Shopping for a new tow vehicle? RV Lifestyle’s tech editor presents the highlights from this year’s major auto shows.

DaimlerChrysler
In our last issue, Andy Thomson wrote in detail about towing with the Chrysler 300C and the Dodge Magnum, both excellent tow vehicles for streamlined trailers. The new Dodge Charger, which should be available later this year, also offers the towing power of Chrysler’s Hemi engine, and should make an excellent tow platform. Reaction at the auto shows was overwhelmingly positive, and I look forward to test-driving one soon.

The Dodge Caravan has been with us for many years, but this year’s models offer the Stow-and-Go seats that fold into the floor to create more cargo space. Equipped with a trailer towing package, the Caravan can haul up to 3,800 pounds.

The Dodge Dakota compact truck also makes an excellent tow vehicle, with either its standard 3.7L V6 or the optional 4.7L Hemi V8, which will pull up to 7,000 pounds of loaded trailer.

Not much has changed for 2005 in the full-sized Ram trucks, which remain DaimlerChrysler’s answer for pulling heavy trailers. The Ram 1500 series, with a 5.7L engine, is rated to tow 9,250 pounds, while Quad cab 2500 trucks are capable of moving 11,200 pounds with the 5.7L Hemi engine, and a whopping 13,500 pounds if you opt for the 5.9L turbo diesel. The Ram 3500 series with turbo diesel engine can pull still more – up to 16,350 pounds.

The Jeep Liberty with the new 2.8L common rail diesel engine delivers the same 5,000 pound tow rating as the 3.7L gas engine model. This new diesel has the torque of a V8, the acceleration of a V6, and the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine. With a five-speed transmission and 3.73 rear axle ratio, the 2.8 develops 160 horsepower at 3,800 rpm, and a torque of 295 pounds-feet at 1,800 rpm.

Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first sport-utility vehicle to offer the Multi-Displacement System (MDS). MDS deactivates half the cylinders of the 5.7-liter Hemi during cruising and light acceleration to increase fuel economy by up to 20 percent while still offering 90 percent of peak torque from 2,400 to 5,100 rpm for highway passing. A sophisticated electronic throttle control system tailors throttle response to pedal movement based on operating conditions, and maintains more consistent cruise control performance on rolling grades than the former mechanical throttle control system. Trailer tow rating with the Hemi engine is 7,200 pounds.

Ford
Ford provides us with the Freestyle and Escape for towing light trailers. You can now purchase an Escape in a hybrid version that uses a smaller gas engine along with an electric motor to achieve the same acceleration and 3,500 pound towing capacity of the gas V6 model while saving fuel.

The Explorer pulls up to 7,140 pounds with 4.6L V8 while the larger Expedition can tow an 8,900 pound trailer with a 5.4L V8 engine. The upscale Lincoln Navigator has a slightly lower limit of 8,600 pounds, as it is a heavier vehicle.

At this year’s auto shows in Detroit and Toronto, we saw the new Lincoln Aviator concept vehicle and the Mark LT pickup, based on the F150 truck. Some versions of these will probably be available in the future when we want to tow in style. Another concept that was front and centre was the SuperCrew SVT Lightning, again based on the F150 chassis. This vehicle had a 5.4L V8 aluminum engine that could produce short bursts of extra power for passing or accelerating – as much as 50 horsepower – by using the air conditioning system to supercool the intake air for better combustion. Talk about a cool idea.

The new F350 SuperCab with single rear wheels and a 5.4L V8 engine can move a trailer of up to 11,700 pounds. With dual rear wheels and the 6.8L V10, you can haul 15,000 pounds along the highway. If you are going to pull that long fifth wheel trailer, an F450 Super cab and chassis combination might be right for you. The 6.8L V10 engine or the 6.0L turbo diesel can move 16,000 pounds. If you really are serious about spending time on the road, the F550 SuperCab with turbo diesel engine can move as much as 24,500 pounds of trailer. Ford trucks have the brake control integrated into the dash to get away from that add-on look when a normal controller is installed.

