Recommendations for Tow Vehicle?

[Briantb]

Nice vehicle but only 2000 pound tow rating..

Sent from my XT1028 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[redbarron55]

I just noticed reading my sons Outback manual that you have to reduce the towing rating by half if you tow up a 5% grade for over 5 minutes.
This is a deal killer for the Outback for me.
I tow my 16' Scamp with my 2009 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen with DSG transmission. In the UK this car is rated to tow 3500 lbs with 5% grade.
Of course the VW US has seen it proper to have no tow rating for any but the Tiguan.
If you install the Westfalia wiring kit it will automatically detect the trailer and turn on the T-ESP stabilization and optomize the car for towing.
The VWs have been rated number 1 in towing many times in the UK for the Golfs and Jetta TDIs mine has done a great job for me.
I also get right at 25 MPG towing at 65 mph on the interstates. No overheating prolems towing in Texas at 104 F last summer.
You should pick a vehicle that has a short distance from the axle to the ball for greatest stability and extenden vans and truck may have a tendency to amplify swaying. My JSW has never had a problem even towing at 65 and ven 70 for short periods. 62 -65 seems to be the sweet spot on the highway and you can hardly tell it is back there most of the time.
There are other issues that may make the TDI less desirable in maintenance cost, but it tows well (at least for a 13 - 16' Scamp).

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by redbarron55

There are other issues that may make the TDI less desirable in maintenance cost, but it tows well (at least for a 13 - 16' Scamp).

JD,

Maintenance was the reason we did not consider a TDI for too long a period. We are use to not having maintenance expenses and keep our vehicles for 10 years. Repair and maintenance costs can quickly eat mileage savings. We begged Honda to sell us a diesel without success.

We hope our new Odyssey will be as reliable as our CRV and previous Hondas.

[mary and bob]

We just bought a 17' Casita so needed a bigger tow vehicle than our old Honda CRV. Not much out there in low mileage vehicles so ended up with a 2012 quad cab Dodge Ram 1500 with the Hemi engine and tow mode feature in the trans. It pulls the Casita real good, also pulls into gas stations good too LOL. I'm happy with it though.

[sokhapkin]

Which MPG you're getting towing the Casita with Ram 1500 (and at what speed)? Which engine Ram has?

[mary and bob]

Our Ram has the 5.7 Hemi engine, but there are other options. Pulling the trailer in "tow / haul" mode, which changes shift points and cancels the cylinder cutout function will drop the MPG down to around 12 or 13. That's running at about 65 to 70. Cutting the speed back some increases the MPG slightly. Not towing MPG will be 17 to 18. No doubt this is more engine than I need, but with little time to search for a truck before heading south it was the best I could find. And it does pull the camper real nice !! Both truck and camper were bought less than a month ago.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by redbarron55

I tow my 16' Scamp with my 2009 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen with DSG transmission. In the UK this car is rated to tow 3500 lbs with 5% grade.
Of course the VW US has seen it proper to have no tow rating for any but the Tiguan.

On other forums folks are having great success with the VW TDI's as TV's.

At one time it was recommended, and suggested by a towing specialist we could tow our 23 with the Jetta TDI. I think it would be a nice stable platform and the fuel economy would be amazing (25MPG+) towing.

But like Norm said we get very spoiled owning high mileage imports that are very, very reliable. Generally speaking the VW's are not at the same level yet but I do appreciate the rock solid, on the road feel of this vehicles.

TDI...

PS... The Chevy HHR is not that small of a vehicle. Wonder what it's towing potential is??

[Carol H]

[QUOTE=redbarron55;493989
I tow my 16' Scamp with my 2009 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen with DSG transmission. In the UK this car is rated to tow 3500 lbs with 5% grade.
Of course the VW US has seen it proper to have no tow rating for any but the Tiguan.
[/QUOTE]

Keep in mind that the current models of the Jetta's are made in Mexico these days and are not the same as the ones made in Germany any more!

[Burtim]

I have been using a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited since May and have logged 13,000 miles. Many (not all) towing, including hauling our Casita 17SD out to the West coast and through many national parks in the western mountains from Omaha, Nebraska.

I wanted to purchase the 5.7L Hemi engine common to many of the RAM pickups assuming I would need the power. At the last minute, I ordered the Pentastar 3.6L V6 version with the 8 speed transmission at the urging of others on this forum. I could not be happier. I get 21-22 MPG in driving at home and easily achieve 18 MPG on trips towing a fully loaded trailer with this SUV. It rides like a dream without any worries about sway or safety at typical highway speeds. I have had no problems at all. I have the full Navigation package and the satellite weather feature has saved our butts already when we came up on severe thunderstorms and tornadoes one evening in Western Nebraska.

