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Old 10-28-2001, 12:47 AM   #1
Sean
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Question I Need a support vehicle that can tow an Impreza and seat six that my wife can drive.

OK, I drive/race an MY98 Impreza 2.2 OBS and the wife drives an MY00 New Beetle 1.8T. Basically, the Impreza doesn't have enough room to comfortably transport all the gear required for a family day of competition...race tires, EZUP Tent, chairs, table, tools, cooler, etc. We need to find a support vehicle that can tow the Impreza on an open trailer. All of the above mentioned gear will be stored on the trailer or in the Impreza during transport to make room for people in the vehicle.

The kicker is that this will be the wife's kid hauler as well. Our friends just had twins so a requirement is that the support vehicle must be able to be easily driven by my petite wife and carry four adults and two children. I would prefer not to own a minivan or full sized van because I'd like to be able to take it offroad and would like to keep the price under $30k. Are there any used SUVs out there that would fit this category?

So, we need something that can tow at least 5500 pounds that isn't an annoying beast on the road. I wouldn't feel comfortable with my wife driving a huge Expedition or something, but I'm afraid that's the only camp we'll be able to follow. Can anyone of you think of anything used out there that's small, powerful and can seat six?

Thanks...

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Old 10-28-2001, 01:14 AM   #2
silverbullit
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get a durango with a the 5.9 liter v8. can really haul a ton of weight. and has third row seating.
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Old 10-28-2001, 08:44 AM   #3
K-WRX
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Thumbs up Re: Tow vehicle

Ditto on the Durango (my former car) - it's smaller than the big land yachts, but with the big V8 and trailer package, it can haul as much as those big boys.
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Old 10-28-2001, 10:09 AM   #4
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Here's a few more....

GMC Envoy .... small but tows enough
GMC Jimmy .... big enough, tows enough, but ugly
GMC Yukon (not XL) ..... pretty decent for your purposes, huge towing capacity with the V8
Toyota Land Cruiser.... good seating, good towing, but pricey
Toyota Sequoia ..... also good but HUGE... Suburban/Denali size
Chevy TrailBlazer.... very cool, seats 6, tows 6400 with the 4.10 rear end

there are many more.... stay away from Mitsubishi, they can't tow very well.
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Old 10-28-2001, 11:44 AM   #5
montgog
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Don't get a SUV to pull with. Get a crew cab truck with a diesel engine. You won't notice the trailer your pullin. Some actually get better gas mileage than a SUV loaded. My 2 cents worth.
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Old 10-28-2001, 02:53 PM   #6
Ikonosin
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Toyota Sequoia ..... also good but HUGE... Suburban/Denali size , actually the Sequoia is more Tahoe/Yukon sized. I would stay away from Blazer/Jimmy, just because they are weak. My personal choice is for a Tahoe/Yukon. They have plenty of room, plenty of power, and lots of cool aftermarket goodies.

Scott
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Old 10-28-2001, 04:18 PM   #7
ChrisDP
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My friend Warren had been trailering his ITR with a Durango 5.9, but recently gave up on it. He burnt up a rear differential amonst the other slew of problems he had with it. They're huge and a bit unwieldy, but you might want to look into a used turbodiesel Suburban. My brother has a '94 that we've towed some very heavy things with. Gets great gas mileage, and you wouldn't even feel the car behind you. It's just a little slower than it normally is.
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Old 10-28-2001, 04:23 PM   #8
Sean
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Talking Keep em' coming!

Thanks for the suggestions...but for the crew cab suggestion, uhm, how am I going to sit six in a crew cab?

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Old 10-28-2001, 04:38 PM   #9
ryball
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Ahh! Bench seats!!!
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Old 10-28-2001, 07:52 PM   #10
dch
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Stay away from the Durwango, although the munchkins may fit in the back seat if they're not too tall yet. For a civil 4-door that can haul try the F150 Supercrew, or if you don't mind Battlestar Galactica styling, one of the other makes. Minivans are tough to work with when it comes to pulling, the Astro van is about the only one I can think of that even rates at all. A full size van, Expedition, Subeerban, and so on are your other choices (as well as your standard crew cab pickup which will be slightly longer and less maneuverable than the supercrew thingies, but can be had with beefier motor and suspension). Definitely stay away from the smaller stuff like the Jimmy and Exploder though, they're too light duty.