The new Land Rover LR3 comes with a 4.4L V8 that produces 300 horsepower and 315 pounds-feet of torque. It offers four-wheel electronic traction control, independent front and rear suspension with cross-linked air springs, four-wheel disc brakes and the capability to tow a trailer of up to 7,716 pounds.

The Range Rover Sport, an all-new sports SUV, is the best-performing and best-handling vehicle that the renowned sport-utility vehicle manufacturer has ever built. The top-line Range Rover Sport uses a specially-developed version of Jaguar’s acclaimed 4.2-litre supercharged V8 engine. Maximum power is 390 horsepower and maximum torque 410 pounds-feet. One of the most aerodynamic of all SUVs, the Range Rover Sport combines a smooth shape with powerful stance, muscular wheel-arches, a raked roof, and tailgate-mounted rear spoiler. The Range Rover Sport will be available in mid-2005.

General Motors
The new Chev Equinox has already proven popular with people looking for a compact SUV. With a 3.4L V6, the Equinox is a capable tow vehicle, able to haul up to 3,500 pounds. The similarly-sized GMC Canyon/Chevy Colorado pickups can pull a little more – up to 4,000 pounds.

The Pontiac Torrent and the Montana V6 small SUVs can be equipped with the optional Versatrak all-wheel-drive system. With the 3.5L V6 engine, they produce 185 horsepower and 210 pounds-feet of torque for a tow rating of 3,500 pounds.

For the heavier trailers, GM provides the GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado series of pull-size trucks, along with the Avalanche, Escalade and Suburban/Tahoe SUVs. The Avalanche, with a 6.0L V8 engine, is great for towing up to a 12,000 pound trailer, but the wings behind the cab prevent you from towing a fifth wheel.

The 1500 series Sierra/Silverado can haul up to 8,000 pounds with the base 4.8L V6. For heavier units, you will need to go to the 2500 series. One of my favourites in the GM line is the 2500HD with crew cab and an 8.1L engine, which will tow a 12,000 pound trailer. Or select the 6.6L turbo diesel engine to do the same job. If you tow a fifth wheel trailer, the rating goes up to 16,000 pounds.

The all new Hummer H3 will be available in the summer of 2005. It still looks like a Hummer with its imposing stance, but in a smaller version than the H2. It will have the 3500 series VTEC inline five-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing, which develops 220 horsepower and 225 pounds-feet of torque. Some of the options include heated leather seats, electric sliding sunroof and a touch-screen DVD based navigation system.

Honda
This year the Honda Odyssey won the award for Canadian Truck of the Year at the Toronto Auto Show. With its 3.5L engine, you can tow 3,500 pounds of trailer. The Honda Pilot small SUV has the same engine and towing capacity. By the time this issue is in print, we will have a new Honda Ridgeline truck to test towing a 5,000 pound trailer. This is Honda’s first truck, and they have done an excellent job in creating a vehicle that buyers will appreciate. It comes standard with four-wheel-drive and a body and truck bed that are integrated like a car. This body is very rigid with no squeaks or rattles, and will come in three trim levels. One unusual feature is the waterproof lockable 8.5 cubic-foot storage area under the rear of the truck bed, large enough to store four golf bags or a big cooler. This truck will be powered by a 255 horsepower 3.5L engine with five-speed automatic transmission and variable torque management. It’s built right here in Canada.

Hyundai
The Hyundai Tucson won the award this year for the Best New Crossover Vehicle at the auto shows. This vehicle comes in three different trim packages, and with the optional four-speed automatic transmission, 2.7L V6 and ABS brakes, is suitable for 2,000 pound trailers. This unit has 16-inch wheels and an electronic stability program that helps prevent accidents from oversteer and understeer conditions. There is a 60/40 split rear seat that can be folded down to give you room to rest on long trips. (Page Top)

Nissan/Infinity
Nissan’s engineers have been busy, expanding the company’s SUV line to five vehicles and its truck line to both compact and full-size line-ups. The Nissan X-Trail leads off the SUV line, with a 2.5L 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder aluminum engine that produces 165 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 170 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. This vehicle will become one of the future hydrogen fuel vehicles.

