Towing and offroading impressions

[cmiles97]

Trade offs.

 

[cmiles97]

Have to decide what you want: More towing and cargo capacity or more off roading ability. You can't have both unless you spend lots of $$$$$ for something custom.

Jeep Gladiator has nice towing capacity but limited cargo and do you really want to take a new 1st year model from Fiat way out into the wilderness where a tow for a breakdown is going to be a problem. Fiat seems to have brought the already low reliability of Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep down.

I would trust the 4runner though but again the offset of cargo and towing.

 

[duneslider]

Jeep Gladiator will tow 7500# and go anywhere offroad you want to go.
Ford Raptor will tow around 7500# I believe and get you into plenty of trouble offroad.
Ford Ranger will get you to plenty of places offroad and I believe tows 7500#.
Any fullsize truck will do pretty good offroad and tow plenty.

Lots of options depending on what you really need/want. We had a lot of fun in our JKU as a family of 5 with a small popup camper. Now we have slightly different fun in the Expedition with a bigger camper.

 

[Artie]

I honestly don't think a 4runner can do much more than the expedition (stock to stock). A smaller vehicle would have a better approach, departure, and breakover but I just don't see you going on stuff that would be that difficult. I mean I saw a stock expedition go up baby lions back in moab. I do that in my wrangler but I don't think I am interested in doing that in my expedition but I guess it could do it.

The new jeep gladiator would be a sweet overland vehicle and will tow 7500lbs. The 4runners are only rated to tow 5000# so that trailer would have you maxed out or over the safe limit. A raptor would be cool and do what you want! The new Rangers look really nice and would be a little better offroad. All other options will feel cramped compared to the Expedition.

I would rock the Lincoln and ditch the 22's for some 18's and all terrains and go for it. Maybe look at the skid plate thread and add a few of those.

The first 4th Gen I saw was a Lincoln bombing a dirt road in Moab. That was when I realized my next suv wasn't going to be a Jeep (we had been waiting/hoping for the Grand Wagoneer to come out)

We wouldn’t do a 4Runner or raptor, raptor is just too wide. A ranger raptor could be a possibility if they make a US version but we wouldn’t buy anything until we see what shakes out with the upcoming Bronco. I will be making changes to the wheel and tire setup on my Navi but I’d like to keep the stock diameter of the current tire if possible. I’d really like to avoid a lift as well as I would only run that wheel/tire combo when needed. I know it’s a hassle to switch out but I still mostly drive on pavement and this is also our beach trip car so I don’t care to run hybrid tires for a 6 hour trip to the coast. I have air and a floor jack so it’s not that big a deal. Also, I have all the skid plates already that are in that particular thread, they came on the vehicle, but I wouldn’t mind something more substantial. A winch would be nice as well.

 

[duneslider]

That surprises me that the skids would come on the Lincoln...that's pretty cool.

 

[Artie]

Have to decide what you want: More towing and cargo capacity or more off roading ability. You can't have both unless you spend lots of $$$$$ for something custom.

Jeep Gladiator has nice towing capacity but limited cargo and do you really want to take a new 1st year model from Fiat way out into the wilderness where a tow for a breakdown is going to be a problem. Fiat seems to have brought the already low reliability of Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep down.

I would trust the 4runner though but again the offset of cargo and towing.

I’d avoid anything related to Fiat and before they became fiat they were Chrysler and I have always avoided them as well. Agreed on the 4Runner. I get the whole trade off sentiment as well. If I find the Navigator can get to most of where we want than I’d stick with it. Otherwise we would consider something a little more geared toward off road with some tow capacity like the ranger, it does 7500lbs and from what I’ve read about the Bronco it looks like it will be a Jeep competitor with similar towing as the ranger.

 

[bill_b]

I just came out of a 2018 4runner limited for our Expedition.

Don't get me wrong our 4runner was a blast and it took everything I threw at it to lol. That being said there's simply no comparison when it comes to power/towing and even luxuries. We had the top trim level 4runner and I swapped out the 20s for 17s and all terrains with a leveling kit. The second row is a joke as soon as you throw a car seat or even a child back there. Don't even bother with the 3rd row unless you hate the person you're putting back there lol.

We will be replacing the 4runner with a couple SxS for significantly cheaper and a lot less stress about bashing a door off of a tree!

