Next Exit
New Member
I am in the market for a new tow vehicle for our 2022 Imagine 22MLE. I retired not long ago, and we intend to take some longer trips from here in Wisconsin to the West and Southwest over the next couple of years. Our current tow vehicle is a 2014 F-150 Supercrew that is starting to show its age and is ready to be retired as well.
My other uses for this vehicle will include carrying enough alpine ski gear for four individuals during the winter and some rather bulky telescopes and other astronomy equipment the rest of the year. We frequently travel with 4 adults for both skiing and astronomy related adventures. Because we frequently travel in upper peninsula of Michigan during the ski season, 4WD is a must. If I were to replace the 22MLE in the future the replacement would be the same size or smaller.
My question for the forum is what are the characteristics of the ideal tow vehicle for this trailer while considering the other uses? I am not looking for a Ford vs Chevy vs Ram argument, but rather what specifications would you recommend that I be shopping for in either a new or used vehicle? How would you rank those specifications in order of priority? The empty weight of the 22MLE is 5,286 lbs.
I hope that I am not opening a massive can of worms, but that I can instead get a variety of opinions from individuals more experienced that I am in pulling travel trailers extended distances. My best guess is that for any given year, we would be pulling the trailer for about 15-20% of the total miles.
Thanks in advance for the help.
My other uses for this vehicle will include carrying enough alpine ski gear for four individuals during the winter and some rather bulky telescopes and other astronomy equipment the rest of the year. We frequently travel with 4 adults for both skiing and astronomy related adventures. Because we frequently travel in upper peninsula of Michigan during the ski season, 4WD is a must. If I were to replace the 22MLE in the future the replacement would be the same size or smaller.
My question for the forum is what are the characteristics of the ideal tow vehicle for this trailer while considering the other uses? I am not looking for a Ford vs Chevy vs Ram argument, but rather what specifications would you recommend that I be shopping for in either a new or used vehicle? How would you rank those specifications in order of priority? The empty weight of the 22MLE is 5,286 lbs.
- Wheelbase
- Engine Type / size
- Transmission
- Axle ratio
- etc.
I hope that I am not opening a massive can of worms, but that I can instead get a variety of opinions from individuals more experienced that I am in pulling travel trailers extended distances. My best guess is that for any given year, we would be pulling the trailer for about 15-20% of the total miles.
Thanks in advance for the help.