Shopping for New Tow Vehicle

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A point of clarification: my Taco is super charged, not turbo charged. The difference is the supercharger is belt driven from the engine, not exhaust driven. That said, the loss of performance at altitude and the unavailability of a V8 option, is exactly why I added the SC. A turbocharger would have a similar benefit. 

Your comment: "Our circumstances are such that it is what we have now." I'm familiar with that situation, we've all been there, and to paraphrase a recent SECDEF: "Sometimes you tow with the TV you have, not the TV you want." Good luck to you and I hope you are able to upgrade the TV soon. 

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CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Topic: Shopping for New Tow Vehicle Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 11:03am
	A point of clarification: my Taco is super charged, not turbo charged. The difference is the supercharger is belt driven from the engine, not exhaust driven. That said, the loss of performance at altitude and the unavailability of a V8 option, is exactly why I added the SC. A turbocharger would have a similar benefit. Your comment: "Our circumstances are such that it is what we have now." I'm familiar with that situation, we've all been there, and to paraphrase a recent SECDEF: "Sometimes you tow with the TV you have, not the TV you want." Good luck to you and I hope you are able to upgrade the TV soon.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289	Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 10:35am
	Turbocharged gas or diesel engines are great for the situation you describe. We have a 2L Ecoboost engine in our Escape. We tow an RP-179. The turbocharger makes all the difference. Even on relatively steep inclines, the turbocharger allowed us to tow. A naturally aspirated engine would not have worked nearly so well. That being said, I would not recommend the Escape, even with the 2L Ecoboost engine for someone shopping for a new vehicle. Our circumstances are such that it is what we have now. I hope to change to a turbocharged small diesel whenever we can afford to do so.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 9:42am
	Having towed a light 172 in the Colorado Rockies with a 3.5L Honda Pilot I can make a few points. When climbing passes at altitude you need a real engine. The 3.5L Pilot worked, but it was marginal, and the 172 was lighter than your 177. The tow rating of the TV deals with dead weight like a boat or flatbed trailer at sea level. Pulling a high cross sectioned trailer (read parachute) up mountain passes requires more horsepower. Look for at least 4.0L, preferably a small V8. When I added 1000# with a new trailer I went to a 4.0L Tacoma, but I also added a supercharger for the altitude. I just returned from 8800 miles including CO , UT, WY, ID and the Taco worked fine, but it was not overpowered. The "best" for you would be a small 5L V8 like a 1/2 T pickup, Jeep GC, Yukon, Tahoe, Sequoia, etc.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

TheLoneRanger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Jun 2016 Location: Utah Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 12:05am
	I live in southwest UT. I have a 2016 177 with a UVW of 2611 lbs. I am shopping for a new tow vehicle. With all the surrounding states having mountainous terrain I need a TV that is capable of towing up some steep grades and at high altitudes. I would appreciate some feedback from the folks that have traveled in this type of environment. What would be the minimum requirements for a TV for this type of terrain? Thanks in advance!
	TheLoneRanger (AKA-Dana) Hi-Yo Silver Away 2016 RP-177 2013 Ford F150 3.5L EcoBoost w/Factory Tow Package