 

[bill_b]

Change of pace lol

 

[shane_th_ee]

The problem with the 4-runners, JGCs, etc is the payload sucks. By the time you get the wife and kids, car seats, etc in it, there’s no more than a couple hundred pounds left for tongue weight. The only real exception is the current generation Discovery. 7500lbs towing, more payload than an Expedition and in a whole ‘nother league off road. The only reasons I didn’t buy one is I wanted room behind the third row and 8 passenger seating.

 

[nate6966]

Change of pace lol

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Beautiful! Congrats on the great new ride!

 

[rumline]

The problem with the 4-runners, JGCs, etc is the payload sucks. By the time you get the wife and kids, car seats, etc in it, there’s no more than a couple hundred pounds left for tongue weight.

QFT. Let's all say it together: "tow rating is meaningless without payload." If you're single, no kids, and just want to tow a boat to the lake, or you're retirees with a small-ish travel trailer and little gear in the car, all of the above may suit you well. But if you have a family AND want to tow, there aren't a lot of options. Throw in offroading too and you're asking quite a bit. The Expy/Navi is IMHO the best compromise available (or I wouldn't have bought it lol).

Honestly if you want to live the RV lifestyle, have a family, (i.e., have a lot of stuff) and still want to do serious offroading, get a motorhome and tow your tricked out Jeep behind it. Park the RV at the trailhead and then get wheelin' in a proper vehicle. Plenty of options for various use cases, preferences, and budgets.

 

[Artie]

Honestly if you want to live the RV lifestyle, have a family, (i.e., have a lot of stuff) and still want to do serious offroading, get a motorhome and tow your tricked out Jeep behind it. Park the RV at the trailhead and then get wheelin' in a proper vehicle. Plenty of options for various use cases, preferences, and budgets.

The key point here is the ‘live the rv lifestyle’. I’m trying to avoid that while still being able to remote camp with relative comfort. If I wanna rough it I distance hike. If I want a base camp for multiple activities I’ll do anything to avoid a designated RV campground.

 

[Artie]

The problem with the 4-runners, JGCs, etc is the payload sucks. By the time you get the wife and kids, car seats, etc in it, there’s no more than a couple hundred pounds left for tongue weight. The only real exception is the current generation Discovery. 7500lbs towing, more payload than an Expedition and in a whole ‘nother league off road. The only reasons I didn’t buy one is I wanted room behind the third row and 8 passenger seating.

We really needed 3rd row seating as well. My wife’s family is out of state and fly out a couple times a year. Having to take two cars is just a flipping nightmare. So looking for 3rd row with real 4x4 narrows down choices super quick.

 

[Wayne Decker]

I towed my 6600 lb (fully loaded) Airstream across the county for 6 years with a 2012 Dodge Durango Hemi. It did just fine. I put it on the scales and everything was within limits (barely), full loaded with people, dogs and toys.

It was time for a new vehicle so we just got an Expedition Platinum with the heavy duty towing package. I'm looking forward to the extra room and to the extra torque in the Rockies. The Hemi did ok, but this should do way better.

 

[duneslider]

I towed my 6600 lb (fully loaded) Airstream across the county for 6 years with a 2012 Dodge Durango Hemi. It did just fine. I put it on the scales and everything was within limits (barely), full loaded with people, dogs and toys.

It was time for a new vehicle so we just got an Expedition Platinum with the heavy duty towing package. I'm looking forward to the extra room and to the extra torque in the Rockies. The Hemi did ok, but this should do way better.

The Hemi does great but the size of the durango doesn't match the expedition. I have been shocked how effortlessly the ecoboost tows. Everytime I drive it I am super happy with my decision.

Just towed a lighter trailer maybe about 1500lbs total weight (kayaks, paddle boards, etc) from Salt Lake to Bear Lake and averaged 20mpg. Pleasant the whole time. I would be open to another 6-12 inches of cargo space though!

 

[Wayne Decker]

I'm anxious to set it up and start towing. I need to get past the 1,000 mile break in.

 

[nate6966]

I loved getting this vehicle out into the mountains. I didn't challenge it very much, but it surprised me how smooth it made the forest service access roads.

 

[Wayne Decker]

I finally hit 1,000 miles so I hitched up the Airstream. I drove it down to a level parking lot so I could adjust the WD hitch. Turns out it didn't need any, it is set up just fine. I did the wheel well measurement method, I'll check it on the scales when we are on the road with it and make any tweaks if needed.

So I towed a total of 5 miles. 2.5 downhill and then 2.5 uphill back home. It was great. Tow/haul mode kept the right gear so I barely braked all the way down. The the RPMs stay nice and low back up. I'll this weekend to a place about an hour and a half away, so I'll get better idea.

But initial reactions are very positive!