As most people prefer pickup trucks as their vehicles for towing, however, there are also plenty of families that choose to go with SUVs. There are a good number of rugged, powerful, and mostly truck-based SUVs that will cater to your towing needs. SUVs can haul the entire family and tow a fifth-wheel with some models that can cater to maximum tow ratings beyond 10,000 pounds. The best thing about SUVs is they do not lack the occupant capacity that most pickup trucks do.
Jeep Wrangler: SUV That is Great for Light Travel Trailer
The Jeep Wrangler is an ever-popular SUV that is perfect for towing light travel trailers and has been the choice for light campers like popup campers. Due to its extreme versatility, it is a great SUV to get for your towing needs. It has a maximum towing rating of 3,500 pounds when it is properly equipped.
The payload rating ranges from 1,052 to 1,351 pounds which is great for towing light travel trailers that you may have. The best part about this SUV is it shields more than just the wind. When driving through trails and highways, there are many unexpected things that may come your way.
The windshield is made with Corning Gorilla Glass which maximizes the resistance to cracks from different road debris. Aside from that, there is a feature that expands your vision which is called Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection. This feature relies on radar-based sensors that can detect other vehicles in your blind spot zones or other cars that are crossing behind you.
For the safety of your vehicle, the Jeep Wrangler comes with an app called SiriusXM Guardian, which includes a factory-installed theft alarm system when triggered. It will notify you either via email or text so you can check on your Wrangler if someone is trying to get into your car or not.
There is also an emergency access service where you have to do press an SOS button on your overhead console about the rearview mirror. This feature is great and will come in handy if you feel that you are unsafe inside or near your car.
The Jeep Wrangler price range is between $28,475 to $42,375.
Ford Expedition: A Well-Known and Reliable SUV
Ford Expedition is a well-known and reliable SUV that can seat up to eight passengers with plenty of interior space for your belongings. So, aside from your travel trailer, you would still have space on your SUV. This vehicle is perfect for big families that are always on the road.
It has a maximum capacity of 6,000 pounds with a maximum torque of 480 pounds, and it is great for any travel trailers that are available on the market. The Ford Expedition comes with advanced-driver assist technologies just like a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, and active park assistance.
If you plan on placing a car seat on the vehicle, it comes with a full set of latch connectors for the second row. It works well whether you have a bench seat or captain’s chair. On the third-row outboard seats, you can find another complete set of latch, and in the middle seat, you can find a single anchor.
As I’ve mentioned above, the Ford Expedition comes with plenty of space. The standard wheelbase has between 19.3 and 20.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which would depend on how the seats are positioned. It also expands to between 57.5 and 63.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 104.6 cubic feet available behind the front row.
The standard price range of the Ford Expedition is from $49,995 to $52,810.
Nissan Pathfinder 2020: Great for Rough Terrains
The Nissan Pathfinder 2020’s towing capacity is the same regardless of its trim level. This way, you don’t have to choose between luxury and utility with this vehicle. Now, the only thing that you have to worry about is to add a tow hitch receiver which will cost an additional $250 to the S, SV, and SL trims.
Now, if you are not open to paying for an additional cost for the hitch, you can upgrade to the Rock Creek Editions of the SL and SV or even the Platinum Level.
The Nissan Pathfinder 2020 is great for rough terrain, and the same thing goes for school drop-off runs. It has third-row seating, which means there is available seating for seven passengers. The second row is a bit roomier compared to some of its competitors on the market. The rear passengers can make themselves comfortable with a great feature called a three-zone climate control system.
Even though the Nissan Pathfinder 2020 has amenities like a hands-free liftgate and rear-seat entertainment systems, it does lag behind other competitors with some of the latest technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The starting price of the Nissan Pathfinder 2020 is $31,980.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021: The SUV Towing Vehicle You Need
Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 is available with two-wheel drive. You can also opt for one of the four available four-by-four systems to make sure you keep your adventure rolling, even on rough roads. It comes with seven main trim levels, from mild Laredo to wild Trackhawk.
Now, you would need to start with the Trailhawk in the middle of the trim pack to reach the Cherokee’s maximum towing power. Another option that you have for one of the more powerful V8 engines that can run up the starting price is about $45,000.
It also has upper trims that deliver leather-wrapped comfort, ventilated and heated front seating, and premium audio options. All of which is great when you are always on the road looking for an adventure. The engine options that you have include a six-cylinder and three different VB8 choices, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The base Laredo is also equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. For your safety, it also has a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic that will alert you. However, this would come at an additional cost of $995. When you need more passenger room, the newly launched Grand Cherokee L has a three-row model at a starting price of $36,995.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 can tow up to 8,7000 pounds making it great for small travel trailers.
