Best Towing Vehicle

[BadgerA]

Planning on acquiring a new tow vehicle and 18ft enclosed trailer. I am looking at the Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra among others. Model A and trailer weight estimated at around 6,000 lbs. Does anyone have experience with these vehicles for this purpose? Let the debate begin....

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by BadgerA

... Let the debate begin....

OK. How about buying something where the corporate profits stay with a U.S. company? I'm proud to say I have NO experience with either vehicle mentioned. Try an F-150.

[peters180a/170b]

I just bought a low mileage 2001 F-250 ,HD, GAS,V10 FORD! I towed a couple of weeks ago from lower N.Y. to the mountains of Vermont. Pulled like i had nothing behind me. Years ago i had a 1990 full size FORD bronco 5.8. [4 people ,enclosed trailer,car,and air cond.] doing 70+ from Michigan to N.Y. and all i can say is my passengers kept telling me as a reminder i have a trailer behind me. Cadillac ride! Don't ask me, ask Doug Bruce about Toyoto and get ready to cover your ears..@&$(*&@# he'll have a list for you! Show up at a FORD meet [you better be driving a FORD! ] ...

[MrTube]

I have heard many people like the Toyota tundras and I am not really biased towards any company. HOWEVER, I can honestly say if I saw a Toyota truck pull up and then a model A roll out of a trailer its pulling I would not be impressed.

Why that makes sense to me I don't know but it just doesn't seem right.

[Jim Parker Toronto]

Originally Posted by mikek

ok. How about buying something where the corporate profits stay with a u.s. Company? I'm proud to say i have no experience with either vehicle mentioned. Try an f-150.

Out of a job yet ? Keep buying foreign......

I agree with Mike K...

[BadgerA]

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Whoa folks! I did not say that these were the only vehicles I am considering. I have looked extensively at the F150 as well. Not too pleased with the $40K price tag,,, but that is another discussion. If you don't like the first two listed options,,, God Bless ya! You are entitled to your opinion. I get that. Please don't shoot the messenger. Informed decisions are a result of reasonable and calm input. Kind of like trying to decide the best model A body style. Just saying....

[Reds34]

Ford Powerstroke. A 7.3 though. Those engines are bulletproof, lots of upgrades, tons of power. I have a '97 F-350 and wouldn't trade it.

Red

[Buz]

I have a Ford F250 and it pulls a car trailer with ease. When I need a replacement it'll be another Ford.

[Elcastor]

I am a Ford F250 man myself. I tow a travel trailer every summer for 3 months and put a LOT of miles on it. My recommendation would be a (slightly) used Ford F250 Diesel. 7.3 are great, but getting older. The 6.0 is a good engine as long as you are not using it around town for short trips all the time. I have both, and are pleased with both. Just my humble opinion, but what do I know, I buy Model A's also.

[Dave72dt]

I personally prefer a 3/4 ton with 4wd for my towing and diesel over gas. I like the bigger brakes, heavier load rating for stopping and stability.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by peters180a/170b

...show up at a ford meet [you better be driving a ford! ] ...

. A m e n !

[Maclab58]

Ford F250 diesel! It's a pullin monster! You never feel the load behind you.

[MCHinson]

I must agree with fordgarage. It depends a lot on exactly what you need. If you can buy a dedicated towing vehicle, I would suggest something different. If, however, you have to buy something that will be used for towing but will also be used as a daily driver, A Chevrolet Tahoe is a good vehicle for such dual use. I have a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe that is used as a daily driver and it easily pulls my Model A in a 20 foot enclosed trailer.

[Roger V]

If you tow a lot, a F-250 diesel is hard to beat. Since I don't tow a lot I have a 2009 F-150 5.4 which does fine for my 18 ft. open and 22 ft. enclosed. You can't beat the ride either. I would think the current F-150's 5.0 or EcoBoost would be even better yet especially with their torque.

[BadgerA]

To all who have offered suggestions based on experience and\or factual information, my sincere thanks. Your input will certainly carry a lot of weight in my decision.

