towing with suv???

E&J push'n wind wrote:
Everybody is gonna have a different experience towing with their setup. I'm towing a big Jayco with an Armada (pic in profile) and have had a most enjoyable time. Using a Hensley Arrow hitch for added security because of the shorter wheel base. I've been over some pretty big hills out here in the So West as well as high temps while climbing some of those hills. I'm happy to roll at 40 ~ 45 mph on the worst of hills so far and freeway speeds I maintain 60~ mph. A little faster as needed when passing but not much more than that. It has served us well.

I had an enjoyable time for my two camping trips with my very-over-weight Acadia towing a 30 foot trailer. I was naive and thought 5200lbs meant that I could get a trailer up to 5200lbs, then load the Acadia full of stuff and people and head out. I even moved stuff into the Acadia because I thought that was a better way to do it.

Everybody is gonna have a different experience towing with their setup. I'm towing a big Jayco with an Armada (pic in profile) and have had a most enjoyable time. Using a Hensley Arrow hitch for added security because of the shorter wheel base. I've been over some pretty big hills out here in the So West as well as high temps while climbing some of those hills. I'm happy to roll at 40 ~ 45 mph on the worst of hills so far and freeway speeds I maintain 60~ mph. A little faster as needed when passing but not much more than that. It has served us well.

Also Sequoia here, 6800 lbs trailer. It's doable but it's not fun. The ProPride makes things more enjoyable though - I can at least get to 60+mph and keep up with friends.

ETA: Doing this for 2+ years. 13 camping trips in 2012. Several camping trips in 2013 including a 2400 mile trip through 5 states.

Since you are looking to pair up a SUV and TT, just make sure the TV has a payload and tow capacity over and above the TT. The greater the capacity, the better the tow experience. When I started looking for a pair, I went with the largest (used)SUV I could find so as not to limit my choices for a TT. The MPG didn't matter as I only drive it for towing and occasionally in the summer. I'm happy with 9.5mpg towing my 34' TT. The wife's minivan is our daily driver and is great for our family. Good luck in your search for what works for YOU.

Terryallan wrote:

bid_time wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
Yep it depends on what New SUV you get as to what TT you can tow. Anything less than an Expedition, or Suburban, and you need to get a popup, 18' max ultra lite. You option expand quickly with the Burb, or Expe.

Really - that's the only two SUV's that can tow anything bigger than a popup? That either had to be tongue in cheek or a low information responder. I'm going with tongue in cheek.

Notice I said anything LESS than. Not the only 2. And I stand by my post. Any thing LESS than a Burb, or Expe, and you need a very small camper.

You can always hookup a Equinox, "new" Explorer or a Traverse to a 6000lb, 25', TT and give it a try. Call me, so I can watch.

Also notice, NONE of those are rated to tow more than 5000lbs. So you will be limited.

I towed my 30 foot trail cruiser with my Acadia, that was before I knew better (only had two camping trips before I realized my mistake)

I'll give the specs here just for the sake of argument, but I would NEVER tow like this again....

Acadia towing rating is 5200lbs, but I didn't realize that the 5200lbs is the total extra weight the Acadia is rated to handle (passengers, cargo, fuel, and trailer total must not exceed 5200lbs )

My trailer was dry weight listed as 4370lbs, but I didn't realize that the actual weight was higher, so once fully loaded it came in at 6006lbs.

The tongue weight rating for my Acadia is 600 lbs weight carrying or weight distributing. I was using Weight Distributing

The GCWR is 10,450 lbs so I was already over 11,000 lbs without my passengers or fuel

No judgement needed, I've been harsh on myself more then anyone else could be....

However, the Acadia pulled, turned, and stopped that trailer without any issue. It was a little harder on hills (engine temp went up higher then normal) but was otherwise okay. It was clearly not a good idea in the trailer had started swaying, was like the tail wagging the dog. It isn't realistic to state that an SUV can not tow a travel trailer. If I had a lighter trailer that was within the specs of my Acadia, it would have been just fine. It handled very well even above the limits.

