kinds of roads who cut our teeth on flathead V-8s with 100 horsepower and three speed double clutching transmissions retrofitted to F-1 Ford pickups. I don't think I'll ever own another V-8 and certainly don't need one for pulling the 21. YMMV
Iowa "8BA" Dave

[gbaglo]

The little V6 is doing just fine at 5,000 RPM. Red line is about 6,200.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

The little V6 is doing just fine at 5,000 RPM. Red line is about 6,200.

Or 6800 red line in the new Highlander V6. The fact is V6's make their max HP and torque at higher RPM than most V8's and are perfectly comfortable at higher RPMs.

[Rossue]

Ya, just don't forget the earplugs! So we loved the 2013 Highlander AWD with our 17B, yet we cannot imagine not having our Yukon with the 21. The engine grade braking is unreal. We had that on the Highlander, yet it was not even close. We met the folks with the first demo Gen 17; they smoked their front brakes at Death Valley.

IMO, if you are a flatlander and occasionally do some passes that's one thing, yet if you are consistently going up & down grades with 4,000 + lbs, then you are going to be feeling it a lot more at least. Noise causes fatigue.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Noise causes fatigue.

Thinking about my gas mileage at 6,200 rpm causes me stress, so I just slow down some.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Thinking about my gas mileage at 6,200 rpm causes me stress, so I just slow down some.

What? You mean you go less that 120 kph up passes? Unheard of!

[Iowa Dave]

Don't stop for a cup of coffee, I'll be along directly. When you're retired, you should not be in a hurry.
He was right all right, as he sped along. But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong. Burma Shave
Don't hang your elbow out too far, it may go home in another man's car.
Burma Shave
Never pass on a slope
Unless you have a periscope
Burma Shave
Iowa "Burma Shave" Dave

[Rossue]

Wow, what a poet. Have been retired four years now and Susan often asks if she should get out and push as I putt. Truth is there are but a handful of folks driving Highlanders with a 21. That's fine, just don't pretend it is perfect for all.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by BCnomad

I didn't ask Reace about an E25 the last time I saw him, I didn't want to see his eyes roll.

Wouldn’t it be a 23?

[Iowa Dave]

Maybe both and a toyhauler option and slideouts and an expandable canvas top and a canoe rack with electric lift and a fish cleaning station. Wow
Iowa Dave

[dfandrews]

-I think several of you have touched on a point that is at the heart of some dissatisfaction with tow vehicles; many people appear to reticent to allow their engine to rev over 4,000 RPM. Especially V6's. Of course, we know that the redline is much higher, and the typical V6 has max. torque and max. HP in the 4,000-5,000 rpm range. It's that sound of the engine at those RPM's that's worrysome. -Just my theory!