Need a family tow vehicle

[Familymanof5]

I currently tow our 238 dlv with a 1 ton diesel dodge mega cab. It is more then ample. However, the company I am working for is offering me a company truck (inwhich I can't tow our boat with) instead of my truck allotment. To make a long story short I am going to trade in the dodge for something that will tow the boat and my wife to drive to work each day. She is not real crazy about driving a truck though. Keep in mind we have 3 kids (2 of which are adult sized almost) that will have to ride 1000 miles twice a year to ky for the holidays. We have looked at 4 runners ( nice but a little small) suburban's ( real nice but a little on the pricey side). So what is in between the two????? Need space, reliability, feul economy (18 - 20 highway), drivable by wife. Any suggestions??


I don't trust a vehicle with a towing capacity of 3500lbs. If I had the 198dlv maybe. But not the 238.


TOM

[al_e._gator]

I use a 2004 E-350 12 passenger van. It covers all your targets nicely; until you get to fuel economy :). My 5'2" wife drives it easily. It's the only vehicle she hasn't damaged, I think she has respect for the size and is more careful with it. The van was a program vehicle in Nov 04 with 15k on it for 50% off MSRP so I figure I can afford some gas for it. It's great having a vehicle that carries as many people as the boat can ;D. The full size van (with DVD player) is an outstanding long distance vehicle and pretty good for towing. Backing up the trailer can be a little more challenging but it's not bad as long as I take my time maneuvering.

[Loki]

Might I suggest this:

http://carolinaskiffowner.com/index.php?topic=131.0

My wife and kids love it.

[Fillet1]

Tom,

I have the 4 runner and love it. It has a 5k pound capacity and pulls my 198dlv like its not there.

A Toyota Sequoia is nice too and its bigger. You could also look at a Ford Explorer or Dodge Durango.

[Slim to None]

have your wife drive a chevy trailblazer or gmc envoy. they come with either a 4.2L straight 6 cylinder or you can get the 5.3 V8 (might be the 4.8 V8). they are smaller than a yukon or suburban but still can tow quite a bit. i know someone who pulls a 21' Sea Pro offshore boat with no trouble at all. i would stay away from one of the newer explorers, they are pure junk. i'm seeing a lot of these explorers (the newest body style) for all kinds of problems, from rear ends at 45k miles to transmission well below 100k miles. i'm also not a big fan of the durango. chyrsler has just had so many trany problems lately. they do offer an unlimited milege powertrain warranty. so at least their customers wont be buying as many tranies as in years past. i do like toyotas trucks. they seem to make one heck of a truck. i haven't had too many 'yotas in for major work. we even had one guy with a plain jane 4 cylinder toyota that had never changed the engine oil nor filter. he was at 88k miles and the thing ran great.

[Loki]

" i do like toyotas trucks. they seem to make one heck of a truck. i haven't had too many 'yotas in for major work. we even had one guy with a plain jane 4 cylinder toyota that had never changed the engine oil nor filter. he was at 88k miles and the thing ran great. "


Thats just the thing I like to hear!

[Familymanof5]

Well it is down to 2 vehicles I think.

Vehicle #1 = 2007 Toyota Sequioia. Used with 18k miles. White with leather interior. $31K

Vehicle #2 = 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. Lt with cloth interior with all the airbags(safer). $33k


Will let you know what we do after the deal is made. Might even throw in a nice pic.


TOM

[Familymanof5]

We bought the Sequoia>>


TOM

[Loki]

Excellent choice, you have my blessing. ;D

[Familymanof5]

Our Sequoia has the 4.7l V8 in it. It does have a overdrive kill switch on the shifter. I hooked the boat to it and took it on about a 15 mile test pull. Nothin like the dodge but it seemed to handle it just fine. When I tow on the interstate am I suppose to leave od off. (remember I live in florida where it is flat as a pancake). Believe it or not I can't find anything in the owners manual.

TOM

[Loki]

If it's anything like my 05 Tacoma leave it in drive. My manual states the computer will take care of the rest.

I pulled this off Tundra soutions:

"My 05 manual says to tow in D which allows for overdrive if the computer thinks it's necessary. It says specifically that D allows overdrive to engage and 4 does not allow the overdrive to engage. That tells me that just because it's in D that it's not in overdrive. On the flats I tow in D and when I start climbing and can hear the transmission shift I go to 4. Makes a big difference in gas mileage as well.

One thing to note though.. the automatic transmission has a downhill assist (not to be confused with the DAC option). From what I've read, doing downhill in 4 or below allows the engine to engage this function which is different from actually just downshifting. Aparently the ECU does some other things as well. When towing in D this function according to the manual is disabled and is only able to be engaged with the shifter in 4th or below."

[Harry]

My towing vehicle .....

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/Chevelle0022.jpg

Just kidding,
That's my cruise around the island, while getting thumps up vehicle...... ;D

[Loki]

If by tow vehicle you mean keeping your toes to the floorboard, thats one hell of a "toe" vehicle!

Now if I just knew what getting a thumps up vehicle is...... 006

[al_e._gator]

Sure makes me miss my 72 LeMans Sport convertible. :'( It was in poor shape and at age 20 I couldn't afford the upkeep so I sold it. God, I wish I had that car back now.

[Harry]

Now if I just knew what getting a thumps up vehicle is...... 006


It's that white 69 Chevelle posted above.... ;D

[Inlet ed]

Familyman
I have a 238DLV T Top 150 Yama 4 stroke 42 gal gas tank and pull it with a 2007 Toyaota Tacoma dual cab,
6 cyl, 6500lb towing package, hardly know the boat is back there.
Inlet ed

[Familymanof5]

Our Sequoia definetely knows it is back there. But oh how comfy even for 5.


FM5