Hello! Trying this again, after finally abandoning the idea of a Ford Expedition. (Payload issues) We are in the market for a truck. But it also needs to be my husband's commuter truck. He drives about 25 minutes one way, city traffic. We are considering TT's in the 25-28 foot range. (Haven't purchased yet) We have a large family of 6, including 4 adults and 2 tall teen boys. Not all have to sleep in the TT, so not looking for ultra huge.Questions:1) I'm seeing possible payloads of close to the 2400-2600 lbs range with a 4x4 Ford F 150 SuperCrew. Does this sound adequate for a TT that size? What is the minimum payload we should consider?2) Obviously a 3/4 ton truck would make towing life easier, but what would be the gas mileage difference on a daily basis driving it to work? The window sticker on the F 250 didn't even have to list the gas mileage.3) Any other TV we should consider? Thanks for any input you have for us.

Fourkidletts wrote:We have a large family of 6, including 4 adults and 2 tall teen boys.Are you sure you really want to get a crew cab pickup? With 6 large people, it seems that you would need something with 3 rows. Driving long distances with 3 across in the front seat gets old. If a Suburban or Expedition will not work, have you considered a full size van? I know, not cool to drive around in every day.

X2 on the van. Ford E350 or Chev 3500.And they are Cool! :)

Smart choices are 2500 Suburban, Ford Excursion, or 350 van..

I don't think we will be going long distances with it. We live in Northern California and there is a ton of beautiful camping around here within a couple of hours. Hubby driving to work in a full size van doesn't sound like a good commuting option. And we have tried to get into a Suburban, the back seat does not accommodate my tall teens and their legs at all.

Hmmm....I'm finding f250's to be cheaper than the f150's. Is that due to demand? I'm seeing several thousands cheaper. Could make up for the difference in the gas mileage. Why would they be cheaper?

Looking for tow vehicle for family of 6 | Good Sam Community

Fourkidletts
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
Thanks everyone, this has been very helpful. Hubby not fond of the van idea. Rethinking this whole thing. Going back to my idea of a small, light trailer. This all started with us wanting a "towable bathroom", but of course, it doesn't exist! Kids don't mind sleeping in tents, we love sitting around the campfire at night, etc. We wouldn't spend much time in the trailer anyway so I think we can get away with less TV. It may still be 2 vehicles for longer trips. Also looking into an older TV, plus a commuter car. Oh boy. The hard choices for us not so wealthy folks. 1st world problems! LOL
blt2ski
Moderator
Feb 25, 2016
100,000+ miles towing with my family of 6 in a crew cab, with an emanual stick shift in the front middle seat......yeah a van was preferred. But I needed a pickup for work, towed twice the weight of TT I had. I could get 4ad at a reasonable cost in a pickup vs a.van. ex did not want a burn for herself. We did have an Astro later Safari AWD van for her to run kids around and all of us with out a trailer etc.
ALL of us would not trade days.for a.van if it would have ment not getting trailer to local mountains for 12-15 weekends per ski season. Us use in summer, although not as many days from April to November......
At the.end of.the.day, get what is best for you. There is.not a true absolute PERFECT two rig imho. Only.something with fewest faults per say.
MOST important item tho, Is correct payload for the task. After that, take pick on what you need or do not.
Marty
carringb
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
rhagfo wrote:
Dadoffourgirls wrote:

GM is making a 3500 Suburban. Available only as a fleet vehicle. Rated to tow 3000 lbs. Priced from $80k.

a 3500 Burb, only rated to tow 3,000#. That would be more like the Payload. Tow rating should be in the 10,000# to 12,000# range.

He's right. GVWR went WAY up (11,00 pounds) but its fitted with the 6.0 and GM 6-speeds, it has a low GCWR.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 25, 2016
Dadoffourgirls wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
GM is making 2500 series Suburbans again. They're not setup as towing monsters and may be only thru fleet sales from what I read, but that may work for you.
Given your short anticipated towing distances, long term vehicle ownership and family situation, I'd still lean towards a crew cab pickup or big suv and deal with taking 2 cars for a year or 2.
But I'm in the won't have a van club. I need 4wd and a truck bed, never mind the cool factor.

GM is making a 3500 Suburban. Available only as a fleet vehicle. Rated to tow 3000 lbs. Priced from $80k.

a 3500 Burb, only rated to tow 3,000#. That would be more like the Payload. Tow rating should be in the 10,000# to 12,000# range.
the_happiestcam
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
Bionic Man wrote:

I will also go against the "take two cars" advice. I upgraded my boat last year and am no longer comfortable towing it tandem behind my fifth wheel. So all last summer, we took two vehicles - DW towing the 5er with my sig truck, and me towing the boat with a Burb. I will tell you, that gets old real quick.

We've turned into the take two vehicles over the past few years (mostly 5 hour trips), and I love it. With the ages of our kids, it's hard to get ALL of them free for an ENTIRE week. What usually happens is everybody but me leaves, and I get an extra day. Since it's just me, I can pack up everything that afternoon (storage is a back door where you have to fold a bed), and then I can relax and take my time in the morning. Sometimes one of the kids may stay, but we can still pack.
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
Grit dog wrote:
GM is making 2500 series Suburbans again. They're not setup as towing monsters and may be only thru fleet sales from what I read, but that may work for you.
Given your short anticipated towing distances, long term vehicle ownership and family situation, I'd still lean towards a crew cab pickup or big suv and deal with taking 2 cars for a year or 2.
But I'm in the won't have a van club. I need 4wd and a truck bed, never mind the cool factor.

GM is making a 3500 Suburban. Available only as a fleet vehicle. Rated to tow 3000 lbs. Priced from $80k.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 25, 2016
GM is making 2500 series Suburbans again. They're not setup as towing monsters and may be only thru fleet sales from what I read, but that may work for you.
Given your short anticipated towing distances, long term vehicle ownership and family situation, I'd still lean towards a crew cab pickup or big suv and deal with taking 2 cars for a year or 2.
But I'm in the won't have a van club. I need 4wd and a truck bed, never mind the cool factor.
LarryJM
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2016
Fourkidletts wrote:
Hello! Trying this again, after finally abandoning the idea of a Ford Expedition. (Payload issues) We are in the market for a truck. But it also needs to be my husband's commuter truck. He drives about 25 minutes one way, city traffic.

This is the standard wanting something all inclusive to perform two generally very different tasks. Something's gotta give. Then when Van is mentioned back comes the not cool third restriction.

Larry
Lantley
Nomad
Feb 25, 2016
A van is the only real solution. Years ago Excursions and 2500 Burbs were up to the task however those vehicles are only available used now and are getting old and becoming rare. The newer version are no longer rated/capable for towing a large trailer and carrying lots of people.
3500/350 vans are your best solution.
Other than not being cool enough or stylish enough vans are a very viable solution. As other options have faded away vans have become the sole solution
APT
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
Nothing offer more 3+ row seating space/seat size than Surburban/Expedition EL except full sized vans. Nissan has the NV3500 that is the most car-like in terms of features and luxuries. It still looks like a van and it really needs the engine/trans updates from Titan/Armada. Otherwise, today's crew cab pickups offer a lot more seating space/comfort for the second row passengers. But you are taking two vehicles with a family of 6.