Ok, I already realize now I made my first big RV mistake. Without understanding the towing capacity considerations I purchased a travel trailer that is just under 3000lbs (dry), for a 2003 Ford Escape with a 3500lb TC. Never mind that a quick trip through some windy passes with just the vehicle alone made me realize I'm not going to be using this vehicle, especially as my first ever towing experience. So I guess my question is...are there certain vehicles that are safer than others for towing - I'll be looking for a 5000lb TC for sure but...but are there certain characteristics to look out for especially when you're looking for trucks? Thx for any suggestions!

Jim-Linda wrote:1 ton dually.Jim:SIgnore this kind of non-sense. There are those who think you need a one dually to tow a pop-up because they made some bad towing mistake at one time and overcompensated out of fear. You have to ask yourself what kind of vehicle do you want? How big are you looking to go? Most of the mid-size SUVs will tow that trailer just fine. What I'm talking about are vehicles like the Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, and others in this class. Most in that range have 4500# - 5000# capacities. Which should give you plenty of margin. You could also look at mid size PUs or even full size half ton trucks, either in a crew cab configuration. Having a bed to haul stuff is great. We towed with nothing but large SUVs for years, this is our first PU and I wish we had done it years ago. Watch the payload, found on a sticker in the driver door. Your passengers, your dog, and anything you carry inside count against the payload. So does the weight of your trailer's tongue. So if your passengers and stuff weigh 400#, your trailer tongue weighs 400#, and your payload is 900#, you are still in good shape because you have 100# of margin. Hope that make some sense.

You could get away with a Tacoma, Frontier or the new Colorado/Canyon. They all have 6000lb+ tow ratings. Your 3000lb trailer loaded should have a low enough tongue weight for those trucks. IMO if you're looking for a tow vehicle and size is not a big issue then a 1/2 ton would be ideal. I'll give you a personal experience example. We had a 22', 4050lb loaded TT and initially towed it with an 06 Frontier V6 2wd extra cab. It handled fine but it was down on power for the area we camp. Hills and mtns of Oregon. We sold it and bought an 08 F150 5.4 2wd 3.73 gears SuperCab. Night and day difference. MPG went up from 8.5 to 10.5. The truck had plenty of power and even though I hate to say it, it felt like it wasn't even back there. Plus with the larger (26gal) as opposed to the smaller (21gal) and the added mpg increase gave us a longer travel time between fill ups. Almost 100 miles more increase. You don't need a big power house truck either. Any of the newer ones with a V6 is plenty for that size TT.

Jim-Linda wrote:1 ton dually.Jimx2......but with what your looking at most modern 150/1500 series pickups would easily handle 5000lbs GVWR trailers.If you want to keep your options open......get the one ton truck.

The basic formula to figure it out is: GCWR => TV + TT + stuffDo NOT use the OEM MTWR (max tow weight rating), as it is based on the stripper.Just like the trailer 'dry' is based on a base trailer without the stuff thedealer installs (propane tanks, batter, spare, etc, etc...not all of these, butmost are installed by the dealer)Personal preference aside, just ask the seller for the TV's specifications that include GVWR, front/rear GAWR and GCWRTry to get the actual weight of the trailer. Better if you can load it upwith whatever you will take RV'ing. Otherwise, use it's GVWR as that is themost it is rated for.Then do the simple math using the above formulaThere is 'some' truth in getting the biggest, as you will load upmore and more as experience goes...to a bigger trailer. On that, decide which is more important...'car' attributes or 'truck'attributes. That will then dictate the sizing of the TV for you, whichthen dictates the trailer sizing it is 'RATED' to tow

Ideal vehicle for a newbie? | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

jfkmk
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
DutchmenSport wrote:
I think the one ton is the best.

For everyone else, did you not read from the OP not only is he towing a 3000 pound trailer he is also hauling a 3500 pound TC... Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't TC stand for TRUCK CAMPER?

Really? Is there anyone here who truly thinks the OP is towing a TT AND a truck camper with a Ford Escape??? Where on earth would the truck camper go? You gotta kind of read the post in context.
bikendan
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
The OP using the abbreviation for Truck Camper, did confuse things.

The OP needs to provide more specs on the trailer.
But it sound of he can use a v-6 or v-8 truck.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
I agreen then if this is tow capacity. 1/2 ton is sufficient.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2015
Terryallan wrote:
OutdoorPhotographer wrote:
Jim-Linda wrote:
1 ton dually.

Jim

Am I the only one that thought this was a joke - and a funny one?

I just thought it silly. there are many on this forum who can't get groceries with out a ton truck. Now we see he just didn't understand the OP.
Some think you need to get a ton truck because you may some day in the far distant future get a larger TT. Again not needed. TT are getting lighter. The 31' TT that I now have is lighter than the 27' TT I had befor it. Tow them both with the same truck.

Both ideas wrong.

Agree...nothing wrong with using an appropriate tool for the job.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Terryallan
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2015
OutdoorPhotographer wrote:
Jim-Linda wrote:
1 ton dually.

Jim

Am I the only one that thought this was a joke - and a funny one?

I just thought it silly. there are many on this forum who can't get groceries with out a ton truck. Now we see he just didn't understand the OP.
Some think you need to get a ton truck because you may some day in the far distant future get a larger TT. Again not needed. TT are getting lighter. The 31' TT that I now have is lighter than the 27' TT I had befor it. Tow them both with the same truck.

Both ideas wrong.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2015
DutchmenSport wrote:
I think the one ton is the best.

For everyone else, did you not read from the OP not only is he towing a 3000 pound trailer he is also hauling a 3500 pound TC... Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't TC stand for TRUCK CAMPER?

Nope. He was towing a 3000lb TT with a Ford Escape with a 3500lb TOW CAPACITY. There would be no where to put it on the Escape anyway. :B
The last thing he needs to tow that TT with is a dully. Complete waste of truck, and money.
OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015
Jim-Linda wrote:
1 ton dually.

Jim

Am I the only one that thought this was a joke - and a funny one?
Jim-Linda
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2015
jerem0621 wrote:
I think in this case TC means towing capacity as it is a direct reference to the Ford Escape.

I took it as Truck Camper, ergo, the dually reference.

Jim
campigloo
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015
Yeah Dutch, that's the way I first read it too. That may explain the comment from Linda about the dually.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2015
I think in this case TC means towing capacity as it is a direct reference to the Ford Escape.

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Ideal vehicle for a newbie?

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