FAQ 03: Can You Tow a Travel Trailer With a V6?

I tow with a V6, so the answer is YES.

I’m a strong believer in kicking off your adventures with the rig you’ve got. Unless you’re selling the house and creating a full-time setup, there’s no need to go splurging on a big truck. And, even then, many people don’t.

As most of you know, I tow with a Toyota FJ Cruiser. What many people don’t know is that it has a V6 engine. That means I have a lower towing capacity and less power than most other tow vehicles at camp.

Even so, my FJ tows a 22-foot trailer. Ever wondered how he earned the name Samson? Well, now you know!

What are some of the best V6 vehicles to tow with?

Once you start looking at V6 tow vehicles, you’ll quickly realize that most of them have low towing capacities. So, in this instance, I’m referring to capable tow vehicles. Keep in mind that the specific towing capacity varies by vehicle model and year, so always consult the manual:

• Toyota Tacoma — 6,800 lbs

• Jeep Grand Cherokee — 6,200 lbs

• Dodge Durango — 6,200 lbs

• Nissan Pathfinder — 6,000 lbs

• Ford Explorer — 5,300 lbs

• Toyota FJ Cruiser — 5,000 lbs

• Toyota 4Runner —5,000 lbs

• Toyota Highlander — 5,000 lbs

• Kia Sorento —5,000 lbs

• Kia Telluride — 5,000 lbs

Do you prefer luxury vehicles?

You’ll be delighted to find that luxury brands often sport even higher towing ratings:

• Range Rover Sport — 7,716 lbs

• Land Rover Defender — 7,716 lbs

• Audi Q8 — 7,700 lbs

• Audi Q7 — 7,700 lbs

• Porsche Cayenne — 7,700 lbs

• Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class — 7,700 lbs

• BMW X5 — 6,600 lbs

Are there any factors worth considering?

I originally wanted to tow with an Audi Q7. It has one of the highest towing capacities available on a V6 and I thought it would be hilarious to take it offroad. The only thing that deterred me was realizing that American mechanics are not a fan of German engineering. So, I chose a vehicle that was:

• Remarkably capable even with 100% stock features

• Had incredible reliability ratings

• Was easy to source parts for

• Could be repaired or serviced by any mechanic

Land Rover, for instance, might have the highest towing capacities on the list. But, they also have the absolute worst dependability ratings. Jeeps are only marginally better. Consider this carefully when making a decision about a rig destined to take you places. Choose something you can trust to get you back home—or something you know how to fix.

What can I do to make my V6 a more capable tow vehicle?

Following the 80|20 rule for my FJ Cruiser, my travel trailer should never weigh more than 4,000 lbs. Needless to say, my truck has its work cut out for it.

Lucky for Samson, over the past two years, I’ve learned how to improve towing performance and even increase my towing MPG. If you’re a paid subscriber, next week I’ll help you achieve the same for your adventure rig.

Happy travels!