Background: I live in Florida and will be moving back home to Washington State early summer to be closer to family and friends. I have a travel trailer here in Florida that I want to take out to Washington. I've looked into having it hauled by a company, but that's very expensive and I would still have to get myself and 3 dogs out there. Flying dogs is also expensive, I've discovered. I love the trailer and don't want to sell it and get another in Washington. So, been looking into purchasing a tow vehicle to do the trip myself, but am now confused about what will work. My trailer is a 297 SL Sunnybrook Sunset Creek. Dry weight 6366 pounds, dry hitch weight 820 not sure about the GVWR. What size truck/engine would it take to safely pull this trailer across the US??P.S. If anyone wants to take it out there for me at a reasonable cost, that would be great!

I would shoot for a 3/4 ton truck of whatever brand. Since you don't have a TV for it currently, that suggests it has been sitting or set up at a campground. Just in case you haven't considered it, you need to make sure the TT tires and brakes are up to snuff for such a long trip.So, the real question is, are you going to spend more on getting a TV, possible TT tires/service axles/brakes than you would spend on getting a TV that up till this point you haven't needed?Just throwing that out there. I would have the TT axles and bearing redone, and check date codes on tires and such.Good luck!

Have to agree with 93Cobra2771. If your lifestyle hasn't needed a full-size PU to date, that is a big expense to buy a used TV, fix up the TT for travel, then park it again. From your p.s., I am guessing you plan on buying a used TV, well that could have fix up costs also or you will pay more to buy it in ready shape.I know you like the TT, but your life style may benefit to look at park models.

I agree with 93Cobra2271. Verify trailer tires, brakes, and bearings. Check roof vents for brittle plastic that could be damages by 70mph winds.I recommend a newer half-ton rated for the weight (they do exist), or any older 3/4+ of just about any flavor rated for the weight. In my area, a truck to move that (and hopefully be serviceable and dependable enough to make the journey) would be $4000-5000 at a minimum (but maybe I have high standards).

Might be cheaper to rent a 3/4 ton truck. Check the terms, sometimes they don't allow towing a travel trailer.HertzEnterprise

As mentioned above for your weight 3/4 ton is the way to go.

I'm now completely confused about tow vehicles | Good Sam Community

DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
Washington Bound wrote:
I have talked to Camping World service and will have work done there

That will be your first mistake.

I encourage you to read the many complaints that are apparently accurate and portrayed truthfully that are posted here on this forum. What seemed to happen regarding these complaints is beyond absurd.
justafordguy
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
I also think that if you need a truck anyway, get a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck and have a great trip.
valhalla360
Navigator
Mar 09, 2016
If you need a truck in the long run go ahead and just get the truck and tow it out yourself. It will be cheaper (even if you sold the truck at the other end, it would still probably be cheaper).

I would go 3/4 or 1 ton. It will hardly be any cost difference from a 1/2 ton. Even though some 1/2 tons could handle it, why mess around when you have to buy a truck anyway. Get a 4door or extended cab and no problem taking the dogs along.
BB_TX
Nomad
Mar 09, 2016
I think your estimates for doing it yourself are a little high. 3,000 miles at 10 mpg equals 300 gallons of fuel at less than $2/gal is under $600. Assuming 10 days travel (avg 300 miles per day so as not to kill yourself) with 5 nights in RV parks (and 5 in parking lots) at $30/nt equals $150. May take a little searching to avg $30/nt. And if you prepared most of your meals in the RV you would not spend much more than you would not traveling. All total should be less than $1000.

You could travel some long days and mix in a non-travel day or two to rest and still make the trip in 10 days.
TomG2
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
Want to go RVing? Forget about the economics of the whole deal. Get the F-250/2500HD crew cab and have a terrific time.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
imo a single rear wheel 3500 would be a better choice towing 10K. If you didn't need the trailer to live in, my advice would be to sell it. There are plenty of trucks and trailers for sale in WA. Good luck and have a smooth trip.
BB_TX
Nomad
Mar 09, 2016
I also think buying a 250/2500 crew cab (or at least extended cab for the dogs) truck would be the way to go. Finding a good quality truck to fit your needs would depend on your budget. Ideally find a fairly new certified one still under warranty from a new car dealer. A gasser would be fine for that trailer since it appears frequent towing is not in your plans.

You could even get by with a newer 150/1500 with the right towing package, engine, rear axle.
Washington_Boun
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
It's been 6 years since I've made the trip Florida to Washington, but I have some idea about what is involved. But still a bit nervous about making the trip without an experienced second driver. But loved the traveling cross country.
Here's my calculations so far:
$3800 lowest bid for hauling my TT from Florida to Washington via transport service. $400 to ship dogs via air, $600 my ticket to fly out there. So about $4800 hard costs for sure. Still would have to buy a vehicle when I get out there so truck cost would be a wash either way, (except maybe a bit cheaper in Florida)
Guessing about $1000 in fuel to tow TT out there myself. Plus $200 in food, $200 in campground fees, would stay in Walmart parking lots about half of the time or more. Other expenses $300. So total of about $1700 to do it myself.
Washington_Boun
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
Jayco-noslide wrote:
Unless you plan to tow it around other than to just get it there, then buying a truck over hiring someone to tow it there will be much more expensive unless you just want the truck anyway. When you start figuring the cost of owning a truck with depreciation it is big.

I would keep the truck/tow vehicle for use in Washington. If I don't buy one here in Florida, then I would have to buy one in Washington. Vehicles are cheaper around here than out there where I'm going.
I can't afford a new or late model rig, so would be looking at a purchase price of about $10,000 max.
Washington_Boun
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
RavensFan24 wrote:
My problem with 3 dogs is finding space in a pick up for them, which is why I Still have a Tahoe. If they aren't big dogs, I'd go for the Crew Cab Silverado 2500. Since mine are big, I've been looking for a good Suburban 2500.

My dogs are small, 5 pounds, 8 pounds 18 pounds. But I wouldn't mind having something like a Tahoe, didn't know they could pull all that much weight. I'm thinking I will need towing capacity for about 10,000??? I like Suburban, that's what we towed the previous trailer with years ago. It struggled on the grapevine and some of the bigger inclines, but overall not bad. So you think a 2500 would do the job?

Forum Discussion

I'm now completely confused about tow vehicles

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Grey water tank won't drain completely

Throttle Body Confusion

I’m soooo confused..........

Am I completely crazy?

Weight confusion