Any recommendations on the best mid size SUV to tow a 19.5 ft Bass Boat?

My wife has a 2017 ‘ 4 runner -not terribly impressed with the power to tow especially going up hills. Considering a mid size SUV -( Cherokee, Durango,,,etc…) if you are towing a dual axle trailer with a 19.5 ft bass boat / 200 Hp outboard - how is the performance towing with either of those above mentioned vehicles ? Is there another midsize SUV that you feel will adequately do the job? I have had Ford explorers before in the past was never impressed with them either. Currently have an 07 Yukon Dinali XL. Considering selling it and getting either a midsize SUV or going with something like a Tahoe sport or Yukon sport….open to others advice opinions on a mid size suv?
Lastly how is the 5.3 L V8 in a 2016 and newer for towing in a Tahoe /Yukon if I go that route and what is a good rear end towing 3.42 good?

Durangos tow great. I use a 2014 v6 SXT (base model) and have never had an issue, nor have I ever felt it was under powered or didn’t have the ability to stop. Total tow package weight is around 3500-3600lbs, mpg is around 20-23 normal driving and 16-19mpg towing.

i went with the Durango over a Jeep GC because at the time they were cheaper. Now the GC seems to cost less and there’s a lot more available, just make sure they have the factory tow package.

we have had the Durango for over 5 years now and the only issues we’ve had was the rear AC line rusted out and had 2 misfires. Other than that, it’s been nothing but normal maintenance.

we’re looking at replacing the Durango once it’s paid off to take advantage of a higher trade in value. They’re costing about 10k more now than what we paid for ours back in 2018, and at that price it opens up a lot of options. Toyota Highlander & 4Runner, Subaru Ascent, Jeep GC and Gladiators, Kia Tellurides etc. if you want long term reliability, stick with the 4Runner you have now.

Isn’t a Tahoe/Yukon a full size suv? If you’re actually looking for midsize I think I’d go with a Durango or something like that

See if you can find a used pedal commander or someone that will let you try one at least on the 4runner before you spend money. Yes, it could stand more power, but alot of the low power driving experience is due to the pedal tuning Toyota did in the 2014 refresh. They did the same thing that year with the tundra refresh to try to appease cafe standards thinking less pedal response would eek out 1 more mpg.
I pulled my 21' boat many many miles with my 16' 4runner before swapping to a tundra to pull a camper.

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Originally Posted by ECobb91

Durangos tow great. I use a 2014 v6 SXT (base model) and have never had an issue, nor have I ever felt it was under powered or didn’t have the ability to stop. Total tow package weight is around 3500-3600lbs, mpg is around 20-23 normal driving and 16-19mpg towing.

i went with the Durango over a Jeep GC because at the time they were cheaper. Now the GC seems to cost less and there’s a lot more available, just make sure they have the factory tow package.

we have had the Durango for over 5 years now and the only issues we’ve had was the rear AC line rusted out and had 2 misfires. Other than that, it’s been nothing but normal maintenance.

we’re looking at replacing the Durango once it’s paid off to take advantage of a higher trade in value. They’re costing about 10k more now than what we paid for ours back in 2018, and at that price it opens up a lot of options. Toyota Highlander & 4Runner, Subaru Ascent, Jeep GC and Gladiators, Kia Tellurides etc. if you want long term reliability, stick with the 4Runner you have now.

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If you are getting that type of mileage while towing, I would never get rid of it.

You could look at the new Toyota Land Cruiser coming out next year. 4 CYL Turbo Hybrid with 326 HP and 465 FT/LBs and 6000 LB towing capacity.

https://pressroom.toyota.com/2024-to...DA0OC42MC4wLjA.

2016 Durango R/T with ~120,000 miles. 16-17mpg towing down I95 to North Carolina and Back. 13-14MPG towing around home through hills and town/traffic. 18mpg to/from work on backroads. Up to 24mpg on highway not towing. Have never felt like I needed more power.

Use 2019 GMC Acadia to pull my 19 footer. Its does great job pulling but it does push you when coming to stop. You would have to make sure your trailer brakes are functioning. MIne were out for awhile and it wasn't great. Wouldn't want to pull full time without. Other that that, it does good job. Mileage isnt great. 14-15 MPG.

I towed with a 2014 Durango Limited that was a 2wd and had the 5.7 Hemi - was a great vehicle and I wouldn't hesitate to own another one! Gas mileage wasn't the best, but I never had any issues towing a 19' boat with it. Through the hills and small mountains it was actually a blast to drive when not towing! I would think a Grand Cherokee would also be fine.

I have a buddy who tows his 20' Ranger with a Kia Telluride and it does fine. It doesn't have the same power/torque that a V8 does, but it wasn't sluggish either...

5.3 with 3.42 gears has 355 horsepower and upper 300s torque. Easily pulls bigger boats than yours. For best towing performance, use the gear selector to drop down one north from overdrive: for example, in a 6-speed select L5. Should get 13-ish mpg and will have plenty of power. I *wish* I had Tahoe/Yukon money, however. And yes, I’d consider those full-sized SUVs.

explorer with the v6 ecoboost all day every day..

Anyone tow a 18ft bass boat with a Mazda CX5 ? Thinking about getting wife one , and wondering how it would tow my boat ?

