Lightweight non-hybrid TT that sleeps 7-8 people?

What year is your Envoy XL? Is it the I6 or V8? What axle ratio?

We had a 2004 Envoy XL and it basically had the same payload as our Suburban 1500 (I had both weighed). With my wife and two small kids and a full tank of gas the Envoy XL was something like 5200# leaving 1200# for the rest of the family and tongue weight.

Unless your Envoy has the V8, it most likely doesn't have an external tranny cooler. Since you have that vehicle, maybe tow with it a time or two and see how it does. If you like it, have an external tranny cooler installed and enjoy. As mentioned, get a good brake controller.

Don't even bother with the 1500 Suburban. It won't have any more payload than you have now. A 2500, an Excrusion, or a passenger van are likely your best options. If you don't need the 4wd capacity, I would definitely look into the passenger van!

The 1500 would be fine for now.

However, as you stated yourself, very young family. Kids do grow very fast. IMHO get the 2500 and grow into it rather than the 1500 and replace it in a year or two with something bigger when the kids all double their weight. As their weight grows, so does the weight of their clothes, toys and especially the food to feed them. LOL

Good luck and enjoy the new TT.

Thanks. It is a Forest River Shamrock 2004 model FLT233.

Looking at Suburbans. Is the 1500 capable enough or is the 2500 the only one worth looking at? Someone mentioned passenger vans too, but need to do more research on this. We are buying used... Not much left in the budget after the TT. And our recent move.

kdlugozi wrote:
Thanks. Yes, we saw it in person, and feel like we can tow it fine for now...recalculated and our family, with dogs in the mix, is 650 lbs. We will just need to carefully watch whatever else we put in the car. The reality is that our kids will grow...they are still really little, weighing between 25 and 55 lbs...so we will likely need a car upgrade due to max payload. Maybe a passenger van. Pick ups are great for towing but can't fit 7 people. So I guess I will be researching vans next.

Sounds like you are on your way! What is the model of the HTT you are looking at? As you probably know, we fellow forum members like to shop vicariously with other members ;)

If I was looking for a larger TV- and I have considered it recently due to volume of payload- I would look at a Suburban. They have a ton of room and the 2500's can tow all kinds of weight, with room to seat about 700 people (at least it seems that way!).

One more thing about your current TV. Make sure you are running 'LT' tires. There is a tendency for mfrs to put 'P' rated tires on SUVs, which often have far too soft sidewalls. If you are towing and are loaded up with people/gear, you'll really appreciate the improvement!

Check out your hitch, it should be a Class IV and have a sticker on it with your towing capacity with and without WDH. Just take a look underneath and make sure everything looks in good shape before you haul heavy the first time ;)

We use a Tekonsha Prodigy proportional brake controller. Your vehicle (has the towing package, right?) should have a wiring pigtail up under the dash to {wire} PLUG in a custom connector matching your vehicle, without any splicing.

You will want...make that NEED...a good proportional controller. There are several good ones out there, but the Prodigy is pretty much the gold standard in this weight/size market. There are other fine ones out there, but I have a Prodigy, have installed them for friends, and recommend them without hesitation ;)

If you're getting ready to buy your NTU (new to you, the BEST kind!) camper, you may want to start a thread in the HTT section with the make and model and ask what specific items or issues to check out before writing the check.

You'll get lots of opinions, but remember, except for a few rare exceptions, we are all trying to help. We likely won't all agree, but you can read and weigh the info, heed or ignore it, and you don't have to 'answer' to any of us. Get the camper that meets YOUR family's needs and be as SAFE as possible towing it.

Hope this helps.

Thanks. Yes, we saw it in person, and feel like we can tow it fine for now...recalculated and our family, with dogs in the mix, is 650 lbs. We will just need to carefully watch whatever else we put in the car. The reality is that our kids will grow...they are still really little, weighing between 25 and 55 lbs...so we will likely need a car upgrade due to max payload. Maybe a passenger van. Pick ups are great for towing but can't fit 7 people. So I guess I will be researching vans next.

I have a shadow cruiser 280bhs, and it sleeps 10. 4 bunks, convert dinette and couch and 1 bedroom. 1 slide and its 5400lbs dry.

I tow with a 2004 tahoe 4wd max tow pkg. I also have a great wd hitch. Makes towing that thing a breeze.

Congratulations! Have you gone to see the trailer in person, or have you just decided on the model and looking to somewhere to buy?

4500 GVW would be absolutely fine if your tow max is 7k.

My 4Runner has max tow of 7300 lbs and our camper is 5k GVW. No problems with Reese WDH and anti-sway bar.

It's your call, but I wouldn't hesitate.

In reality, extra weight in TV helps keep it stable when towing longer trailers. Remember 2wd pickups spinning out in the snow due to lack of weight over the wheels?

A properly rated, installed, and configured WDH will make a HUGE difference in your towing experience.

Right now our family is roughly 650 lbs....750 if we bring dogs. Because we have the third row, we have basically no cargo space. Any "stuff" would really have to be in the trailer.

kdlugozi wrote:
1414 lbs is the payload.

As you can see from my post (I was writing when you posted this) this is a major issue. 1,414 of payload, minus 1k in passengers, 125 in stuff, and. 75lb hitch, you have 214 left for tongue weight. I would bet if you pulled up to a scale you'd find you are overloaded with your pop-up.

The new trailer would likely have you overloaded by roughly 400 pounds.