10 Best Midsize SUVs for Towing a Small Travel Trailer in 2023

Exploring nature will never be as fun without a travel trailer. This recreational vehicle (RV) comes for those who fall for adventure, whether you go by yourself or with your family.

You can choose a midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer or a large one. The travel trailer provides you with bigger bedrooms, more storage, bathrooms, a kitchen, and living areas. We might say that the travel trailer is a compact home that follows you wherever you are.

The travel trailer is available in various shapes and sizes. The most typical range is from 12 feet to 35 feet long.

The 12 feet model is comfortable enough for one or two people, while the 35 feet model allows up to 10 people simultaneously. As long as the vehicle is equipped with a hitch, it can pick up the trailer.

Can an SUV Pull a Travel Trailer?

Here, it would help if you were concerned about the vehicle’s towing capacity.

The higher capacity, the bigger trailer you can bring. The smallest towing capacity of a vehicle is about 1,500 pounds. It can tow over 6,000 pounds up to 8,000 pounds for a medium capacity.

While with a giant truck, you can tow between 9,000 pounds and 15,000 pounds. So, when choosing a midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer, ensure the trailer weight is medium or medium-heavy (maximum 11,000 pounds).

List of 10 Mid-Size SUVs For Towing a Travel Trailer Safely

Check the list of midsize SUVs for towing a travel trailer below. We have a little review for your reference finding the vehicle’s capabilities. Several SUVs are here to choose the best car and many people with convenience. 

Here are some choices of midsize SUVs for towing a travel trailer that you can add to your reference list:

Dodge Durango

2021 Dodge Durango Tow a Travel Trailer

The first midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer we recommend is the Dodge Durango. It has three rows of seats and a great infotainment system.

We might say this car is the best choice for those who want to travel with their family. If you compare it with the other SUVs, this Durango comes to you with its standard.

The 2021 version is upgraded from its previous one. It has a new headlamps model, an updated grille, a tweaked bumper, and many improvements. Its maximum towing capacity is 8,700 pounds, adding a unique dedicated towing mode (20-inch wheels).

You will feel more comfortable as a driver because the design is driver-oriented. While to keep the passengers enjoying, the infotainment display and audio will complete along the journey.

Land Rover Discovery

If the Jeep seems so dull, then you are better to move with the New Land Rover Discovery. It would help if you considered this vehicle to explore places with your family.

The car can bring up to seven people inside at the same time. With a three-row cabin, each person will have a convenient space during the trip.

2021 Land Rover Discovery Tow a Travel Trailer

There are two new turbocharged engines: a 296 horsepower 4-cylinder and a 355 horsepower 6-cylinder. An entertainment system has a new Pivi Pro with an 11.4-inch display inside.

Land Rover Discovery can tow up to 8,200 pounds. Here, you can put a high expectation to hit an off-road in a fun way.

Range Rover Sport

Stylish, slim, luxurious, and powerful. Those are words that describe the Range Rover Sport. Even though some people think it goes with a less-sport look, there is not a significant difference from before. It still comes with an all-wheel drive, a gasoline-powered, and turbocharged diesel.

The 2021 Range Rover Sport can tow up to 7,716 pounds. Even the hybrid electric powertrain gives you an impressive performance with a capacity of 5,511 pounds for towing.

The towing capacity works very well with many technologies inside, such as an Automatic Access Height, Trailer Stability Assist, Advanced Tow Assist, and Emergency Brake Assist. This car is not only a midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer but also a vehicle to protect you and your cargo.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

It is a luxury vehicle to ride if you want to know. The car offers you a spacious and family-friendly cabin for a long trip. You will find many features inside, like ambient interior lighting, wireless smartphone charging pad, SiriusXM satellite radio, parking damage detection system, etc.

Mercedes-Benz GLE Towing a Trailer

There are three powertrains offered: a turbocharged 4-cylinder (in GLE350), a turbocharged inline-six (in GLE450), and a twin-turbo V-8 (in GLE580). All of them are capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds.

