10 Best Midsize SUV for Towing a Travel Trailer

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Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Paul Clayton

10 Best Midsize SUV for Towing a Travel Trailer

The midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer also features advanced driving technologies for enhanced safety and control, making your journey as smooth as possible. Experience the perfect blend of performance and comfort with this midsize SUV designed for towing.

• Towing Capacity: Match trailer weight when fully loaded.
• Engine Power and Transmission: V6 or V8 engines preferred.
• Drive Type: Opt for AWD or 4WD systems.
• Advanced Towing Features: Look for helpful towing aids.
• Fuel Efficiency: Consider fuel economy for cost-effectiveness.
• Comfort: Ensure comfortable seating for passengers.
• Space: Ample cargo space for travel essentials.

SUVs are a prevalent type of vehicle, especially in the United States. They are typically compact, spacious, comfy, and sporty.

The majority of SUVs on the market are midsize SUVs. This is because they are big enough to accommodate several people but not too big to consume a lot of fuel or to cost a lot of money. 

There are many midsize SUVs on the market. Many of them can tow travel trailers easily. Among the many midsize SUVs on the market, a number of them have very powerful engines and have got strong chassis.

This makes them the best suited for towing travel trailers. In this article, I will list ten such midsize SUVs and tell you everything you need to know about them.

Without further ado, here are the 10 best midsize SUVs for towing travel trailers. 

The Top Midsize SUVs for Towing a Travel Trailer

1. Dodge Durango

The Dodge Company started making the Durango over twenty years ago. Over the years, the company has improved the SUV, which is now one of the bestselling SUVs on the market. 

The Dodge Durango is best known for its strong performance on different types of terrain. It is an SUV that performs because it features a 3.6L V6 engine under its hood. It is also known for its serious towing capacity.

If you want to use this SUV to take your travel trailer off-road, you can do that without worrying about getting stuck. This is because it is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, so it can easily handle most if not all-terrain.

One of the things I like about the Dodge Durango is that it looks just as attractive as it is powerful. It has the same classic overall Dodge Durango design that has existed for about ten years.

I also like that it is a high-tech car with a fuel-saving system, a remote engine start system, a parking sensor, and Wi-Fi. Several SUVs have better technologies.

However, the technology used in this one is not very bad. It is a vehicle you will love driving, especially on the highway, where it delivers 19 MPG, and off-road, where it can manage well.

It has three rows, making it perfect for large families.

The Dodge Durango is renowned for its impressive towing capacity, which is the best in its class, making it an ideal choice for towing a travel trailer.

Its blend of power, technology, and comfort features, including various engine options and a spacious interior with advanced entertainment options, ensures both performance and convenience for long hauls.

2. Land Rover Range Rover Sport

This is one of the priciest and most luxurious midsize SUVs on the market! It is a truly remarkable car for those who are looking for something powerful but at the same time stately and luxurious. 

The Land Rover Range Rover blends comfort/ luxury and ruggedness. When you look at its body, you will see it is well-designed and aerodynamic. It is a car that will turn heads where you go. And while this car’s exterior is impressive, its interior is even more impressive. 

It features the classic Range Rover styling with luxury leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and digital control screens. 

In terms of technologies, this midsize SUV features a Wi-Fi system, an automatic start and stop system, an automatic trunk, a lane assistance system, and a collision warning system.

As I said a few moments ago, this vehicle combines comfort and ruggedness. The ruggedness of this 5-seater midsize SUV makes it perfect for travel trailer towing.

It has several options, including a powerful 3.0L I6 S/C and a Turbo engine. You can pull lightweight trailers easily with this engine. Remember that the Land Rover Range Rover Sport is also a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

3. Land Rover Discovery

Across the world, the Land Rover Discovery is a well-known and top-rated off-road vehicle.

This vehicle has been manufactured in various versions for over thirty years. This model is the latest version.

While the design of this latest version is very sleek and the interior is supremely comfortable, the vehicle has not lost its serious and well-admired off-road capabilities.

Unlike its cousin, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the Land Rover Discovery is a 3-row midsize SUV. This means it can accommodate more passengers than the Range Rover Sport.

In other words, it is the better vehicle to travel with if you want to travel with a large family.

The Land Rover Discovery is available in several versions. The bestselling one is the HSE Supercharged version that boasts a 3.0L V6 S/C engine. It is also a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

It is perfect for towing lightweight and mid-size travel trailers.

