90% commuter 10% utilitarian weekender?

Posted by Smart_Bank1848@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 7 comments

I’m not sure this is gonna have a straight answer but here goes.

In the next couple years I’m gonna be looking to upgrade my daily. I drive a lot of highway for work so I’d like something that’s going to last a while and be decent on gas.

I’d also like to use it on weekends for diy home projects and moving a small riding mower/corator when needed. Think harbor freight size trailer (already have access to so purchasing new isn’t a factor) and materials for small deck/bathroom model/landscaping updates etc. Really don’t see me towing more than 1k-1500 lbs but it is a factor I’m considering. It would be max 5 times a year max and I live where it’s flat. Most of the towing would be less than 5 miles and in town.

Would I be better off getting something like a Honda crv, 4cyl and cvt rated for like 2000 lbs towing and a little better gas mileage, or jumping up to the passport for the traditional trans and v6 and the 5k tow rating hoping overbuilt for my needs means it’ll last longer.

Those vehicles are just examples, I’m not really brand specific and I know those two vehicles aren’t built to achieve the same end but are in the area/type of vehicles I’m thinking of looking at. Feel free to ignore if it’s a dumb or unanswerable question. lol

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AbruptMango@reddit

You need a commuter car and a utility trailer.

SkeletorsAlt@reddit

Isn’t that what OP said?

ImmediateDrawing6691@reddit

Is the Ford Maverick Hybrid 4wd a reasonable solution? Could go Prius with a hitch too.

Smart_Bank1848@reddit (OP)

Thank you.

Could you rent a pickup from the hardware store or U-Haul for those few occasions?

I see why you’re concerned about bumping up against the limits of a CRV, but I’d hate to tell you to get a Pilot for literally 5x/50 miles a year and spend thousands extra in fuel costs over the years.

Really, you don’t need the utilitarian weekender 10% of the time, you need it .1% of the time, so keep that in mind.

mudmusic@reddit

Horrible for gas mileage but I will toss in the Jeep Gladiator. Standard transmission can tow around 4500lbs, the bed has enough room for the weekend trips to Home Depot and you can take the top and doors off.

Key_Bison_2067@reddit

In my experience the biggest limiting factors on a vehicles towing are its weight and brakes. My tundra would pull anything my 3/4 ton Ram will pull. But it struggled to stop, and wore through brakes at a higher rate than it should have. In my opinion if your max load is that close to capacity on the smaller vehicle just get the bigger one. Heck, just the extra capacity and space in the vehicle might mean you don’t need a trailer, and if you do you’ll have more than enough capacity to be safe. The other option is buy the smaller one, and use what you save to rent a pickup truck from home depot when you need one.