Interesting TV / Popup Combos

Indeed, a 3,500# tow rating doesn't necessarily mean you can just connect the latch the coupler of the 3,500# trailer onto the ball and go. Most of these TVs lack prewiring for electric brakes and most have a fairly wimpy ATF cooler built into the standard radiator.

But it doesn't take an ASE certification to figure out how to custom wire a brake controller and install an aux air/oil ATF cooler. Then again, most snowflakes out there these days call for help when they get a flat tire. Maybe I am expecting too much.

Our 3,500# rated minivan needed all those things and has no real trouble pulling 7,800# GCVW (rated 8,265# max). Sure, it needs to pull grades in D3 instead of D5, but that's not "struggling," it's typical towing behavior.

Maybe that's why we're not seeing more of these creative combinations out there. People just can't do anything that's not "plug and play" anymore.

theoldwizard1 wrote:



The only thing I can think is that older folks want a bathroom and maybe even 2 beds. That takes you out of a pop up and into a hybrid.

Younger folks also.

Columbia Northwest has been interested in this 3500 lb tow market for quit a while. The Aliner Scout-Lite for those wanting a hard side fold-able, the Somerset Newport for those wanting a soft side fold-able, and most recently the ASCAPE non-folding unit which has just been debuted at Louisville RV show.

There are also presently choices with other RV manufactures and I suspect the choices will continue to grow - Not everyone wants to own or drive a large tow vehicle.

By no means would I be considered "experienced" but, in August 2013, I bought an Aliner Scout (a stripped down version of the Aliners) and towed it with a 4cyl GMC Terrain, rated at 1,500lbs towing capacity. Surprisingly, it towed it well, until I hit a grade, and then it towed it, but it struggled a bit. I, then, purchased a 2013 Toyota Tacoma the following month and it towed it to the point that I "didn't know it was back there".

In February 2016 I replaced the Scout with a 2016 Aliner Expedition and drove 1k miles out to get it and, initially, returned the 1k miles with the Tacoma and camper in OD and, quickly, switched to drive, and drove the remainder of the 950 miles in drive. Felt like it wasn't back there.

What I've noticed over the past few years in perusing the internet forums is that so many people inquire about how much they can tow at maximum weight. My suggestion to anyone who questions "how much weight can I tow"......is to be satisfied with how much weight you can tow, COMFORTABLY, not how much weight your tow vehicle is rated to tow.

theoldwizard1 wrote:

manualman wrote:
Another relative has a Ford Escape 2.0T with the factory tow package for 3,500# tow rating. Theoretically he could tow my popup with that sort of rating

Edge 2.0L also has a 3,500# rating, although if I was towing anything over 3,000# I would want electric brakes and maybe even a weight distribution hitch (which added to the tongue weight of the TT would probably put you over the vehicle tongue weight limit).

The only thing I can think is that older folks want a bathroom and maybe even 2 beds. That takes you out of a pop up and into a hybrid.

The Jayco 16XRB sneaks in under 3,000# but GVW is 3,750# so you had better pack lit and make sure your tanks are empty. Anything larger is over 4,000# GVW.

The popup we are selling has 2 queen beds, a 3rd bed on the dinette, and a 4th is the couch (could probably sleep 8 in a pinch if some were kids). It also has a shower and toilet. 2700 lbs empty weight. As far as brakes, I think that all states require trailer brakes for anything over 3000, and a few are more conservative than that. Our popup has electric brakes.

manualman wrote:
Another relative has a Ford Escape 2.0T with the factory tow package for 3,500# tow rating. Theoretically he could tow my popup with that sort of rating

Edge 2.0L also has a 3,500# rating, although if I was towing anything over 3,000# I would want electric brakes and maybe even a weight distribution hitch (which added to the tongue weight of the TT would probably put you over the vehicle tongue weight limit).

The only thing I can think is that older folks want a bathroom and maybe even 2 beds. That takes you out of a pop up and into a hybrid.

The Jayco 16XRB sneaks in under 3,000# but GVW is 3,750# so you had better pack lit and make sure your tanks are empty. Anything larger is over 4,000# GVW.

Hardly any CUV or Subaru. State parks. Standards like body on frame SUV halfton and 3/4 pickups