Tow Vehicle List

[Gater Dunn]

Hello fellow Mac Addicts, for those of us looking for a tow vehicle, a list would help to give us an idea where to start.if the format was kept the same it would be easy to compare so

year
make
model
auto/man trans
2 or 4 wheel drive
suspention mods
Manufacture tow rating

if I'm missing something just add to list or if this list already exists please point me towards the thread

[Catigale]

2002
VW
Eurovan
VR6 engine 201HP **** I added a line for engine/HP to your template as most trucks offer a range here.
AUTO
2WD (Front)
Stock suspension
5000# MFG rating

Comments:
Good for relatively flat towing in Northeast -
Trailers from upstate NY to Cape Cod about 1200 miles per year
13 mpg towing
Tows well at 60mph, less well at 70 mph

[Jim Bunnell]

2001
GMC
Yukon Denali XL
6 liter V8 320HP
Auto w/ selectable towing mode
Full time all wheel drive
Towing package, auto rear leveling (both standard)
8400#

Comments:
I seldom notice the rig being there except over short, quick bumps
Detroit to North Channel (1300 miles) plus local per year
about 11 mpg towing @ 70mph

[kmclemore]

2004
Toyota
Sienna
automatic w/ OD
2 wheel drive
AirLift rear spring bags & rear disc brake package. Towing package came standard with the Sienna, just had to add a Class II hitch.
Manufacture tow rating: 3500 lbs.

Works very well.

[grady]

2005
Chevrolet
Colorado crew cab
I5 engine
Automatic 4 speed
2 wheel drive
G80 Locker diff.

Rancho shocks, rear Air lift bags (60-80PSI when towing)
Tow in 3rd gear about 2500rpm at 65mph.
Get 15MPG while towing.
Handles well at 70+ now that the axle has been moved 13" aft. (I do not tow that fast tho, just wanted to check)

[ROAD Soldier]

Proving once again it isn't the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog.
year..........................2004
make........................Jeep
model.......................Liberty Renegade
auto/man trans...........Automatic
2 or 4 wheel drive........4 Wheel Drive
suspention mods..........Manufacture's Tow Package
Manufacture tow rating..5000lbs
Keep it in full time fourwheel drive, overdrive button off, and dont go above 60MPH. Also move weight in to the bow area inside as much as possible while towing.

[rwmiller56]

year: 2000
make: Toyota
model: Tundra
auto/man trans: Auto
2 or 4 wheel drive: 4 WD
suspension mods: None
Manufacture tow rating: 7200 lbs

More than adequate.

[kleinhhl]

1998 Chevrolet K2500 Silverado Pickup (Heavy Duty model)
5.7L V8 Gas - 289HP
Automatic Transmission
4WD

No modifications. I get about 10 MPG when towing on the highway and I definitely know the boat is back there but the 2500HD tows real nice. The truck replaced a '89 Jeep Cherokee because I took one look at the boat and said I need something bigger... the Jeep Cherokee would have needed suspension mods in the back for me to feel comfortable towing with it.... even then...

Would like a diesel instead of gas to tow with since the truck still has issues making it up steep inclines... 4WD is necessary for the steep boat ramps here in the Midwest... a lot of the lakes are canyons filled in with water so the ramps are steep... seen too many folks with smaller vehicles struggling up the ramp with smaller boats than the Mac26X... a situation I don't want to be in...

-Hugo
2000 MacGregor 26X - 'Baja Riha'
Oologah Lake, OK (North of Tulsa)

[hoaglandr]

2001
Ford Ranger
V6
Auto
2 WD-4WD
tow pkg.
6500 lbs.

Tows easily but would like to get something a little bigger...

[c130king]

2004
Chevy Trailblazer
V6 (Inline)
Auto
2 WD
270 HP
5400 lb Towing Capacity
Seem to get around 10-12 MPG on the Interstate for my long-distance towing

I do "feel" the boat back there especially when the big 18-wheelers go. And the "Check Engine" light comes on for the trips over 50 miles or so...this is indicating the fuel economy is not what the computer is expecting. The light will normally go back off after about 10-15 minutes of not towing.

[FLembo18]

2008

Chevy Express Cargo Van

V8, 280 HP

Auto w/ tow package

Heavy duty suspension

2WD

6800#

[wallville]

year: 2006
make: Toyota
model: Tacoma Crew Cab Long Bed
Trans: auto
Drive: 4 wheel
Suspension mods: Heling <sp?> 500lbs Leaf Spring Tension-ers
Manufacture tow rating: Toyota 3800lbs.

Truck rides level with or without the boat in tow. A lot more rough of a ride, but steadies my SnugTop Cab.

[Chinook]

Year: 2001
Make: Chev
Model: 2500 HD Duramax diesel, club cab
Trans: Allison automatic, with tow package
Drive: 4 wheel drive

This rig has towed our 2002 26X, with tandem axle trailer, approximately 40,000 miles without trouble. The diesel gets around 14 mpg when towing the boat. I generally hold my speed to between 55 and 60, which works well with the shift point for the transmission when in tow mode.

[kasmith21]

Year: 2006
Make: Toyota
Model: Tundra, 4 litre, factory tow package
Trans: Automatic
Drive: 2 wheel drive
Tow Rating: 5000 lbs

I typically tow the boat on the highway at 55 mph with overdrive in the off position. The boat tracks nicely (note: I do have a dual axle trailer). Truck does a fine job on small hills, however it does really have to work on the larger hills. The truck has struggled when pulling the boat out of steep boat ramps a few times...especially later in the year when there tends to be more algae on the ramps (this is where 4 wheeel drive would be nice). I get about 12 mpg on the highway (about half of what the truck gets when not towing). I like the truck very much, but if I was only concerned about towing my mac I think I would have opted for a V8 with 4 wheel drive.

[moondancer]

2003
Dodge 2500 Quad Cab
yes it has a hemi 345 hp (little hemi)
2w.d. auto, limited slip rear
8000+ tow capacity

Tows well. Will sit at 70mph on highway all day with O.D. on. I shut down O.D. on long grades, back roads. 14mpg on highway towing M, 9mpg on hilly back roads. Brakes are good (didn't know brakes on trailer were inop. when first got boat), tow one ton pop-up w/no brakes and didn't notice difference. When and if I buy another one will opt for long bed. Michelen tires and snow or wet do not work well. On ramp or snow I drive with the proverbial egg between foot and gas pedal.
Mike
Moondancer 05M