Towing Vechicle for 3500 lbs

[timswi]

I didn't really notice towing my 7x16 landscape trailer with Kubota B2920 behind my MDX if the mesh gate was off (figure that was about 3200# total). With the mesh gate on, even the empty trailer is a drag. I definitely feel the load when trailering my L3200 however, which puts me very close to the 5000# towing limit.

MDX's have some good power as I understand it from others...Is yours AWD?..Guessing it's a newer version as my boss's circa early 00's MDX would only allow a class 1 hitch and even then, the dealer was hesitant to install...The newer ones look much more substantial.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Ya do what ya gotta do...Seen some pretty interesting things like that myself...

You're right 3500# isn't heavy, but on a smaller vehicle you'd know it's back there. Never tried it, but I'd guess my 1100# net utility trailer would be noticeable behind my wife's H3. Don't even know it's there with my pickup except for high speed wind drag from the gate...Kinda like a parachute, but utility outweighs MPG in my case. Have a gate on my car trailer too...Now that sucker causes some serious wind resistance. I think it nets around 2500#.

My TT is only noticeable due to the net/gross +/-9200# weight, wind drag is not even noticeable. The GM 6.2 pulls better than any gas engine I've ever owned. 360ft lb of torque if memory serves. Not bad for gas.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=358925"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=358926"/>

It's got more than 360 FT LBS. My 01 F150 had that with the 5.4. My 08 Titan has 385 and my father's Eco Boost has 420.

Chris

 

[timswi]

It's got more than 360 FT LBS. My 01 F150 had that with the 5.4. My 08 Titan has 385 and my father's Eco Boost has 420.

Chris

417 is rattiling around in my head, but I'd rather be on the right side of wrong. Don't like overstating things.

 

[handirifle]

Based on my personal experiences, good and bad, if I were looking for vehicle to tow 3500lbs I would RUN AWAY from any vehicle rated for 3500lbs. Manufacturers can jostle numbers a LOT and you never know which side of the truth you will end up on.

I would look for 5000 or better as a minimum. The Tacoma you mentioned would be perfect, allowing for far more flexibility in trailer length, weight and tongue weight. It would sure be nice to know if you have to load your trailer heavy one day, the tow vehicle is up to it. Don't jepordize the safety of family or self for a few inches of seat or a few mpg's.

Sure a mini SUV might haul 3500, but what about the filthy crap you dig up from a yard and needs to be hauled off, throw that in the back seat?

 

[timswi]

Based on my personal experiences, good and bad, if I were looking for vehicle to tow 3500lbs I would RUN AWAY from any vehicle rated for 3500lbs. Manufacturers can jostle numbers a LOT and you never know which side of the truth you will end up on.

I would look for 5000 or better as a minimum. The Tacoma you mentioned would be perfect, allowing for far more flexibility in trailer length, weight and tongue weight. It would sure be nice to know if you have to load your trailer heavy one day, the tow vehicle is up to it. Don't jepordize the safety of family or self for a few inches of seat or a few mpg's.

Sure a mini SUV might haul 3500, but what about the filthy crap you dig up from a yard and needs to be hauled off, throw that in the back seat?

A quad cab Tacoma is a nice call. A guy I work with has one, it's nice. Somewhat similar to a Pilot/MDX in passenger space, just with a bed. BTW, he's very happy with the truck although he doesn't tow with it, so I can't speak to that.

 

[Diamondpilot]

A quad cab Tacoma is a nice call. A guy I work with has one, it's nice. Somewhat similar to a Pilot/MDX in passenger space, just with a bed. BTW, he's very happy with the truck although he doesn't tow with it, so I can't speak to that.

The Frontier is also a good choice. While not a Tacoma they have their strong points. To me they are a little stouter in frame dept with a good reliable power train.

Chris

 

[s219]

MDX's have some good power as I understand it from others...Is yours AWD?..Guessing it's a newer version as my boss's circa early 00's MDX would only allow a class 1 hitch and even then, the dealer was hesitant to install...The newer ones look much more substantial.

Yep, I think they only came AWD for the model range I have (2012), and it's SH-AWD that gives a nice RWD bias when you need it. Very good power for the size, though it's at high RPM, so the six speed auto is what makes it usable (has a super low first gear which is nice for towing and getting going). Comes standard with transmission cooler and wiring for brake controller and they clearly had towing capability in the marketing materials, which was surprising. I later learned quite a few people tow campers with the MDX.

I was surprised how beefy the factory hitch is on the 2012 (put it on myself and it was a mother to handle). The aftermarket hitches were only rated for 4500#, but the factory hitch was rated for 5000# (with 500# on the tongue).

I still want a pickup truck in the long term for towing and work, but for a vehicle that spends 95% of the time as a family/ski/bike/kayaking car, the MDX does just fine when I need to tow nowadays. It's been a good compromise.

 

[ttriff]

V6 Highlander or Explorer would be my choice.

Have both of those.

The Highlander is a great fair weather, high speed mountain vehicle. Although it has 100hp more than the Explorer, but it's just not all that happy pulling any appreciable load to altitude.

The Explorer just chugs away, gulping gas, and pulling whatever load I put in the trailer. With all the snow (and 70mph wind) we've had this winter the Explorer is our "go to vehicle". Occasionally I have to get the tractor to pull it out if there's been a deep snow. Other than that it's like the Energizer bunny.... going, and going......

 

[Kubotafan]

Have both of those.

The Highlander is a great fair weather, high speed mountain vehicle. Although it has 100hp more than the Explorer, but it's just not all that happy pulling any appreciable load to altitude.

The Explorer just chugs away, gulping gas, and pulling whatever load I put in the trailer. With all the snow (and 70mph wind) we've had this winter the Explorer is our "go to vehicle". Occasionally I have to get the tractor to pull it out if there's been a deep snow. Other than that it's like the Energizer bunny.... going, and going......

I find this an interesting post! Why does the Explorer pull better? I don't understand torque verses hp but understand an engine with more torque can have more power than an engine with more hp.

What year are your Highlander and Explorer? How does gas millage compare between the two?

 

[jejeosborne]

I find this an interesting post! Why does the Explorer pull better? I don't understand torque verses hp but understand an engine with more torque can have more power than an engine with more hp.

What year are your Highlander and Explorer? How does gas millage compare between the two?

HP = Torque x RPM ÷ 5252

This is why diesels tend to have a great spread between the two because their don't rev very high. High HP requires an engine to continue to make good torque at high rpms or a little torque at Super high rpms. For example many motorcycles or small engines make decent HP but at 15-20,000 rpms but little torque. Torque is what is important for towing.

Torque and HP are always equal at 5252 rpms.