Newer Mid-Sized pickups for towing ? Ranger , Colorado , Taco
02-21-2023, 10:31 AM
#1
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Newer Mid-Sized pickups for towing ? Ranger , Colorado , Taco
Towing a Cayman with an aluminum trailer . I was thinking of a mid-sized pickup , I live in Northern VA and it would be my daily , so trying not to go full-sized.
All tracks would be within 300-400 miles, such at VIR , PittRace , Watkins Glen . Probably 2-3 trips a year.
Would you go mid-sized ? Think '23 Ranger / Colorado
Other option would be a 2015 Explorer Sport , think that's a better option ? The Explorer has a 5000lbs rating vs ~7500 for the Ranger
All tracks would be within 300-400 miles, such at VIR , PittRace , Watkins Glen . Probably 2-3 trips a year.
Would you go mid-sized ? Think '23 Ranger / Colorado
Other option would be a 2015 Explorer Sport , think that's a better option ? The Explorer has a 5000lbs rating vs ~7500 for the Ranger
02-21-2023, 10:39 AM
#2
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Right off the bat I would not feel comfortable towing a car trailer with a vehicle that has a 5k towing capacity. Even with a gutted race car on a bare bones, open aluminum trailer there just isn't enough safety margin for me to feel comfortable.
In terms of a mid-sized pickup, I often see them at the track towing open aluminum trailers. A full size (1/2 ton +) is obviously preferable, but if you have limitations that necessitate a mid-size pickup, they can definitely get it done.
In terms of a mid-sized pickup, I often see them at the track towing open aluminum trailers. A full size (1/2 ton +) is obviously preferable, but if you have limitations that necessitate a mid-size pickup, they can definitely get it done.
02-21-2023, 10:54 AM
#3
What's the max tongue wt and payload for the mid size trucks? With an open alum trailer and Cayman you'll be over 4k and will need a tongue wt of 400+. Also need to consider how much add ons on the trailer- tire rack? fuel? tools? And how much gear you'll have in the truck. On paper it may be ok. I tow a cayman on a trailex with a F150 ecoboost. It tows well but to be honest I wouldn't want to tow with less truck.
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02-21-2023, 12:29 PM
#6
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Your driving through the mountains every direction u go. (At least east coast mountains). Me thinks u r gonna hate the engine and braking stability in any 1/4 ton truck. Find a lower milage f150 and have a built in safety factor.
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02-21-2023, 01:59 PM
#8
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If mleage is the concern, I don't think the smaller pickups do much better than my Chevy 1500 with the 5.3 eco. It drops to 4 cylinders on the highway (not towing of course) and I can get up to 25 mpg on the highway. I tow an enclosed Trailex and get 11 or 12 at highway speeds. A smaller truck isn't going to do much if any better but it is a better tow vehicle and more useful with the extra size inside and in the bed. My two cents.
02-21-2023, 02:34 PM
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If mleage is the concern, I don't think the smaller pickups do much better than my Chevy 1500 with the 5.3 eco. It drops to 4 cylinders on the highway (not towing of course) and I can get up to 25 mpg on the highway. I tow an enclosed Trailex and get 11 or 12 at highway speeds. A smaller truck isn't going to do much if any better but it is a better tow vehicle and more useful with the extra size inside and in the bed. My two cents.
mileage isn’t a factor . It’s the size and parking in urban areas like Washington DC parking garages .
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02-21-2023, 04:02 PM
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ANGST, you don't want to tow over 75% of the towing capacity of the tow vehicle. I would think you're gonna be right up against that number, if not over it.
While you can do it (I towed for 2 years with an Acura MDX after we added a 3rd radiator to it), but I never felt safe doing it. I did it, but never really felt that "safe feeling", and G-d forbid you have to panic brake because some knucklehead did something like cut you off, you will have issues.
Yes, it can be done. No, you should not do it.
Go a bit bigger if you can.
F-150 FTW!!
While you can do it (I towed for 2 years with an Acura MDX after we added a 3rd radiator to it), but I never felt safe doing it. I did it, but never really felt that "safe feeling", and G-d forbid you have to panic brake because some knucklehead did something like cut you off, you will have issues.
Yes, it can be done. No, you should not do it.
Go a bit bigger if you can.
F-150 FTW!!
02-21-2023, 04:50 PM
#12
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ANGST, you don't want to tow over 75% of the towing capacity of the tow vehicle. I would think you're gonna be right up against that number, if not over it.
While you can do it (I towed for 2 years with an Acura MDX after we added a 3rd radiator to it), but I never felt safe doing it. I did it, but never really felt that "safe feeling", and G-d forbid you have to panic brake because some knucklehead did something like cut you off, you will have issues.
Yes, it can be done. No, you should not do it.
Go a bit bigger if you can.
F-150 FTW!!
While you can do it (I towed for 2 years with an Acura MDX after we added a 3rd radiator to it), but I never felt safe doing it. I did it, but never really felt that "safe feeling", and G-d forbid you have to panic brake because some knucklehead did something like cut you off, you will have issues.
Yes, it can be done. No, you should not do it.
Go a bit bigger if you can.
F-150 FTW!!
Peter
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l30thelion (01-13-2024)
02-21-2023, 07:19 PM
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02-21-2023, 07:25 PM
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to it, in my experience, there are much safer tow vehicles, especially with someone new to towing. I’m gonna stand by my original (and safer) recommendation.
Never said you “couldn’t” do it, just said maybe your “shouldn’t”.
Again, YMMV
02-21-2023, 07:29 PM
#15
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Apples or oranges, if you’re over 75% of your rated max tow weight, or even close
to it, in my experience, there are much safer tow vehicles, especially with someone new to towing. I’m gonna stand by my original (and safer) recommendation.
Never said you “couldn’t” do it, just said maybe your “shouldn’t”.
Again, YMMV
to it, in my experience, there are much safer tow vehicles, especially with someone new to towing. I’m gonna stand by my original (and safer) recommendation.
Never said you “couldn’t” do it, just said maybe your “shouldn’t”.
Again, YMMV
I was just towing a U-haul Auto transport with a BMW 525 touring on it in a fully loaded 26’ U-Haul box truck on a 3.5 hour haul from Summit Point to the Norther Neck VA . That was an … experience.