Tow Vehicle Advice

[FreeLance]

The 4Runner transmission went out so it is time to get a new tow vehicle.  Wife wants 6 seats or more and 'gasp' sliding doors.  I still want to tow the S22, you guys have any suggestions?

[denver]

Well it doesn't fit all the stipulations, but a VW Touareg is my recommendation.  They tow up to 7716lbs.  We have one and it does a very nice job pulling the epic.

[eagle1wi]

the seats six, sliding doors, and towing are difficult requirements to meet unless you get a full size van.  I would get the 4Runner fixed before getting a minivan but that is just me. 

Are you sure you can't campaign against the sliding door thing? 

How much does fuel economy matter to you?

Are you looking new?  Price range?

[westtx]

Just get a Sequoia -- 4Runner's big brother!

[eagle1wi]

Just get a Sequoia -- 4Runner's big brother!

Agreed, that or a late model 4Runner with 3rd row seating. 

Trailblazers and Envoys were made as "EXT" models with 3rd row and could get the towing job done with either the I6 or V8.

If you are willing to go Sequoia size you have a bunch of truck based options. 

[westtx]

I'm towing with the latest generation 4 Runner now, and it does a good job on the Epic (tow rating of 5,000 pounds). I liked the previous generation even more, though (2003 - 2009). It offered a V8 (not really necessary) and a tow rating up to 7400 pounds. The latest generation is designed more for off-road than towing, but with 270 HP and huge brakes, it still does a good job. The Sequoia is based on the Tundra platform and rated to tow over 7,000 pounds and can carry 7 or even 8 people comfortably. I work for Toyota so I'm biased, but either one will do the job. There are also some Highlander models rated to tow 5,000 pounds, but I have never towed with one of them so I can't speak first hand on how well they would perform with the Epic.

[FreeLance]

Thanks for the input on this one.  We went with door number 3 and fixed the 4Runner, traded in the Civic for an Odyssey and now all parties are happy.  Hopefully the 4Runner will last for another 105,000 miles on top of what it already has on it.

Westx, out of curiosity is the transmission on the 2003-2009 4Runners (mine is a 2004) a known failure point?  I was really surprised that the shift solenoid went bad which is why the transmission needed to be replaced.  My bro has a 2006 Sequoia that had the same problem but was replaced on warranty.