This year the Nissan Xterra, with a tow rating of 5,500 pounds, adopts the full-size Titan frame with a 4.0L engine developing 265 horsepower and 284 pounds-feet of torque. It has a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission with speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering and 17-inch wheels.

Nissan’s third-generation Pathfinder comes equipped with a 4.0L DOHC V6 that generates 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, and 291 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. It has a new roof rack, flip-up rear glass and a third-row seat for up to seven passengers. The body is built on a fully boxed frame for stability, and it has double wishbone front and rear suspension. It will be able to tow up to 6,000 pounds.

Nissan’s Armada SUV, with the bigger 5.6L V8 engine, can tow 9,100 pounds, while the smaller Murano can haul 3,500 pounds.

The larger, more powerful 2005 Nissan Frontier pickup has more than a passing resemblance to the recently-introduced Nissan Titan full-size truck. The 2005 Frontier will be offered in both King Cab and Crew Cab body styles and in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations. The 2005 Frontier’s wheelbase is almost 10 inches longer than the previous model, enhancing ride comfort and stability. Under the hood sits a 270 horsepower, 4.0L DOHC V6 that provides a maximum towing capacity of more than 6,500 pounds.

For the 2005 model year, Titan Crew Cab adds a power up/down rear privacy back glass with defroster on all models, providing an open-air feeling to the truck. Also new for 2005 is a dampened tailgate assist, which helps reduce effort in opening and closing the tailgate, front-seat active head restraints and new packaging.

The Infinity QX56, with its 5.6L 32-valve engine and continuously variable valve timing, can tow 8,800 pounds of trailer. It has a five-speed automatic transmission, double wishbone front suspension, multilink independent rear suspension, 18-inch wheels, and seven passenger seating. It has dual-zone climate control, a Bose premium sound system and DVD navigation, in addition to side-impact air bags with roll-over sensor, and dynamic vehicle control with four-wheel ventilated ABS disc brakes.

Toyota/Lexus
The Toyota Tacoma is rated as the best new truck of the 2005. Its 4.0L, 24-valve V6 develops 245 horsepower and 282 pounds-feet of torque. Transmission choices include six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic with lockup torque converter. It is rated to tow 6,500 pounds.

The Tundra, with a 4.0L 245 horsepower V6, produces 283 pounds-feet of torque to provide a tow rating of 4,800 pounds. That rating climbs to 7,100 pounds if you opt for the available 4.7L, 282 horsepower i-Force V8.

In Toyota’s SUV line, the 2005 full-size Sequoia can pull 6,500 pounds with the I-Force 4.7L V8 and five-speed automatic. Pop that same engine into the lighter 4Runner and you can tow 7,300 pounds – truly remarkable (the 4Runner pulls 5,000 pounds with the standard 4.0L). With either engine, Toyota’s venerable mid-sized SUV offers one-touch four-wheel drive, active traction control and front and side-roll sensing airbags.

The Highlander Hybrid is the world’s first mid-size hybrid SUV, marking the introduction of a second all-new hybrid vehicle from Toyota before most manufacturers have shown their first. Like the popular four-cylinder Prius gasoline/electric hybrid car, the 3.3-litre V6-powered Highlander hybrid will be powered by another new version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive power train. The system was specifically developed to meet the load-carrying requirements of a mid-size SUV.

Lexus’ new RX400H hybrid SUV will be out later this year as a 2006 model, with a combination of a V6 gas engine and an electric motor that can provide extra power and also charge the batteries when you are slowing down. The 3.3L engine with the electric motor gives a combined output of 270 horsepower and a fuel economy of 8.5L/100km. No word yet on its towing capacity.

The Lexus GX470 with the 4.7L V8 engine returns essentially unchanged for 2005, and can still tow 6,500 pounds. The LX470 with the same engine can tow slightly less at 5,000 pounds.

Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Touareg with the 4.2L V8 gas or 5.0L V10 turbo diesel has a tow limit of 7,716 pounds. I still consider it one of the nicest tow vehicles I’ve ever driven. When you order the Touareg, be sure to order the optional hitch receiver direct from your VW dealer. (Page Top)