SUV Towing
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,709
Likes: 9,212
From: Snow Hill, NC
I have a 2012 Ford Flex and i added the Factory tow hitch, i pull my FLHTC and it barely feel i have something back there...It has like a 4000 lbs capacity... You can find one of these with a tow pkg or a GMC Acadia, even a ford Escape with previous model w/V6 has a 3500 lbs capacity...Trailer and 2 bikes is about 2500 lbs..Ish. Not sure what MPG i get towing but loaded with luggage and 3 adults going to RI i got 26mpg...seats 7...One of the best riding vehicle i have ever owned.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Yes it would become a daily driver, but no kids, so only two adults typically. However leaning towards SUV because i have dogs. I commute in off hours so not much time spent in traffic or idling and not many miles to and fro but woudl see some weekend use.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 975
Likes: 334
From: Midwest
Any V8….towing capacity is one set of numbers, soon as you turn on the A/C on some vehicles it is like throwing out an anchor. Summertime towing thru mountains, oil and tranny cooler for longevity of your vehicle.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,709
Likes: 9,212
From: Snow Hill, NC
I disagree with the V8 ...I think if you only tow every once in a while and you are not exceeding the towing capacity a V6 is more than adequate...If you tow all the time and are in mountains a lot then that is a different situation...Fuel savings for a daily driver is important to me anyway...I wouldn't have any problems towing 2 bikes on a trailer with my 3.5L V6...
How often are you gonna tow? Will it be in the hills? What will be the weight? What part of the country?
If money was not an object then i would have a Sierra Crew cab with a 5.3 or a F150 supercrew with a 5L But ALAS......the Fuel, the Fuel.....the damn Fuel...
How often are you gonna tow? Will it be in the hills? What will be the weight? What part of the country?
If money was not an object then i would have a Sierra Crew cab with a 5.3 or a F150 supercrew with a 5L But ALAS......the Fuel, the Fuel.....the damn Fuel...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 185
From: Ft Myers FL
Towed two RK bikes on a Kendon trailer......with my 2013 Ford Taurus and with my 2006 Tahoe....although they both did great....in the Tahoe i could not feel the bikes being towed.....i bet any small SUV will do.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 518
Likes: 8
From: Biloxi Ms
Ok I will throw the Hemi card at ya! Dodge Ram5.7 hemi crew cab. I personally own this truck and have personally towed three 800 lb bikes from Biloxi to Daytona and back with no issues at all. as mentioned earlier disable OD and use tow/haul gearing.
For an suv you can go the same route with the Dodge Durango. Same 5.7 Hemi but in a lighter SUV.
I am sure all these makes and models listed are capable but peace of mind, IMO, would steer me away from the smaller SUV. Go Big or Go home but most importantly take a day and ride to all the dealers and see what you are comfortable with and review edmunds for incentives and bargaining tools!
For an suv you can go the same route with the Dodge Durango. Same 5.7 Hemi but in a lighter SUV.
I am sure all these makes and models listed are capable but peace of mind, IMO, would steer me away from the smaller SUV. Go Big or Go home but most importantly take a day and ride to all the dealers and see what you are comfortable with and review edmunds for incentives and bargaining tools!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 105
From: Kentucky
I use a chev 3500 crew cab dually diesel to pull my trailer a 36ft enclosed gooseneck for when everyone wants to go and a 12ft enclosed for 1 or 2 bikes.
But whenever I can just ride it, no hauling
But whenever I can just ride it, no hauling
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,709
Likes: 9,212
From: Snow Hill, NC
LOL, i think that will pull it no problem...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
What size trailer..open, closed ? Makes a difference..a big box is harder to fight wind then an open trailer.
What are your miles per gallon expectations?
What are your expected uses for the vehicle? one or two tow trips a year or something else.
Will this become a primary daily use vehicle (not towing) for someone?
What kind of conditions will vehicle expect...lots of mountain, gravel, dirt roads, pulling boats?
How much stuff and how many people do you need to transport?
Fuel is expensive and it would be cost inefficient to purchase an over sized daily use vehicle when it would only be used twice a year.
The honda pilot mentioned above would be a nice vehicle for an open two bike trailer and would be a good daily driver for a family.
What are your miles per gallon expectations?
What are your expected uses for the vehicle? one or two tow trips a year or something else.
Will this become a primary daily use vehicle (not towing) for someone?
What kind of conditions will vehicle expect...lots of mountain, gravel, dirt roads, pulling boats?
How much stuff and how many people do you need to transport?
Fuel is expensive and it would be cost inefficient to purchase an over sized daily use vehicle when it would only be used twice a year.
The honda pilot mentioned above would be a nice vehicle for an open two bike trailer and would be a good daily driver for a family.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Not quite decided on open or closed. The vehicle would be transporting a couple of people and dogs on occasions. Would be used to tow only motorcycles, not any other recreational vehicles. Would be daily driver . Maybe one or two big trips a year and a few weekends. Also occasional Home Depot runs. 35 miles round trip daily commute.
Agree don't want oversized gas guzzler but not something barely making requirements or odd shaped roofline that nothing's fits in back to load.
Thanks
Agree don't want oversized gas guzzler but not something barely making requirements or odd shaped roofline that nothing's fits in back to load.
Thanks