AlexJ wrote:
My tow vehicle is being replaced, ram 1500. I would like to replace it with an SUV. Any suggestions out there?
Since you are replacing a truck, I'd suggest a truck based SUV. Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban, Yukon XL, Expedition, EL.
I'm a GM guy and just bought another Suburban. I went with a 2011 1/2 ton this time as I am keeping the old '99 3/4 ton with the 454 for the heavier hauling requirements.
The 1/2 ton with the towing packages (K5L) is rated to tow 8,000 lbs. I towed a 7x16 enclosed trailer 600+ miles a few weeks ago. The Suburban towed it great, but we were fighting headwinds and the fuel mileage was really poor (8.5-9 mpg @ 65-67). It was also cold (10-15F) which actually seems to make a bigger impact on mileage than the weight being pulled. The trailer was empty (2600 lbs) for 300 miles and loaded (5000 lbs) for the rest, mileage was the same.
Just took the Suburban on a 3500 mile round trip vacation (not towing) and got a high of 21 mpg and a low 14.5 of mpg. Temperature and winds were the only major differences.