With the trail rated package, we were even able to do some day tripping on old mining roads in Utah for additional fun and recreation. Isn't fun what this is all about?

[Radar1]

Originally Posted by redbarron55

I just noticed reading my sons Outback manual that you have to reduce the towing rating by half if you tow up a 5% grade for over 5 minutes.
This is a deal killer for the Outback for me.

My 4 cylinder Outback has the same warning (reduced from 2700 to 1500 in the USA), but only applies if the outside temperature is over 104 degrees. If my trip involves long uphill grades at any temperature I have the option to use my V8 Dakota, so my Outback is only used when I'm towing on fairly flatlands, which has included 100+ temps across the flat part of TX with no overheating problems at all.

[redbarron55]

Actually all of the Jetta / Golf wagons are made in Mexico and the cars are essentially the same as far as mechanical ratings. VW US chooses to not rate any of their passenger cars for towing anything.
In the UK VW would have trouble selling anything that could not tow.
In the US the feeling is that you can't tow with anything but a pickup truck and we buy a lot of them. They are usually driven around unloaded and not towing getting relatively poor mileage and blocking the view of everyone behind.
I think that the IRS helps stabilize the towing package and overall the VW has done a great job for me.
The Diesel torque and 6 speed DSG transmission get the rig going nicely and the hill holder works very well.
Diesel fuel prices offset the $$ per mile somewhat, but currently the equivalent mileage (not towing) would be a gas car the gets a combined average of 26 mpg. But that 26 mpg would probably not have the towing ability of the Diesel. the equivalent cost per mile for a gas car would be 18.5 MPG which is close to what you could do with a fair number of gasoline trucks and SUVs, but I don't know much about which ones I might want.
Currently here gasoline (RUG) is about $2.79 and Diesel is about a buck more at $ 3.79. I don't know how long this pricing structure will last, but it removes some or all of the advantages of the Diesel car or truck depending on the relative mileage of each.
The VW wagon is a great traveling and local machine and has served us well, but there are downsides with maintenance issues and cost of operations.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by redbarron55

Actually all of the Jetta / Golf wagons are made in Mexico and the cars are essentially the same as far as mechanical ratings. .

Just had a long lunch with a couple of gentlemen who flew down to the LA auto show for the day last week-end to get the first peek at VW's new offerings & to meet with a VW rep in regards to a couple of direct orders from Germany, suspect they would suggest you talk to VW's head office directly on that point

Originally Posted by redbarron55;

just noticed reading my sons Outback manual that you have to reduce the towing rating by half if you tow up a 5% grade for over 5 minutes.
This is a deal killer for the Outback for me.

My Outback's manual as Radar1 suggested indicates that warning only applies when towing in temperatures of over 104 degrees. Personally try to avoid towing on long grades in real hot weather regardless of what I am towing with.

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by Carol H

My Outback's manual as Radar1 suggested indicates that warning only applies when towing in temperatures of over 104 degrees. Personally try to avoid towing on long grades in real hot weather regardless of what I am towing with.

We towed with a small tow vehicle and to avoid temperature problems we would tow before noon and add cooling ability to our vehicle, necessary anyway if you have an automatic. The transmission cooler in our new Odyssey is at least as large as the two radiators that come standard.

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by redbarron55

Diesel fuel prices offset the $$ per mile somewhat, but currently the equivalent mileage (not towing) would be a gas car the gets a combined average of 26 mpg. But that 26 mpg would probably not have the towing ability of the Diesel. the equivalent cost per mile for a gas car would be 18.5 MPG which is close to what you could do with a fair number of gasoline trucks and SUVs, but I don't know much about which ones I might want.
Currently here gasoline (RUG) is about $2.79 and Diesel is about a buck more at $ 3.79. I don't know how long this pricing structure will last, but it removes some or all of the advantages of the Diesel car or truck depending on the relative mileage of each.

The VW wagon is a great traveling and local machine and has served us well, but there are downsides with maintenance issues and cost of operations.

JD,
Our Honda Odyssey is rated for 350/3500 lbs, many people successfully tow large Airstreams over this weight limit. It easily gets a combined mileage of 26 miles per gallon and it's 6 cylinder provides plenty of torque and power while burning regular gasoline.

On the Interstates we have gotten 36 miles per gallon (calculated) on 3 long mainly Interstate trips of 200+ miles. Around town we get 24-26 mpg, here in central FL with less congested roads we average 27 mpg. It accomplishes the high mpg by disabling cylinders varying between 3, 4 and 6 cylinders. In the 3 cylinder mode it displays 50 mpg most of the time. Cylinder switching is totally seamless, it is virtually unfelt, the ECO light being the only indication.

