SUV vs. Pick-up

[JDgreen227]

An SUV (except Suburban or Ford equivalent) has a shorter wheel base and a softer suspension. That will make it more squirrely if things go wrong.

It's the classic "tail wagging the dog" syndrome.

Ken

My understanding is that wheelbase aside, the shorter the distance between the rear axle and the hitchball, the better the stabiity when towing.

 

[Ken45101]

My understanding is that wheelbase aside, the shorter the distance between the rear axle and the hitchball, the better the stabiity when towing.

Yes, that's why fifth wheels and gooseneck hitches are much more stable.

Ken

 

[yelbike]

You guys have flawed logic. The manufacture rates the vehicles at what is safe. How is towing at max rating with a SUV any different the with a 1/2 Dodge Ram a 1 ton F350? They rate them at what they can do and warranty. You don't need a 3/4 ton ram to pull a log splitter or even a little 7K dump.

I towed Corvettes many many miles behind my wifes V8 2004 Mountaineer and my 5600# *******. All this on my 18' car hauler. It was plenty capable and safe. The shortest trip was 120 miles and the longest maybe 250. Yes, I had the big PowerStroke F350 but many times we had kids, dog, and belongings to take with.

As for what changed in the early 2000's start with disc brakes, more gears in the trannys, larger cooling systems and oil sumps, ect.

Chris

I have a 2003 Tahoe rated for about 6500 lbs. I towed 3500lbs camper from Winnipeg to LA. Crossing the continental devide and some of the passes in the rockies. I'm glad I was nowhere near full capacity. 9000km round trip.

If your braking distance is shorter with a trailer attached your set up is wrong. Too much brakes on the trailer. The trailer is not suppose to stop the tow vehicle but enhance its braking force. If you set up like that and you hit ice or gravel, you'll find your trailer passing you sideways.

 

[Dmace]

If you set up like that and you hit ice or gravel, you'll find your trailer passing you sideways.

Wrong, if your trailer brakes are not working properly and your truck stops faster than your trailer THEN the trailer can get out of control or jack knife. If the trailer is stopping quicker than the truck, it's impossible for the trailer to pass you...

If the trailer brakes are not strong enough, the trailer can easily push you around. It should be slowing you before your vehicle brakes even start working.

 

[jejeosborne]

SGFarm, either vehicle you mentioned will meet the tow requirements you are requesting. Just depends how often you need exterior space vs interior space. Interior space is harder to add than exterior space because all you need is a small utility trailer to fulfill that need. I would expect the utility vehicle possibly more spongy due to having more weight and higher center of gravity.

Dmace,
As far as trailer brakes, I have owned six trailers that have had electric trailer brakes. Single axle popups to tandum 29' travel trailer with 5000 lb axles. Never has my braking distance been shorter with a trailer than when empty. My current truck has a built in brake controller and my previous one had a prodigy controller many believe to be the best. Neither set up will allow the trailer brakes to lock up on dry pavement at maximum gain unless for example my car hauler is lightly loaded. Yes they can stop the truck by themselves but not very fast. Ideally the max. gain should be adjusted to the point right before the tires lock up. Unfortunately most drum electric brakes don't supply enough force to achieve this. Even if they were capable of this, the undampened suspension on the trailer, the additional tongue weight, lack of ABS, trailer tire poorer traction, maintaining alighnment, etc all add to stopping distance. True in a routine stop, my trailers will many times be doing more than their fair share of the stopping. In an emergency stop, I will promise you, your trailer will be pushing your tow vehicle even on dry pavement. Please drive with extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you while towing because you will NOT stop quicker.

 

[Dmace]

If you can't lock up your trailer brakes on dry pavement then your setup is wrong not mine. Thats also a requirement for an inspection sticker in NH...

 

[VTFireftr]

I've got both.

2005 F250 Powerstorke Diesel 4x4 supercab longbed and a 2008 Expedition.

I bought the pickup new and now have more than 190K miles on it. Due to the price of diesel fuel going thru the roof, I don't drive it as much as I would like. I also try ro stay within 500 miles of home in case of a major part failure (see mileage above).

Bought the Expedition used last March from a multi line dealer. I knew it was a former rental (ran a Car fax report and a Ford Oasis report). Made the dealer through in a 4 year 48K mile Ford Premium ESP as part of the deal.

This is a very comfortable truck. The wife an I pulled our motorcycles out to the Black Hills of South Dakota last August. About 4500 miles round trip with only a samll hiccup (cvoered under warranty upon returning home).

We have 3 dogs so this is a great truck for taking the dogs with us when we travel. Lots of room for them to be comfortable. And it gets about 18mpg when we don't pull the trailer.

As for trailer brakes, out trailer has them on both axels. The pickup has the built in Ford controller which is the best sytem I have ever used for towing. I installed a Prodigy 3 in the Expedition before our trip. It's a great controller, but not as seemless as the built in controller.

Each truck has its pros and cons. I'm just lucky I have the choice to drive either (if the wife hasn't already taken the one I want to drive at the time)

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you can't lock up your trailer brakes on dry pavement then your setup is wrong not mine. Thats also a requirement for an inspection sticker in NH...

I have worked on trailers for years and years. The only trailers I have seen be able to lock up the brakes on dry pavement is empty trailers. No way you are going to lock up the brakes on a loaded 14K GN or 5th wheel.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

The only trailers I have seen be able to lock up the brakes on dry pavement is empty trailers. No way you are going to lock up the brakes on a loaded 14K GN or 5th wheel.

Chris

Who said anything about a loaded trailer locking the brakes?

 

[jejeosborne]

Who said anything about a loaded trailer locking the brakes?

I did! "Neither set up will allow the trailer brakes to lock up on dry pavement at maximum gain unless for example my car hauler is lightly loaded"

Nothing is wrong with any of my trailers. In addition, they were all purchased new. I have never owned a trailer with disc brakes yet but mabe they have more stopping power. I would guess that more than 90% of the trailers on the road are drum brakes as well.

Point is, even if you have trailer brakes capable of locking up the tires on a loaded trailer, the stopping distance will still be greater than the empty TV because of the other items I had listed.

I don't want to wrongly inform those new to towing that they can stop faster while towing a trailer and possible kill themselves or my family!
Jeff