- Oct 28, 2001
- 4,704
- 0
I'm in the market for a new SUV to tow my trailer. I towed it last year with my wife's Chevy Venture minivan, and the thing really struggled trying to keep it at 70 MPH. The gas mileage really dropped too at that speed; 7-8 MPG versus around 22 MPG not towing. Towing around town is not bad.
For baseline purposes, the Chevy Venture has a 3.4L V6, producing 180hp @ 5200, and 205lbs torque @ 4000rpm. I don't have the towing package (heavy duty oil/water cooling only), so it's max rated towing capacity is only around 2,000lbs.
The trailer is an enclosed 6x12 v-nose, and stands about 7.5' tall overall. Curb weight is 1500lbs, and loaded up to the max it's probably around 2500lbs.
I am initially looking at mid-sized SUVs like the Honda Pilot, but it only comes in a 3.5L V6, rated at 240hp @ 5400, and 242lbs torque @ 4500. Maximum towing capacity is 4500 lbs. for boat trailers and 3500 lbs for all others (don't know why the distinction).
My main concern is that with the V6 again, the Pilot will still be struggling somewhat, and MPG will drop considerability. I want to be able to run at 70-75MPH without constant downshifting and the engine howling. The HP rating is 60hp more than the Venture I'm now using, so that may be the difference I need.
I'm also looking at a Toyota 4Runner with the V8, rated at 235hp @ 4800, and 320lbs @ 3400. Towing capacity is 5000lbs. Would this be overkill? Even though the horsepower rating is slightly less on the V8 4Runner compared to the V6 Pilot, would the 4Runner tow easier/better? I'm not concerned with pulling power off the line, just want to cruise @ 70-75 easily, and not have it kill the MPG.
The Honda gets slightly better gas mileage than the 4Runner, (17/22 vs 17/19), and would be a few thousand $ cheaper.
I doubt the dealer would let me take the Pilot out for a test spin and tow my trailer on the highway for 10-15 minutes, but I'll ask.
Any other experience/feedback welcomed...
For baseline purposes, the Chevy Venture has a 3.4L V6, producing 180hp @ 5200, and 205lbs torque @ 4000rpm. I don't have the towing package (heavy duty oil/water cooling only), so it's max rated towing capacity is only around 2,000lbs.
The trailer is an enclosed 6x12 v-nose, and stands about 7.5' tall overall. Curb weight is 1500lbs, and loaded up to the max it's probably around 2500lbs.
I am initially looking at mid-sized SUVs like the Honda Pilot, but it only comes in a 3.5L V6, rated at 240hp @ 5400, and 242lbs torque @ 4500. Maximum towing capacity is 4500 lbs. for boat trailers and 3500 lbs for all others (don't know why the distinction).
My main concern is that with the V6 again, the Pilot will still be struggling somewhat, and MPG will drop considerability. I want to be able to run at 70-75MPH without constant downshifting and the engine howling. The HP rating is 60hp more than the Venture I'm now using, so that may be the difference I need.
I'm also looking at a Toyota 4Runner with the V8, rated at 235hp @ 4800, and 320lbs @ 3400. Towing capacity is 5000lbs. Would this be overkill? Even though the horsepower rating is slightly less on the V8 4Runner compared to the V6 Pilot, would the 4Runner tow easier/better? I'm not concerned with pulling power off the line, just want to cruise @ 70-75 easily, and not have it kill the MPG.
The Honda gets slightly better gas mileage than the 4Runner, (17/22 vs 17/19), and would be a few thousand $ cheaper.
I doubt the dealer would let me take the Pilot out for a test spin and tow my trailer on the highway for 10-15 minutes, but I'll ask.
Any other experience/feedback welcomed...
