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03-22-2020, 01:25 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Bob Ruggles
Trailer: 2015 Escape
Michigan
Posts: 1,537
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Tow vehicles
Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee. What experience do you have with these tow vehicles?
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03-22-2020, 04:04 PM
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#2
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Commercial Member
Name: Charlie Y
Trailer: Escape 21 - Felicity
Oregon
Posts: 1,583
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rgrugg
Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee. What experience do you have with these tow vehicles?
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The post 2014 Toyotas have a smaller V6 (3.5L vs 4L previously) so they spin about 400 rpm higher to produce the same pulling performance as pre-2014 models.
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03-22-2020, 04:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,912
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Tow vehicles
The Highlander never had a 4L. You are perhaps confusing it with the 4Runner? In addition to 2.4Land 2.7L four cylinder base engines, Highlanders have had 3L, 3.3L and (since 2008) 3.5L V6 engines.
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03-22-2020, 08:32 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,018
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My 2008 Highlander with 3.5L V6 gave good service for 185,000 miles (140K towing miles) before I sold it. Typically a JGC will probably give you about 2 more mpg, but if it breaks down you might have a long wait for parts due to Fiat Chrysler's low parts-on-hand inventory. I never had any such issue with the Highlander, and unscheduled repairs were relatively minimal.
You might check the Jeep-specific forums like https://www.jeepgarage.org/and see what the current experiences and issues are. Back when I was looking seriously at the JGC in 2015-2016, they were complaining a lot about the infotainment system glitches (IIRC if the radio didn't work neither did the heat and air).
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03-27-2020, 09:21 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Elliott
Trailer: Bigfoot
Everywhere
Posts: 462
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I towed a 19' with a 2015 Highlander for a couple of years, and it did well. Low on power for high-altitude steep climbs (really, just the eastbound Eisenhower Tunnel approach, which is the steepest and highest in the US Interstate system), but I just tucked over behind the semis in the right lane and climbed it at 40MPH instead of 65. Total time lost was probably under 10 minutes. Gentler climbs were fine, as were steeper climbs closer to sea level (like the Grapevine in CA).
Generally speaking, the Jeep will have more engine options and with the right combo has a higher towing capacity (7200lbs vs 5000), but will likely not be nearly as reliable as the Highlander. No vehicle's completely problem-free, but the Highlander is one of the most reliable ones made and the Grand Cherokee's maybe average or somewhat worse.
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03-28-2020, 12:33 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Jerrybob
Trailer: casita
Washington
Posts: 676
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Does the Grand Cherokee offer a hemi? I have a new Ram 1500 4x4 with tow package....we pull a Casita 17ft SD....the truck is amazing. Lots of power and with the 8 speed tranny and 3.92 rear....we get 15 to 16 mpg towing and 21 to 22 not towing....this is highway mileage. Love the 5.7 hemi....395 HP....I don't need WD with this set up.
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03-28-2020, 03:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: Escape 21 & Jeep GC 5.7 (Previous 2012 Casita FD17 & 2010 Audi Q5)
Puget Sound, WA
Posts: 1,775
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rgrugg
Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee. What experience do you have with these tow vehicles?
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Bob,
I posted some thoughts on towing with our JGC on this thread:
https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...kee-84999.html
...and here...
https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...tml#post747290
Bottom line, the JGC was a good choice for us. As per my post about crossing Idaho at speed on rutted sections of I-90, I do look at WDH's occasionally but I haven't taken any action yet. The Blue Ox Sway Pro trunnion style has caught my eye.
__________________
~ “It’s absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious.” Oscar Wilde ~
~ “What the human being is best at doing is interpreting all new information so that their prior conclusions remain intact.” Warren Buffett ~
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03-28-2020, 05:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Steve
Trailer: Scamp 19
Arizona
Posts: 178
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Towing with F-150, 3.5l
What kind of MPG are people getting towing with a Ford F-150 with the 3.5 l and/or the V-8 5 l? I'm in the market for a new/newer truck to tow my Escape 19.
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03-28-2020, 05:19 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Elliott
Trailer: Bigfoot
Everywhere
Posts: 462
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Between the two, the V8 will probably get a bit better highway towing mileage but the Ecoboost will be more capable and is capable of better mileage around town.
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03-28-2020, 06:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 700
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I've been towing a 18ft Trillium 5500 (about 3400lbs loaded) for a year with a 2013 Highlander AWD V6 3.5l.
No issues, adequate power. Comfortable and quiet ride.
Equalizer hitch, Tekonsha brake controller.
Before the 2013 I towed the same trailer with an older 2006 Highlander, with the 3.3 V6. A little less powerful engine, a 3500lbs tow rating instead of 5000, and honestly not much difference while towing. Went all over the NH, VT, ME, NY and QC mountains, no problem. Most reliable vehicle I ever had, now my daughter drives it.
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03-28-2020, 08:23 PM
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#11
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Member
Name: R.R.
Trailer: Escape 21
California
Posts: 83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Defenestrator
Between the two, the V8 will probably get a bit better highway towing mileage but the Ecoboost will be more capable and is capable of better mileage around town.
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Not sure that is true. My previous 2013 GM 5.3 got me 12-13 mpg; My 2019 3.5 EcoBoost gets 13-14 mpg. The GM I towed with over 60K miles; the Ford 8K miles.
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03-28-2020, 09:27 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,018
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For fuel economy numbers, both towing and non-towing, see here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...6oSPkw/pubhtml
The Ford with 2.7L turbo seems to stand out for MPG. Also the Ram/Jeep 3.6L appears higher than average in that department. And the diesels, of course.