Towing it gets over 19 mpg, averaged over 1500 miles from NH to FL. Speeds varied from 62 mph on the northeast Interstates to 55 mph on state highways.

It has turned out to be a better vehicle than we would have hoped. Besides being a great driving vehicle and very comfortable, it has a huge volume. This week we bought a love seat and a similar sized Quaker style side table, both fit in the back with ease.

Hopefully it will have the traditional Honda reliability. My only concern is the cylinder control system, now about 5 years old in Odysseys.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Radar1

My 4 cylinder Outback has the same warning (reduced from 2700 to 1500 in the USA), but only applies if the outside temperature is over 104 degrees.

This is what I really like and appreciate about the off shore auto builder's ratings. They seem to be very accurate even in the fine details regarding hill climbs and temperatures.

Originally Posted by honda03842

It has turned out to be a better vehicle than we would have hoped. Besides being a great driving vehicle and very comfortable, it has a huge volume. This week we bought a love seat and a similar sized Quaker style side table, both fit in the back with ease.

Hopefully it will have the traditional Honda reliability.

It's all goodness for all of us. The technology just gets better and better.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by MC1

This is what I really like and appreciate about the off shore auto builder's ratings. They seem to be very accurate even in the fine details regarding hill climbs and temperatures.

hummm so why not feel the same about their setting of their tow ratings!

After all who knows better than the manufacture as to what components they have or have not put in the models they sell here in NA and what it will and will not stand up to & under what driving conditions

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Carol H

hummm so why not feel the same about their setting of their tow ratings!

After all who knows better than the manufacture as to what components they have or have not put in the models they sell here in NA and what it will and will not stand up to & under what driving conditions

As Simon and Garfunkal said "A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest"

[Steven F]

We have a 2010 Ford Edge with factory tow package. Rated 3500 lbs. has 6 speed auto with tow mode. We have towed our Scamp 16 through mountains out west and also eastern mountains with no problems and decent fuel mileage. It has plenty of interior room for extra stuff. It is also a very comfortable vehicle to ride in. The V-6 has plenty of power for mountains, passing if you need to. They are not too hard to find used.

[redbarron55]

The Honda Odyssey seems to be a great tow car with 248 hp at 5700 rpm and 250 fr lb torque at 4700 rpm.
The VW has 236 ft lb at 1750 rpm and basically pulls with very high torque from idle up.
The hp rating is only 140 hp at 4000 rpm.
The torque curve is basically flat from 1750 to 4000 rpm and this is what makes it a great tow car.
You cruise at 65 mph at about 2200 rpm with the engine loafing along.
I don't think that at the max grade for an interstate the car will downshift from 6th gear at 62 mph.
This is why over the road trucks are Diesel.
I am relatively sure the current ratio of RUG to diesel will get closer after the current oil glut has been taken care of by the oil companies for their maximum advantage.
I will look into the Odyssey when it is time to replace the Jetta Sportwagen.
We currently have 220,000 miles on it and it is just getting broken in good.
The DSG is an automatic "manual" transmission with two clutches and two gear trains one for the odd gears and one for the even.
There is no troque converter to heat up the oil and no real need for additional transmission cooling. The clutches are wet and cooled with a spray of oil continuously.
Shifting is very fast and smooth, better than almost anyone could shift an manual box.
Starting, even up hill, involves no noticeable clutch slipping since low gear is very low. The combination will pull off uphill at idle speed!
Evidently the 140 hp is adequate since I have had no problems keeping up under any conditions.
Of course the VW expert executives are very smart and capable and have lost close to a billion dollars per year with their management of US operations. Perhaps they should get in line with their own worldwide operations and publish their towing ratings in the US. Perhaps then they would sell more cars! The VWs in the UK are well known and recognized for their towing capability for small caravans.
A little research will quickly locate the information.
I have compared the ETKA part numbers between the US and UK parts and the major difference is the rear springs for towing in Europe. A set of springs for the rear of the Jetta cost me $219 plus freight.
I have extended the tongue of my 16' Scamp to reduce the vertical load to the 165 lbs rating of the VW. I think I am going to put the original springs back in and add air bags to level the car so that the headlight aiming will be correct towing and normal.
A great small efficient tow car and a great traveling machine. It may meet someones needs along with the various Hondas, Subarus, Fords, etc,
I bought the Scamp so that I could tow a small camper for less than I would have to pay in motel rooms. If I used a large tow truck I would spend more on fuel than I would staying in a nice motel for the night!

[honda03842]

JD, I really like the fact that there's a UK web site that compares tow vehicles. Most of the time it does appear that the VW TDI products win out.