This competent midsize SUV has a highway gas mileage of 21 MPG.

4. Mercedes-Benz GLE

This Mercedes-Benz midsize SUV is my favorite for towing a travel trailer. I have not gotten around to buying it yet because I have a competent Ford 450 truck, but it is what I will get the day my vehicle will give up.

What I love the most about it is that it is sleek and aerodynamic, how luxurious and spacious it looks outside, and how comfortable it is inside. I think it is one of the best-designed SUVs on the market. 

The performance of this vehicle is also awe-inspiring. It has several engine options, but the most popular is the GLE 350 4MACTIC option, which has four-wheel drive and a 2.0L I4 Turbo engine.

This engine and super strong chassis construction make this SUV perfect for towing lightweight travel trailers.

This Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV has three-row seating, accommodating many people. Its highway gas mileage is 24 MPG.

This vehicle’s technologies include front and back parking assistance, remote engine start, collision warning, Wi-Fi, automatic trunk, and automatic parking systems. 

5. Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep makes some of the best quality off-road vehicles in the world. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of their most capable SUVs!

It is a midsize off-road SUV designed to perform brilliantly, especially on rough terrain. 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD is the best option for towing travel trailers. It has a powerful V6 engine and a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Based on these statements, I can assure you that it is a vehicle you will love using to pull your travel trailer.

The only thing you may not like about the Limited 4WD version is its 17 MPG highway gas mileage. However, its stylish and luxurious interior cabin more than compensates for its low gas mileage. 

The Trackhawk and SRT models are also great for towing. 

The general features of the Jeep Grand Cherokee include cruise control, remote engine start, cooled seats, automatic start and stop, and automatic parallel parking systems.

6. Porsche Cayenne

If you are looking for a towing midsize SUV that is practical and, at the same time, sporty and luxurious, look no further than the Porsche Cayenne.

The fact that this midsize SUV goes for around $70,000 should tell you what to expect when you get inside. It has a very modern and outstanding interior. You will be impressed by how sleek everything looks when you enter this vehicle. 

Its convenient features will also impress you, including a panoramic sunroof, a reliable navigation system, a collision warning system, a Wi-Fi system, a power trunk, fog lamps, and parking sensors.

The Porsche Cayenne SUV AWD version is the most popular in terms of performance. It is a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a beautiful 3.0L V6 Turbo engine. It performs well in the city and on the highway. 

However, I must note that it is best suited for towing super light lightweight trailers such as the BASECAMP 16 and the Livin’ Lite Camplite.

7. Lincoln Aviator

If you dig safety, you will love the Lincoln Aviator. This is because this midsize SUV for towing travel trailers includes multiple safety features such as pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, forward collision detection, and parking sensors.

Of course, it also comes with standard vehicle safety features such as airbags and seatbelts.

The interior of this vehicle is very modern and luxurious. It has everything to keep you and your passengers comfortable, including an entertainment center, good speakers, comfortable seats, and heated front seats.

Being a third-row SUV makes this vehicle perfect for families.

The Reserve AWD is probably the best Lincoln Aviator for towing travel trailers. This four-wheel-drive vehicle has a powerful 3.0L V6 Turbo engine that is great for towing even midsize campers.

Its gas mileage is 24 MPG, which is impressive considering its engine!

8. Nissan Pathfinder

This is one of the cheaper midsize SUVs on the market! Therefore, much more affordable than the two Land Rovers, the Jeep, the Porsche Cayenne, and several other SUVs I have covered on this list.

The fact that this vehicle is relatively cheap does not mean that its manufacturer sacrificed any features or comfort. The manufacturer did the opposite with this vehicle. They made it comfortable and feature-rich.

The interior features ergonomic and comfortable seats, and it is super spacious. Only the leg space in front of the third-row seats is not spacious. However, it is spacious enough for kids and teenagers.

The thing I love the most about this Nissan SUV is the fact that it has a competent V6 engine. This engine means it can tow even a 5,800-pound camper.

So if you have a modern Forest River camper or any other lightweight camper, you should be able to tow it easily with the Nissan Pathfinder.

I must mention that the Nissan Pathfinder is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, so it can handle most terrains.

9. BMW X5

It is essentially a five-seater SUV that looks amazing and is perfect for traveling with a small family to camping locations anywhere. 

It comes in several styles, the best one being the xDrive40i. This style has a 3.0L I6 Turbo engine and a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

This engine and the sturdy construction of this vehicle mean that it can pull lightweight campers very well.

