SUV tow vehicle (that has good gas milage) reccomendations
09-19-2012, 01:57 PM
#17
Drifting
I've towed my 944 race car on an open featherlight trailer with my VR6 Touareg. It is a bit slow to get up to speed, but gave me no issues. Our Treg has the Brembo brake upgrade and towing package. Fuel economy was ok once at highway speed. The only reason we didn't go diesel is because my wife uses it to commute, and her office is only 8 minutes away. In the dead of winter the diesel wouldn't even get warmed up for her.
09-19-2012, 09:15 PM
#18
Racer
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Encinitas, ca PCA National DE instructor PCA San Diego chief driving instructor
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Find a ten year old low mileage Suburban for cheap (they're out there) and spend the difference on gas.
The most comfortable DD on the planet and will tow about anything.
Mine gets 18 mpg highway if you keep it under 70.
The most comfortable DD on the planet and will tow about anything.
Mine gets 18 mpg highway if you keep it under 70.
09-20-2012, 07:58 AM
#21
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This really depends on whether you want a nice car that can also tow adequately (think X5, ML, Range Rover, Cayenne etc) or something more basic that tows well but drives more like a truck (think anything with a separate ladder chassis.
FWIW, we drive an X5 3.0d and it is a lovely car - fast, quiet, lovely interior, somewhat sporty, looks great. Never had to tow with it but in the UK/Europe where Suburbans and the like are simply not available, the X5/RR/ML etc are widely used to tow race cars. I would have thought a 6000lb tow rating is plenty for a 951 on an open trailer. If its a much bigger trailer then you automatically rule out the euro SUVs.
Basically, your usage and preferences/tolerances should drive your decision, no?
FWIW, we drive an X5 3.0d and it is a lovely car - fast, quiet, lovely interior, somewhat sporty, looks great. Never had to tow with it but in the UK/Europe where Suburbans and the like are simply not available, the X5/RR/ML etc are widely used to tow race cars. I would have thought a 6000lb tow rating is plenty for a 951 on an open trailer. If its a much bigger trailer then you automatically rule out the euro SUVs.
Basically, your usage and preferences/tolerances should drive your decision, no?
09-23-2012, 04:10 PM
#24
Banned
Also need to have good gas milage since I drive on average 70miles day. Looking for 25+ mpg. Hence the diesel.
I used to tow with a 2000 Tundra with IIRC a 4.7l V8, not the new 5.7 and it struggled which is why I bought the 2500hd 6.0.
I had read some threads in a boating forum, that the ML230 cdi, pulled large Cobalt boats well, which were in the 5-6000 lb range.
Right now, the ML230 cdi is my first choice. 2007 and 2008 did not have the urea exhaust cleaning setup, which may be advantageous. Plus the cost is about 10-15K less then the current Toureg or Audi Q7.
I used to tow with a 2000 Tundra with IIRC a 4.7l V8, not the new 5.7 and it struggled which is why I bought the 2500hd 6.0.
I had read some threads in a boating forum, that the ML230 cdi, pulled large Cobalt boats well, which were in the 5-6000 lb range.
Right now, the ML230 cdi is my first choice. 2007 and 2008 did not have the urea exhaust cleaning setup, which may be advantageous. Plus the cost is about 10-15K less then the current Toureg or Audi Q7.
I have a new 2012 Tundra with the 4.6. It has a tow package that can haul 10,000 lb. The 2000 was a good truck but 2012 is light years ahead of the 2000 you owned.
09-23-2012, 04:30 PM
#25
Rennlist Member
My experience with a 1/2 ton Suburban towing a loaded horse trailer a few times a year is we go through transmissions even though we are well within the tow rating and even though the Suburban has no trouble at all with the load. If I had it to do over I would get a cheap 3/4 ton vehicle (like you have) that is really built for towing, and use something else for daily driving.
So I would probably not look to one of these Cayennes, BMWs or MB's as tow vehicle except for very light duty.
So I would probably not look to one of these Cayennes, BMWs or MB's as tow vehicle except for very light duty.
09-23-2012, 04:36 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
Also, your trailer matters. A weight distribution hitch and properly-set trailer brakes can really reduce the wear and tear on a tow vehicle. I don't know if this equipment is conventional on a vehicle trailer; if it is not I would surely recommend it.
10-29-2012, 02:32 AM
#29
Race Car
From what I've seen the blue tec mercedes seem to be as reliable as the other Mercedes engines.
When it comes to power trains the Mercedes seem to have the least problems of all the German cars I work on.
Just an observation....prices of parts on the other hand....
When it comes to power trains the Mercedes seem to have the least problems of all the German cars I work on.
Just an observation....prices of parts on the other hand....
