I was responding to someone worried about the practicality of carrying mountain bikes to the Santa Cruz mountains 50 miles from San Francisco.

I don't think it's possible to buy a new 6 passenger vehicle rated for towing 5000lb in the US for under $30K.

Europe allows towing with much smaller vehicles. There you can do 4400lb in a Golf and 4850lb in Passat though you might still struggle for 6 passengers for $30k new.

Well, you were responding to me, after I noted my excursions through Baja, the mountain west and Oklahoma.

Santa Cruz Mountain roads tend to be well paved. Though, large exceptions definitely exist! (E.g. Highland Way)