New Podders deciding btwn tow vehicles

It also has to do with the version. We just purchased a used Frontier LE with Crew Cab. It is rated for 6100 lbs. The King Cab model was rated for 6500 lbs (if I remember what I read correctly).

If you plan on carrying things like a generator with a gas can and/or an extra propane tank, the pickup would be a better choice. We have been towing with an SUV up until the accident we had a few days ago. We now have the pickup truck. I think we will be much more satisfied with it. I did like the Ecoboost engine in our Escape. It had plenty of power. The Frontier will struggle a bit more on climbs, even though it is a V6 since it isn't turbocharged.

Edit: I checked Nissan's towing guide. The 4wd option lowers the mileage rating by 1 mpg on both city and highway. 15 mpg city with 2wd, 14 mpg city with 4wd and 20 mpg highway with 2wd and 19 mpg highway with 4wd. For the Crew Cab LE with the 4L V6, 6300 with 2wd and 6100 with 4wd. Corresponding differences for the other variants as well.

Originally posted by OurPodJourneys Jeep Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango (6,200 lbs) would work.  Anyone have experience with either of those ...?.

Great point to consider the open bed for the generator, gas can, or extra propane tank. I think im sold on the pickup idea now. Plus, like i said before, this is a tow vehicle.  I want the highest tow capacity possible , out of the vehicles in this price range. Here is what is really going to make the difference i think. I did a look into the future. I did a KBB trade in value comparison between tacoma and frontier. I put both vehicles in as 5 years old, with 110,000 miles and the same equipment. The tacoma listed a 6,000 dollar higher trade in value according to kelly. Tacoma had an average value of $16,500, frontier 10,400. The purchase price tends to be about 2,200 higher on the tacoma, but you sure get it back in the end

We have a 2010 Highlander with factory tow package.  Only came with 4 pin adapter.  Rated for 5,000.  We lover our Highlander.  It's been more than enough for our ClackaCraft drift boat.  That being said, it does ok with our early 2017 179 HRE.
Cons

• Back end drops an inch or two when we hook up.  Our dealer took the Curt ball mount with attached sway ball plank and 3.5 (?) inch drop and turned it upside down to get the trailer level with the Highlander.  Highlander has struts, so no air bag option.
• We added a 7 pin and trailer brake brain/unit.  It works just fine, but I'd be lying if didn't admit the factory integrated trailer brake on these new shinny pick-ups isn't going unnoticed.
• The gas mileage is cut in half.  At 65mph we were getting well over 20.  Now at 60 were getting 10/11ish.
• We live in Idaho and have to deal with mountains.  While we have not taken the pod up over Galena Summit (8,700), we did have some rollers on the highway back home from SLC.  It did it just fine, but she was panting.    Definitely no cruise control and no overdrive.

Pros

• We own it!

I've been long time Toyota owner.  The Highlander is a great rig, but if you are going to log some miles podding, I'd look at something else.  Tundra?
Good Luck!