tow vehicle for 4 + lab

[22E6441]

Anys recs for a good tow vehicle? Need seating for 4 + a fat yellow lab.

We'll be towing only a 16' sport & fish type aluminum boat with a 70ish hp motor.

I was thinking something like the Ford Escape, but I don't know that it's big enough for all of us and our stuff.

An Explorer might be good, but I also want some fuel economy since 99% of the time it won't be pulling the boat.

Not opposed to vans...have a Grand Caravan right now, but kind of want a tougher vehicle. I think the caravan is a wimp.....just the 3.3 engine.

Any families with dogs feel like sharing their story?

 

[Titanium48]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

I'd seriously consider sticking with the minivan. Your boat isn't that heavy (I'd guess in the 1500 to 2000 lb range) and an SUV with similar interior space will be a gas guzzler. Just make sure you have adequate transmission cooling and keep up with maintenance.

Personally, I think pushing underpowered vehicles to the limit is great fun. I love like the sound of 5000+ RPM.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

the Escape with the 6 cylinder will handle it with no problems. if you stay on flat ground the 2.3 will pull it. i towed with the 2005 Mercury Mariner 2.3, boats heavier than the aluminum, but it wants to down shift on hills.

 

[marquette]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

i'm facing the same question. my chrysler T&C has 142,000 miles on it and it is time to replace it. i need to haul 4 plus a 10 month old weimeranger pup that needs to be in a dog crate because he isn't out of the chewing stage yet. all the small SUV's like the escape don't have enough room and the next size larger are 15 mile per gal vehicles. mini vans seem to be the only option i have found so far. we also have a ford tauris wagon that would work except like most newer cars it has no tow capacity. my criteria has been 20mpg, haul 4 adults, a dog, gear for a weekend and tow a 1400 lb boat. i'm not concerned about gas milege when i am towing. i think when i am looking 5 yrs from now that the selection won't be as limited. i think that the new generation of vehicles we are going to see when the auto manufacturers come out of this mess they are in right now are going to be more versital and fuel efficient. if they are not the recreation and boating industries will be in big trouble without fuel efficient tow vehicles.

 

[22E6441]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'm stuck with minivans for now. I don't want another Chrysler, been down the Ford route with a '98 3.8L Boomstar, maybe it's time to try one of those imports.....Odysey or Sienna....I don't know. I need another year out of the Dodge though.

Too bad...I REALLY like those Ford Explorer Sport Trac things....wish they would fit (I won't put my dog in the back...she's my baby!)

 

[zach103]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

jeep cherokee

 

[marquette]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

being as i own a jeep cherokee (2 if you count the one my son has at college) i will make this statement with no ill will towards jeep. putting 2 adults in the back seat of a cherokee for more than 50 miles should be considered much the same as waterboarding detainees at guantanomo. they would tell you anything you want to know if you will just let them out of the back seat. even for 2 people and a dog a 500 mile day is a long day. as a family that has put over 500,000 miles on 3 cherokee's i have a great love for them but they are not a family of 4 vehicle.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

just bite the bullet and buy a Suburban, fantastic tow vehicle.

 

[ksubigbuck]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

My wife drives an '04 Ford Escape V6. It is an excellent vehicle that has never given us a single problem. I tow with an F250, but the Escape will tow my 2100 lb boat just fine. In fact, I prefer the Escape for longer trips because it is much more comfortable and gets better mileage. Of, course that is just me and the wife in the car, maybe our 70 lb lab too. I don't know that I would try that with 4 adults though, that is a lot of added weight. What is the total weight of the 4 riders and the dog?

Good luck,
Hunter

 

[zach103]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

being as i own a jeep cherokee (2 if you count the one my son has at college) i will make this statement with no ill will towards jeep. putting 2 adults in the back seat of a cherokee for more than 50 miles should be considered much the same as waterboarding detainees at guantanomo. they would tell you anything you want to know if you will just let them out of the back seat. even for 2 people and a dog a 500 mile day is a long day. as a family that has put over 500,000 miles on 3 cherokee's i have a great love for them but they are not a family of 4 vehicle.

oh yah forgot about the leg room lol.. been awhile since i owned it

 

[Titanium48]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

we also have a ford tauris wagon that would work except like most newer cars it has no tow capacity. my criteria has been 20mpg, haul 4 adults, a dog, gear for a weekend and tow a 1400 lb boat.

Got the DOHC (duratec) engine in that Taurus? If you do you have a 1750 lb towing capacity.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

If you're the primary driver, get a vehicle you are comfortable with and provides some comfort for the passengers. If others drive it, too, look for the best multi-purpose vehicle...you'll have to test drive a few. I'm almost certain I could teach my chocolate lab to drive, if he had at least one opposable thumb...been wondering if he'd be a better driver than the better half. Shhh...I didn't say that, I'll deny everything.

 

[bowman316]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

try a crew cab toyota tacoma. 4 door. They are like an suv, but with a 5 foot bed, instead of a closed in back. the V6 gets about 20 mpg, and tows 4 or 5 thousand lbs.

 

[thepotroast]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

You would have a pretty tough time fitting 4 adults plus a fat dog in a 4 door truck...

I have a 3rd generation (02+) Explorer, 4x4 with the V6 with the tow package. It's a very comfortable ride, tows well and definitely has the room for 4 adults and plenty of room in the back for a dog + gear.

You're going to have a hard time getting more than 23MPG on any SUV towing a boat and totally loaded down with 4 adults and a pup. I would stay away from a minivan...

 

[bowman316]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

You could put the dog in the bed of the truck.
I assume you are transporting him in a cage?

 

[zach103]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

You would have a pretty tough time fitting 4 adults plus a fat dog in a 4 door truck...

I have a 3rd generation (02+) Explorer, 4x4 with the V6 with the tow package. It's a very comfortable ride, tows well and definitely has the room for 4 adults and plenty of room in the back for a dog + gear.

You're going to have a hard time getting more than 23MPG on any SUV towing a boat and totally loaded down with 4 adults and a pup. I would stay away from a minivan...

they last long too.. my uncle has 3. 1994, 2000, 2004(?) but the 94 they have driven to florida every year with it never any problems.. ct to florida and back with 4 adults and all the luggage

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

I have 3 kids, and tow a Glastron 175 with a Toyota Sienna minivan. No problems so far. The Sienna is currently the best minivan for towing, IMO. It has a curb weight of 4,400, tow rating of 3,500, and a GCVWR of 8,700 lbs. So, you can tow 3,500 lbs and still have 800 lbs of payload in the van.

There are other minivans rated to tow 3,500 lbs, but that is assuming your van is empty.

I stay under 80% of those numbers, and don't tow very far. However, the Sienna has been great.

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

Toyota 4Runner here. Nice backseat room. Real 4wd. MPG not so good though.

 

[A.R.K.]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

Too bad...I REALLY like those Ford Explorer Sport Trac things....wish they would fit (I won't put my dog in the back...she's my baby!)

How about putting a cap on the back of the Sport Trac? The dog will stay warm and dry and the inside of the truck won't smell like wet dog from the ride home.

 

[crb478]

Re: tow vehicle for 4 + lab

Honda Pilot, room for four adults fairly comfortably, dog in the back and a 5000lb tow rating. Gets 22-23 mpg on average. The back seats are not as nice as the front, but not bad either. Third row seats fold down leaving an area in the back that is about four by four. With a light boat it will have no problem pulling it.