-DougWhoTowsLotsOfStuffAndWantsAFreightliner!
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Old 10-29-2001, 12:12 PM   #11
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If you can find one, Land Rover Defender 110. I knew someone who was driving one pulling a Defender 90 on a trailer.
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Old 10-29-2001, 01:45 PM   #12
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110s are awesome! Would be perfect. Good luck trying to find one. You might end up spending allmost$30K for an older one that is straight and fixed up right. The older deisel Suburbans are incredable machines, but can be quite beastly to handle and maintain. A Durango would be good, but I know an equestrian that has had nothing but problems related to towing with hers (transmision, brakes, rear diff etc..). You should be able to get a decent Tahoe/Yukon for under $30k much better for towing, but still kinda large and doesen't really safely seat six unless you get an XL or Suburban. Anything smaller and I think you'd have trouble with everything you want to haul plus towing. How bout an Escalade with dubs? ***bling***bling***

I say save yourself (and your marriage) some greif and get her some type of wagon SUV thing (Forester, Outback, Axium) Split the difference between that and the OBS for people and gear hauling. Put the wives and kids in the suv/wagon with the clean food type gear. Fold down the seats and load up the OBS with your tires and other stuff and hit the road with your bud. All you need is some family cb radios and you'll be all set. I just think it'd look kinda silly trailering an OBS to the track. It's not like it's some kinda race prepped track only car?

Last edited by jaybird; 10-29-2001 at 01:51 PM.
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Old 10-29-2001, 01:48 PM   #13
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What's the $ budget here Sean?
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Old 10-29-2001, 02:30 PM   #14
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Hummer?
the h2 one is coming out this spring/summer i think.

Escalade?
hmm, 12mpg ain't too hot

If it were between a subarban and durango. I'd go for the subarban. Not too wild about the durango, but's that my opinion. i grew up on subarban's so i'm a little bit biased.
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Old 10-29-2001, 02:36 PM   #15
Patrick Olsen
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http://www.corner-carvers.com/forum/...ML/001577.html
http://www.corner-carvers.com/forum/...ML/001600.html

A couple of good tow vehicle discussions from corner-carvers.com. Basically, from what I've read on cc.com and on the two open track emailing lists I'm on, if you're going to get a tow vehicle, you have to get a real tow vehicle. The mid-size SUVs (Explorers, Durangos, Envoys, Trailblazers, etc) in the past few years have added more power and claim high tow ratings, but they just can't hack the abuse in the long run. If we lived in the flat Midwest, maybe you'd be OK with one of the small SUVs, but here in the Northeast all the hills and valleys will wreak havoc on the drivetrain and brakes of an SUV that does much towing.

I guess it depends on (1) how much you're willing to spend, and (2) how much towing are you really going to do.

Pat Olsen
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Old 10-29-2001, 03:12 PM   #16
Thug
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Diesel, diesel, diesel, diesel. Did I mention diesel?

I wouldnt go with a Durango. Make sure you get something based on a full size truck, which the Durango is not. We tow the GTX with Ed's Explorer and it can get sketchy at times. You really do need a pickup when it comes down to it. You end up bringing so many spares to rallies because you will break the part you didnt bring. You really need the bed.
Did I mention I have an F-350 7.3L turbo diesel for sale?
Actually, that makes me think I should post it for sale in NESIC.....
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Old 10-29-2001, 05:30 PM   #17
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I've seen more then a few folks try to haul with too little truck. It can get expensive quick. Any of the major manufacturers offer some very nice crew cab trucks with turbo-diesel motors. Most are offering killer financing and at invoice prices too.

Our family has two new F-250 Super Duties with the turbo-diesel and one Chevy 2500 Heavy Duty with the new turbo-diesel. We drove the Dodge and preferred the other brands. Final decision came down to price. The Ford was less expensive then the Chevy.

At the moment my wife's F-250 is the mileage king. We generally get 18 mpg with forays into the 20s. It is a big truck, but she drives very easily. Once you are used to the dimensions, its a cakewalk.

If you ever need to haul more poundages... you don't have to worry. You have a truck capable of it.

Get the bench seat front and rear and you have room for six. If the kids get too rambunctious - throw 'em in the bed.