To those of you who found it necessary to spend your efforts castigating me for "even daring" to ask such a question,,, good luck to you. Oh,,, and by the way,,, when you pull up in your Ford F150,,,, are you even sure where it was made? You may wish to know that at present Ford F-Series pickup trucks are manufactured at a variety of plants depending on cab style. These plants include Dearborn, Michigan; Kansas City, Missouri; Valencia, Venezuela and Cuautitlan, Mexico. Where was yours made? How about the fusion and focus? Check it out.

Feel free to continue this discussion if you wish. I am checking out.

[bdentremont]

Originally Posted by BadgerA

... Not too pleased with the $40K price tag,,, but that is another discussion. ...

I'm not a truck guy at all, but I've gotten the impression that the prices on the late model used trucks get really good in the wake of gas price scares.

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by BadgerA

To all who have offered suggestions based on experience and\or factual information, my sincere thanks. Your input will certainly carry a lot of weight in my decision.

To those of you who found it necessary to spend your efforts castigating me for "even daring" to ask such a question,,, good luck to you. Oh,,, and by the way,,, when you pull up in your Ford F150,,,, are you even sure where it was made? You may wish to know that at present Ford F-Series pickup trucks are manufactured at a variety of plants depending on cab style. These plants include Dearborn, Michigan; Kansas City, Missouri; Valencia, Venezuela and Cuautitlan, Mexico. Where was yours made? How about the fusion and focus? Check it out.

Feel free to continue this discussion if you wish. I am checking out.

Why are you "checking out"? All auto manufacturers are global in nature today, I could care less about where low end labor like assembly takes place. My concern is what country reaps the corporate profits which affect trade balance and what country hosts the high-end employment for research, development, and engineering. For Ford Motor Company that happens in Dearborn, MI.

[Christoph]

A look from "Outside":

Get a Diesel to have Torque !
F250 will be hard to beat , BUT:

If you are not towing too often you might need to have
a look at consumption and gas-(Diesel-)prices.

Go to a Dodge-Sprinter-Dealer and to a test-ride (with trailer).
Keeps profits in US , is strong (enough) , as passenger-car
usable day-to-day and developed in Germany

I got the same car as VW "LT" (to keep profit in Germany )
with Audi-Diesel-engine (to have a strong one; used to be in the "A6" )
assambled at Mercedes-plant in Germany
and i like it .

Actually i have the 3rd one, towing a trailer with 60mph
(with cruise-control) and using 12 L/100km , which should be
arround 19mpg (if my translation from L/100km to mpg is right).

Best regards
Christoph

Prices for that car might be high over in US ????
Not to be bought as used car in US ????

[dr.j]

I drive a 2008 Toyota Crewmax LTD loaded with every available option and no question, I am very pleased with the truck. However, having recently driven a Ford F150 4X4 crew cab with the long box, my choice for a "working" truck would be the Ford. I like the wider Ford mirrors, less blind spots, brakes and overall stiffer ride; the Ford just seemed to more firmer on the road. I did not compare fuel mileage with the Ford but know the Toyota will burn 12 litres per 100 Klms = 19.57 miles per US gallon highway use.

[Dave in MN]

A friend of mine has the Toyota Tundra and uses it to tow an open car hauler. He has expressed he is satisfied with its performance. But you are considering an enclosed trailer and that is a different "pull" at freeway speeds.
I have a Silverado 1500 4WD Crewcab Z71 with 5300 V8 SFI gas engine, 4 speed automatic, 3.42 rear axle ratio and HD Trailering equipment. It is underpowered for any terrain with hills. I have trailer options...an 18' enclosed trailer and a open aluminum car hauler. The closed V-front trailer is much harder to pull at highway speeds. Any minor amount of upgrade causes the transmission to drop one or two gearings to maintain speed. At freeway speeds, the transmission will jump between gears to maintain speed when using cruise control. I more often use the open trailer because it noticeably pulls easier than the enclosed. The truck is great with light trailers but the next truck I purchase will have a stronger towing package.
Good Day!
Dave in MN