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Tow Vehicle Recommendations?

D

Diane

Member
Hi, folks. My checkmate is wonderful and I finally got that Merc running fine and the summer has been great. Just one problem, and it's a big one. I was camping in Roscoe, NY last Friday night and the Beaver Kill River flooded. Got hauled out by firefighters after wading through raging river and had to leave my car behind. It's a total loss. It was a Toyota Camry and barely barely capable of towing the Mate.

So here's my question: what vehicle would you get that costs around $15,000 or less used and in great shape, that can tow at least $3000 pounds, carry 3 people comfortably, and would be good in snow and good for loading kayak on the roof. I'm thinking Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Chevy Trailblazer. But I sure would love something smaller since I commute about 75 miles each day. Any recommendations/advice welcome.

Here's where to see my photos of the flooded out car:Roscoe Flood

I'm just glad I left the Checkmate home this trip!

Diane
 
Sorry to see your loss, thats definitly a total loss... As a good compromise for your situation the Nissan Pathfinder with a 4cyl and a stick would fit the bill. Isuzu Rodeo 4cyl stick is another choice, I think illMATTic tows his predictor with an Isuzu. Me personaly, I'd go for the Trailblazer V6 automatic. If you got by with the Camry 4WD would not be a nessisity but, good luck finding 2WD SUV up north. Maryland and south 2WD's all over the place.
 
Trailblazer would be a good choice, another one to consider would be subaru, their 4wd system is very good reliability is great, and fuel economy is good also.
There are lots of subaru's on the road here in the upper midwest, and you know how our winters are.
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Sorry about the loss of your vehicle and other belongings, glad to hear you made it out ok.

Cars and belongings can always be replaced, life can not.
 
That Subaru Legacy Outback is another thought, they are real nice, have full time 4WD and great fuel economy. The question about the Subaru is would it be a suitable tow vehicle for Diane's TRI Mate...
 
Jeep Cherokee Sport would be a good option. You can pick them up reasonable just about anywhere. Their 4-wheel drive is second to none and it is just about impossible to get one stuck. I found one on eBay earlier this year. It is a 1997, loaded and in excellent condition. It had 86,000 miles on it when I bought it. I gave $4500 for it. If you budget is $15,000 you will easily be able to find one with low miles in mint condition. Just make sure it has the 4.0 inline 6 cylinder with the select track 4WD. They are also not too bad on gas, on the highway I get around 21 mpg with mine. If your looking for something with more luxury go with the Grand Cherokee, you will still be under your $15,000 budget.
 
I menyioned subaru earlier, but now that you mention it, I dont ever remember seeing one pulling anything, you may want to check into that. Another one to consider would be a Toyota 4-runner, the toyotas run forever and their reliability is excellent. (I have a cousin who has 300,000 mi on his and its still going strong)
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Hey Diane!

Sorry to hear about the car, but happy to hear you're ok.

Here's my .02 cents.

Rear wheel drive anything, is always preferable for towing.

I know the Chevy Astro Vans are pretty good for towing and hauling the family around.

The other members mentioned a bunch of good vehicles too. Sportutes are always good, although more expensive to buy and maintain.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. So far, Pathfinder, Trailblazer, and the Jeeps are probables. The 4runner is out of my price range in all but oldest models. The Subarus don't tow enough. Been there, done that.

Thanks for the support, guys. I appreciate it.
 
Very happy to hear your OK Diane, a car is just a stupid piece of metal and is replacable, a checkmate fan on the other hand is not.

Late year 2004 6cyl Escape is a good choice, it tows my chackmate fine with a full load. Dont buy earlier as they have an unresolved transmission issue, but mid 2004 they used a new tranny and its great. Mileage could be better but its a great truck.
 
Diane,
I just would like to caution you about the nissan Pathfinder I have had 3 of them and they all have been great trucks. But , the first thing you have to do if you buy one (if its an automatic) is put a trannie cooler in it. Especilly if your towing. What happins is the cooling lines from the transmission get clogged and fry the trans. about a 2800.00 repair. But a trannie cooler takes care of that and there not to expensive and any mechanic can install it if you don't do it yourself. And one other thing use only nissan automatic transmission fluid or it won't shift right when the weather is cold.
Good luck in your search.
 
Oh, one other thing about the pathfinder.

Gas milage
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Not good.

I have a full size chevy 4x4 with a 350cid and I think its a little bettet on gas than the pathfinder I traded in.Hope this helps.
 
had a ford bronco. great bear for towing, bought a pathfinder. Gas milies so so , gear ratio 4 to 2 which kills the miles per gallon .Can tow 5500 pounds.Also the 4 runmers are good too,
 
I would reccommend a Chevy or GMC short bed pickup with either a 4.3 V6 or the 5.4 V8 and the towing package. The 6 will get over 20 mpg and has enough power to pull the Mate. You can also add a topper to carry your canoe. You can find a new one for about $15,000 or $16,000. Good luck with what ever you buy.
 
Too bad youre so far away, I have a 03 Bravada that was a roll over that I repaired and would sell for around 10,000.00
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Thanks for the advice, folks. I ended up getting a 2002 Chevy Blazer 4X4 2 door. Needs a hitch put on but it's only got 26K miles and is in great shape. I got a good deal and am looking forward to being able to tow the Mate to new places!

Now, if I could just get the d*&^% insurance company to settle up!

Thanks again.

Diane
 
Put the big frame hitch on it - 5000lb capacity, and have the wiring harness set up so the plug end stays inside the vehicle when not in use. This will save you so many headaches. My Astro van has this and it solves all the corroision problems.
 
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