Show us your small Tow Vehicle set-up

[Bigventure]

Seriously check out the new Jeep Cherokee It claims 31 MPG and will tow 4500lbs. They also start at 22K.

2014 Jeep Cherokee - Efficient All-Weather Capability SUV

[xrvr]

Very interesting comments. Jim

[Lucky Tom]

AlanSD, your trailer weighs about as much as mine, so this is why I was giving you the numbers. I had just returned from the scales at the nearby truck stop and had those weights in front of me. If you downsize, be sure you are not exceeding your axle weight limits, axle to axle. If you notice the numbers, I am only a few hundred pounds below the axle limits. Steering axle weighs 2200 lb and my max allowed is 2646 lb. That is only 400 lbs to play with. The rear axle of TV weighs 3060 lb and my max allowed is 3792 lb. Only 700 lb available for stuff. Again, this is without the stuff you need on your trip. I had unloaded all but the fresh water holding tank which was full. And remember those mpg figures drop drastically when towing is close to the limit. If this info is of no use to you, perhaps it will be of use to others reading it with similar thoughts.

[Lucky Tom]

By the way, Alan, you need congratulated on the restoration of your Vintage Airstream. I just read your blog. Well done with both the restoration and the sharing of info some of us may need at some point in time. Thanks.

[ALANSD]

Thanks much appreciated. I love that old girl, rescued it from too many years out in a field unused.

[ALANSD]

Originally Posted by Bigventure

Seriously check out the new Jeep Cherokee It claims 31 MPG and will tow 4500lbs. They also start at 22K.

2014 Jeep Cherokee - Efficient All-Weather Capability SUV

I might be able to lease one of those if I wait until after Summer. My wife's lease is up and we could get a Cherokee then. That is a consideration.

[Lucky Tom]

A guy was using one of those at the recent Canopener rally. His Airforum name is AWCHIEF.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by hentom

A guy was using one of those at the recent Canopener rally. His Airforum name is AWCHIEF.

AWChief had the Grand Cherokee-
Jeep has re-introduced the Cherokee- a little smaller and less expensive-
AWChief's Grand Cherokee was awesome- fully hard loaded with every available option-

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Bigventure

I had though that the 2012 Subaru Outback was a great tow. Untill the trailer got away and totaled the new Outback and 2010 16' Bambi. I'm lucky to be alive.
I then switched to a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 and it pulled my 2011 20 Safari very well. Towing it got 12-14 MPG. Not towing 18-22 with regular gas.
I just traded the Jeep for a 2014 Grand Cherokee Diesel. On the way home from the dealer I got 28.6 MPG. I can't wait to tow.

FYI Jeep has a new Cherokee that may fit the bill for a small tow.

A lot to think about here, and a lot of questions unanswered, but the fact remains 16' Bambi behind a Subaru Outback "got away" from the driver, and totaled the entire rig.

2012 Subaru Outback, Max Towing Capacity, 2700lbs., "When adequately equipped, which may require engine and/or other drivetrain upgrades."

2010 Airstream 16' Sport, GVWR 3500, UBW 2897.

Happy that no one was seriously injured.

[andreasduess]

The very same car in the UK is rated to tow 1700 kg or 3770lbs.

Without knowing all the details it is hard to have a qualified opinion, but it sounds more like a brake failure, or an incorrect setup, than a vehicle issue to me.

I don't think I'd choose to tow much with a Subaru myself, but it should be more than car enough to handle a Bambi.

[mvperini]

real small tow vehicle

[rostam]

Originally Posted by Bigventure

Seriously check out the new Jeep Cherokee It claims 31 MPG and will tow 4500lbs. They also start at 22K.

2014 Jeep Cherokee - Efficient All-Weather Capability SUV

I believe the V4 has 31 MPG and the V6 has the 4500# towing capacity, so you won't get both at the same time.

[andreasduess]

This thread make me look up the new GC. I am liking that car more and more, especially with the diesel engine. Shame it doesn't come as a seven seater.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by andreasduess

The very same car in the UK is rated to tow 1700 kg or 3770lbs.

Without knowing all the details it is hard to have a qualified opinion, but it sounds more like a brake failure, or an incorrect setup, than a vehicle issue to me.

I don't think I'd choose to tow much with a Subaru myself, but it should be more than car enough to handle a Bambi.

Like I said, lots of questions unanswered. But one question comes to my mind, and that is would a more capable tow vehicle come out with the same results in the exact same situation? We'll probably never know, but just maybe this is why I've read so, so many times on these forums not to tow more than 80% of the manufacturers rating?

[ALANSD]

its the Cherokee that looks interesting, smaller than the Grand and tows 4500 lbs, with sway control built in, an mid 20s fuel mileage.

As for the subaru, its not on my list. But if the brakes were hooked up and working it might have been a different story.

[ALANSD]

Originally Posted by mvperini

real small tow vehicle

I love it! Great post.

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by SteveH

so many times on these forums not to tow more than 80% of the manufacturers rating?

And what ratings would that be? The US ratings? Canadian ratings? UK ratings? They appear to fluctuate wildly, even for identical vehicles.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by mvperini

real small tow vehicle

Is that for real?

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by andreasduess

And what ratings would that be? The US ratings? Canadian ratings? UK ratings? They appear to fluctuate wildly, even for identical vehicles.

I sure everyone will do what they want, but I will consider American ratings with American trailers on American roads.

So far, it has worked well for me since 1971 when I started towing travel trailers.

[cameront120]

Can we not turn this thread into another argument about tow vehicle size, please? That's a discussion for another thread. Let's see actual setups, as requested by the OP.