While I personally prefer a mid size vehicle because I have no need for a full size one, I do second the arguments for the SUV. 

The generator issue is readily solved by converting it to run on propane, stinky smell is gone forever, nothing flammable in the genny, no need for a gas can, you're carrying propane anyway for the trailer. Plug and carb stays clean as does the oil. You get slightly less output but its not significant. I keep my genny on a cookie tray to catch any drips, strapped down in the back of the SUV, all good. The only large smelly item in the SUV is me after a hike before i get back to camp for a shower. 

As usual, I will put in a plug for the large SUV type of vehicle as being the best.  We use a Ford Expedition EL and love it.  It has the same frame, engine, transmission, tow ratings, gas tank size etc as the pickups.  It has the added advantage of interior storage space that is dry and secure without additional toppers.

The major disadvantage that I see is the lack of ability to carry gasoline, generators or other large, smelly items inside the vehicle.

We use a wdh for sway control and peace of mind.  Our 179 fits perfectly behind our Expedition. We have driven cross country east-west and north/south without any issues.

A lot of  your choice may be whether or not your tow vehicle is also a daily driver and what your budget requires.

good luck-there are a lot of choices

Vann

Greetings:  

Check the tow rating on the TV.  You want to have a good margin.  The other concern is wheelbase.  A longer WB is more stable in crosswinds.  Good luck and safe travels

Crankster78  R-179

The limiting factor is usually the hitch weight. Forest River's hitch weight numbers are generally much lower than what you really end up with. If you start adding stuff forward on the trailer (dual batteries, dual propane tanks, full water tanks etc) or heavy stuff in the rear of the SUV you can easily overload the rear axle of the tow vehicle. A weight distribution hitch will help balance the load but does not actually increase the hitch weight rating of the tow vehicle. 

StephenH is right to consider fuel capacity too. Regardless of what you tow with (as long as it is a modern vehicle) your fuel consumption will be roughly in the range of 11-14 mpg on the highway because air drag on the trailer is the dominant factor. So, get something with at least around a 19-20 gallon fuel tank or you'll constantly be worried about how far it is to the next gas station.

The 2010 Nissan Frontier 4WD LE Crew Cab model I have is okay for hauling as long as you understand that you may need to slow down. Don't use cruise control in the mountains. Work it so you keep your RPMs to @3,000 or less if possible for better mileage. Letting it kick down into the 4,500 RPM and up will really kill the mileage.

The one fault I find is that at sea level, the specs for the Frontier sound good but one must remember that any naturally aspirated engine will lose power as altitude increases. If you get a model with a turbocharger, then it maintains power. However that may come at the cost of requiring premium (expensive) gasoline when towing. When we were towing with a 2016 Ford Escape with the towing package and 2L Ecoboost engine, at higher altitudes it was able to maintain power but it was expansive to feed and it only had a small tank which meant we were stopping about every 100 miles for gasoline. With either vehicle, average mileage was between 11 and 13 MPG. The Escape was better in flat territory, gaining a couple of MPG there. Pushing either vehicle above 60 MPH drove the mileage down into the single digits.

Recent vehicles also have transmissions with more available gears than the 2010 Frontier which means that the engine can find a better gear for running as opposed to either too high or too low in a transmission with fewer gears. I would like to find a good used Ford F150 diesel or Chevy Colorado diesel model. Either of those would perform well as both have much more torque available than the gasoline engines. Price is the sticking point with the diesel models though.

A lot of people haul with some SUV/CUV vehicles, but you should be careful about towing capacity.

What vehicle would be best suited for hauling it over mountains.

Thank,