Overall, many drivers give eight stars from 10 to this car. Indeed, no need for doubt about the performance of BMS’s luxury vehicles.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee can be the option if you are looking for a midsize SUV with a budget. It does not only fit the budget but also almost suits every taste. The seats are covered with fine leather, the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto feature with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and ventilated front seats to comfort the driver and the co-pilot.

With this car, you can tow the travel trailer for up to 7,200 pounds. This space becomes more spacious with an extra cargo space inside the vehicle. You can put up to 11 cases behind the second row of seats and a total of up to 24 boxes when the rear seat is stowed. The operation is neat.

Lincoln Aviator

The Lincoln company refreshed the lineup for its SUV. They made a new Aviator with more stylish and comfortable features inside.

The new Lincoln Aviator is available in six- and seven-seats configurations. You will get a compromising space for cargo at the backside when all seats are upright. The car offers you a 10.1-inch touchscreen, WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio to complete the convenience.

The new Lincoln Aviator has the most powerful standard engine compared to the other midsize SUVs. It gets a 3-lt V-6 that makes 400 horsepower with a 10-speed automatic transmission smoothly.

The car can also tow up to 6,700 pounds, which means good for a medium travel trailer. There is no hesitation for the Lincoln Aviator as a midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer.

Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is an SUV for sportspeople with a high taste in style. This midsize luxury vehicle has a spacious interior and desirable standard features. It comes with an all-wheel-drive and eight-speed automatic transmission.

Don’t worry when you are facing a challenging road. The car has performance options to adapt and improve the maneuver.

Porsche Cayenne is one of the best small suvs for towing

As a compact SUV for towing a travel trailer, the Porsche Cayenne can tow up to 7,700 pounds. There are three available engines: 2.9-lt V6 with 434-hp and 405 pound-feet torque, 4.0-lt V8 with 453-hp and 457 pound-feet torque, and 4.0-lt V8 with 541-hp and 567 pound-feet torque. It is outstanding for the class.

BMW X5

It is one of the midsize SUVs for towing a travel trailer that people choose. Driving this car gives you so much satisfaction because it is completed with modern technology.

The interior treats anyone inside with quality materials, comfortable seats, and convenience and luxury features. Thus, this 2021 BMW X5 becomes a great competitor in its class, such as the Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and Audi Q7.

The new model has four trim levels: sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X5 M50i. The base standard is the sDrive40i, while the high-performance is X5 M50i. If you tow a heavy trailer, you better choose the X5 M50i because it has a maximum towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds.

Nissan Pathfinder

If you plan a road trip with your family or friends, the New Nissan Pathfinder can be the best midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer. It has a three-row seat with absolute comfort.

As you might expect from the SUV family, everything is available inside. It starts from the spacious room, extended cargo area, SiriusXM Travel Link, NissanConnect 8-inch touch screen, and many more.

Your adventure will be more exciting, with a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. This number is quite impressive for the midsize SUV. The V6 engine with 259 torque makes a towing breeze.

Every trim level is available in all-wheel drive. This means whatever road you face, the car can take the duties. Moreover, the car still gives you its best performance in rough conditions.

Ford Explorer

Last, the complete package of a midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer comes from the Ford Explorer. It has three rows of seats and ample room for the cargo. It becomes more impressive with the connectivity and safety features inside. So, people see this car as equal to the rival of Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Mazda CX-9.

Pictures 2021 Ford Explorer best midsize suv for towing a travel trailer

This new Ford Explorer can tow for weight up to 5,300 pounds. You will get other benefits for towing stability and powertrain selection. The car has five trim levels: base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum. It starts from the XLT trim; you can get a more excellent interior and various features.

Final Word

There are two keys to choosing the right travel trailer. They are the capacity and weight. You should ensure that the trailer is enough for those who come along with you. On the other hand, you have to note that the lighter the trailer, the better your trip is efficient.

Seeing these points, the SUV is the right vehicle for a safe trip with a medium-travel trailer. It is not too big for a family but can still handle extra weight from the trailer.

A midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer saves you a budget too. A bigger vehicle will cost you more in gas and a bigger trailer. It is essential to keep in mind that choosing a towing vehicle requires many aspects to be considered.