Find me the most fuel efficient family vehicle that can tow 3500 lbs.

[ValveCoverGasket]

2013 GLK250 Bluetec...

/bluetec nutswinger

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

2013 GLK250 Bluetec...if you can hold out until Nov. Should base out within $1K of the current GLK. Standard 4Matic and the 350 can tow 3500 so the BTC should do it no problem.

I had no idea that the GLK started at $35.8k.

[2VWatatime]

I had no idea that the GLK started at $35.8k.

Depends on area, of course, but they're generally selling for well below MSRP here (NoVa).

[GolfVIDriver]

I had no idea that the GLK started at $35.8k.

Q5s with the 2.0T are suprisingly well priced too. I'd probably do a Q5 before a Benz though.

[Aseras]

Having towed as much as I have, and knowing the OP and his towing experience....both of us would rate it marginal at best. For occasionally dragging 2500-3000lb on city streets, maybe. For towing on highways, grades, and distances longer than a few miles, hell no.

I drug a 4,000 lb trailer and a huge cargo carrier up top from Florida to Kentucky with my 2010 sportwagen tdi and it was fine. Had no problems on the interstate at my usual 75-80 mph. Still got about 35 mpg. Without trailer and stuff I can get 42 mpg. Only real difference was on braking distances, but not much more really.. The sportwagens have 4 wheel disc and rear IRS.. The jetta's no longer have that.

It's plenty capable.

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

I drug a 4,000 lb trailer and a huge cargo carrier up top from Florida to Kentucky with my 2010 sportwagen tdi and it was fine. Had no problems on the interstate at my usual 75-80 mph. Still got about 35 mpg. Without trailer and stuff I can get 42 mpg. Only real difference was on braking distances, but not much more really.. The sportwagens have 4 wheel disc and rear IRS.. The jetta's no longer have that.

It's plenty capable.

[GolfVIDriver]

I drug a 4,000 lb trailer and a huge cargo carrier up top from Florida to Kentucky with my 2010 sportwagen tdi and it was fine. Had no problems on the interstate at my usual 75-80 mph. Still got about 35 mpg. Without trailer and stuff I can get 42 mpg. Only real difference was on braking distances, but not much more really.. The sportwagens have 4 wheel disc and rear IRS.. The jetta's no longer have that.

It's plenty capable.

My. God.

I have hauled a 4,000 lb trailer (verified on a truck scale) from Los Angeles to Chicago with a Chevy Blazer, rated for 6,000 lbs, and I know this: You're either lying, misinformed, or really, catastrophically stupid.

Time for show and tell....the boat is 5,000 lbs on the trailer, and the truck is a 2500 Suburban with a 454 and 3.83 gears:



You mean to tell me you hauled something that weighed 1,000 lbs less than that with a Sportwagen?

[Turbio!]

it's funny though, there are 2 threads like this on TCL alone right now and I know that i'm looking for options as well, let alone a few other people i know. the auto companies seem to be a little flat footed on this one??? good fuel mileage with good utility, surely this has been thought of before now?!

I think it comes down to what people are willing to pay for that combination. If you don't need to tow, you can get 25-35mpg out of a roomy crossover these days, and that's enough for most people. If you do need to tow, you can own a dedicated and reasonably affordable tow vehicle AND a daily driver for around what a diesel midsize SUV tends to cost, or you can step up to a fullsize pickup.

Ford AND GM have a ~4.5L turbodiesel developed for their fullsize pickups and SUVs. Toyota could sell the 4Runner and Land Cruiser with diesels ranging from 3-4.5L that they sell those vehicles with in other markets. Chrysler sells both the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee with diesels in Europe. Given that all the engineering is done, I suspect they're not flatfooted at all, and they know something about the market we don't.

[adrew]

2012 Subaru Forester. 22mpg City/ 29mpg Hwy

Only rated 2400 lbs.

The only Subaru with a 3500 lb rating is the 3.6-liter Tribeca.

