Show us your small Tow Vehicle set-up

[ALANSD]

Adding to my list - Chevy Trailblazer, Chrysler Pacifica ( rated a top ten tow vehicle by edmunds).

I am surprised at the lack of truly informed opinions here on the Forums when you look up towing vehicles. People have their opinion and freely state it without much research to back it up. They say things like you will get blown off the road with that vehicle, or you are crazy for considering it. Thankfully this thread has had some good insights.

I have researched this topic all over the web so I know what I am getting into. Also Andy T from CanAM RV has been a most valuable resource.

Please continue to hold your uniformed opnions in check people. Any arguments should be avoided.

[ALANSD]

an example is this article by Andy on towing with the Suzuki , Torrent, and Traverse

Towing Hitch HInts

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

Adding to my list - Chevy Trailblazer, Chrysler Pacifica ( rated a top ten tow vehicle by edmunds).

Just an FYI, have friends that own a Chrysler Pacifica and it has been very much less than acceptable in the reliability category. Maybe it's just the one, but.....

[ALANSD]

I have been checking MSN which has good infor on reliability. Meanwhile I found a 2003 Trailblazer with just over 100K that is near me and looks possible.

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

Hey after 28 years of marrriage...well u know.

I know that after ten years of marriage...

[ALANSD]

yup its reality...But we are happy...

[ALANSD]

I have a salesperson bringing the Trailblazer out for a look-see.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

Please continue to hold your uniformed opnions in check people. Any arguments should be avoided.

Hi, I think this statement pretty much includes most everyone on this forum; Otherwise you would have had several people chime in with I tow with that or we towed with one of those. So from what I've read so far, it is mostly opinions. Today I saw one of those Suzuki's [XL-7] that you mentioned. I pointed it out to my wife. We would be scared to death to tow our trailer with that little thing. [and that's my opinion]

[ALANSD]

Today I bought a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. Nice little truck. Much more substantial than the Suzuki and Kia. Felt solid and has the room I need.

Seems to have the factory tow package, or it has a decent aftermarket one.
7 Pin connector and class III hitch.

Won't get the highest mileage I was striving for, but should be considerably better than my V10 Ford.
I am happy and looking forward to towing the Overlander as soon as I install my brake controller.

Glad that's over.

[xrvr]

We looked at those one time were very impressed but we needed a pickup to haul junk. What engine does it have ? Jim

[Chuck]

I have SOB friends that own one, (they have a pop-up camper, so...no problem there), and they're happy with it, afaik.
I got a ride in it once...6 big adults piled into it without much of a problem...and it does have a "substantial" feel to it.
Nice Truck!

[ALANSD]

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

We looked at those one time were very impressed but we needed a pickup to haul junk. What engine does it have ? Jim

"
The 4.2 L I6 Atlas LL8 appeared on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list from 2002–2005 with innovative features such as DOHC, Variable Valve Timing (VVT) on the exhaust camshaft, and GM's patented Lost-foam casting process.

275 hp

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

Today I bought a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. Nice little truck. Much more substantial than the Suzuki and Kia. Felt solid and has the room I need.

Congrats, glad you survived the search Having just finished my own length search for a tow vehicle, by the end of it we were happy to just commit and get it over with!

[gmw photos]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Congrats, glad you survived the search Having just finished my own length search for a tow vehicle, by the end of it we were happy to just commit and get it over with!

Which is why I am constantly searching, constantly on the lookout and picking the brains of folks and mechanics of "potential future" vehicles for myself or family. If, heaven forbid, something were to happen to one of the trucks I have right now, I already know exactly what I would replace them with. And of course this is a dynamic process as the years go by, as it all changes.
But then, I like following this stuff too, so it's fun to try to keep up with it.

[ALANSD]

i will say that the used car market is very strong, here. Prices are crazy. Trucks with 150000 miles or more going for 8,9, $10,000. The selection is not as good as I would expect either.
Luckily my new truck was traded on a new AUDI and the dealer did not really want it on their lot long. I offered 1200 off the out the door deal and got it.
Basically exchanged the sold Excursion for the Chevy with no out of pocket. Now I only have to wire up my Prodigy. YAAAY,,we can camp again.

[rostam]

Happy your search is over. I find it a bit ironic though, that a thread on finding a "small" tow vehicle concluded by finding 4600# curb weight SUV.

[subfan1]

It's all relative, he had an Excursion.

[SuperTrouper]

Originally Posted by subfan1

It's all relative, he had an Excursion.

Yeah 4600lb down from 7700 is a pretty good jump.

[carl2591]

WOW this has been fun.. I looked at the trail blazer as well. never got in one to drive so not sure what they were made of or felt like.

I like the fact that most GM's have standard Daytime Running Lights on them. I know my 97 Astro cargo van has DRL and it has prevented dip $hits from pulling out in front of me more time than i can remember now after 4 yrs of having it on the road.

I will be following this thread and hope to hear back from the TrailBlazer owner as they get the TV set up and in use and we get a good first hand account of the good, bad and ugly of the deal.

thanks to all the posters it was fun.. and enlightening.

[xrvr]

Daytime running lights can be annoying to others if you are trying to hook up in the dark to leave a campground. Your lights shine into other rvs. All you have to do is turn your headlights on if you do not have daytime running lights. Jim