Hey everyone! New RVer here. My husband and I just got our 2011 Evergreen Ever-Lite last week and took it on our first trip over Labor Day.Our current TV is DH's 2013 Toyota Tundra with a 4.6L V8 engine and double cab. While we were searching for a TT to buy, we made sure to stay pretty well under the tow rating for the Tundra. I think the max towing capacity for our model Tundra is 6800 lbs, and our Ever-Lite's dry weight is 5400 lbs.But what occurred to us on the 16-hour drive fromTexas to Colorado (and then back again) is that even with the double cab, that Tundra is not the most comfy vehicle to ride in for long stretches. (We did not purchase the Tundra with towing in mind, by the way.) It was just DH and I on this trip, but we do plan to take our kiddos (almost 13 yr old daughter and 9 year old son) on some trips (obviously), as well as our dog. We won't always be driving that far for RV trips, but I think the max time we'd want to be in that truck is 3 or 4 hours and that's pretty limiting.I've been spending the day researching other trucks and SUVs but there are so many variables that it's hard to know where to start. I'd love to know what other families with kids and pets use as their TV, and how it's working for you. Or do you not even try to get everyone in one vehicle and just take a separate car in addition to the TV and TT?Thanks so much!

I don't know what you like to ride in. But you have too much trailer for that truck. I would venture to say. You are REAL close to over loaded, by the time you load the trailer, and truck.Were I you with a trailer starting out at 5400lbs. I would seriously think about a 250, or 2500 series truck. Or at least a 150, or 1500 with some pretty low gearing, with a tow capacity in the 8000lb + range.You may want to consider a 2500, or E250 passenger van.

Any crew cab 250/2500 truck would be great. Both for comfort and for towing. We go with four and sometimes five people in my F350. But if you really want some room, get a Ram mega cab.

We have an extended cab Ford F-250 and we do several long trips each year, but we will only drive 5-6 hours at a time. 300-400 miles is pretty much our limit and we have no real desire to drive more than that. Pull in, put out the jacks, plug in, extend the slides and hit the pool. In the am, bring in the slides, pull up the jacks, unplug and take off. If we don't have enough time to stop and spend the night, we don't go or don't plan to camp. It is just too much for DH and I, plus the girls (11 and 8) and we just won't do it.

If you guys like Toyota the newer ones with the 5.7 engine and crew cab are pretty nice. Some of the negatives I've experienced is the seats are pretty hard and fuel economy is not it's best attribute.

We have always had trailers no heavier than 3,500 loaded. So we tow with mini vans. Our latest 08 Kia Sedona tows great, has seating for seven and a bult in DVD player with wireless head phones. Mileage drops from 25 to 14. Five speed tranny is amazing on the hills.

Family-friendly TVs? | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 09, 2015
tarheelgrad98 wrote:
Hey everyone! New RVer here. My husband and I just got our 2011 Evergreen Ever-Lite last week and took it on our first trip over Labor Day.

Our current TV is DH's 2013 Toyota Tundra with a 4.6L V8 engine and double cab. While we were searching for a TT to buy, we made sure to stay pretty well under the tow rating for the Tundra. I think the max towing capacity for our model Tundra is 6800 lbs, and our Ever-Lite's dry weight is 5400 lbs.

But what occurred to us on the 16-hour drive fromTexas to Colorado (and then back again) is that even with the double cab, that Tundra is not the most comfy vehicle to ride in for long stretches. (We did not purchase the Tundra with towing in mind, by the way.) It was just DH and I on this trip, but we do plan to take our kiddos (almost 13 yr old daughter and 9 year old son) on some trips (obviously), as well as our dog. We won't always be driving that far for RV trips, but I think the max time we'd want to be in that truck is 3 or 4 hours and that's pretty limiting.

I've been spending the day researching other trucks and SUVs but there are so many variables that it's hard to know where to start. I'd love to know what other families with kids and pets use as their TV, and how it's working for you. Or do you not even try to get everyone in one vehicle and just take a separate car in addition to the TV and TT?

