How to Choose the Best SUV for Towing ?
The weight of the loaded trailer you plan to tow and the SUV's tow rating are the two most crucial factors to consider when selecting an SUV for towing. Obviously, you won't be able to transport that load securely if your trailer weighs more than your SUV can tow. Therefore, the SUV's capabilities must be compatible with the trailer. That tow specification, however, can be a little hazy depending on the brand and the particular SUV. This is why.
Not All Models Get the Same Rating
SUV manufacturers frequently exaggerate a vehicle's maximum towing capacity. The models in the range are not all rated to tow the same amount of weight, though. Knowing which engine to choose and which option packages to include in the car in order to acquire the best tow rating might be challenging.
You might require a tow package.
Choosing the most powerful engine might sometimes result in greater towing capacity. However, occasionally more tools are required. For instance, the midsize GMC Acadia SUV has a broad range of hauling capacity. The maximum towing capacity for 4-cylinder vehicles is only 1,000 pounds. However, those GMCs can tow 4,000 pounds if the V6 and a specific tow package are both selected as options. That is a significant difference.
If you intend to attach a trailer to your vehicle, choosing the factory-equipped tow package may be beneficial. To achieve that maximum tow rating, some manufacturers even demand a factory-installed hitch. The trailer hitch itself, specialized wiring, and frequently other parts and equipment made to withstand the strains of towing, like a transmission cooler or a higher-capacity alternator, are all parts of many of these tow packages. A trailer-sway control system and cameras are features of some of the more advanced models, which can help you when hitching up. That money was well used.
AWD or 4WD
Beyond selecting a particular tow package, there are additional elements to take into account. Some manufacturers demand all-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive to attain the highest tow rating. And pulling with all four wheels can make towing in bad weather far less difficult. But 4WD has towing benefits even if you are in the sunbelt. When pulling a trailer of ATVs along a bumpy dirt road or maintaining grip on a slick boat launch, a 4WD or all-wheel-drive tow vehicle can boost confidence.
Important Information About Towing Weight
It's not enough to simply be aware of your vehicle's maximum trailer weight rating. There are certain key words to understand as well. And a lot of things are detailed on a sticker that you can find on an SUV's door jamb.
The total weight of the vehicle, including passengers, goods, and the tongue weight of the trailer.
GVWR
The weight of the vehicle when it is empty plus the weight of any payload is the gross vehicle weight rating. Alternatively put, the weight of a fully loaded vehicle.
GCWR
The maximum loaded trailer weight is added to the GVWR to determine the gross combined weight rating.
The Payload: Why Is It Important?
Knowing the payload of the tow vehicle is crucial because it takes into account the tongue weight of the trailer, or the amount of weight the trailer is pressing against the hitch. It ought to be between 10% and 15% of the total weight of the trailer. Therefore, the tongue weight on the hitch of an SUV pulling a 5,000-pound trailer should be roughly 500 pounds. How much payload is still available to transport people and goods after that?
Let's imagine the payload of the SUV is 1,200 pounds. It implies you can pull a 5,000-pound trailer while hauling 700 pounds of cargo and passengers without exceeding your vehicle's payload capacity. The majority of towing-engineered vehicles will have a suitable cushion to transport passengers and luggage. However, if you intend to transport numerous passengers as well as large cargo, check sure the SUV's payload rating is adequate.
Favorite Full-Size SUVs for Towing
A 10,000-pound towing capacity
MSRP: $58,995 | Rating: 4.7
The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, with a staggering 10,000 pounds of towing capability, is the SUV with the largest capacity. The iconic Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer nameplate are making a comeback for the 2022 model year, and Jeep really went big with their reintroduction. These SUVs are the most opulent vehicles that have ever worn the Jeep name in addition to being the first full-size models the brand has had in its lineup since 1991. The Ford Expedition and the Chevy Tahoe are competitors for the Wagoneer, while the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade are rivals for the Grand Wagoneer.
The Ford Expedition
9,300 pound maximum towing weight
Rating: 4.8 | MSRP: $52,620
For 2022, the Ford Expedition underwent a comprehensive redesign that included new tech features inside the cabin, updated infotainment, and modified front-end aesthetics. The upgraded Platinum trim level, the Stealth Performance package, and the new Timberline variant (which replaces the FX4 from last year) are also available. The extraordinary power of the Expedition, however, has not changed. You can tow up to 9,300 pounds with the Expedition, or 9,000 with the long-wheelbase Expedition Max. Ford's potent twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine powers both of them, producing 470 lb-ft of torque (480 lb-ft on Platinum trim versions) at an incredibly low 2,250 rpm. The 10-speed automatic's precisely spaced ratios maximize the torque to the fullest. You can purchase a higher-output version of this starting in 2022. A new, higher-output version of this engine with 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque is available for the 2022 Timberline and Stealth.
GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe in 2022
capacity to tow 8,400 pounds
MSRP: $50,500; 4.6 out of 5 stars (Tahoe)
MSRP: $52,500 | 4.5 out of 5 (Yukon)
The Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon share a common basis, while having differing designs, interiors, trim levels, and equipment. This explains why the towing capability of these two variants is equal. For 2021, the Tahoe and Yukon underwent major redesigns that included a brand-new chassis with four-wheel independent suspension. The smaller V8 engines in these SUVs are the ones that have the greatest towing capacity. If you want a car with a maximum towing capability of 8,400 pounds, go for a Tahoe or Yukon with a 5.3-liter V8 and rear-wheel drive. The highest amount of weight you can pull with 4-wheel drive is 8,200 pounds. Additionally, you can tow 8,100 pounds if you select the 6.2-liter V8 with 4WD and 420 horsepower. The rating is 8,000 pounds when the 3.0 liter turbodiesel and four-wheel drive are used.
A 8,000-pound towing capacity
Rating: 4.4 | MSRP: $86,900
For 2022, the Lexus LX will be completely redesigned and will in some aspects take the position of the Toyota Land Cruiser in the United States. In actuality, the LX shares a platform with the international Land Cruiser, which won't be arriving in America. A powerful 409 horsepower, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 479 lb-ft of torque powers the LX. A 10-speed automatic transmission powers this powerplant. The LX is well-equipped out of the box, having 4-wheel drive and standard trailer sway control. Thus, each LX is capable of towing 8,000 pounds. It's interesting to note that the 2022 LX's starting price is only roughly $1,300 higher than the current Land Cruiser. It's a pricey SUV, to be sure, but it's also a full-size, luxurious, capable, and powerful vehicle that carries the Lexus reputation for dependability.
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