What I love the most about this vehicle is its interior, followed by its gas mileage. Like most BMWs, this BMW has a stylish, modern, and comfortable design. Its gas mileage is 26 MPG.

In terms of features, this vehicle comes with a sunroof, a blind-spot system, a lane-keep assistance system, a collision warning system, parking sensors, and heated seats.

10. Ford Explorer

Ford Explorer is a brilliant SUV that has been on the market for many years. This is the latest style of this iconic SUV. It is sporty, comfortable, and has many brilliant standard and unique features.

The iteration of this iconic SUV can accommodate six people in its spacious, comfortable, and elegant interior. So if your family has six members and you are looking for a midsize SUV that can tow a travel trailer to carry them, you should consider the Ford Explorer.

Speaking of towing, the Ford Explorer ST 4WD style SUV has a 3.0L V6 Turbo engine capable of towing even 5,500-pound campers. It is a four-wheel-drive style.

On the highway, this vehicle can do 24 MPG.

Features in this vehicle include a cruise control system, a Wi-Fi system, a power trunk system, and a sunroof.

How to Pick the Best Midsize SUV to Tow Your Travel Trailer

As evidenced by the list of vehicles above, many brilliant midsize SUVs are on the market capable of towing travel trailers.

So which one among them is the best for towing travel trailers? Well, I don’t know. I don’t know because I do not know the travel trailer model you own and its weight. However, I can help you pick the best midsize SUV by sharing with you what to consider. 

Towing Capacity

The number 1 thing to consider when picking an SUV for towing is its towing capacity. Most midsize SUVs can tow trailers between 0 and 6,500 pounds depending on their engine, drivetrain, and chassis construction.

So before you buy an SUV, check if it can tow your travel trailer. Suppose it cannot consider another SUV or purchasing a truck or a motorhome.

Seating Capacity

If you are buying an SUV towing a travel trailer, then you most probably want to travel somewhere far for a vacation, and you most likely want to travel there with your family.

Most midsize SUVs can only seat five people. However, third-row six-seater and seven-seater midsize SUVs are also available on the market. Therefore, if you have a six or seven-member family, you should get an SUV with a third-row interior.

Gas Mileage

When buying an SUV for towing, one of the most important things to consider is its gas mileage. Why? Because towing heavy things negatively affects gas mileage. 

Therefore, buying a midsize SUV that is not fuel-efficient and using it to tow a heavy trailer will cost you a lot of gas money.

In contrast, if you buy a potent but fuel-efficient midsize SUV and use it for towing, it will not affect your gas mileage significantly and, therefore, it will not cost you a lot of money.

Towing Compatibility

Depending on the type of travel trailer you have, you have to buy a midsize SUV that has a towing package that can tow it.

A ball hitch is not enough; the best towing midsize SUVs have strong brakes, big radiators, and brilliant suspension systems to tow heavy loads. 

So when getting a midsize SUV for towing, make sure it has all the features and it is capable of towing.

How can I Increase my SUV Towing Capacity?

Consider upgrading your suspension system to enhance the vehicle’s ability to pull more weight. This involves the installation of heavy-duty shocks, struts, and springs designed to withstand and support the additional weight exerted by a trailer.

Not only does this increase your SUV’s towing capacity, but it also bolsters the stability of your vehicle while towing. An upgraded suspension system can reduce the risks of hauling heavy loads, making your journey safer and more efficient.

Final Words

Selecting a midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer requires careful consideration. To begin with, the towing capacity must match the weight of the fully loaded trailer.

This will ensure safety while on the road and prevent potential damage to the vehicle. Engine power and transmission are other critical aspects. Preferred choices are V6 or V8 engines, offering sufficient power and smooth gear shifts for effortless towing.

The drive type of the SUV also plays a significant role in determining its towing capabilities. AWD or 4WD systems are recommended for optimal road grip and stability, especially in unfavorable weather conditions or rough terrains.

Additionally, advanced towing features like trailer sway control and hitch guidance can enhance towing ease and safety.

Fuel efficiency is another crucial factor to consider for cost-effectiveness. A fuel-efficient midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer can significantly reduce operating costs in the long run.

In terms of comfort, ensure the vehicle has comfortable seating arrangements for all passengers and ample cargo space for storing travel essentials. All these factors combined will help you choose the right midsize SUV for your travel trailer towing needs.

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