Hi,I'm new to RVing and I'm looking to buy an SUV that has three rows in order to seat my large family. This SUV needs to be strong enough to pull a large travel trailer. I'm not sure what travel trailer I'm going to get yet, but I think it may be something similar to the one below.RT310BHS:http://www.highlandridgerv.com/products/2016/roamer/travel-trailers/RT310BHSRT310BHS specs:http://www.highlandridgerv.com/products/2016/roamer/specifications/I'd be very thankful for any suggestions anyone may have. The part I find confusing is how to know whether or the SUV has the power (engine, cooled tranny?, axles, etc.) to pull a large travel trailer.Thanks!

Uhh.... As far as I know, there isn't a 3-row SUV that can tow that trailer. That's a mighty big trailer.

With a weight 9,200 and 11,500 loaded you may need something like a 3/4 ton 4 door pick up or Suburban?

It's an 11.5K GVWR. Gonna need a 25000/3500 to do this TT. Perhaps a full size 2500/3500 GM van (now out of production)?

As stated, you can't pull that trailer with an SUV most likely. By the time you load family and the trailer you will be over the payload wit anything half ton. I also wouldn't want to pull that much weight with a gasser, but that's just my personal opinion from previous experience.

They claim our Excursion was the biggest SUV ever and it would pull that trailer IF I didn't put anybody or anything in the Excursion. If you put 8 people in it there isn't much left for tongue weight.

Which 3-row SUV should I get to pull a travel trailer?

Grit_dog
Navigator
Jan 03, 2016
There's a 6door Mega cab in the tow vehicle section. That would do it for ya.
You CAN tow that with a big older suv as mentioned but you'll be overloaded unless you do some work to the rig.
Seeings you don't know much about vehicles and presumably towing, I'd reccomend you get a truck that is a little overkill to keep the 7 of you rubber side down.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jan 03, 2016
This would work.
bmet2000
Explorer
Jan 03, 2016
I tow my 310BHS with a diesel dually
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jan 03, 2016
Get yourself an old Freightliner or International mini school bus, preferably with air ride. Gut and customize the interior. Have a shop build a proper hitch.
Our race shop was towing back in the 90s with a 2500 Suburban locally, and sometimes used my F350 Dually. Well, after numerous close calls, we got an old full sized school bus, shortened it, and made it our hauler. 1st engine, a 6.9 Diesel, wasn't up to the task. That was upgraded to a Cat diesel.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jan 03, 2016
Lynnmor wrote:
Here ya Go!

Wonder if you can get one that isn't raised, and has normal tires. wouldn't want to try to tow with something raised like that. Not sure it would do well.
Anmacc2
Explorer
Jan 03, 2016
For the same circumstances as you present I have always chosen to tow with a full size Van choosing either a Chevy express 3500 or a Ford E350. Still had to watch the weight of the cargo, passengers, tongue and gross but always managed to make it work out safely with the understanding of slow and steady does it.
azrving
Explorer
Jan 03, 2016
knowmadically wrote:
rjxj wrote:
With a weight 9,200 and 11,500 loaded you may need something like a 3/4 ton 4 door pick up or Suburban?

Yeah, I guess the problem with a 4 door pickup is it wouldn't hold all 7 of us. A Suburban sounds good, but how do I calculate whether is could carry this TT?

Oh yes, 7 people wont work. Some older 8.1 Suburbans were 12,000 but it would still be maxed out. Excursion on heavy duty 250 chassis is 11,000.
It does appear that it's probably best with a 3500 truck although there are probably many towed with 3/4 trucks.
It would seem you need a van or suburban with much lighter TT. What is the dealer telling you?
Lantley
Nomad
Jan 03, 2016
You will need an older 2500 8.1 Suburban or V-10 Excursion. The newer models are not up to the task. You will be pressed for payload however I personally towed a trailer that size with a PSD Excursion without issue.
A full size 3/4 ton van is your only other option
wecamp04
Explorer
Jan 03, 2016
Not what you want to hear I think with family and gear your in 2500/3500 truck category
knowmadically
Explorer
Jan 02, 2016
rjxj wrote:
With a weight 9,200 and 11,500 loaded you may need something like a 3/4 ton 4 door pick up or Suburban?

Yeah, I guess the problem with a 4 door pickup is it wouldn't hold all 7 of us. A Suburban sounds good, but how do I calculate whether is could carry this TT?