How to tow travel trailer with 2 adults, 3 kids, and 2 dogs

We pull a 30 foot (officially 27 foot) travel trailer with slide with a Suburban. I added Sumo Supersprings to it. My wife does dog shows so we needed lots of climate controlled space to haul dogs. A modern Suburban or Expedition EL would do the trick. I think they come with somewhere around an 11000 lb tow weight rating.

Jas1317 wrote:

kfp673 wrote:
We do the same on a regular basis minus one dog. We have a crew cab Ram with a fiberglass cap. Our Lab rides in her crate in the back. If it's really hot then we will bring her to the back floor, but otherwise she does not seem to mind riding in the back at all! Other than that, Van, Large SUV, or Motorhome I think are your only options

This is great thank you! We looked at the GMC 2500HD today and the backseat is huge! I think we are going to do the same as you have suggested.

yes, 3 adults can be in the back of our denali CC for 600+ miles in comfort. there own climate control, lots of room. Center seat is ok, not great but still comfortable. Plenty of legroom, plenty of shoulder room and headroom. Kinda like a caddy or lincoln of the old days.

Perfect! Thank you!!

Jas1317 wrote:

kfp673 wrote:
We do the same on a regular basis minus one dog. We have a crew cab Ram with a fiberglass cap. Our Lab rides in her crate in the back. If it's really hot then we will bring her to the back floor, but otherwise she does not seem to mind riding in the back at all! Other than that, Van, Large SUV, or Motorhome I think are your only options

This is great thank you! We looked at the GMC 2500HD today and the backseat is huge! I think we are going to do the same as you have suggested.

Sure thing! Something I recommend if you go this way is to get a sliding front window in the fiberglass cap and not a solid window. This will allow you to slide that open and open the side windows and get PLENTY of airflow for the dog. I was skeptical but during our first trip I opened it up this way and was watching some tarps I had back there start blowing all around. Realized it was plenty of air flow and I needed to secure the tarps. Spring and fall when heat is not an issue I just open the side windows. I also love the bed rug we put in the bed. It gets messy from firewood but it makes the dog crate stay put and is awesome on your knees when you crawl up there. Good luck!

Jas1317 wrote:

kfp673 wrote:
We do the same on a regular basis minus one dog. We have a crew cab Ram with a fiberglass cap. Our Lab rides in her crate in the back. If it's really hot then we will bring her to the back floor, but otherwise she does not seem to mind riding in the back at all! Other than that, Van, Large SUV, or Motorhome I think are your only options

This is great thank you! We looked at the GMC 2500HD today and the backseat is huge! I think we are going to do the same as you have suggested.

The separate area provided by the bed and shell allows one to isolate noisy, rattling cargo, and smelly stuff like fuel and wet dogs away from the humans.

kfp673 wrote:
We do the same on a regular basis minus one dog. We have a crew cab Ram with a fiberglass cap. Our Lab rides in her crate in the back. If it's really hot then we will bring her to the back floor, but otherwise she does not seem to mind riding in the back at all! Other than that, Van, Large SUV, or Motorhome I think are your only options

This is great thank you! We looked at the GMC 2500HD today and the backseat is huge! I think we are going to do the same as you have suggested.

IDman wrote:
Since you are totally new to RVing, I suggest you go buy a book on RVing and camping. It will explain pros/cons of each style, weights, safety,
equipment, techniques, towing, capacities, etc.

AFTER you have read that and done MORE research online, THEN go looking at units. Don't buy the first one your wife thinks is pretty or is the cheapest.

Do your research and be patient. Your will be money ahead...and happier!

Thank you so much - that’s why I’m here! And I am the wife/researcher ;) lol
Great advice :)

And OP, this subject like many has been beat to death.
Do some reading and do some research.
There are many good options. There are also many good options that don’t fit some people’s standards or opinions (many of which are subjective and unfounded).
Good luck!

Chevrolet Express or GMC Savana 3500 6.0L/6-spd. Any 2011+ will do great up to 7k dry. Plenty of space inside to spread kids out and dogs. Nissan NV3500 is another solid choice, again, up to 7k dry TT.

I have been towing a Jayco Eagle 338, 39.6 feet ball to bumper with a 3500 Chevrolet Express van for 7 years. 6.0 liter engine 6 speed transmission. 4 point equalizer hitch. Tows great, we have over 30,000 miles doing that.
We will have 2-3 grandkids and 2 80 pound dogs with us. Lots of room and with the hitch set tows great. Everything stays inside locked up and dry.