Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

[JB]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

The Highlander is the best choice of your listings, for a lot of reasons.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

Snce the OP wanted comments on ONLY the three vehicles he listed, I will comment on one that I have personal experience with -- not a good experience I might add. My brother owns a Highlander V6 and I had the opportunity (use the word loosely) to drive this vehicle to Colorado from Minnesota. Four folks and loaded with luggage. I have never driven such a worthless vehicle in the my life. This thing has a very busy transmission and it was constantly shifting on even the slightest grades. After the first few rest stops even my wife commented about how annoying it was riding in this thing. I can't imagine that vehicle being a very capable tow vehicle, especially at the weights you intend to try and tow. Fuel economy was barely above 20 MPH with that load and in comparison, that same trip with my GMC Yukon produced that kind of fuel economy (on a 3400 mile road trip) and with a heck of a lot more comfort. Small vehicles can be made to tow but they are all a compromise and can be dangerous when approaching the maximum tow rating. As for AWD, 4WD, RWD or FWD, if traction is a major consideration (slimmy, sandy boat ramps, winter driving) then AWD/4WD is a must. Otherwise RWD with limited slip/locking dif. will work with tires that have an aggressive tread pattern. FWD is not a good tow vehicle -- period.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

roscoe, I launch and load my boat at unimproved launch sites several times a year and I am confident doing this in remote areas with my AWD. Now you've met one. Glad to know you. I've also pulled my boat on snow and ice but that is a location hazard that Canadians have.
The reason that AWD is better than 4WD for towing is it adds stability to the tow vehicle by distributing tire load and traction in dry conditions as well as loose or slippery conditions. A 4WD does not do this. In fact you are often better to tow with your vehicle in 4WD if you are towing on gravel roads instead of 2WD if that is an option. Again, there are a lot of gravel roads up here. On a sandy beach or a dirt/mud launch the tires will make a bigger difference than anything else as smokingcrater suggested.
The boat I tow is almost 5000# with trailer and gear so it's quite a bit heavier than than the OP, Bassmantweed, is looking at and it is easily towed with a Saab 9-7x with a 4.2 which spends over 95% of its life as a daily driver. The trailer is a tandem axle so that helps stability some but sway is not a problem with my relatively short wheelbase vehicle. I have complete confidence that he will survive towing without a lifted diesel dually crew cab and will enjoy parking something smaller at the mall. The AWD will help it tow, and as a daily driver.
I competed in Pro Rally for more than a decade in 2WD and AWD vehicles. AWD's can be very good. Sorry for the long post.

Nice to meet you too rallyart.

Glad to hear the Saab/Chevrolet/GMC works as well as it does, makes me feel better about mine .
Sorry the platform has been dropped too.

I run gravel roads a lot myself.
But I only do about 400 miles on the "logging" "roads" of NW Ontario each year.

 

[backyardhockey2]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

V8 4Runner. Oil cooler and trans cooler standard. 4wd. Plenty o' power. I pull a 18' V8 I/O on a steel trailer hundreds of miles and forget it's there. Not a pickup, but given your listings this should get a look. No issue in 2' of snow and the rear window goes down.

 

[3gsdad]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

Grub,

I said is was good not great. It is no full size V8 but it gets the job done. I do live in Fl and it is flat, also I don't have far to get to the ramp. If my boat were bigger or I had further to travel I think I would get a full size pickup.

Bassman
My 4runner is a Limited 4x4 with the E-lock rear end. 4runners have landcruiser frames, suspension and running gear (mine has 4.30s from the factory) with a tacoma engine. most people think a 4runner is mostly tacoma when it is acually mostly a landcruiser. Tacomas are built in america 4runers are built in Japan so buid quality on 4runners are excelent. It will pull the boat fine. it will however only stop the boat OK. We take it slow and leave plenty of space. I don't have to travel far though.
What year are you looking for? in 03 they started offering the 4runner with a V8. The new body style starting in 09' is even better for towing.
I agree with what was said about the highlader, had one of those and it is a car, I can't imagine it would tow very well.
Had a fronteir that has the same motor as the pathfinder and hands down the 4runner is better.