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03-29-2020, 11:09 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Jerrybob
Trailer: casita
Washington
Posts: 676
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Quote:
Originally Posted by captsteve2002
What kind of MPG are people getting towing with a Ford F-150 with the 3.5 l and/or the V-8 5 l? I'm in the market for a new/newer truck to tow my Escape 19.
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If you'er open to other trucks...check out the Rams....the 5.7 hemi is incredible.
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03-29-2020, 12:29 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Tom
Trailer: BigFoot 25B25RT
Massachusetts
Posts: 592
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Quote:
Originally Posted by captsteve2002
What kind of MPG are people getting towing with a Ford F-150 with the 3.5 l and/or the V-8 5 l? I'm in the market for a new/newer truck to tow my Escape 19.
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If you want max tow and max haul I believe you are limited to the 3.5 ecoboost. These are very hard to impossible to find which is why I ordered mine.
My old Trail-lite was about 3000# dry and less than 4000# loaded. If I set the cruise to 65 I would get about 10.0 mpg. If I dropped to 63 the mileage would go to 10.6 or so. 60 mph would get me in the low 11's.
I have 2000 miles on my BigFoot 25RT. I have no idea what the weight is. I had transferred all of my junk and filled the fresh water tank with 45 gallons. It weighed more. It was a little harder to pull. I was getting 9.6 at 65 so I lost a little because of the weight but I think the aerodynamics of the BigFoot are better.
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03-29-2020, 06:23 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,018
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I doubt anyone would need max tow or max payload packages for towing an Escape, Casita, Scamp, etc. Although the Bigfoot might be a different story, since they're wider and higher and heavier.
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03-29-2020, 10:52 PM
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#16
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Member
Name: R.R.
Trailer: Escape 21
California
Posts: 83
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For those wanting the Expedition; the only way to get integrated brake controller is with HD Tow Package. That also includes 3.73 Electronic Locking Differential. All Gen4 Expy-2018+ have 3.5 EcoBoost.
For us the 4×2 XLT with 302A and above HD tow gives us all we need at many $$$ less than 4x4 equivalent w/o HD package.
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03-30-2020, 05:43 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Shelby
Trailer: Casita SD
Tennessee
Posts: 1,087
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F150 mpg
I've seen from 11mpg to 17mpg while towing the 17'Casita. It can vary so much depending on terrain and wind. A WAG of average, maybe 14-15 mpg. When not towing, 19mpg +/-1. I have the 5.0 V8, 4WD and 3.73. This is my first 4WD truck. I don't think I've used that feature while towing but it has been nice for exploring back roads and the very rare snow. I can't see a downside for a truck. I know some folks need smaller vehicles for various reasons but I would be reluctant to tow the Casita with anything less capable.
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03-30-2020, 06:29 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Steve
Trailer: 2018, 21ft escape— 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie
NW Wisconsin
Posts: 4,500
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If you’re going as far as buying a 1/2 ton truck with the max payload package and max towing package you might as well go all the way and get a 3/4 ton truck IMHO
We have a 2019 Ram 1500 , Hemi V8 with a 3.92 rear end towing an Escape 21 and we are at our towing limit ( Self imposed)
Bigger trailer means bigger truck , not at this time
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03-30-2020, 06:56 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: Was A-Liner now 13f Scamp
Missouri
Posts: 3,209
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i like your thinking
You are one of the few that feels he must pass everything in sight. My neighbor who makes a lot of money one time got mad at his 60k chevy truck because it had to down shift going up a hill!
His answer was to go out and get the most powerful 3/4 ton chevy truck with the duramax so he could pass anything towing a 32f 5th wheel. I have no idea of the cost of that thing? People have no patience now!
I have been jumped on pretty severely for following your theory of tugging several times. We are on vacation not a race with our rigs take your time you will get there!
I always marvel I drive 55 to 60 I will have the same people pass me 2 or 3 times while I am cruising on the interstate! As the sea captain who knew what he was talking about Steady As She Goes Men! You will get there and less strain on you and your equipment..
bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by Defenestrator
I towed a 19' with a 2015 Highlander for a couple of years, and it did well. Low on power for high-altitude steep climbs (really, just the eastbound Eisenhower Tunnel approach, which is the steepest and highest in the US Interstate system), but I just tucked over behind the semis in the right lane and climbed it at 40MPH instead of 65. Total time lost was probably under 10 minutes. Gentler climbs were fine, as were steeper climbs closer to sea level (like the Grapevine in CA).
Generally speaking, the Jeep will have more engine options and with the right combo has a higher towing capacity (7200lbs vs 5000), but will likely not be nearly as reliable as the Highlander. No vehicle's completely problem-free, but the Highlander is one of the most reliable ones made and the Grand Cherokee's maybe average or somewhat worse.
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03-30-2020, 07:07 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Name: Steve
Trailer: 2018, 21ft escape— 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie
NW Wisconsin
Posts: 4,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k0wtz
You are one of the few that feels he must pass everything in sight. My neighbor who makes a lot of money one time got mad at his 60k chevy truck because it had to down shift going up a hill!
His answer was to go out and get the most powerful 3/4 ton chevy truck with the duramax so he could pass anything towing a 32f 5th wheel. I have no idea of the cost of that thing? People have no patience now!
I have been jumped on pretty severely for following your theory of tugging several times. We are on vacation not a race with our rigs take your time you will get there!
I always marvel I drive 55 to 60 I will have the same people pass me 2 or 3 times while I am cruising on the interstate! As the sea captain who knew what he was talking about Steady As She Goes Men! You will get there and less strain on you and your equipment..
bob
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There is a third category , those of us who prefer the power , feel , torque of a V8 yet still choose to drive at a more reasonable , moderate pace
Cause you can does not mean you have to or should !!
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