setup recommendations

APT wrote:
Spend $14 at a CAT scale to find out where you stand with respect to all your ratings. Large families and RVs tend to max out GVWR and rear axle well under tow rating. For example if you have 1500 pounds of payload and the family (and dog) weighs 750 pounds, you have 750 pounds left for loaded tongue weight. That sounds really close to what you currently have.

This.

I learned the hard way that a "standard" SUV (wondering if you're using beefy as in "fat and bloated" or "a beast") with a large family has a surprisingly limited towing capability.

The Armada is a great vehicle for a large family, and can easily pull a cargo trailer or a boat. Once you start talking about any reasonably-sized TT, you use up its capabilities quickly.

The problem with most SUVs is that they already have a lot more weight on the rear axle than an equally-sized pickup. Add in people, pets and cargo, and there's not much left for tongue weight. Most 25-30' TTs are going to put you over on your RAWR.

Get your weights nailed down as mentioned above, then go out and find a 25-30' lite trailer. Our first TT was a 30' TrailCruiser. Attached below is the weight slip. We were right at our max RAWR (4000) and our GVWR (7200). Trailer was 4500 empty, close to 6000 when loaded for a trip. This rig worked great. As soon as we upgraded to a heavier trailer, stuff started breaking.

I had two vacations interrupted by mechanical breakdowns because I was at/over the ratings of a half-ton Suburban. The rear axle was the culprit both times. On one trip we spent 4 days in Mitchell, SD instead of Yellowstone. Nice trade, eh?

This is why we upgraded to the Suburban 2500. If nothing else, the rear axle is absolutely bulletproof.

Spend $14 at a CAT scale to find out where you stand with respect to all your ratings. Large families and RVs tend to max out GVWR and rear axle well under tow rating. For example if you have 1500 pounds of payload and the family (and dog) weighs 750 pounds, you have 750 pounds left for loaded tongue weight. That sounds really close to what you currently have.

How much longer are you going to keep your current TV? You wouldn't want to under buy on a new TT because of your TV. I know you may not want to purchase a replacement TV, but if the trailer your looking at needs it then........you may have to.

I don't know the tow rating of your vehicle but we have a jayco 28dsbh that is around 6500 loaded, my tongue weight is around 900 lbs.. Has the double bunks in the back and will sleep 6-8.

First thing you will run out of is Cargo carrying capacity (payload). That is the capacity you have to carry the family, the dog, cargo in the vehicle, weight distribution hitch, and trailer tongue weight, combined.

As you load people and cargo, your payload drops pound for pound. Your tow capacity goes down with it.

You can calculate what trailer weight will max you out, by subtracting weight of everything, everybody, and the WD hitch, from your specific payload. That will tell you (available payload) the trailer tongue weight that you can carry.

Divide your available payload by .13. That is loaded trailer weight that will max out the tow vehicle, on payload and GVWR.

I suspect, with six people and a big dog, you're pretty close with what you have.

Check for a loading info sticker, on your drivers door post. That should tell you, your cargo carrying capacity (payload). Subtract from that number, the weight of everything and everybody you plan to put in the vehicle. Then subtract another 100 lbs for a weight distributing hitch. What you have left is payload available for the trailer tongue weight.

Have you thought of the hybrid route. Roo 233S would be good if you can get the kids to sleep 2 to a bunk. Worst case would be one kid on the couch if you can get at least 2 to sleep in a bunk.

The quad bunks that I can find are in the 3/4 ton territory, or very capable 1/2 ton.

We're a family of 6 with a 70lb "puppy" as well. We bought our first camper secondhand which really wasn't built for us. It's time to sell it. It boasts 4710 dry which i know means nothing. We always tow long distances with the tanks empty. We tow with a Nissa Armada with a Reese dual cam system with #1200 bars. Our truck handled our current setup just fine. I'm thinking we shouldn't exceed 6500 fully loaded. Here's my request:

Suggest you look at the Lance series of trailers. I think they make a 27 ft. trailer which will accomadate your family of 6 (if dog sleeps outside) :) Fat chance:). and is relatively light .