I just got my wife a new GC L. It is rated for 6500 with the factory tow package. Hers does not have the tow package and I didn't get it as I didn't feel it necessary since I have my truck. However if it did and I ran in the need to, I don't think I would hesitate to put my Skeeter ZXR 20 behind it. I don't think you would want to go run 80 mph with it but if you drove it correctly it would pull fine and be safe.

Jeep Grand Cherokee track hawk should do the job.

The Tahoe/Yukon is a full size SIV.

I have a 2013 5.7 Durango. Tows like a champ but gas mileage is not good. Around town 14+, hwy 18, towing local 11-12mpg. Speed is a huge factor. Constant speed does much better. I drove 2000 miles to get my boat and averaged close to 21. The return trip brought the over all average down to 16+ which was huge considering I had to go through mts in Colorado. In hindsight, I wish I got a 6cyl. Over the years I would have saved a ton in gas although the 13,000 ft elevations coming home would have been very hard to get through. The 5.7L even had trouble making power up there. My bud tows local with the 6cyl, and I see no difference in power yet his mileage is substantially better than mine.

Nothing in today's market will be as reliable as that 4Runner!!

I’m not saying any of this to poo on your thread. IMO if you aren’t towing a lot I’d probably sacrifice a little towing power to keep the 4 runner. Unless you don’t like it for other reasons. IMO the 5.3 while adequate is kind of a turd towing. It makes good power but you need to be at 4k tpms to start to be in the power on those. I don’t miss mine one bit.

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Originally Posted by dukhntr

Nothing in today's market will be as reliable as that 4Runner!!

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Agreed, and while it’s not going to win any races it’ll pull just fine. If you’ve jacked it up and put big tires then all bets are off. If it’s stock just pull in 4th which is a direct 1-1 gear.

If you want more and excellent reliability look at a GX460 which is the same platform gussied up with a V8 that calls for premium fuel at 17 mpg overall. It gets a 6500 pound rating.

4runner

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Originally Posted by okiebass

Anyone tow a 18ft bass boat with a Mazda CX5 ? Thinking about getting wife one , and wondering how it would tow my boat ?

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No way I would tow without the 2.5 turbo in that (so not the 2.5 base). I'd still feel more comfortable with a tin rig towing even with the turbo tbh, wheelbase is a bit snug

Well I have to be honest I have a little egg on my face. And here is why I have read many time some complaints about the newer 4runner's being doggy. Well my 2023 is compared to my 2008 I still have is a brute compared to the 2023.

After some research it appears that Toyota has changed the throttle profile and the new profile sucks! Can't understand why they would do that. My 2008 has the same drivetrain as the 2023. If you stand on the throttle on the 2008 it will break the tires loose if there is any painted lines or anything slick at all. The 2023 you stand on it and its like what you want it now then its spools up and if you leave it on the floor it will pull pretty good but its like 0 to 20mph is like a 1992 Shadow 4cylinder non turbo with the ac on. Then it goes.

So I started looking at a fix for the issue with the 2023. After reading and watching some videos about the "Pedal Commander" I've ordered one and fairly confident it will fix the issue between the 2023 performance and the 2008. If it doesn't fix it I will report it but I really don't expect that to be the case. Trailgridpro has a nice discount on them.

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Originally Posted by okiebass

Anyone tow a 18ft bass boat with a Mazda CX5 ? Thinking about getting wife one , and wondering how it would tow my boat ?

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Do you know the weight of your boat? I’ve towed a 17’ 6” tin boat with a 2009 V6 Escape and I think the CX-5 is the successor to the Mazda Tribute that was an Escape clone until about 10 years ago. I think the CX-5 would be marginal as it’s only rated for towing 2,000 lbs. The CX-50 is rated up to 3,500 lbs.

No i dont know weight , its a 364 ranger . I will still have my truck but just wondered how it would do in a pinch .

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Originally Posted by okiebass

No i dont know weight , it’s a 364 ranger . I will still have my truck but just wondered how it would do in a pinch .

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I’m all for towing with SUVs, but that would be a heck no for me. A CX-5 has a tow capacity of 2000lbs, your boat is probably around 2500-2700lb trailer weight. The hull itself is about 1200lbs.

I tow a tr21 with a 2014 4runner it does ok Im not winning any races but Im not in a hurry either

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Originally Posted by okiebass

Anyone tow a 18ft bass boat with a Mazda CX5 ? Thinking about getting wife one , and wondering how it would tow my boat ?

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You should've started your own post and not posted on Creekchub's. Now you have others answering you on his post. be considerate

Creekchub,

You asked about a Cherokee, I hope you meant a Grand Cherokee. they are great vehicles. We have a 2013 GC Trailhawk with a Hemi. I tow a G3 Sportsman 17 and don't even fell it on there. We just purchased a 2023 but not for towing. Don't even think about the Cherokee or Compass in the Jeep lineup, they have a terrible resale value, the worst of all vehicles actually. As a couple above stated, the Durango is similar to the Grand Cherokee. But if you don't need a third row, the Grand Cherokee would be a bit less in the pocketbook.
Another vehicle I'd look at is the new Nissan Pathfinder. it's got plenty of room and the Rock Creek model has a tow package.