Which unorthodox tow-pig lite

Chevy S10 or Infiniti FX

The 3500lb capacity of the FX would be near it's limits, but not exceeded. The S10 can handle much more. The suspension on the S10 can be lowered to make it not move and thus "work", the Infiniti doesn't have an suspension design that was drawn up on a cave wall in Mammoth blood, and it's interior is a much nicer place to spend time. Both will LS swap, though it's cheaper to swap the S10 and it's easier to set up the LS to run a manual transmission in the S10. Cost of entry is lower in the S10, but the average condition of an S10 is FAR below the average condition of an FX. Utility, the FX has covered storage, but the interior is nice enough that you don't want to treat it like a beater, the S10 is a 10+ year old domestic pickup, but when you have an open trailer behind either they bring hauling ability and utility in spades, the FX can also haul kayaks on top.

Dark horse candidate for consideration is a Ridgeline, I REALLY wish that the Element had a 3500lb towing capacity.

300hp, active suspension and AWD, ridiculously luxurious and quick, and can tow 3500lb.

Think Evo X, but something that an adult would buy.  And it can tow.

(Yes I am talking up the hell out of these cars because they are AWESOME and really cheap for what you get, and this is in no way related to me thinking I want to sell mine next spring because I'd rather have a first generation Fit because I like hot hatches)

Downsides:  Yes there is a wagon version but they are really REALLY expensive to buy right now.  And the interior is leather, and that leather is SO soft and SO buttery-luxurious that if you leave so much as a CD case on one of the seats for more than a day or two, the leather will get a semi-permanent dent.

Honestly, all published ratings aside I would MUCH rather tow with something like the FX, which has larger modern brakes and technology and a more modern suspension design, not to mention the overall niceness, more power, etc. Plus we all know that "back in the day" tow ratings were pretty generous and today they're more "lawyer-friendly." I don't see any physical reason why the FX can't actually safely tow far more than an S10 (maybe add some airbags to the rear to help with load). IDk how their transmissions hold up, though. 

The newest S10 is 14 years old, so unless you find one that has been meticulously maintained it's gonna need work. FX, well I guess it depends on the year. 

Throw the Ridgeline into the mix and it is seeminly the hands-down winner. Out of curiosity, why are those your only three choices? Seems like a strange/random group when considering a tow rig.  Plus, does your 3500# include all your gear, including "kayaks" or tires or stuff that isn't necessarily on the trailer? I have a fairly light open trailer (1600lbs) and a fairly light e30 (2400lbs or so) and am still at 4k with no other cargo. GVWR is just as important as rated tow capacity. (but of course you know that). 

In reply to irish44j :

Those are the primary options as they would be able to serve double duty (as would a volvo) the FX would be dailyable, as would a Volvo or Ridgeline, and an S10 would be capable of silly fun, such as autocross or drifting, but I didn't bring that up as realistically I'd never get to a drift event to run with my schedule, the suspension wouldnt be set up for it and I'd be more likely to autocross the EGT or 323 than an S10, also being a daily would be of far greater benefit. The 323 is sub 2100, the EGT is closer to 2350, but the EGT will only need to be towed when work needs to be done on it, or to the challenge, it's too pretty at this point to rally cross. A 7.3L ambulance is the perfect towpig, but isn't "lite" or dailyable. 

In reply to Knurled. :

Also Berkeley you as I always suggest that V50 verison of these (the mini verison of the S60/V70) and here's one for sale locally stupid cheap.

With freaking kayaks in the photo next to it haha 

As an S10 owner I would venture a guess that a stock FX is more capable than a stock S10. It has more power, stiffer suspension, and better brakes, plus it has either 100% more or 100% better ABS than an s10, depending on whether the s10 has ABS or not. 

As far as the Element towing capacity, they have basically the same trans as a Ridgeline (the auto, anyway). I'm fairly sure you could put Ridgeline brakes on an Element. The only thing the Element is severely down on vs a Ridgeline is torque. If you're just considering the durability aspect i'd say they're essentially the same! 

In reply to Vigo :

Durability, and amazing seating configuration, camping and e-camper upgrade available via aftermarket conversion for the Element. An Element that can manage 3300-3500lb towed behind it would be the perfect vehicle for me, I'm not sure their rear suspension could handle it either though, even if the K series could. 

captdownshift said:

In reply to irish44j :

Those are the primary options as they would be able to serve double duty (as would a volvo) the FX would be dailyable, as would a Volvo or Ridgeline, and an S10 would be capable of silly fun, such as autocross or drifting, but I didn't bring that up as realistically I'd never get to a drift event to run with my schedule, the suspension wouldnt be set up for it and I'd be more likely to autocross the EGT or 323 than an S10, also being a daily would be of far greater benefit. The 323 is sub 2100, the EGT is closer to 2350, but the EGT will only need to be towed when work needs to be done on it, or to the challenge, it's too pretty at this point to rally cross. A 7.3L ambulance is the perfect towpig, but isn't "lite" or dailyable. 

other thoughts....

pre-2014 V6 Rav4 with tow package is rated to 3500lb

v6 Ford Escape 3500

Honda Pilot 4500

Jeep Liberty 5000

higher-end Highlanders can be rated as high as 5000lb

I found a 4Runner a pleasant daily, and they can do 5500-7000 depending. 

for other ideas, there's a great towing reference that comes out every year and lists tow capacities for pretty much anything that has much of a tow capacity. Here's a link to 2012 (scroll down a few pages to the chart)

https://dcd96xmek71bc.cloudfront.net/trailerlife.com/2012_towing_guide_lo_res.pdf

2013 Xterra or Pathfinder?

Durability, and amazing seating configuration, camping and e-camper upgrade available via aftermarket conversion for the Element. An Element that can manage 3300-3500lb towed behind it would be the perfect vehicle for me, I'm not sure their rear suspension could handle it either though, even if the K series could. 

I'm a huge fan of the Element. I've also towed 3500+ lbs (car on a dolley) behind basically everything i've ever owned that had a hitch. I think if you love the Element a LOT you can make it work satisfactorily. I've looked up J-series swaps into Elements a few times but realisitically a bolt-on supercharger kit for an RSX or the like would probably get you the same power with a lot less hassle. I wouldn't worry too much about the rear suspension. Proper tongue weight on 3500 lbs is basically one slightly larger than average American sitting in the back seat anyway. You can get springs or spacers or just spend money on a weight distributing hitch. I only say all this because there's not much else like an Element. 

An anecdote from my life:

Friend of mine had a 78 Chev half ton with 350/350 and a 12 bolt with heavy springs.  He sold it, and for the last while has been towing his 2400 pound Prelude ministock on a light two axle trailer behind my XC90 T6.   He says, and I agree, the Volvo tows better.

I fear for the trans if it was being pushed hard, but really, you can hardly tell the trailer is there.  And, the tow rating on the 90 is an absurd number, like 5500 or something.

My wife's 2012 Rav4 V6 AWD has a 3500lb tow rating and it tows our tent trailer very nicely. The newer Rav4 "Adventure" (US) or "Trail" (Canada) trims are also capable of 3500lbs, but with much less power, but they're nearly new, so more $$$.