Forum Discussion

aquariafly's avatar
aquariafly
Explorer
Oct 17, 2020

New to RV'ing, need a new vehicle

Hey all,

So we are looking into getting into camping a bit more and hoping to buy a travel trailer. First step we need to upgrade our vehicle since I'll be using this vehicle as a daily driver I want something sorta comfy and with seats to haul the family around. We were looking at VW Atlas, Highlander or Telluride. The max tow is 5000lb (with tow package and all). (Not looking at pick-ups)

We were hoping to get a small hybrid trailer like the Jayco Jayfeather X17Z or Surveyor 191T.

These are both around 3300lb. We'd be carrying 4-5 people max in the car + gear. Longest drive would be 4-5 hrs, mostly flat.

So I just want to see how realistic this setup would be. We would get all the necessary safety mods like weight distribution, electronic trailer brakes.

Anyone else using an SUV to tow a small trailer? Thank you all for the feedback and help in this decision.
  • A lot of chicken little syndrome in the responses thus far. However there is some truth to their statements in that you will be at max capacity and not have the best chassis and drivetrain for towing a high profile trailer.
    That said, occasional use and mostly flat towing and low altitude, it’s doable.
    Also passenger weight doesn’t subtract pound for pound from towing rating. Chicken littles have it wrong. Technically it subtracts from payload / tongue weight capacity.
    Again they’re correct, load the rig heavy and you’re dipping into tongue weight capacity greatly, but you may still be within all the “numbers” depending on weights.
  • I towed trailers up to 3500 lbs extensively with a 2008 Highlander. It did okay up to about 60 mph (slower in the mountains of course). I see you are in Ontario; it’s not too hilly there. If you can ensure that the loaded hitch weight is under the 500 lb limit and if your passengers and cargo aren’t too heavy, I think you could do it. You’d need to lock out overdrive so the transmission doesn’t hunt gears and get too hot. Make sure all tires are infleted to max rated psi, and consider getting some LT tires with a slightly lower sidewall to enhance handling. You won’t have enough leeway for a weight distribution hitch, so get all wheel drive and add an anti-sway friction bar.

    If you decide to go bigger, you might consider a Toyota Sequoyah or Ford Expedition. A crew cab pickup could work (look for higher payload units, check the door jamb stickers).
  • The problem with your plan is the 4-5 people plus gear in the vehicle. That’s what those vehicles are designed to carry while not towing. Once you add all that weight to the vehicle you lose most of the towing capability. Your payload (found on tire rating sticker on drivers door) will be mostly taken up with passengers and gear leaving little to nothing left for the tongue weight of the trailer. Only exception would be if 3 of your passengers were small lightweight children. Might be doable now but you will quickly outgrow your vehicle.

    New vehicle tow ratings are calculated with allowances for one 150lbs driver and one 150lbs passenger. Any other weight added to the vehicle reduces your tow rating pound for pound. Those trailers once loaded with gear will exceed your loaded vehicle tow rating.

    The trailers you list at 3300lbs are brochure dry weights, not what you will be towing. They don’t include options, propane, water in tanks or any of your “stuff”. Trailers delivered to dealers are usually several hundred pounds heavier than the brochure weights. Add your stuff for 5 people and you’ll be 4500lbs+. For stability trailers should have ~12% of its loaded weight on the tongue. That’s at least 540lbs. That weight counts towards your tow vehicles payload and will exceed the hitch receiver rating for those vehicles. Most manufacturers calculate the max hitch weight as 10% of the tow rating (500lbs for a 5k tow rating).
  • Oh boy, yep agree with above.
    Without elaborating get a 2500 series truck and thank us later.

    A pop-up and 4 trailers later I can say that. Lol
  • You will seriously regret buying any tow vehicle that is rated for 5000 or less and then towing a TT.

    For starters, keep in mind that everyone and all weight in the tow vehicle subtracts from what you can tow. The passengers, gear, and tongue weight of the trailer will put you over the vehicle payload very quickly.