Show us your small Tow Vehicle set-up

[Jim Flower]

Small tow vehicle, medium tow vehicle, large tow vehicle
Iroquois Lock, Kentucky fried in Corbin, Suwannee River
Tow vehicles and the theory of relativity. Jim

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by cameront120

Let's not turn this into yet another argument about towing thread, please. That's been done to death in other threads which have all been locked. Got pictures of small TV combinations?

<<Mod Mode>>

Absolutely. Today we removed some significantly off topic or not nice posts, and as stated previously let's keep things reasonably on topic.

Show]Show us your small Tow Vehicle set-up - Page 5 - Airstream Forums

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by Jim Flower

Small tow vehicle, medium tow vehicle, large tow vehicle
Iroquois Lock, Kentucky fried in Corbin, Suwannee River
Tow vehicles and the theory of relativity. Jim

Love it!!

[newroswell]

The Isetta has the advantage that the bigger the driver, the less WD you need.

[ALANSD]

I have 3 interested parties for my EXC. If it sells I have my eye narrowed down to SUZUKI XL7 and KIA SORRENTO. Both will handle my trailer and when not towing get great mileage.

This thread has been a great help.

[xrvr]

If you towed an Eddie Bauer with an Isetta, could you park the Isetta inside at night? Just thinkin,,jim

[ALANSD]

I sold the Excursion. I am looking at a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport. 2 wdrive tomorrow. I am assuming this will handle my Overlander with the right set up a (which I don't yet know)

Any one knowledgeable on this vehicle? I have been looking for the XL-7 model which has the saem engine, but has 6" shorter wheelbase. Please advise.

[SteveH]

All the info is here including towing specs.

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Base 4dr SUV 2.7L V6 5-speed Automatic Features and Specs

[ALANSD]

that says 3000lbs, which seems kinda low.

[Andrew T]

Hi Alan

We set up a couple of these several years ago, I remember driving one and thinking it worked much better than the specs suggested it would. We had originally set it up to tow a hard top but they wanted a full trailer after one trip. They bought a 26' Trail-Lite trailer of the time which towed better than any lite you can buy today but not as easily as your overlander.We set it up with the understanding that they would likely only tow with it for a year or two and then get a more powerful tow vehcle but the customer towed with it for several years. We did change the tire size on it at the time. Not a problem to put a hitch on and it handled quite well considering the wheelbase. I can't point to 50 that are on the road towing like some vehicles but like Subaru Suzuki tends to overbuild.

How many miles are on it and how much are they asking for it?

Andrew T

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

I sold the Excursion. I am looking at a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport. 2 wdrive tomorrow. I am assuming this will handle my Overlander with the right set up a (which I don't yet know)

Any one knowledgeable on this vehicle? I have been looking for the XL-7 model which has the saem engine, but has 6" shorter wheelbase. Please advise.

Alan,

Good to hear that you sold your Excursion so quickly. Good luck with finding a suitable (new to you) tow vehicle.

After finding your next TV be careful with the hitch installation. From what I can tell reading this thread and having seen the hitch installation Andrew T did on a Taurus, it's not simply a matter of driving over to Hitches R Us and having them install what might appear to be a Class IV (2" receiver).

Lucius

[ALANSD]

good advice that. I looked at three vehicles today did a share of driving around. Volvo XC90 2006..a Piece of crap! Repainted, and more. Did not drive well.
A 2004 Suzuki XL7, not attractive to me. Off the list - a 2005 Nissan Titan Crew Cab--V8. Went there to see a smaller SUV, it was sold, this one was just traded. Ran strong and seems a good price, well under book. But back to 12-14 MPG in town and all that. So I left to ponder....LOL

On my way to see a 2004 KIA Sorento. Heard good things about Kia but not sure if they are all true. Anyway its very local. Here is a reviewer who got over 300K on his Sorento.

http://www.cars.com/kia/sorento/2004/consumer-reviews

[gmw photos]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

good advice that. I looked at three vehicles today did a share of driving around. Volvo XC90 2006..a Piece of crap! Repainted, and more. Did not drive well.
A 2004 Suzuki XL7, not attractive to me. Off the list - a 2005 Nissan Titan Crew Cab--V8. Wne tthere to see a smaller SUV, it was sold this one was just traded. Ran strong and seems a good proce, well under book. BUt back to 12-14 MPG in town and all that. So I left to ponder.
On my way to see a 2004 KIA Sorento. Heard good things about Kia but not sure if they are all true. Anyway its very local.

Titan. heh, heh, NOW you're talking
If you are in that class, for more money, a Tundra needs to be looked at. Excellent engineering and build, but it will cost you more.
The Titan is also an excellent vehicle, it's just that it's design is a bit dated. BUT, because of that they can be a real bargain both on the used and new market.

[ALANSD]

The Titan just sucks too much gas for me. Also it will end up being about 9000.
I just drove the heck out of a 2004 Kia Sorento. Lots of power, a little soft on the ride, but that could be managed. The dealer is a local Mercedes shop that took it on trade. He will install a hitch and wiring for me at his cost. They just did the water pump and timing belt.
I would need to consider a trans cooler and maybe air bags for the rear. Not 100% sold on it though the proce is fair and mileage is low for a 2004

I 'd like to know what else would improve the towability of the KIA.

[SteveH]

The Sorento is only rated at 14/18 mpg, and 3500 lbs towing:

2004 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV 3.5L V6 5-speed Manual Features and Specs

[ALANSD]

The Sorento is known to tow 5000 lbs. mileage is a whole lot better than I have had.
No purchase made yet...still looking

[SteveH]

Just one more "suggestion", take a look at a Chevrolet Trailblazer in a similar year model. They have a 20hwy MPG rating and a tow rating of 6700 lbs. Might work for you.

2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LS 4dr SUV 4.2L 6-cyl. 4-speed Automatic Features and Specs

[andreasduess]

Alan, have you considered a van? The newer Grand Caravans are cheap to buy and tow really well. Fuel economy is also good.

[ALANSD]

I am checking everything...but my wife has some say in this and she nixes the van idea, as well as some sedans...Hey after 28 years of marrriage...well u know.
The guy with the Sorento is holding it for me until mid week...I am on the fence on that one...But for 5000 plus hitch and tow prep its not a bad deal

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

I am checking everything...but my wife has some say in this and she nixes the van idea, as well as some sedans...Hey after 28 years of marrriage...well u know.
The guy with the Sorento is holding it for me until mid week...I am on the fence on that one...But for 5000 plus hitch and tow prep its not a bad deal

I'm sure you'll get many "opinions" on this, but if it won't satisfactorily tow your trailer, it's a bad deal at any price.