Help deciding on new tow vehicle

If it were me, I'd go with a 4 door 3/4 ton truck. Because, a few years down the road, you will be looking at a different trailer. Everyone does it.

2500 gas motored crew cab would be my choice. Get a short bed, add a color matched canopy and you have a truck that looks just like a Suburban.

I think you'll have a hard time making any of the current full size SUVs work. That's not a super heavy trailer but it isn't exactly light, and it's very long. If it were me I'd be looking to pull it with a heavy duty truck, especially with the family on board.

We have three kids and the truck in my sig fits us great. A megacab would be even roomier if that interests you, although you obviously even with that you won't get a third row of seating. We have a fifth wheel so an open bed is a requirement when we're towing, but I have a Softopper for trips without the trailer and it does a great job of instantly giving us a huge protected cargo space for our stuff and the dog kennel. Since you have a travel trailer you could get a standard fiberglass topper that would give you a little more security.

I'm of the belief that pickups are a much better value than full size SUVs unless you really need that extra row of seating, with the big bonus being that you aren't restricted to a light duty vehicle.

The only reason I thought about a suv is the 3rd row seating. Well have a car seat and 2 70 lb dogs, not not sure everyone will fit in the rear of a crew cab. I never thought about a cap for the truck.

Most of the newer suvs seem to top out around 8000lbs which seems to be cutting it close

donn0128 wrote:
2500 gas motored crew cab would be my choice. Get a short bed, add a color matched canopy and you have a truck that looks just like a Suburban.

This but I would go diesel. I only state that because where I am from the diesel truck is a much better buy long term. More places then not appears to say the gas is a better buy long term and if I did not need the torque, which you don't and the gas was a better option I would go gas.

dnmccoy wrote:
The only reason I thought about a suv is the 3rd row seating. Well have a car seat and 2 70 lb dogs, not not sure everyone will fit in the rear of a crew cab. I never thought about a cap for the truck.

Most of the newer suvs seem to top out around 8000lbs which seems to be cutting it close

The 8000 lb towing figure doesn't mean much. When you take your tongue weight and add you, your wife, your kids/carseats/stuff (so much stuff...), and 140 lbs of dog in the SUV, you'll probably be way over one or more of your axle, tire or payload ratings.

As far as your dogs go, they're going to be safer in good quality kennels that are well secured in the back of the truck than they would be running around loose in the cab, so you don't need to feel guilty about having them back there. Even without a topper they'd be fine if you use a good kennel cover but it sounds like a topper might suit you well. I sure like having my Softopper on those occasions when I want a topper on the truck.

dnmccoy wrote:
The only reason I thought about a suv is the 3rd row seating. Well have a car seat and 2 70 lb dogs, not not sure everyone will fit in the rear of a crew cab. I never thought about a cap for the truck.

Most of the newer suvs seem to top out around 8000lbs which seems to be cutting it close

RAM MegaCab would have more than enough room for the crew you mention.

Bionic Man wrote:

dnmccoy wrote:
The only reason I thought about a suv is the 3rd row seating. Well have a car seat and 2 70 lb dogs, not not sure everyone will fit in the rear of a crew cab. I never thought about a cap for the truck.

Most of the newer suvs seem to top out around 8000lbs which seems to be cutting it close

RAM MegaCab would have more than enough room for the crew you mention.

If I went this route, I would go for a 3500. The 2500 mega cab has really low weight numbers.

What about the newer Expedition/Navigators? I not to current on Armada specs but I recall it used to have a 10K tow limit. I don't know the GVWR limits for payload and tongue weight on either so can't say with certainty you would be in limits.

I have towed with Suburban 2500's and Excursions but now am more a fan of 3/4 or bigger trucks now but I did briefly use a 03 Navigator for my trailer in sig and it performed good to me.

By the time everyone is done with you here, you'll need a 4x4 diesel Dooley 5500 minimum.
You've already answered your own question. You towed it with a half ton already?
Did it scare you? If so, get a bigger truck or suv.
If not, pick your favorite full size SUV and have fun.