Towing: Mazda CX-9 vs Nissan Pathfinder

[Tomfoolery]

I had a 2004 4Runner. Towed my Aquarius 7.0 just fine, and it weighed about the same as the , but I had brakes on that trailer. I wouldn't tow that boat, nor the , without brakes using that vehicle, but that's just me. Especially a long distance on the highway - around town at slow speed is one thing. Highway speeds are a whole 'nuther matter. Everything's just fine until someone cuts you off and stops short. I have a Highlander now (5k tow capacity), and I'm going to put disc brakes on the second axle (put new discs on one axle already) before I take any long trips on the highway.

By the way, the 4Runner was lousy in snow too, I mean like REALLY lousy (couldn't turn a corner at a crawl), but it turned out to be mostly due to cheap OEM tires that were too wide for the weight.

[bscott]

Since I live and play in the snow I go to Discount Tires and trade out the junk OEM tires for the best rated snow/ice tires available--they are usually good for 50,000 miles (OEMs about 1/2). I bought my used in Kearney Nebraska, put new tires on the stock trailer and made the trip home never exceeding 60 mph--semi trucks passing me at 70+ was nerve racking. I towed all my previous boats with my Jeep GC-4.7 with tandem axle trailers with no problems over mountain passes. I immediately converted my trailer to tandems with two axle brakes and the rig is extremely stable and stops on a dime.

At 187,000 miles I traded my GC for an 08 Jeep Commander w/hemi, 7,200# gvw--13,500 mile lease return--for $26,300 with extended warranty. This has a 3rd row seat (never use it) with limited trunk space-but with tandem axles I can load the boat with little worry about weight distribution-or- put a roof carrier on the Jeep for the extra family stuff.

Safety trumps gas mileage--even a small wreck sends you insurance thru the roof mitigating any gas mileage savings.

Bob

[romandesign]

Just my opinion: always get one of the two leading winder tire brands if you can: Nokian (Finland) or Gislaved (Sweden). They are somewhat difficult to find in North America and are a bit pricey, but they are just superb! If you look at good European winter tire tests - they are consistently share 1st and 2nd place, with Michelin X-Ice sometimes at 3rd and so on. Don't buy any Korean tire brands - they don't know how to make real winter tires, they don't know what real winter is

[kevinnem]

I had a 2004 4Runner.

By the way, the 4Runner was lousy in snow too, I mean like REALLY lousy (couldn't turn a corner at a crawl), but it turned out to be mostly due to cheap OEM tires that were too wide for the weight.

I have a 2003. I find it interesting that you don't like it on snow/ice. I LOVE my 4 runner for snow and ice, the stock tires I had worked pretty well In the first month I had it, I put 10,000 KM + on it working up north, in winter. I like the 4 wheel drive system, the suspension is a little annoying, seems to hard, and to soft at the same time. At 115,000 KM I replaced the original tires with the blizzaks snow/ice tire. and they a MONSTERS! I can ALMOST drive around on packed snow, as though it is dry pavement. come the summer, I bought a new set of summer tires not sure of the exact model, I think they are "dualers" and don't really like them that much, they seem to eat fuel, and are very loud.

As for the trailier, I do plan to add disk brakes to it, and also a second axal, but I was planning to do that after I get back home. there is only so much I can do 2000 KM from my house.

I was thinking about trying to get someone locally to install disks, but not sure how the logistics would work for that.

[raycarlson]

Romandesign, you should talk to some of the hundreds of vets from the korean war with no hands or feet because they were frozen off,i bet they have a different view of the weather in korea then you.

[romandesign]

Romandesign, you should talk to some of the hundreds of vets from the korean war with no hands or feet because they were frozen off,i bet they have a different view of the weather in korea then you.

Sorry for drifting off-topic, but The average February temperatures in South Korea are around -4 to +4 C. In Finland they are -22 to -3°C. There is a huge difference, especially in rubber compounds handling cold temperatures, retaining softness and grip and so on. Not to undermine US war vets hardship, but it does not compare. I've been around in -20 to -30 C back in Russia and believe me it's totally different even from -10 or -15 that we usually get here in Toronto, not to speak of Korea, and I'd rather get tires from where the winter is very harsh and they can properly test them in really cold weather.

I can't prove that the home country climate is a factor, however all european tire tests consistently place finnish Nokian and swedish Gislaved at the top, followed usually by Michelin, german and US brands and korea usually near the bottom of the list - very roughly of course, I'm not saying they don't know how to make tires, but korean winter tires are worse than their summer or all-season tires.

[Steve H]

First post for me: After much research, I'm going with the 2011 Dodge Durango with the 5.7 hemi for 7400 lbs max towing ....or maybe the 2008 Chysler Aspen (8950 t0w capacity). I'm in Utah and have mountain passes in every direction that I will need to climb/descend. How do you think the Durango will handle those? Any ideas on what else I should do to upgrade the Durango. And what would be the main reason to pick the Durango over the Aspen?

[Sea Wind]

First post for me: After much research, I'm going with the 2011 Dodge Durango with the 5.7 hemi for 7400 lbs max towing ....or maybe the 2008 Chysler Aspen (8950 t0w capacity). I'm in Utah and have mountain passes in every direction that I will need to climb/descend. How do you think the Durango will handle those? Any ideas on what else I should do to upgrade the Durango. And what would be the main reason to pick the Durango over the Aspen?

I replaced in January a Honda Pilot for a 2012 Dodge Durango with the HEMI and I am very happy. Having 7400lbs of towing capacity lets me load the boat as much as I want and feels a lot safer on the road thanks in part to a longer wheelbase and about 150 ponnies more than the Pilot. It is very similar to the new Grand Cherokee but with a third row and larger cargo space, they both share body and transmission from the Mercedes GL. The new Durango came out in 2011 as the third generation and it is a completely different car from the older ones including the Chysler Aspen.

Sea Wind

[Tomfoolery]

My Toyota Highlander with 5k factory tow package can pull my with two axle trailer ok, but it's just ok. Something like the Durango will be on my short list for the next go around, for sure. I didn't know it shares a platform with the Mercedes, or I would have looked into it before I got the Toyota (though I am partial to Toyotas). Good to know.

[Catigale]

Welcome Steve H.

New member buys the PIZZA

[robbarnes1965]

My Toyota Highlander with 5k factory tow package can pull my with two axle trailer ok, but it's just ok. Something like the Durango will be on my short list for the next go around, for sure. I didn't know it shares a platform with the Mercedes, or I would have looked into it before I got the Toyota (though I am partial to Toyotas). Good to know.

I felt the same about my Highlander (hybrid). Power was not a problem but it sure felt light.

[Tomfoolery]

The admiral's Honda Odyssey tows the boat better, and that's probably due to the longer wheelbase and wider track. The Highlander has more power, though, and being a lease, that's the one I'll beat on for road trips, which is precisely why I got it. The Prius wouldn't get up to highway speed towing the , so when the lease was up, I had to go to something with a little more umph.

(jk )

[Steve H]

Thanks for all the comments, folks. I've done alot of homework on this, but I've never towed anything substantial before and this gives me some extra confidence that I'm on the right track.

And, btw, my pizzas are to die for (southside Chicago style)...surpassed only by my margaritas. lol

Thanks again...Steve