Oh, and my wife also picked her truck up for $7.00 under dealer invoice.

Remember, when you are hauling you also need to consider the wheelbase of the trailer and the tow vehicle too.

If you get a good wench you can forego 4 wheel drive too.

Good luck!

Regards,

Tim K.
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Old 10-29-2001, 09:48 PM   #18
randy zimmer
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Default tow rig/mommycar

I thought this was a Subaru site!
All you guys must have small balls 'cause you need such giant trucksters.
I tow my Sube with a '93 2.2 Legacy wagon I got on Ebay for peanuts. Turned 200,000 mi on the last trip back from Chatanooga and its going back there this Friday (from Buffalo, NY).
This is a car the wifey will love to drive and park. No ladder required to get in and out, reliable, 4wd, disk brakes all around.
It gets 23 mpg on the road (and when I get there, the rally'ns EZer than the tow there.
Keeps me from dozin off though.)
The trick is a tough/light trailer with the right tongue weight.
Sure the tires are under rated for a 2800# Impreza but it keeps up with traffic and passes most of it. Stay away from big potholes or you'll need to change the blown tire.

http://www.randyzimmer.com/video/swi...e_trailer3.jpg

Someday I'm getting trailer brakes.
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Old 10-29-2001, 11:18 PM   #19
dch
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Hmmm... Randy, I seem to recall a story you were telling about your trip to/from Cherokee Trails where you drove the rally car for a while to give the Legacy a break. If you really have seen my balls then I guess I'll need to press stalking charges , but nonetheless my suggestion was based on a real tow vehicle. Have you seen the mountain passes on the way to/from Wild West?! I pity the fool what flogs a Legacy pulling a rally car through there (especially without trailer brakes !).

-Doug "Yes, I Said Freightliner" Havir
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Old 10-29-2001, 11:31 PM   #20
randy zimmer
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Doug,
Love that purple guy!

Great to see your car's done and you're doin' well.
Any more events for you this year?
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Old 10-30-2001, 02:46 AM   #21
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The big fords are sweet, but you likely could get by with just an explorer w the V8.

Honestly even a Crown Vic would be plenty for a tow vehicle if you run a light trailer. If you run a huge equpment trailer to haul the car you will need a larger truck to pull it. Just remeber that you need to have the whole rig set up RIGHT if you are going to tow even close to the tow vehicles wieght. I've seen plenty of people with alot of trouble when they towed 5-6K lbs behind a 4K bs 1st gen explorer and they got something wrong, like tonge wieght. Usualy the police have to file a report as the truck, or the trailer breaks, or they roll the whole thing some where.
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Old 10-30-2001, 09:04 AM   #22
Tim K.
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We all know Randy is insane... This is proof!
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Old 10-30-2001, 02:12 PM   #23
dch
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I think I'm done for the year Randy. Actually my car is for sale, first $30,000 takes it home. I'm looking to move into an as yet undisclosed professionally built open class car (yes it's a Subaru) for next year. I think I'll end up renting something for Sno*Drift though, as the new car won't be ready until Cherokee Trails. Maybe if I put a hitch on the rally car, Sean could justify buying it as a tow vehicle...

-Doug
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Old 10-30-2001, 05:42 PM   #24
randy zimmer
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Default rally tow car

Doug,
Then he could use the guy to describe his situation.
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Old 11-05-2001, 05:14 PM   #25
randy zimmer
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Default towing with a reasonable car

OK all you skeptics,
just got back from Tenn.
1700 miles
20mpg
no oil consumption
averaged 75 mph
never lower than 4th gear on any hill

all with a 93 2.2 wagon bought from EBay at $1800.
also, it turned 204,000 during the trip.
lost a dash bulb behind the tach.

The trailer didn't do as well, it lost a hub in Columbus on the way down (previous damage from a spin last year I guess).
It gave plenty of warning - I ignored it from home till it failed (250mi) wondering?"Hmmmm, I don't remember so much tire rumble" and then turning up the volume.
It was cool at the fuel up but the tire flew off and the inner bearing had worn a deep groove in the hub.
Without the loose bearing, it would have been a trouble free trip with an Impreza on the back - same as the other 10 trips this season.
Death to SUVs!
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