Tow vehicle for your LG Max?

Good Morning nhguy!  Welcome to the community and LG trailers.  I've towed many a trailer and without exception, the bigger the engine, the better.  Now, saying that doesn't mean you need to go out and buy the biggest baddest truck on the market!  Ask yourself a simple question:

1) Where will I be going?  Local, long distance, off road?

The answer will generally point you towards the answer you're looking for.  I tow ours with a Ford F150 Eco 6 cylinder, and I'm very happy with it.  I used to tow with a Tundra 8 cylinder.  Loved it!  I also used a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4, also very good.  What I guess I'm saying is power, transmission and towing package are key.  Don't just get a 4 cylinder whatever and put a Uhaul hitch on it.  That's not a towing package!  Towing capacity and torque are key.  I would recommend a minimum of 6 cylinders and a vehicle with a frame built for towing with transmission cooling.  A lot of the smaller SUV's say they can tow, but the frame and transmission really can't, not long distance.   I can tow with a Prius, but at some point you'll be sorry.  Also, this is NOT about mpg.  Expect to loose 1/2 of the highway mpg while towing, less if it's 8 cylinders.  I get 22mpg on the highway, but when I tow, I get 10mpg max.  If at all possible, get AWD or 4 wheel drive.  This has saved me many times.  It's worth the extra $$.  The LGMax is fantastic and very light but remember you will be adding gear.  We average 4 -500lbs of gear when we go and that's with empty tanks.  So having a vehicle that can tow 4000lbs is something to think about.  Most SUV's rear suspensions are pretty weak.  A good tow vehicle will have a tougher rear suspension too.  

Ok, I've given you a bunch to think about.  There are plenty of good vehicles out there, just be sure they are made to tow, not just an add on.  Hope that helps, and if you have any other questions, just drop a note.

For reliability we have had great experience with Subaru, Toyota, and Honda.  

Thus, I am considering the Honda Piot, the Ascent, and the Highlander .. largest engine and AWD in each case.

They all claim 5000lb towing capacity.   

This is a min. for my needs.  Next step up would be the big SUVs (Taho, Suburben, Expedition, etc) or a low end F150.

I am now looking into  Ford Ranger.  It has 7500 lb tow capacity and longer wheel base than most SUVs.

I would consider an F-150 but, it would not fit in our garage.  The Ranger would barely fit.

Would the Ranger be a good tower for the LGM?

The mid-size trucks coming out and the ones out are a good choice.  Again, just make sure the trans and towing package are truly a towing package.  Most trucks are, regardless of physical size. I like pickups for towing for another reason, the bed.  You can store all your gear while traveling and camping in the bed and never have to worry about where to put things.  Fire wood as an example, extra propane, battery and generator are all things I don't want in the vehicle or in the camper.  The bed is perfect, just make sure the suspension is appropriate.  I recommend a nice hard cover.  Lots of options.  

Good luck.    Dennis

Actually, am looking at a Ranger now.

I recently purchased my Max and I am towing with a 2020 Subaru Ascent.  So far so good. 

I’ve been towing my 2021 LGM with a 2021 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Premium for about 3000 miles now with no problems. When I ordered my 4Runner, I had the dealer install light truck tires and Blistein shocks, and of course a trailer brake controller. The engine is stock. I’ve kept the tires inflated to 60psi. I’ve tried to keep the trailer weight around 3,500lbs. Mostly we’ve been camping in the mountains of NC, VA and TN and getting about 10.5mpg. Interestingly, the one trip we’ve taken to the coast, about a 330 mile haul one way, we got only 9.9mpg on the flat lands. One other thing about my towing setup is I had the RV dealer install a Hensley Hitch Cub on the LGM. (The dealership did NOT get the install correct, which I attribute to a general lack of competence, but they at least got it on to the point that I could correct their errors myself. 🙄 Just be aware that if you ask your RV dealer to do anything outside of their average experience, you should probably go over the work with a fine tooth comb.) The Hensley Hitch is a sway elimination and weight distribution hitch that cost me about $2800, but I swear it’s been worth every penny. - My wife and I have a long trip from NC to CO and back coming up early in September, so I’m taking the 4Runner in for service prior to the trip just to make sure all is good to go.

I’m currently purchasing the 2023 Honda Passport EX-L, V6 engine, AWD. I’m told it has a 5000 lbs towing capacity. It seems the tongue weight is 350 lbs. This will be my first camper so I’m new to this all. I did research but am not comfortable yet taking the plunge on the LGM because I’m not confident enough that my vehicle will be able to tow it safely. It seems that there are many calculations to make to be sure and now I’m am even more confused. I would appreciate your feedback. 

Hello Me0867.  There are so many facets to towing.  First, the Passport says it can tow 5000lbs, that doesn't necessarily mean the hitch on the vehicle is up to the task or the tow sleeve or ball insert.  Make sure they are all capable.  Each is classified separately.  I'm sure the V6 will have no problem, it's the transmission that takes the brunt of the work.  Most vehicles made for towing have additional pieces (oil cooler, trans cooler, etc) for the big jobs.  Also remember the LGM dry weight is ~3200lbs.  Pack it up and it could come close to the 5000lbs.  Never, ever (unless boondocking) travel with the fresh water tank full or the grey or black water tank either.  Really adds weight.  So you want to look at selective packing.  Also remember your vehicle and it's contents (people & gas included) add to the weight your expecting to move around.  Smaller vehicles should definitely have the sway and weight distribution mechanism added to the trailer and hitch.  This really helps when you're towing more than the weight of the tow vehicle. 