[Aseras]

My. God.

I have hauled a 4,000 lb trailer (verified on a truck scale) from Los Angeles to Chicago with a Chevy Blazer, rated for 6,000 lbs, and I know this: You're either lying, misinformed, or really, catastrophically stupid.

Time for show and tell....the boat is 5,000 lbs on the trailer, and the truck is a 2500 Suburban with a 454 and 3.83 gears:

http://baylinerownersclub.org/galler...serialNumber=2

You mean to tell me you hauled something that weighed 1,000 lbs less than that with a Sportwagen?

Yep another car on a low boy style trailer. It towed the weight far more capably than my POS V8 Dakota ( that's rated at 6500lbs IIRC ). Provided I know how to load and secure a trailer properly. Get the right tongue weight and to use the right type of trailer for the job and match the ride heights for the hitches. I'm sure most idiots don't do all that.

[Turbio!]

I drug a 4,000 lb trailer and a huge cargo carrier up top from Florida to Kentucky with my 2010 sportwagen tdi and it was fine. Had no problems on the interstate at my usual 75-80 mph. Still got about 35 mpg. Without trailer and stuff I can get 42 mpg. Only real difference was on braking distances, but not much more really.. The sportwagens have 4 wheel disc and rear IRS.. The jetta's no longer have that.

It's plenty capable.

I don't want to gratuitously insult you, but you're just either really, really misinformed, or you have exceptionally bad judgment, or both. Against the odds, you didn't have any problems, but that does not mean that you didn't FAR exceed the safe limits of what your car should be loaded up with. You endangered yourself, and more importantly everybody else within a couple of car lengths of you. The fact that nothing happened speaks more to dumb luck and fortuitous circumstances than it does to the capability of the car or its ability to manage that trailer in an emergency braking situation, adverse traction, or on a grade.

Yep another car on a low boy style trailer. It towed the weight far more capably than my POS V8 Dakota ( that's rated at 6500lbs IIRC ). Provided I know how to load and secure a trailer properly. Get the right tongue weight and to use the right type of trailer for the job and match the ride heights for the hitches. I'm sure most idiots don't do all that.

What is your criteria for determining how "capably" it tows? I'm sure it felt fine. Doesn't mean that if there'd been an accident 10 car lengths ahead, everything wouldn't have gone sideways in an instant. Loading and securing that trailer doesn't mean your car's up to the job.

[Shomegrown]

Tows up to 4,400 lbs....

(LIKE A BOSS! )

[Air-over-water]

Family vehicle for me means an SUV, station wagon, some form on 2 box vehicle that is comfortable, can carry cargo, and is ideally AWD.

Why not say that at first rather than 'family vehicle'?

[GolfVIDriver]

Why not say that at first rather than 'family vehicle'?

Sorry for making assumptions.

[GolfVIDriver]

Tows up to 4,400 lbs....

(LIKE A BOSS! )

Hey Chris -

I am seeing differing info on this. Does the 2.0T pull 4400 lbs too?

[eweu]

Hey Chris -

I am seeing differing info on this. Does the 2.0T pull 4400 lbs too?

Yes. It's 4400 pounds regardless of engine. http://models.audiusa.com/q5/detaile...ions?engine=64

[adrew]

Hey Chris -

I am seeing differing info on this. Does the 2.0T pull 4400 lbs too?

Seems a little ambitious, but —

This...
http://models.audiusa.com/q5/detaile...ions?engine=64

...and this...
http://dcd96xmek71bc.cloudfront.net/...ide_lo_res.pdf

...both say 4,400 lbs for all engines.

[ValveCoverGasket]

Tows up to 4,400 lbs....

(LIKE A BOSS! )

not a crew cab diesel dually, clearly unsafe

[Air-over-water]

Sorry for making assumptions.

Have you not learned?
Most people in here skim the first post and then reply.
If you do not make it painfully obvious, you will get a lot of replies that do not pertain to your question.