 

[bassmantweed]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

Grub,

I said is was good not great. It is no full size V8 but it gets the job done. I do live in Fl and it is flat, also I don't have far to get to the ramp. If my boat were bigger or I had further to travel I think I would get a full size pickup.

Bassman
My 4runner is a Limited 4x4 with the E-lock rear end. 4runners have landcruiser frames, suspension and running gear (mine has 4.30s from the factory) with a tacoma engine. most people think a 4runner is mostly tacoma when it is acually mostly a landcruiser. Tacomas are built in america 4runers are built in Japan so buid quality on 4runners are excelent. It will pull the boat fine. it will however only stop the boat OK. We take it slow and leave plenty of space. I don't have to travel far though.
What year are you looking for? in 03 they started offering the 4runner with a V8. The new body style starting in 09' is even better for towing.
I agree with what was said about the highlader, had one of those and it is a car, I can't imagine it would tow very well.
Had a fronteir that has the same motor as the pathfinder and hands down the 4runner is better.

Thanks. This is exactly what i needed to hear. I am looking at an 2011. The one i want is only offered in v but i think i have made up my mind. This thread confirmed what I kinda already knew coming in. Highlander is more of a car and 4runner is better suited.

 

[Cincyrunner]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

Snce the OP wanted comments on ONLY the three vehicles he listed, I will comment on one that I have personal experience with -- not a good experience I might add. My brother owns a Highlander V6 and I had the opportunity (use the word loosely) to drive this vehicle to Colorado from Minnesota. Four folks and loaded with luggage. I have never driven such a worthless vehicle in the my life. This thing has a very busy transmission and it was constantly shifting on even the slightest grades. After the first few rest stops even my wife commented about how annoying it was riding in this thing. I can't imagine that vehicle being a very capable tow vehicle, especially at the weights you intend to try and tow. Fuel economy was barely above 20 MPH with that load and in comparison, that same trip with my GMC Yukon produced that kind of fuel economy (on a 3400 mile road trip) and with a heck of a lot more comfort. Small vehicles can be made to tow but they are all a compromise and can be dangerous when approaching the maximum tow rating. As for AWD, 4WD, RWD or FWD, if traction is a major consideration (slimmy, sandy boat ramps, winter driving) then AWD/4WD is a must. Otherwise RWD with limited slip/locking dif. will work with tires that have an aggressive tread pattern. FWD is not a good tow vehicle -- period.

I'm sorry you've have a bad experience with the Highlander, but I can only assume your brother must have bought a lemon out of the lot. I own an '09 Highlander and not only is it one of the smoothest SUV's on the road, getting gas mileage in the 23 mpg range when loaded with 4 pax and luggage, it is also a very capable tow vehicle up to rated load capacity. I regularly tow a 19' bowrider on a tandom axle trailer to anywhere I need to go boating. Now granted, I haven't taken it on any long trips, nor will I ever need to regardless of what vehicle I have. But I do live in SW Ohio, that has some very hilly terrain (not flat ground like FL). That being said, I agree that there are other more capable tow vehicles on the market, but as long as I tow within the load limit and reasonable driving speed, the Highlander will definitely get the job done. Now I can't drive 80 mph on the freeways as some people do, but like I said, if I drive within reason, it's a good tow vehicle. TrailerBoat magazine did a review of the '08 Highlander, pulling a 19' boat and it got good reviews. Now I don't buy vehicles on consumer or magazine reviews, so please don't think this article was my sole research I did when I was looking to buy. I simply buy a vehicle that meets my needs and the Highlander has done it's job quite well.

http://www.trailerboats.com/output.cfm?id=1675315

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

I am looking at the following vehicles:

1. Toyota Highlander - V6 - AWD and rated at 5000 lbs towing <<<< Crossover based on Unibody
2. Nissan Pathfinder - V6 - AWD and rated at 6000 lbs towing <<<<<<<<<< Could be unibody depends on the year
3. Toyota 4Runner - V6 - RWD with manual 4WD rated at 5000 lbs towing <<<<<<<< Real full frame

I am looking seriously at the highlander as it is the most family friendly car and sharpest looking in my opinion. My old school mind is thinking that RWD (4Runner) SUV's were better for towing than AWD SUV's...... with all of the advancements in technology is this still true?