If your Passport does not have a hitch on it already, make sure you go to a verifiable trailer dealer in order to get on put on.  it can't just bolt to the bumper.  It has to attach to the frame.  There are five basic classes that trailer hitches are divided into, based on how much weight they are rated to handle, (GTW: Gross Trailer Weight & TW: Tongue Weight) Class 1: 2,000 lbs. GTW capacity and 200 lbs. TW Class 2: 3,500 lbs. GTW capacity and 300 to 350 lbs. TW. Class 3: 5,000 lbs. GTW capacity and 500 lbs. TW.  Class 4 rated hitches are designed for heavy duty towing, with a capacity of up to 10,000 lbs. GTW.  Yours will need to be at least a Class 3.

Let me know if you have any other questions.  Hope this helps.

@texaslgmax I told the salesman at Honda that I intended to tow a camper so I wanted the tow package. I’d have to be sure what this includes and what I need added but all this information is conflicting and confusing. The LGM salesman assured me that my car would be able to tow it and said they can do the anti sway and WD equipment. Now I’m not naive. I know he wants to make the sale but I don’t know a lot about this. What can I to do but take his word for it or just forget about getting a camper.

Me0867, you are doing the right stuff.  Ask questions, do the pre-work by looking stuff up online, ask people that already do what you want to do.  I did a little background on the Passport and it passed the first sniff test.  The V6 engine and AWD with the proper Class 3 hitch and towing package should be just fine.  We have to remember that since towing will only consist of less than 10% of your vehicle's life (unless you're planning on living in the LGM) that the other 90% of your transport needs need to be considered too.  Even if you don't trust your salesman (car or RV) do a lookup on line of the Passport packages and see what's included.  Get the window sticker and see what's installed.  I've pulled many a trailer without all the bells and whistles and it all worked out ok.  It's time and longevity towing that will be the enemy.  You're just trying to extend that as much as possible.  

As for the RV guy and the WD stuff, well they will always charge you a little more but it gets done right and now you have "One throat to choke" when it comes to something breaking or not working right.  Minimize human error by letting only as few qualified hands on your vehicle and RV as necessary (just my own paranoia).  Our RV dealer offered a 50% mark up on their WD system.  Negotiate it down.  With the Passport I would certainly recommend one.

So Me0867, in conclusion, you are doing all the "Right Stuff".  The Passport V6 AWD with a Class III hitch will tow your LGM trailer just fine.  Get the Package listing off the window sticker and see what's in that Towing Package online. Get comfortable with what it has or doesn't have listed.  Things like skid plates, larger alternator, oil cooler, trans cooler are all really nice to have, but may not be in the package.  You don't absolutely need them but see what's offered.  As for the WD mechanicals.....I would recommend this for your vehicle.  The LG Dealer knows the tongue weight and dry weight of the LGM so he should recommend the right WD system for you.  It's all about the weight and it's distribution while towing.

Lastly, remember you WILL lose MPG when towing.  I drop from 20mpg in my F150 to 9mpg when towing.  Be prepared for that.  So, we had a 36gal extended gas tank installed.  At 9mpg, a 24gal tank didn't go too far.  And in Texas, we can still be in the middle of nowhere after one tank.  so do some quick math and see how far you will be able to go with your gas tank on the Passport.  These days, manufacturers are optimizing MPG, which means smaller tanks for less weight.  Not perfect when towing.  Just be aware of this fact.

Let me know if there's anything else I can help with Me0867.

@texaslgmax Thank you! That is sweet that you did some research on my behalf. I just wished that I was more knowledgeable about these things. The truth is that I’m not completely sold on the LGM and did want other camper options. Honestly, my first choice is the inTech Sol Horizon then the nuCamp TAB 400. Lastly, is the LGM. I really would love the Horizon but I’m in the same dilemma of not knowing if my vehicle was capable of towing it. I’d pay for the add ons if necessary but is it towable? 🤷🏻‍♀️ It isn’t a full time camper but I would like to take longer trips. If the camper has everything that I need then I wouldn’t need to bring much else. For example, the Horizon has the outdoor kitchen so that would eliminate the grill that is a must for me. It also has an additional refrigerator outside then that would eliminate the need for an additional cooler. I’m absolutely in love with the Horizon 🥰 but I’m even more unsure about that one. 🤦‍♀️

The inTech Sol Horizon is definitely a keeper.  When we bought our LGM, the Horizon wasn't around.  We did look at the TAB and after actually getting into one, we found that it was really too small.  Loved the way it looked, but the interior is not as spacious as the LGM, so we bought the LGM.  There are so many options out there for folks.  You just have to decide what you want and need.  As for towing again, it's all about weight.  If the unit has what you need and you don't exceed the max tow limit (plus people, supplies and gas) of your vehicle, then it will tow whatever unit you want.  Remember tow weight = dry weight of camper + supplies + what's in the vehicle.  Tongue weight is just that, the weight that presses down on the tongue.  That will affect your vehicle with regard to the shocks and the rear end of your car.  So stay within the specs.  If you add something to the tongue, add something to the back of the trailer inside or out.  Use common sense in distributing the load, it makes a difference.

As for the knowledge part, that will come as you proceed down this path.  I'm still figuring stuff out all the time.....

@texaslgmax Oh goodness! If I could get the Horizon, I think I’d cry with joy!! It is a beauty! A YouTuber had a video of them going to pick up their Horizon so I asked the specs on their vehicle. They did say that their vehicle’s weight capacity is also 5000 lbs so I guess there is hope. I’m just waiting for them to respond with their make and model of that vehicle so I could compare. I wish there was a trailer 101 class! Boy, I’d be the first to register for that class! 😂 This camper has all the bells and whistles minus the bathroom sink. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I really wouldn’t be having to lug much actually and it would just be me and my husband for the most part.