Another Tow Vehicle Discussion

[Ewok]

Sweet test johnnie. If the rain holds off I'll try to get mine tested today.

[GBNY]

The thing with towing rating is that they are not a real world test. For instance if you read the owners manual of the ford with the Ecoboost is that it says do NOT have AC on while towing! That should make for a nice ride to the lake on a 95 degree day!!!!! The Jeep is a great vehicle, and Jeep wrote the book on 4x4, but no matter what motor you put in that vehicle it still has a very short wheel base that translates into you bouncing up and down like your on a amusement park ride, also there is a level of safety that you give up with the side to side control. The Dodge truck is a great truck good power with the Hemi but some people don't love the fit and finish. In the world of Gm the LTZ Avalanche is in my opinion one of the best tow vehicles (no i don't own one) but the big option that you get with the LTZ is the auto leveling. This make that vehicle a killer tow pkg. You can get a LTZ with Power boards, NAV, Roof, DVD even air conditioned seats that are a great treat after a 90 degree day on the lake. The gm 1/2 Ton with a 5.3 is a great truck also lots of toys inside and good fuel millage. If budget can be stretched a little then shot the gap and go with the Gm 3/4 ton crew LTZ with the duramax (DO NOT BUY A 6.0) you will get 21 mpg with out the boat on and when you hook on you wile still get 15+ the motor is super quiet and the resale value makes it a top contender. There is no such thing as a good automotive investment.

[Ewok]

The tow rating standard, SAE J2807, is finally going to give real world tow ratings that you can compare amongst the brands, right now Toyota is the only truck maker using the standard. Here are a few articles about it.

http://wot.motortrend.com/1402_chrys..._standard.html

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ined-tech-dept

[Dandy]

Toyota Sequoia Test Drive Follow Up: I mentioned in a previous post that I am shopping for a new tow vehicle (SUV) and still needed to drive the Sequoia (yes, I realize the OP is coming out of a Sequoia). I drove it (Platinum Edition - New 2013 Dealer Driven w/7000 miles) and was surprised by all the functionality of the interior features. We worked up an offer contingent upon my satisfaction of it towing out boat. Since out boat is currently being worked on at the local A/V shop, it wasn't available right away. Our dealer went out of their way to set me up for towing. They loaded up a new 4 Runner (about 4600 dry) on a car hauler trailer, loaded toward the front to increase tongue weight. Hooked it up, watched the air suspension level it out and they sent me down the road. The drive train and breaking handled it very well and could hardly tell it was back there other then when some cross wind hit it. Very quiet and smooth even when down shifting to pass - yep, passing people on a test drive while towing a new vehicle behind - maybe they should have sent someone from the dealership with. Even though it is only rated for 7100 (4WD) the new tow standards that Toyota has adapted seem to be legit.

[TeamAllen]

Wow great to hear. Congratulations! Thanks for reporting back. I was looking forward to your report. The whole time reading it I was wondering if it was 4WD, then you had it in the last sentence. Post up some pictures after you pick it up.

[Z1Fan]

Guys let me tell you something , I have a 2012 Tahoe and it can pull my Z1 with no problem , but the boats weight will play with the truck on every bump and every time you hit the brakes . Power to pull is one thing , but the weight of the tow vehicle is critical as well, when I pull the same boat with my 2003 chev dually w/duramax diesel , I don't know it's even back there .. Specially here in BC with the mountains and passes we have you need power . But don't dismiss the weight of the tow vehicle ..

[boatwakes]

I'm glad to hear you found something that will work for you.

[skippabcool]

Your basing your decision to not go with a Durango because of the 1999 Durango you had? That was two body styles ago. How can you compare vehicles that are that spread out in years? That is like saying I had issues with the 2003 Tige and will never look at one again. They are almost completely different.

Not saying a Durango is the way to go, just you comparison logic didn't seem practical.