Thanks so much!

I think Performax here is doing conversions on the Tundra and a major complaint, is the less than stellar ride. Current Ford Ranger is better in that respect. Also the engine choice lacks a HD or Diesel,the 4.6 Gas engine would not fly. They have problems with that conversion, not that suitable for towing Heavy RV's
45Ricochet
Explorer
Sep 09, 2015
lawnspecialties wrote:
Any crew cab 250/2500 truck would be great. Both for comfort and for towing. We go with four and sometimes five people in my F350. But if you really want some room, get a Ram mega cab.

X2
They are BIG in the back seat but still have the short bed area. At least a 2500 though as I hear some of the 1500 have low payload limits.
Heck I remember camping in the same park as IB516 one week-end and saw him crawling out of his MC early in the morning. Not sure if he slept there or checking on a dog or kids. Point is someone could sleep there in a pinch, it's that big of a seat area.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2015
My 2005 Ford F250 4X4 crew cab rides very nice. Tonight I'll leave Anchorage for Fairbanks. I'll catch a quick nap up there, probably in the truck, and then back to Anchorage. I'll be towing a two axle dump trailer with gear for hunting that I need to drop off up there. So that will be a quick 700+ mile trip that I'm more than happy to make in my truck.

Bill
APT
Explorer
Sep 09, 2015
Something will likely compromise. Towing with any 2011+ 3/4 or 1=ton will be a more comfortable towing experience, but then you have to live with a less comfortable non towing situation. So pick what your priorities. What do you want to improve exactly? The double cab space not enough? Is a crew cab enough or do you need 3 rows of seats and climate controlled cargo space? Do you just want more towing power?

We have no regrets with our 3/4 Ton Suburban towing similar weight. Two 2200 mile trips this year. Kids passed out so I could log a couple 550 mile towing days. Wife even towed for the first time in 5 years. Our compromise as our Suburban replaced a luxury minivan as a daily driver and trip vehicle was unloaded ride/handing/fuel economy. But I can tow at 70mph pretty much anywhere I want to almost "without knowing it's back there". Not quite that far, but it is comfortable and safe.
Oasisbob
Explorer
Sep 09, 2015
We have always had trailers no heavier than 3,500 loaded. So we tow with mini vans. Our latest 08 Kia Sedona tows great, has seating for seven and a bult in DVD player with wireless head phones. Mileage drops from 25 to 14. Five speed tranny is amazing on the hills.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Sep 09, 2015
If you guys like Toyota the newer ones with the 5.7 engine and crew cab are pretty nice. Some of the negatives I've experienced is the seats are pretty hard and fuel economy is not it's best attribute.
Merrykalia
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2015
We have an extended cab Ford F-250 and we do several long trips each year, but we will only drive 5-6 hours at a time. 300-400 miles is pretty much our limit and we have no real desire to drive more than that. Pull in, put out the jacks, plug in, extend the slides and hit the pool. In the am, bring in the slides, pull up the jacks, unplug and take off.

If we don't have enough time to stop and spend the night, we don't go or don't plan to camp. It is just too much for DH and I, plus the girls (11 and 8) and we just won't do it.
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Sep 09, 2015
Any crew cab 250/2500 truck would be great. Both for comfort and for towing. We go with four and sometimes five people in my F350. But if you really want some room, get a Ram mega cab.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2015
I don't know what you like to ride in. But you have too much trailer for that truck. I would venture to say. You are REAL close to over loaded, by the time you load the trailer, and truck.

Were I you with a trailer starting out at 5400lbs. I would seriously think about a 250, or 2500 series truck. Or at least a 150, or 1500 with some pretty low gearing, with a tow capacity in the 8000lb + range.

You may want to consider a 2500, or E250 passenger van.

Forum Discussion

Family-friendly TVs?

29 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Large Family (More than 6) Friendly Camping

Maine family friendly campground

Young family friendly campground close to SE MI

Updating TVs

TV