Dodge Durango 2021: The Muscle Car for Families
Another great contender for SUV towing vehicles is the Dodge Durango 2021, which is also known as the muscle car for people with families. It offers a range of towing capacities from 6,200 to 7,400 to 8,700 pounds. This SUV is perfect for pulling toy haulers and other travel trailers that you may have.
For you to get the maximum towing power, you will need at least the mid-tier R/T trim together with AWD as well as the towing package. With all this included, you are looking to pay $48,000 for the Dodge Durango 2021. It has an integrated adjustable trailer brake controller and has a dedicated tow driving mode, which is perfect if you are hauling a travel trailer.
The Dodge Durango 2021 has a standard 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission. You can ride with style thanks to the wide-body flares, black wheels, and other accents that help the vehicle stand out from the rest.
The cabin of the Dodge Durango 2021 is spacious and versatile, which is perfect for families that are always on the road looking for an adventure. You can fit up to seven passengers with multiple seating options. The best part about this SUV is you will have access to plenty of convenient storage spaces and a large cargo area for your belongings.
Just like the Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021, the Dodge Durango 2021 also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. IT also has a 10.5-inch high-definition touchscreen and rear-seat entertainment to keep your kids from being bored while you are driving on the road.
Chevy Tahoe: Great for Hauling Travel Trailers
The Chevy Tahoe can tow a maximum of 7,900 pounds which is a great choice for hauling travel trailers. It is a reliable SUV that can fit up to eight people with three rows of seats. There is also plenty of cabin space for a comfortable ride which comes in handy, especially when you and your family are always on the road.
It has a 420-hp 6.2-liter V8 and offers premier trim levels. The off-road-oriented Z71 also adds an electronic limited-slip differential. The Tahoe features a customizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and the infotainment system on the LT has also been enhanced with Google’s voice assistant, app store, and maps.
You will have access to up to 13 different camera views with specific views for trailering. The Buckle to Drive feature is also now standard and will prevent shifting out of park unless the driver and front passenger are buckled. There is also a wide range of colors that you can choose from to match your personality and your travel trailer. It now includes metallic colors such as Auburn, Dark Ash, and Evergreen Gray.
The Chevy Tahoe is also the most fuel-efficient out of the Chevy models with a diesel engine and ratings of 21 mpg city and 28 highway. Whereas the interior provides comfort as it features the biggest interior yet. You can say that it feels like you have acres of space compared to the other outgoing models.
The previous model used to have a cramped third row, and not there is an additional ten inches of legroom, and the second-row seats now have a slide fore and aft that will provide the much-needed flexibility as well as space. Adults can fully sit comfortably in the far back of the vehicle.
For a vehicle this big, you can rest assured this gas mileage is excellent. It has different safety features such as automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, and so much more.
The price range for the Chevy Tahoe is from $51,795 to $72,045.
Nissan Armada: Feel the Luxuriousness on the Road
Nissan Armada offers three-row independent rear suspension that is not uncommon in this segment, but its ride is one of the calmest and smoothest. It can tow an impressive 8,500 pounds and can seat up to eight people without any strain. It is a full-size SUV with an average mpg of up to 14 on the city and 19 on the highway.
One of the notable features of this SUV is the blind-spot warning, tri-zone entertainment system, and all-mode 4WD. The engine makes up to 400 horsepower with a 413 pound geet of torque running on premium fuel. You will have a smooth and hushed ride though it rolled on a 22-inch wheel. The standard wheel size for these types of vehicles is 18 inches.
Now, with the V-8 engine and automatic transmission, it makes the Nissan Armada is less fuel-efficient than its other rivals. It also has an all-wheel-drive which reduces both numbers by one mpg.
The interior of the Nissan Armada is comfy and spacious, with a classy outer shell. The cabin is well insulated from outside noise, and most of the materials used are attractive as well as soft. It has three rows of seats and can accommodate eight people. However, the capacity will drop to seven then the optional second-row captain’s chairs are removed.
The captain’s chairs fold easily and quickly with a handle that will spring the seat forward. To reset the seat, it must be done manually. There is also a power-folding third-row that can be adjusted through buttons in the cargo area or the third row’s armrests. The only problem with this is it’s so slow that snails can move faster. However, if you compare this to newer rivals, the Nissan Armada feels fancy and has plenty of legroom in the third row.
With the Nissan Armada, the warranty is more or less of an average. It also doesn’t offer any complimentary scheduled maintenance, unlike the other SUVs on this list. The limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles. On the other hand, the powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles.
The price range for the Nissan Armada is between $50,495 to $66,895.