[begone]

I have a 2011 Ford F150 Ecoboost 2wd and it tows my 2014 Z3 Great. I lowered the rear with a drop, which I'm going to raise back up and then raise the front a bit as well. But as far as towing, it's stout. I have a tune on my Ecoboost by 5 Star Tuning so it's a beast. I would not be dissuaded from an Platinum Ecoboost - they are very nice. And the rear cabin (as far as a truck is concerned) is one of the nicest and largest rear cabins out there. The flat rear, folding seats, and huge space in the rear almost allows it to double as a SUV with storage. We had a 2009 Yukon prior, it was a good truck, but I much more enjoy our F150 Ecoboost with a Tune. And as far as SUV's are concerned - if you're thinking of a great comfortable SUV with lots of space and great tow capacity - You cannot go wrong with an Infiniti Q56 - BEST SUV we have ever owned. Period.

My truck has 62k Miles on it and only issue I've had is a bad Coil - but I'm not surprised since I'm running this tune and overboosting stock levels everywhere I go. It's FAST.

[BCRider]

Z1Fan: I hear ya. My 05 F150 is completely fine from my house in Abbotsford to Cultus any day of the week but I'm nervous about towing the Tige up the Coq as I've almost had my truck in limp mode pulling my old MB which was about 900lbs lighter. Start at 110km and by the top I'm about 30km. I will be looking at something over powered just to run the Coq as my family has a house on Nicola Lake outside of Merritt so it's a run I do multiple times a year and would do more if I had a better truck. This is where some of these half ton diesels really appeal to me.

[thtrog]

Z1Fan: I hear ya. My 05 F150 is completely fine from my house in Abbotsford to Cultus any day of the week but I'm nervous about towing the Tige up the Coq as I've almost had my truck in limp mode pulling my old MB which was about 900lbs lighter. Start at 110km and by the top I'm about 30km. I will be looking at something over powered just to run the Coq as my family has a house on Nicola Lake outside of Merritt so it's a run I do multiple times a year and would do more if I had a better truck. This is where some of these half ton diesels really appeal to me.

No way can you compare a '05 F150 with the 5.4 to the power of an F150 Ecoboost, night and day difference

[skippabcool]

No way can you compare a '05 F150 with the 5.4 to the power of an F150 Ecoboost, night and day difference

That was my point ET, I guess we think alike.

[BCRider]

I wasn't ever trying to compare nor did I make that statement in my post and I'm sure they are better as my 2010 ecoboost flex could pull the old MB better than my truck can. The truck can just stop sooner. The Coquihalla highway in BC eats vehicles alive. The worst hill has a 11% grade for 3.2 km before the summit. In the summer months you can typically find a few people stranded on the side of the road from over heating or transmissions giving out. My point is that although most half tons can do it for someone like myself that makes that run multiple times a year I find I would like something that I know wouldn't be as stressed doing it. Currently its not a matter of if that day comes I'm on the side of the road but when? New truck day is a few years out still for me as well as I just spent all my money putting the Tige in the driveway. I plan on borrowing my brothers F250 in the meantime.

[Ewok]

My feedback is go with a tow vehicle that exceeds the towing weight oor GVCR by at least 20%. You also need to have power so as practical go with motor options that offer the most torque for the money.

For everyone's future information, you will not need to add 20% to the GVCR when truck makers use the new standard, SAE J2807. Toyota already uses it and from what I've read most of the 2015 trucks will be using this standard as well. It's good to ask your dealers about this standard and if their tow ratings reflect these standards.

[Ochrod]

Great thread, I just found out I will be looking for a new tow vehicle starting next year. I currently tow a 2011 RZ2 with a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab 4wd wtih a 5.3. It tows fine but selling to my oldest son. Started looking at the 2014 GMC/Chevy 1/2 tons or Ford Ecoboost 3.5 liter. Have a couple friends that tow with the Ford Ecoboost and love it. Also have a friend with new GMC 6.2 and he loves it. I know I can look at 2011-2014 to get the ecoboost but if I go GM I want the 2014 or 2015. Other option for what I want to spend would be around a 2007-2009 or so GM Diesel. For me it will depend on what is available vs cost.