We are a family of 8 and cannot stay within the gvw of our 07 expedition with hd tow package. Any advice for large families. Does anyone take two vehicles when the travel, one for towing the other for family? currently looking at 3/4 ton suburban, or an Excursion. Looking at our first TT, a Jayco 284bhsw, 6000lb dry with a 710lb hitch weight. I'm new to all this, and i'm just looking for a tow vehicle that can hopefully fit my family, and safely get us down the road not feeling underpowered. We are a family that loves to travel, and loves the mountains. Just interested in doing it from a campsite, and not a Marriott. Thanks

Have you considered a full-size van?

Van, van or van! An SUV while having seating, those back seats will get small as kids grow. Get a 15 passenger, then 2 kids per seat, middle is free. Make sure it is a 35 series with highest payload options. THere are a few dually versions around tooMarty

Only thing that will work would be a 1 ton van. Enough seats and payload to fill them and power to tow.

Van and not the Sprinter or Transit. You are looking at a Chevy express or a Ford E350 V10. I'd get the 12 passenger in the Ford due to the longer rear overhang . The overhang on the Chevy is the same in the 12 or 15 passenger version. Another option is the 3500 Nissan NV van. But you will need to manage the tongue weight. I read somewhere that the NV is limited to around 900 lbs of tongue weight. But it's got a lot of payload. IIRC.

Large family tow vehicle | Good Sam Community

gbopp
Explorer
Mar 04, 2017
Have you considered a full-size van?
blt2ski
Moderator
Mar 04, 2017
Van, van or van! An SUV while having seating, those back seats will get small as kids grow. Get a 15 passenger, then 2 kids per seat, middle is free. Make sure it is a 35 series with highest payload options. THere are a few dually versions around too

Marty
camp-n-family
Explorer
Mar 04, 2017
Only thing that will work would be a 1 ton van. Enough seats and payload to fill them and power to tow.
carringb
Explorer
Mar 04, 2017
Van
jerem0621
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2017
Van and not the Sprinter or Transit.

You are looking at a Chevy express or a Ford E350 V10. I'd get the 12 passenger in the Ford due to the longer rear overhang . The overhang on the Chevy is the same in the 12 or 15 passenger version.

Another option is the 3500 Nissan NV van. But you will need to manage the tongue weight. I read somewhere that the NV is limited to around 900 lbs of tongue weight. But it's got a lot of payload. IIRC.
Markl_n
Explorer
Mar 04, 2017
Thanks everyone for the replies. Ill start looking into the vans as well.
SouthpawHD
Explorer
Mar 04, 2017
Or take 2 vehicles....
blt2ski
Moderator
Mar 04, 2017
Sprinter vans frankly would make a.good tow rig. I drive a cargo 2500 at work. Put 6000+ lbs, give around 12000, power is fine. Granted not the.same as pulling a TT.......
But for OP, it might work in a 3500 ,chassis. I would not recommend the 2500. You can also.get 4wd in the 3500 dw version. Wheels sit inside van body vs Bryan's needing to be outside.
With this said, the motor is around a 200/400 hp torque setup, so it will not e the fastest setup. BUT, it will get them from home, to campground and back in a safe and sane.manner.

Marty
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2017
E250/350 Van! The Excursion would be good also but has a low GVWR only limited by the springs as everything else is the same as a 3/4-1 ton trucks.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 04, 2017
I would also suggest a 1 ton van for 8 people, the kids are only going to get bigger. This would allow for tongue weight as well. While a Excursion or 2500 series Burb will work there 7 passenger and buy the time loaded you would not have as much capacity for tongue weight.