What’s The Best Midsize SUV For Towing A Travel Trailer?
Photo by Kirk Thornton on Unsplash
There’s no doubt that midsize crossover SUVs are dominating the roads. They’re the Swiss Army Knives of the automotive world – they seat up to eight passengers, have robust engines, impressive off-road performance, good fuel economy, and ride quality that’s better than traditional unibody SUVs.
Midsize SUVs offer a ton of utility, and it’s not surprising that people use them for hauling their camping or travel trailer.
If you’ve come for the best midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer, it’s your lucky day. In this post, we’ve rounded up some of the best midsize SUVs with the highest towing capacity to accompany you on your outdoor adventures.
Not All SUVs are Created Equal
Just because you have an SUV, it doesn’t mean that you can reliably tow a travel trailer. When choosing the best midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer, you have to consider two crucial pieces of information: the loaded trailer’s weight and the SUV’s tow rating or capacity.
Never exceed your vehicle’s tow rating because it poses an extreme danger not just to you but to other motorists as well. Also, make sure that you read the fine print since, in some cases, you may need a specific engine or optional gear to achieve the advertised towing ratings.
With that said, most models in the midsize SUV segment have towing capacities of about 5,000 lbs – enough to tow a trailer with a boat or camper.
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7 Best Midsize SUVs for Towing a Travel Trailer
Below are the top SUVs for towing a travel trailer, from the highest tow rating to the lowest.
1. Dodge Durango (Max Towing Capacity: 8,700 lbs)
The Dodge Durango is a burly midsize SUV that offers a best-in-class towing capacity of 8,700 lbs. However, this maximum tow rating can only be achieved with certain trims, including the R/T equipped with the Tow’ n Go package, including upgraded brakes, steering, and an adaptive suspension.
Even with the base V6 engine, the Durango can reliably tow a maximum of 6,200 lbs, which is still one of the best ratings in the segment. The Durango might be an aging model, but it still packs a lot of muscle in terms of towing.
2. Land Rover Discovery (Max Towing Capacity: 8,200 lbs)
The Land Rover Discovery is a solid choice as an SUV with serious off-roading chops but still handles well in the city. The Discovery lineup has two engine options, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo. Also, all Discovery models have all-wheel-drive as standard.
The 2.0-liter model boasts a respectable tow rating of 6,613 lbs, while the 3.0-liter powertrain offers the max towing capacity of 8,200 lbs. An optional Towing Pack is available for the six-cylinder model, which adds advanced tow assist, a tow hitch receiver, All-Terrain Progress Control, and Terrain Response 2.
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3. Jeep Grand Cherokee (Max Towing Capacity: 7,200 lbs)
The Grand Cherokee has been the culmination of Jeep’s commitment to elevating its craft. Suppose you’re in the market for a midsize SUV with impressive off-road capabilities and great towing capacity. In that case, the Grand Cherokee presents an excellent budget alternative to BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
The base model can tow up to 3,500 lbs, which is increased to 6,200 lbs by equipping the available Class IV Towing Package. However, to achieve the max towing capacity of 7,200 lbs, you need to get the SRT and Trackhawk trims with a V8 engine and 4WD.
4. Nissan Pathfinder (Max Towing Capacity: 6,000 lbs)
The new 2022 Pathfinder has received a facelift with a bolder and more rugged aesthetic. This eight-seater SUV is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pathfinder may be a non-premium SUV, but its value proposition is hard to beat. The S, SV, and SL Pathfinder models can haul up to 3,500 lbs. To get the maximum tow rating of 6,000 lbs, you need to avail yourself of the Premium package for $2900 for the SV and SL trims. The Platinum edition has a 6,000 lbs towing capacity as standard, making it an easy pick for the best midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer.
5. Ford Explorer (Max Towing Capacity: 5,600 lbs)
The Ford Explorer is a successful marriage of style and substance. Power is delivered by either a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, while the hybrid version comes with a naturally-aspirated V6 powertrain. The new Ford Explorer is a top-notch companion for your adventures with capable powertrain options and car-like road manners.
The hybrid Explorer offers the lowest towing capacity at 5,000 lbs. With the four-cylinder engine, the SUV can tow 5,300 lbs, and a maximum of 5,600 lbs for the ST and Limited trims with turbo V6.
6. Chevrolet Traverse (Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs)
As the mechanical cousin of the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, the Traverse is an eight-seater that’s longer and roomier inside. The available second-row captain chairs reduce the seating capacity to seven but supply a more comfortable cabin experience. All Traverse trims are equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Most Traverse models only have a modest tow rating of 1,500. To pull as much as 5,000 lbs, you need to have the LT, RS, or Premier trims with the optional Trailering package. The 5,000 lbs towing power is standard on the High Country edition.
7. Subaru Ascent (Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs)
Subaru’s legacy lies with its outdoor utility and ruggedness, which applies to the Ascent SUV. As with tradition, the Subaru Ascent comes with standard AWD. The Ascent isn’t the most competitive SUV in the segment in terms of power and performance. However, it’s a true workhorse with impressive towing capabilities.
It’s the best midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer if you’re a Subaru fan. The base Ascent has a decent towing capacity of 2,000 lbs. However, as you go up a trim starting with the Premium up to the Touring edition, you get 5,000 towing power.
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