What SUV to tow a Miata on a trailer?

[BoltOnJohn]

EDIT: Miata, not Miati.. just one.

A friend of mine hit me with the above question. He says the Miata weighs 2100 lbs.

He wants something that wouldn't be too bad on gas and could be used for non towing roadtrips as well as towing the Miati 2-3 hours a few times a year for races.

I immediately started thinking 3/4 ton something but I reckon that's overkill for a Miata. I do know my Cherokee won't hardly tow itself but that's mostly a gearing issue. Grand Cherokee? Expedition? Chevy? I don't know squat about Chevy SUVs.

He wants to keep the budget under $10k for something used.

He didn't specifically say, the cheaper the better, but I got that impression.

Recommendations? Is this the wrong forum?

 

[strange1]

i would stick with something in the 1/2 ton variety. expedition, tahoe, burban.

 

[1stgenxxx]

Ben seems to like towing with his 03 z71 Tahoe 5.3

 

[Spence]

I think I would go for something like a tahoe, personally.

 

[BigBody79]

A short list:
# is max trailer weight per manufacturer
Jeep Grand Cherokee w/ V8 7,200
Jeep Commander 7,200
Dodge Durango V8 7,350 Hemi 8,750
Ford Expedition 4.6 5000 5.4 7,000
Ford Excursion Plenty
Ford Explorer V8 Max towing 7,000
Chevy Tahoe Plenty
Chevy Suburban Plenty
Toyota Sequoia 6,200

 

[BoltOnJohn]

overkill?

I know this may sound a bit crazy but does he really need ~7000 in rated towing capacity to tow ~3500 lbs of stuff? That's my guestimate for 2100 lb car + car hauler + misc.

Don't get me wrong, everything you listed would do the job well. Just brainstorming.

Having experienced towing a boat with an undersized vehicle, I'd go for the overkill but this guy favors smaller.

A short list:
# is max trailer weight per manufacturer
Jeep Grand Cherokee w/ V8 7,200
Jeep Commander 7,200
Dodge Durango V8 7,350 Hemi 8,750
Ford Expedition 4.6 5000 5.4 7,000
Ford Excursion Plenty
Ford Explorer V8 Max towing 7,000
Chevy Tahoe Plenty
Chevy Suburban Plenty
Toyota Sequoia 6,200

 

[redneckjeep87]

hell you could tow that thing with a decent lawnmower!

 

[Yay!Gurrr]

Alot will depend on the how much/heavy of a trailer he gets.

If he gets a nice small 6x12 utility type trailer (w/ 2 brake axles) at around 1200# he would be fine towing with a v6 tacoma (5k tow rating)

I wouldn't go below a 5k tow rating.. but keep the trailer size in check.

 

[upnover]

I'd say any of the heavier half ton's or bigger. You are looking at around 4K car and trailer. You want something rated for the weight because of control issues and braking. Even with trailer brakes, which I would recommend, a load similar in size as the tow rig has the potential to be out of control in an emergency situation arise. Just because it will pull the load, don't mean it's safe.

 

[Papa_Jon]

miati = miata?

 

[Papa_Jon]

i guess it all depends if he is towing this

 

[Blaze]

He should tow it with a Toyota Highlander so he'll have a chick SUV to match his chick car.

 

[StretchASU]

A few of the Spec Miata guys pull with their half tons and do just fine with a bed full of race gear and spares. Just be sure to get a decent trailer with braking axles and a good controller.

 

[BigBody79]

Personally, I wouldn't think twice to tow it with a 1/2 ton anything.

Of course trailer brakes and maybe a W/D hitch.

 

[GCncsuHD]

I think I would go for something like a tahoe, personally.

This, and alot of LT Tahoes/Yukons/Suburbans came with the "Autoride" rear air leveling as well, which helps out tremendously while towing. If it has it, it will usually say it under the LT badge on the pillars.


Or..Just go overkill and by my Duramax

 

[BoltOnJohn]

Thanks

Thanks for the input, I'll pass it along.