TV & 30 ft TT to Mini Van and 17 ft TT

A minivan fitted out with typical RV appliances and fixtures is going to be carrying around some extra weight - which will reduce its towing capacity.

Most minivans aren't rated for more than 5000 lbs of towing capacity to begin with - which means that towing a 17' Casita, 16' Scamp or 17' Escape with it will be a handful.

We had a 34' TT for 15+ years...loved it but it was always a hassle getting gas, stopping for lunch, etc. We had the opportunity to get a Lance truck camper and thought it would be great for flexibility and travel, can go/park anywhere.

It was really convenient, but DW HATED the cabover bed and general lack of storage. We wound up selling the TC and now have a 33' 5er. In a perfect world I would have both the TC and the 5er but don't have that much space here at the house. What you're thinking of is not silly at all, it all depends on how you camp and travel. If you plan on any 4WD accessible places the minivan won't cut it....

A few thoughts.

A sprinter based Class B and a small TT would get better mileage and do what you want. The downside is cost. Which compared to saving would take years to net out.

But while I agree gas is up, you'd have to log a LOT of miles in any setup to make up any real savings for a few MPG. And your MPG in any van is going to really suffer set up to camp and pulling a TT. I think there are reasons why conventional RV has evolved to what it is.

The new trucks get much better mileage now even pulling larger FW's.

“Pulling” anything will make 15 mpg difficult.

Your not going to get 15 MPG towing a 19' TT.

Skibane: I was disappointed to see towing capacities closer to 3500 lb.

Burbman: Thank you for the very relevant story.

KD4UPL: Yeah… but it’s gotta be a little better than 3/4 ton truck and ‘real’ TT :)

There really aren't many trailers under 3500lb gvwr. Most you see as identified "under 3500lbs" are talking dry weight. As soon as you add the basics, you're over the towing capacity.

You're really looking at an egg or a folding trailer.

If you plan on sleeping in the minivan, you might just haul a small utility trailer and build a kitchen on it.

Skibane wrote:
A minivan fitted out with typical RV appliances and fixtures is going to be carrying around some extra weight - which will reduce its towing capacity.

Most minivans aren't rated for more than 5000 lbs of towing capacity to begin with - which means that towing a 17' Casita, 16' Scamp or 17' Escape with it will be a handful.

First response, you lose. Didn't read the OP's post. Back of the line, please try again! LOL

KD4UPL wrote:
Your not going to get 15 MPG towing a 19' TT.

3rd response...we got a winner here! You are correct, sir.

(is this fun enough like having beers around the campfire?)

K3WE wrote:
Skibane: I was disappointed to see towing capacities closer to 3500 lb.

Burbman: Thank you for the very relevant story.

KD4UPL: Yeah… but it’s gotta be a little better than 3/4 ton truck and ‘real’ TT :)

4th reply, we got the OP back here...

Yup, minivans generally get smoked buy the little suvs and midsize crossovers for towing. 5k vs 3500, ish, avg. That's because the vehicle mfgs assume that there is no way you'd drive a minivan, unless your wife of 3.5 kids forced you into buying one and the primary goal was to fill any cavity in the van, not occupied by humans, with god knows what for the kids and 2 of some things!
Yes, a minivan towing a 3klb aerodynamic trailer will get better mileage than a 3/4 ton truck (gasser) towing a 30' long 4 ton high profile trailer. Yup, no doubt. (Although maybe on par with a diesel tow rig...if you drive like you're drivin miss daisy...)

BUT and ther's always a butt....your 3/4 ton truck with a topper and a small trailer behind it, probably get about the same mileage as the minivan, towing. And you have your glorified tent, spike camp, in the back of the tee ruck, and your camper behind something that might pull it so easily you forget it's attached!