Top 10 Tow Vehicles for Pop Up Campers or Lightweight Trailers

In this video I provide my top 10 Tow Vehicles for Pop Up Campers or Lightweight Trailers. The vehicles we're rated based on price, tow ratings and fuel efficiency. If you are in the market for a new tow vehicle for a smaller trailer, one of these vehicles might be a perfect fit.
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[@GoldenK9Campers]

One update, a viewer mentioned that the Dodge Durango is in fact Unibody, just like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. After checking, they are both indeed unibody platforms.

[@Stanf954]

Besides the Dodge Durango and Jeep CG, the Jeep Cherokee 4x4 equipped with the 3.2L V6 @ 271 Hp and factory tow pkg is rated at 4500 lbs towing/450lbs tow hitch on the Class 3 hitch. That includes a larger radiator, hvy duty transmission and oil cooler, full size spare tire, 4/7 pin tow plugs, trailer sway control. I avg 14 MPG towing my full size camper at 3900 lbs.

[@GoldenK9Campers]

Not bad at all. Thanks for sharing !!

[@KathleenStruckJournalist]

I like this. No yelling at me. Just the facts, thank you.

[@GoldenK9Campers]

Thanks much. I do need to update as there are some changes coming.

[@porpoision]

Just to clarify, the Ford Maverick with the 2.0 ecoboost engine is mated to an 8 speed automatic transmission, not a 10 speed. I just bought a 2024 Maverick and it’s an awesome vehicle, but I didn’t get mine with the 4K tow package.

[@GoldenK9Campers]

Thanks for the clarification. The maverick is pretty sweet.

[@bengarzastudios]

Great vid. Thx for the breakdown 🤘🏼

[@GoldenK9Campers]

Glad it was helpful.

[@GoldenK9Campers]

Good points, but I think the Toyota ECVT is the exception as it' very durable. We'll show how the turbo's hold up, but that's the trend in the industry as a lot of trucks are now starting to use turbo's paired with a 4 cylinder.

[@ThurroAlexander]

So my wife and I have a RAV4 but we're going to upgrade to the RAV4 prime because the one we have has a maximum towing capacity of 1500 lbs which kinda sucks! Definitely sticking with team Toyota. We've been driving Toyotas for years and they're very reliable as long as you take em to the dealership for a check up every once in a while 😎

[@GoldenK9Campers]

There great. We love our prime. If you're relatively close to Connecticut I can send you the name of dealerships who get a lot of them which also sell for MSRP

[@ThurroAlexander]

@@GoldenK9Campers I'm out west so we'll have to fend for ourselves 😂💯

[@GoldenK9Campers]

@@ThurroAlexander You could have it shipped.

[@GoldenK9Campers]

Or fly up and drive it home.. That's what we did !! Epic road tripl .

[@chris2pher44]

I personally would try stay away from CVT and turbos. CVT because they don’t last, yes they are smooth and can get better mpg. And the turbos they stick on these little engines are junk (bearings) wouldn’t wanna break down when your on a trip. That being said if you do research on the turbo or upgrade it to more reliable one.

[@GoldenK9Campers]

I agree on the CVT comment. Definitely not ideal for towing. Turbo's and 4 Popper's are the trend. Toyota is putting them in a number of their vehicles, and time will tell with durability. But the new Tacoma has this setup, and it's legendary.

[@Introverted_Outlander]

You may need to check your FAQ on the Dodge Durango that is exactly the same platform and unibody as a Jeep Grand Cherokee which is always been unibody platform. It is not body on frame.

[@GoldenK9Campers]

Well shit.. Thanks so much for watching and making this correction !!

[@Introverted_Outlander]

@@GoldenK9Campers no worries mate😊. if you ever update this video, you might want to add the original Dodge Durango 1998-2009; which was body on frame based on their midsize pick up truck they’re all the prices are coming down significantly but they do make great tow vehicles.

[@GoldenK9Campers]

@@Introverted_Outlander I have heard rumors that the new durango will actually go back to body on frame. There are some new vehicles coming soon that might make this list... I think the new Grand Highlander with iti's 4 cylinder turbo and large electric motors might be interesting. I think this may be a nice sweet spot for tow vehicles that also get decent fuel efficiency. I'm trying to find some dealers that would work with me in trying out tow vehicles.. but it's not an easy thing to break into.

[@user-bg7wu2un3e]

Can we to A-Liner towing with Sienna (2021)?

[@GoldenK9Campers]

On all trims, the Toyota Sienna can tow 3,500 lbs. It's not necessarily the ideal tow vehicle, but it's tows better than my RAV4 Prime. Toyota just introduced it's new Hybrid Max powertrain and is using it in a number of new models including the new Grand Highlander, the 2024 Tacoma, and the newly introduced LandCruiser. This will be a nice powertrain for towing. Should get decent full economy and good low end torque with the turbo's and hybrid motors.

[@user-bg7wu2un3e]

​@@GoldenK9Campers Thank you for letting me know. I plan to buy the A-liner trailer in the future. Have a great day :)

[@KathleenStruckJournalist]

@@GoldenK9Campers Was looking at the hybrid Sienna, too, because of mileage and gas prices. Do you think hybrids can handle towing?

[@GoldenK9Campers]

@@KathleenStruckJournalist The Sienna should be able to tow a 2,800lb camper pretty well. Realize though that the 4 cylinder will get killed on the gas mileage. I get like 38MPG on my RAV4 Prime on the Highway.. when towing a 2,300 camper, it goes down to 23 MPG. So, the Sienna will get really good gas mileage, but not when towing. Given the weight, you might get less than 20 MPG when towing. Just factor that in. If one of it's primary duties is towing, you'd be better off with a V6 Truck, SUV, or even a V6 minivan - Kia Carnival or Honda Odyssey would do well and would be a much better tow vehicle

[@GoldenK9Campers]

I have a new FaceBook Group called (A-Liners Out West). It's for A-Liner Camper owners or wannabe owners, check it out at facebook.com/groups/aliners.out.west.

[@agentlemind5282]

Who configures a truck with rear wheel drive?!? Waste of time!

[@GoldenK9Campers]

This video is about tow vehicles which many say perform better with RWD. They also get better gas mileage.