E55AMG

just got an open trailex to tow my 996 koni car. weight of trailer with tire rack and winch is 1084 lbs. Say car is 3000 lbs.

I'm looking for a tow vehicle but it will need to double as my wife's DD. She currently has an '05 MB ML500 which has a tow capacity of 5,000 lbs. which may be pushing things a bit.

The 3 vehicles i'm looking at are: VW Touareg TDI, ML350 blutec, and just did some reading today on Jeep GC with max tow package. I was thinking MB GL but she said it's too big.

The jeep looks to be pretty robust - has a class IV hitch with 7,400 lbs capacity. larger alternator, tranny cooler, and sway control. Also about 10K less than the VW and MB.

Any thoughts on these 3? I'm assuming they will be sufficient for my setup?

Apex Rex

Next year Jeep is rumored to release a new diesel for the Grand Cherokee. A diesel in one of the new Grand Cherokee's would be sweet!

E55AMG

yeah, i heard that but I don't think I'll be able to wait. Cayenne diesel is also coming.

gomez1

I love my Audi Q7 TDI diesel. Would recommend to take a look at that. I think it's got 6700 lbs towing cap

E55AMG

forgot about the Q. will take a look.

Ron Cohn

I am towing a similar setup with a new Dodge Durango RT with 7400# towing capacity, similar to the Jeep. I bought the Dodge because I needed the 3rd seat row. It gets the job done and the (non-towing) on road mileage is not bad at 19-20. Around town it is much less.

I am hoping that the Durango will also get the diesel next year.

ltc

I would go with the V10 TDi if you can find one.
The newer VAG TDi are all now urea injection, with the exception of the TDi in the Golf/Jetta, which does not require urea.
Either way, it's hard to argue against VAG diesels.

ltc

fWIW, there is a recent thread in the P!g Pen (Cayenne forum) regarding the Cayenne Hybrid and towing.
The OP claimed 18mpg while towing about 5000Lbs,while getting mid 20's unloaded.
(it uses a supercharged 6 with the HV power train)

multi21

Had the same discussion with similar story, open aluminum trailer tire rack with 3200 lb car. Tow vehicle needed to be a DD for the wife, needed 3 rows of seats and it came down to

1. MB GL350 bluetec
2. Audi Q7 TDI

Drove both, the Audi felt a lot better and the interior is REALLLLLY nice, power was very good in entire rev range and very progressive. MB interior not so nice, felt like a truck and the power not so linear as compared to the Audi.

Owning an Audi off warranty is scary. I think the ML will not be a good fit because of the shorter wheelbase.

fstockcarrera

FWiW I tow an enclosed trailex with a 996 cup tires /tools ect with my 05 5.7 hemi jeep no problems.

Doc GTO

If going MB the GL's longer wheelbase will be better for towing then the ML. Your wife will not really feel the difference in driving them.

Van1

I towed my 22' Airstream with an '03 ML500 and didn't have any problems. Trailer weighs around 5000 lbs loaded up. I had no problems passing slower traffic in the mountains. I felt the MB 5.0L V8 was more than adequate for the task of towing 5k lbs. Wheelbase is the limitation, not the engine. Replaced the ML with a '07 VW Treg V10 TDi and I now have excess power, but I like excess power. I can fly through mountain passes pulling the Airstream like it's not even there. Too bad the current diesels offered in mid size SUVs are 6 cylinders because a V8 diesel would be just right.

Dan in Florida

I use my wife's Q7 to tow an open Trailex with tire rack and my 911 Carrera. The long wheelbase of the Q7 is a significant plus.

Dan

Horus2000

They're less popular these days, but I bought a Lincoln Navigator 3 years ago and love it. 8,000 towing capacity for the 2 wheel drive, air suspension & electric fold flat 3rd row. I can get all my gear and a spare set of wheels/tires with everything folded down and that's with the standard (non-extended) model. Plus a great ride. And finally, huge discounts from the dealers. The gas mileage leaves something to be desired....but you can't have everything.

Camber

I had a 2008 ML 320 CDI Diesel, and now have a 2012 ML 350 Diesel. I have a Trailex open trailer as well. The ML did great. I traveled long distances, and never felt that the ML was inadequate or unsettled by the trailer. My old ML average 23.5 MPG over 70K miles, including towing. My new ML is averaging 26.5 over the past 2K miles. Given how much less expensive ML is, I've been very happy with the truck as DD / tow vehicle.