[Shomegrown]

Hey Chris -

I am seeing differing info on this. Does the 2.0T pull 4400 lbs too?

Yes.

Just make sure you get the OEM hitch. Usually the OEM tow package includes additional powertrain cooling - meaning adding an aftermarket hitch after the fact gets you less tow capacity.

[clutchrider]

-5,000lb towing capacity with the 3.6L Pentastar
-Under $35k with options (Laredo) and towing package
-At $35k price point Laredo X with options and towing package
-17/23mpg rating

Sorry but based on the parameters I just don't see the others fitting the bill as well.

[GolfVIDriver]

Yes.

Just make sure you get the OEM hitch. Usually the OEM tow package includes additional powertrain cooling - meaning adding an aftermarket hitch after the fact gets you less tow capacity.

Time to start looking for cheap lease deals. I am impressed.

[DCubed]

Time to start looking for cheap lease deals. I am impressed.

Socalaudidealers.com is showing a premium plus 2.0T for $549/mo with ~$3800+tax+dmv due at signing. 33mos/10k miles per year...does not seem very strong. Granted there is always a little more juice to squeeze out of a MFR lease special there is generally not a whole lot left.

[GolfVIDriver]

Socalaudidealers.com is showing a premium plus 2.0T for $549/mo with ~$3800+tax+dmv due at signing. 33mos/10k miles per year...does not seem very strong. Granted there is always a little more juice to squeeze out of a MFR lease special there is generally not a whole lot left.

Ride With G agrees with you (and so do I). Here's the numbers:

36 Month – Residual 50% of MSRP – .00136

Granted I don't know the miles allowance, but that MF is worse than what we got on the Equinox, and the residual is the same.

It will probably just come down to hitting break even on the Equinox, and waiting for the right lease deal.

[jepva]

Socalaudidealers.com is showing a premium plus 2.0T for $549/mo with ~$3800+tax+dmv due at signing. 33mos/10k miles per year...does not seem very strong. Granted there is always a little more juice to squeeze out of a MFR lease special there is generally not a whole lot left.

Seemed like a good deal until I realized a ML350 bluetec can be had for around there..

[jepva]

Yes.

Just make sure you get the OEM hitch. Usually the OEM tow package includes additional powertrain cooling - meaning adding an aftermarket hitch after the fact gets you less tow capacity.

Tongue weight seems low, though. Most 1500lb/axle trailers I've seen are in the neighborhood of 750-1000lbs, definitely will want a weight distributing hitch.

[Turbio!]

Why do you need our help again? OP apparently knows whats best... ie you sound like a dbag.

He does know what's best as far as what he needs and his criteria. He just needed to get suggestions that he didn't think of.

[GolfVIDriver]

Why do you need our help again? OP apparently knows whats best... ie you sound like a dbag.

If by dbag, you mean I have done enough towing in my time to know what characteristics I need, and if by dbag you mean I wasn't considering all my options, then I will gladly wear the title.

Why don't you make a good suggestion along the lines I laid out? Go on. I can wait.

[Rutledge]

Has anyone suggested my Buick Roadmaster Wagon yet? Gets 24mpg and can tow 5000lbs.

Just saying

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

Has anyone suggested my Buick Roadmaster Wagon yet? Gets 24mpg and can tow 5000lbs.

Just saying

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

You're either lying, misinformed, or really, catastrophically stupid.

All of the above. I'm all for towing with cars, SUV's, trucks...whatever, but what that user suggested is just silly.

And it just hit me...Matt T.

[Turbio!]

All of the above. I'm all for towing with cars, SUV's, trucks...whatever, but what that user suggested is just silly.

And it just hit me...Matt T.

Took you that long?

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

Took you that long?

Yes...

[GolfVIDriver]

Looks like I better get myself banned again. Word is getting around.

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

Don't sweat it. Though if you get banned, make it a glorious exit!