I will be pulling a 2800 lb boat a 500 lb trailer and 180 lbs of gas outside of the car. (approx 3300 lbs)
I will be pulling a 700 lbs of family, dogs and gear in the car.

What would you do considering i want a car that will do the job without going monstrous ?

I have a 2000 4runner and very capable tow vehicle for under 5000 ........ when I need bigger with more power I use my K2500 Plow Truck with 4.10 gears

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

Highlander is more comfortable than 4 runner, but will fall on its face while towing anything heavy. AWD is not better for any towing application- you only want that for going up ramps and steep grades......outside of that you're just wasting fuel and wearing components early. Skip the crossovers like the Traverse, anything Ford and stick with a 4 runner. Only thing comparible to it that I've pulled with is a Trailblazer and it wasn't impressive. V8's aren't going to help you stop or control your load in a cross wind so just because it has more power doesn't mean you can tow more weight- that's a huge misconception.

Been in the car biz for a looooooong time, towed with many different vehicles and I think you're a go for the 4 runner or something similar that's built with truck components.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

After reading this thread, I'm sure glad I just bought a 2003 4Runner Limited with the V8. I have towed my 18' Crownline with a 1998 Envoy and had no problems whatsoever though. Wife just didn't like the Envoy that much due mostly to leg space on the passenger side. Been looking for a good deal on a 4Runner ever since I bought the Envoy. Now I need to sell the Envoy, asking $2900 if anybody knows anybody interested PM me.

 

[DanMC]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

Honda Pilot...or Honda Ridgeline...

 

[zopperman]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

Toyota 4runners are the greatest trucks ever produced.
Youll see I like to share this opinion on many posts in the trailers and towing section
BEtween me and my dad, we've had 12.
My last one went to 350,000 miles and towed frequently.
My current '03 is in amazing shape and pulling a trailer (1960's steel trailer with no brakes) and my 2000 pound boat up a giant hill feels like nothing. It gets 18 mpg towing (I have the v8 Limited) and about 19 regularly.

 

[bassmantweed]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

Toyota 4runners are the greatest trucks ever produced.
Youll see I like to share this opinion on many posts in the trailers and towing section
BEtween me and my dad, we've had 12.
My last one went to 350,000 miles and towed frequently.
My current '03 is in amazing shape and pulling a trailer (1960's steel trailer with no brakes) and my 2000 pound boat up a giant hill feels like nothing. It gets 18 mpg towing (I have the v8 Limited) and about 19 regularly.

I picked mine up yesterday and when I hooked it up it barley lowered my truck where as it seemed to squish my outback.

I will post towing comments on Sunday as we are heading out for a weekend of play!!!!

 

[zopperman]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

I picked mine up yesterday and when I hooked it up it barley lowered my truck where as it seemed to squish my outback.

I will post towing comments on Sunday as we are heading out for a weekend of play!!!!

Great to hear you made the right call What year/model/how many miles and such?

 

[bassmantweed]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

Great to hear you made the right call What year/model/how many miles and such?

2011 SR5 Metallic grey looks exactly like this:

 

[zopperman]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

God what a beauty

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Need help selecting a vehicle to tow a boat - RWD vs. AWD? Toyota or Nissan?

After reading this thread, I'm sure glad I just bought a 2003 4Runner Limited with the V8. I have towed my 18' Crownline with a 1998 Envoy and had no problems whatsoever though. Wife just didn't like the Envoy that much due mostly to leg space on the passenger side. Been looking for a good deal on a 4Runner ever since I bought the Envoy. Now I need to sell the Envoy, asking $2900 if anybody knows anybody interested PM me.

Your 98 Envoy was little more than an underpowered 4.3L Jimmy which was nothing special for towing but actually does ok around town. The new style Envoy wth 4.2 I6 is tons more powerful and has alot more torque......and that's from a guy who's owned both and sold plenty of both. 2900 is a good price for an suv of that era, though. Your wife may like the newer style way better.