MacGregorSailors.com

I currently have a 2000 Explorer and a 2000 Excursion. In my mind, the former is inadequate for anything but REAL short towing and the latter is simply overkill...

I'm looking to simplify and have been thinking about newer:

F150 SuperCrew
Explorer Sportrac
Honda Ridgeline
Nissan Titan

Obviously, I need/want a 4door. I want something that can tow the mac anywhere, but also want the best fuel economy I can reasonably get...

I know the F150 is gonna be on the lower MPG and I know the Sportrac is gonna be a close call, when it comes to towing the Mac, but expect it to be better than the Explorer...

What are your thoughts?

We have talked of this many times. I only favor the big rig for towing....the F150 Super is the answer...the rest are marginal for any distance, in my opinion. The towing isn't really the problem, it is the stopping and that takes some weight...even with surge brakes.....I worry a great deal about folks hauling that 4000# boat with a 3800# vehicle....physics? It is your call and your money....but if you want to be safe and have a secure, low problem trip....go big....personally, I would get a Chevy... Randy

Unless you tow a hull of a lot, you should add the Toyota 4rnr 4x4 V8/tow pkg to your list. Exceptional reliabilty, reasonable performance, great resale.
We mange the Sierras with no problems, but haven't towed it across the US or up to Canada. Gets 17plus mgg average w/o boat. Expect it losses at least a couple mpg towing, dependant on terrain and speed.
Tahoe Jack

DLT I tow mine with a 2002 sport trak...no problem at all but I do not do extensive towing...2-300km at a time.
We really like the Truck!

cruisto,

How's the Sport Trac for reliability? I've not heard good things...

DLT

Towed with an Explorer traded up to an Expedition got rid of it and now have a Hummer H3. Mileage over 20 on the highway...humongous braking and the 5 cyl engine delivers the torque. Cant beat the full time 4WD for yanking the Mac up the ramp. Plus it parks in the garage.

DLT have had the sport trac for 18 months and so far no supprises.
Regular oil changes are my only expense so far. Am due for brakes before winter but only as I do alot of towing and want to be sure.
So far so good!

I drive an 02 Envoy. Here is an article that Trailer Boat did on the 05 Envoy. www.trailerboats.com/output.cfm?id=992845

See if you can find a list of similar test they did on a vehicle you are interested in. It can take a lot of the guess work out.


Ray
P.S. I found this on the Honda Ridgeline www.powerboating.com/pbc20-3/honda06.html

DLT,
Wheel base is also an important factor to keep in mind when making a choice, the Honda Ridge is 122" which is likely longer than some of the others.
NiceAft,
The article on the Envoy is for the 113" wheelbase, the Envoy, twin to the Trailblazer also comes with the extended wheelbase version with the third back seat, it is 129" wheelbase, I have the '04 TrailBlazer Extended LT full trailer package and it just floats down the highway with that long wheelbase and also improves trailering sway. I really like it, too bad it does not have the Envoy's air springs.

My half-ton 2003 GMC Sierra has the 5.3L with 3.73 gears (4X4) - it gets 12 mpg around town, best case 15 mpg on the freeway. Are the Trailblazer / Envoy delivering about the same with that engine?

(OR - are you guys using that straight-5 cylinder, like Capt Steve??)

who would have thunk...lop 1 cylinder off a straight 6 and increase the gas mileage. You would have thought the straight 5 would have been suppressed like the 100 mpg carburetor!

My 02 Envoy has a six. I do not have the extended version. It handles like a charm. When I pull the Mac the Envoy just goes down the highway like a charm. Without pulling the Mac, I get 22mpg highway, and about 15 mix city/hwy. I put about 20,000 miles a year on it. As much as I love the Envoy, I would not have bought an SUV if it wasn't for pulling the Mac. That is the irony! I had to purchase a gas guzzler in order to sail my efficient wind powered boat.

My wife drives a Prius, so we are kind of the odd couple.

Ray

Terry wrote:DLT,
Wheel base is also an important factor to keep in mind when making a choice, the Honda Ridge is 122" which is likely longer than some of the others.

Terry,

Actually, I think the Honda is the shortest wheelbase of them all, of those on my initial list anyway...

NiceAft wrote:

Without pulling the Mac, I get 22mpg highway, and about 15 mix city/hwy. As much as I love the Envoy, I would not have bought an SUV if it wasn't for pulling the Mac. That is the irony! I had to purchase a gas guzzler in order to sail my efficient wind powered boat.

Here, here, it really is ironic. I get about the same with the extended TrailBlazer inline 6. The longer wheel base provides for a cadillac ride but even with the 4-wheel drive I can forget about any off road stuff, I would simply bottom out. The 15 mix and 22 hwy is what we get too even though the extended version is heavier.

I tow with a Ford F150, 4.2 liter, V-6, standard shift, standard cab, and gas mileage is good. Cruzing at 55 -60 MPH is no problem. The truck is light, so I keep it fueled up for weight--that helps with traction when loading at the ramp.