Sign up, and you'll be able to vote in polls. Sign up
Oct 8, 2015
1:38:16pm
What are you towing and how often? If you are really going to tow, the best to
get is a proper body on frame SUV with a transmission designed to take the abuse. This pretty much limits you to the GM units (Tahoe/suburban/escalade) and the Toytoa Sequoia (based off of the Tundra). I'd go so far as to include the Land Rover LR4, it's rated at 7700, but the hitch weight is 550 because of the air suspension, so technically it does not meet your weight criteria.

I just checked, the Armada is still a proper SUV built on the Titan's platform. It should be good too. The Navigator has been demoted to a "light duty" single speed transfer case....why spend that kind of money on a vehicle clearly designed not to do any towing work?

The rest are high-range only transfer case units (and the Honda Pilot is transverse engine to boot) which may be rated for that kind of load but I'd be suspect for regular duty, especially over Utah mountains. Some value sport and handling (x5) while others value economy (Pilot) but none of the rest should be considered serious tow vehicles.

As far as the GM units are concerned, don't go Tahoe-sized. As one whose owned both, trust me. The Tahoe exists to sell a Tahoe AND a suburban. Suburbans really aren't that much harder to drive size-wise (you're already big), they get the same gas mileage, they are more stable to tow, and not only can you seat more than 5, but you can store your GEAR TOO.

When we had the Tahoe, we only had two kids and we were STILL putting groceries on the seats during a routine trip to Walmart. With the Suburban, I can fill all 7 seats, luggage for a week, and but a months worth of Costco bulk materials in the rear. My wife was Anti-Suburban but now she won't even consider going back to the Tahoe.
Bert609
Bio page
Bert609
Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Last login
Apr 19, 2024
Total posts
55,284 (25,345 FO)
Messages
Author
Time

Posting on CougarBoard

In order to post, you will need to either sign up or log in.