Lightweight Flat-Towable SUV That Can Tow 3,500 Pounds

[JackK-WO]

Is what I am looking for actually out there? I am looking for a new Toad to haul behind my Winnebago Sunstar LX30T which has a tow rating of 5,000#. Currently I tow a 2003 Suzuki Vitara at about 3,000# and previously a Ford Edge at 4,400#. The Edge is too heavy to tow up our Colorado mountain passes and the Suzuki is getting rather aged. I am looking for an SUV Toad in the range of 3,600# but it also needs to be able to tow a Class II trailer rated at 3,500# (not with the RV of course). Impossible?, a 3,600# SUV towing 3,500# that can be flat towed by my RV? Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[MikeyC-WO]

My research on new vehicles is a Jeep or a bronco

 

[JackK-WO]

MikeyC, thanks for your reply. I've looked at both but each weighs more than I want. The Bronco, which I really like, is only 100# lighter than my Edge. And the Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee both come in close to 4,000#, more than what I would like. The search continues and I appreciate your help.

 

[Jim Turner2]

Is what I am looking for actually out there? I am looking for a new Toad to haul behind my Winnebago Sunstar LX30T which has a tow rating of 5,000#. Currently I tow a 2003 Suzuki Vitara at about 3,000# and previously a Ford Edge at 4,400#. The Edge is too heavy to tow up our Colorado mountain passes and the Suzuki is getting rather aged. I am looking for an SUV Toad in the range of 3,600# but it also needs to be able to tow a Class II trailer rated at 3,500# (not with the RV of course). Impossible?, a 3,600# SUV towing 3,500# that can be flat towed by my RV? Thank you for any suggestions.

Purchased a Ford Maverick Hybrid, makes a fantastic Toad and super versatile. Put a hard top back on it that makes it the best SUV.

 

[Fred & Tina]

Check out the different packages for the Ford Escape. It has a neutral tow setting for flat tow. The curb weight is +\- 3500# depending on configuration and towing capacity with higher-end engine can get up to 3500#.

 

[Keith_6a]

Is what I am looking for actually out there? I am looking for a new Toad to haul behind my Winnebago Sunstar LX30T which has a tow rating of 5,000#. Currently I tow a 2003 Suzuki Vitara at about 3,000# and previously a Ford Edge at 4,400#. The Edge is too heavy to tow up our Colorado mountain passes and the Suzuki is getting rather aged. I am looking for an SUV Toad in the range of 3,600# but it also needs to be able to tow a Class II trailer rated at 3,500# (not with the RV of course). Impossible?, a 3,600# SUV towing 3,500# that can be flat towed by my RV? Thank you for any suggestions.

We've used a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox 2.0 liter AWD, which (with the class III trailer package) meets that need exactly. I have towed a trailer over 3000 lbs from Washington to Phoenix and it handled it very well. Setting it up as a Toad is very easy but you do need a 12 volt hookup in your wiring to keep the battery charged, the 2020 needs to keep the electronics active while towing. The 2020 was the last year for the 2 liter turbo motor which gives around 280 HP. The 1.5 liter does NOT make a good tow vehicle.
BTW, our previous toad was a 2026 Saturn Vue v6 AWD, which worked nearly the same.

 

[JackK-WO]

Keith, thanks for your suggestion, I will look for a 2020 Equinox. My good friends bought a 2024 Equinox as a toad and daily driver and it is very nice but can only tow 1,500# and it is the last year that can be used as a toad. Thanks, Jack