Wanabee here...

Any SUV with 5000lbs pulling capacity did not work for us. After months of research on TV, considering all the facts about horse power and torque, we have decided to go for BMW X5 diesel which offers the lb-ft torque we needed to pull our 19' Escape. Our first TV was Nissan V6 Frontier truck with towing capacity 6000lbs. We've learned our lesson hard way when we picked up our trailer delivery from WA and drove back through high elevation terrain 9000 ft. above sea level. We had no choice but drive really slow as it was struggling to pull even the empty trailer on highway. Somehow we've made it home with our new trailer and learned that we need sufficient torque more than anything. Now, we've settle our choice of TV with X5 twin turbo V6 delivers 265 hp, 425 ft-lb torque. We've made quite a few trips since and noticed the difference instantly. In short, whatever the car/truck you choose, the combination of hp and torque makes huge difference.
 
Like I said everyone has a strong opinion on this subject! I bought my ( now sold ) 17 from Leon he has been pulling a 21 successfully with a highlander across the country for a few years with no issues.
 
Any SUV with 5000lbs pulling capacity did not work for us. After months of research on TV, considering all the facts about horse power and torque, we have decided to go for BMW X5 diesel which offers the lb-ft torque we needed to pull our 19' Escape. Our first TV was Nissan V6 Frontier truck with towing capacity 6000lbs. We've learned our lesson hard way when we picked up our trailer delivery from WA and drove back through high elevation terrain 9000 ft. above sea level. We had no choice but drive really slow as it was struggling to pull even the empty trailer on highway. Somehow we've made it home with our new trailer and learned that we need sufficient torque more than anything. Now, we've settle our choice of TV with X5 twin turbo V6 delivers 265 hp, 425 ft-lb torque. We've made quite a few trips since and noticed the difference instantly. In short, whatever the car/truck you choose, the combination of hp and torque makes huge difference.

Curious, was there any change in towing mileage between your two TVs?
 
"When you look for advice, make sure it's from someone towing your trailer, in your backyard, with the same expectations"


-horribly paraphrased quote from another forum
 
Any SUV with 5000lbs pulling capacity did not work for us.

Thanks for relating your experience. This is one of the things I am concerned about. I know experiences will vary for many reasons which is why I'm thinking a bit of overkill for a TV would not be a bad move. Ideally, I'd like my everyday vehicle to also be my TV. Depending upon what I end up with for a trailer, however, that may not be realistic. Thinking about a Highlander as everyday choice as it's not huge and it is dependable. Some folks seem to have had good luck using it with a 19. Others, perhaps not. Thanks again!
 
It's all to do with expectations. I tow my 17B with a RAV4 Sport V6. I regularly summit the Coast Mountains and the Rockies without difficulty. Maybe not in the fast lane, but without difficulty.
If you need to go really fast, you can always leave the trailer at the bottom of the hill. :laugh:
 
Get in line

About nine times out of ten when I'm going over a pass I am not the slowest vehicle in the parade and usually just pull in behind vehicles making an acceptable speed. If there are two lanes I will pass very slow loaded trucks to maintain my momentum. I rarely hold up the parade and if I do, I use a pullout to let the speedy ones go by. A lot depends on highway design too. It's not a race out there and when I'm traveling I don't wear a watch, come to think about it, I haven't worn a watch for about 20 years. I used to be late for a meeting once in a while but it never affected my overall job performance. I worked 55 hours a week average and got paid for 40. Nobody said I was smart, just dedicated.
Dave
 
Interesting on the Frontier struggling, how many gears and what year was it? I assume 5 speed auto and 4.0 v6?

I am looking at 19 Escape and have a 2014 3.7 v6 F150. I have towed my 5x10 enclosed with it maybe 3000#s no issue, and I have towed my 2500# or so 10 foot pop up from Manitoba through to Kelowna BC no issue. My truck does not have factory tow package, but I added a brake control. Mine is rated for 5000#s and I dont want to upgrade the truck as its paid off.

Turbo gas engines and turbo diesels dont suffer at altitude like naturally aspirated engines do, so if you plan to tow near your max a lot especially at heights they may be good ideas for TV.
Id say Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner are all on paper capable of towing a 19 for SUVS. Any half ton truck too probably. And new diesel chevy/gmc mid size twins.
 
I am looking at 19 Escape and have a 2014 3.7 v6 F150. I have towed my 5x10 enclosed with it maybe 3000#s no issue, and I have towed my 2500# or so 10 foot pop up from Manitoba through to Kelowna BC no issue. My truck does not have factory tow package, but I added a brake control. Mine is rated for 5000#s and I dont want to upgrade the truck as its paid off.

Your F150 will easily tow a 19. And, I think your towing capacity is higher than 5K. Here's the portion of the towing capacity chart for the 2014 F150 with the 3.7L V6. Towing capacity ranges for that engine are from 5500 to 6300 lbs.
710f1611cc2d897642ef662eafb1b219.jpg
 
Your F150 will easily tow a 19. And, I think your towing capacity is higher than 5K. Here's the portion of the towing capacity chart for the 2014 F150 with the 3.7L V6. Towing capacity ranges for that engine are from 5500 to 6300 lbs.
710f1611cc2d897642ef662eafb1b219.jpg

I do not have factory tow package. This limits towing to 5k. I don't feel like swapping out the rad and adding a transmission cooler at this point either.
 
Your F150 will easily tow a 19. And, I think your towing capacity is higher than 5K. Here's the portion of the towing capacity chart for the 2014 F150 with the 3.7L V6. Towing capacity ranges for that engine are from 5500 to 6300 lbs.
710f1611cc2d897642ef662eafb1b219.jpg
My guess is that footnote (1) says "when properly equipped". ;)
 

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