Lexus GX470? Porsche Cayenne?
I love the GX470 but the payload is a measly 1200 lb. Cayenne is interesting. Was off my radar and apparently off a lot of people’s seeing their used values.
And guys, no one is saying buy the biggest truck possible. But we do give a crap about a fellow forum member's safety, that's what everyone is here for, advice.
How is towing a 26 foot trailer weighing 5500 lb on the road with a 16 foot long 4200 lb midsize truck or SUV worse than towing a 43 foot fifth wheel weighing over 15000 lb with a 20 foot long truck weighing 7300 lb?
“Too little brakes” the trailer has brakes.
“Potential sway issues” I don’t go more than 100 maybe 110 more for fuel consumption reasons, plus I have a really good weight distribution hitch with anti-sway.
It is the trailer that is the outlier. Without that consideration then the choices are endless. Towing up to the limit (esp with large sail like trailers like a TT) with a relatively short wheelbase vehicle of freeways is not a good idea. Now if just sticking to the 2 lane BC secondary highways where for the most part the speed limit is low and speeding is enforced by confiscation then maybe. 
Most highways in BC fit that description. I’m still wondering if Hwy 1 will be completely four laned before I hit the age of 70. Most trailer tires are L speed rated for 120 km/h anyway.
Hmmm, Ford still can't figure out their cam phasers and timing chains, eh? Tssk Tssk Tssk.
I wonder how the 3.5EB is doing? It's been available since, what, 2012? Should have a pretty good idea of how reliable it is by now...
Nope...apparently they can't. Mine is going under the knife again, thank goodness for 2 yrs worth of warranty on the warranty replaced parts! Not even 20-25,000 km and she's rattling like the rods are about to throw a fit. Just for a second or so on cold startup...and not all the time...and of course not when I left it on their lot for 2 days. Not even when I picked it up. But every day since then...fack. Parts are on order. Should check my emails. Hope they don't blame the Mobil1 filter...oh, that's not a Ford filter...direct cause and effect!! (BS)
Funny thing is, my bro bought a high km 2012 3.5EB - right around 200,000 - and that thing seems to run smoother and quieter than mine. Hopefully I didn't steer him wrong - it's a $2-3,000 job or more to get it done. Funny that the dealer was about half of the independent though. How is that even possible? Baffled, was I.
Too bad the 5.0 is a shitty towing engine. Can you tow with a supercharger?? Could be worth it to do that to a 5.0 and have sound and fury. I'd like to update to an 18 or 19...with an EB...but they might still not have fixed the issues. Maybe it's unfixable.
Also, to Dkaz...you live in the mtns, right? I don't think, even though it can, that a Ranger and 24' of travel trailer is a good combination there. Truck might be a little too small.
We towed out trailer with the wifes 5L F150, it didn't faze it. I'm sure the EB would have a more power, but I'm not sure if the drop in reliability is worth it. As for Dkaz, no way I would be looking at a downsize truck for your trailer, you would be better off doing a proper $5000 1/2 ton for towing and DD your scooters. Especially with all the hills and grades in BC. I'm not suggesting F450 or GTFO, but a 1/2 at worst.
That’s a shame with EB. Maybe wait for Toyota’s hybrid Tundra.
I'm not recommending a Tundra either, because I know the fuel economy is abysmal, and that's not what he wants. But at least consider something like an older GM with the 5.3L (pre-AFM). I'm retracting my recommendation for an F-150 with the 2.7L, unless he gets a newer one and doesn't keep it for too long. But it sounds like the 5.0 is reliable enough, and I'm sure it has enough power for towing.
I talked to my mechanic. He says Toyotas he sees the least issues with and GM as long as they’ve been well maintained. Ford has had plenty of issues, even the 5.0 which is better but not he’s had to replace engines on those.