I tow a autumn ridge dry weight 5700 pounds and cargo capacity of 2250 with a suburban rated at 7900 pounds towing capacity. Since its a square camper it is not the best to pull but we go no further than 50 miles and i can walk inside the camper with out ducking and im 6.3. Has a tran cooler and oil cooler and 3.42 rear end never a problem and handles thevtrailer better than a pickup because of the burbs weight

Andy F wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

bid_time wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
Yep it depends on what New SUV you get as to what TT you can tow. Anything less than an Expedition, or Suburban, and you need to get a popup, 18' max ultra lite. You option expand quickly with the Burb, or Expe.

Really - that's the only two SUV's that can tow anything bigger than a popup? That either had to be tongue in cheek or a low information responder. I'm going with tongue in cheek.

Notice I said anything LESS than. Not the only 2. And I stand by my post. Any thing LESS than a Burb, or Expe, and you need a very small camper.

You can always hookup a Equinox, "new" Explorer or a Traverse to a 6000lb, 25', TT and give it a try. Call me, so I can watch.



Also notice, NONE of those are rated to tow more than 5000lbs. So you will be limited.

Ridiculous statement-sorry but I have to object. We're towing 6000 pounds+ with our Toyota Sequoia and our experience contradicts your claim. There are so many lightweight well built travel trailers now that can be towed by the Sequoia, the new Durango with the Hemi V-8, the new Grand Cherokee with the diesel engine, the Nissan Armada, the Tahoe/Yukon, and the Suburban and Expedition. An upgraded hitch and brake controller is a must, of course. We towed to Yellowstone from MN last summer and we had a great towing experience with our 9 year old 120,000 mile plus "paid for" Sequoia with all 6 of us.

Again, I did say less than. I guess you consider a Durango less than a Burb, or Expe? As for the Jeep. I have towed many miles with a Grand Cherokee, and I'd not hook a 114" wheelbase vehicle to a 26' TT.
As for the Armada. It is pretty much the SAME size as an Expe, if not longer. So unless you have other information. I'd say it is on the same level. As is the Durango.

I Would hope that when someone reads a post they would try to understand what they read. By saying LESS THAN. I meant SUVs that are NOT as Capable as, Meaning they can't do the same thing. That I only mentioned 2, was to give a reference point, not to say those were the only 2. An Armada has a 124" WB, and a pretty good V8. Making it pretty much the same. A Durango has a 120" WB, Making it much like the Expe.

I didn't know that there were people on here that could not understand giving examples. I did not think I had to spell it out, and name EVERY SUV that is in the same category. So when I say LESS than. I mean exactly that.

Terryallan wrote:

bid_time wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
Yep it depends on what New SUV you get as to what TT you can tow. Anything less than an Expedition, or Suburban, and you need to get a popup, 18' max ultra lite. You option expand quickly with the Burb, or Expe.

Really - that's the only two SUV's that can tow anything bigger than a popup? That either had to be tongue in cheek or a low information responder. I'm going with tongue in cheek.

Notice I said anything LESS than. Not the only 2. And I stand by my post. Any thing LESS than a Burb, or Expe, and you need a very small camper.

You can always hookup a Equinox, "new" Explorer or a Traverse to a 6000lb, 25', TT and give it a try. Call me, so I can watch.

Also notice, NONE of those are rated to tow more than 5000lbs. So you will be limited.

I find it best to limit my responses to areas where I have knowledge and experience. Might want to give it a try. Having towed tens of thousands of miles with a Tahoe and several trailers up to 26' and 6000 lbs, I find your claims a bit silly. Having met countless folks successfully pulling similar amounts with Durangos, V8 grand Cherokees, etc...... well, I'll have to go with reality on this one.

Terryallan wrote:

bid_time wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
Yep it depends on what New SUV you get as to what TT you can tow. Anything less than an Expedition, or Suburban, and you need to get a popup, 18' max ultra lite. You option expand quickly with the Burb, or Expe.

Really - that's the only two SUV's that can tow anything bigger than a popup? That either had to be tongue in cheek or a low information responder. I'm going with tongue in cheek.

Notice I said anything LESS than. Not the only 2. And I stand by my post. Any thing LESS than a Burb, or Expe, and you need a very small camper.

You can always hookup a Equinox, "new" Explorer or a Traverse to a 6000lb, 25', TT and give it a try. Call me, so I can watch.



Also notice, NONE of those are rated to tow more than 5000lbs. So you will be limited.

Ridiculous statement-sorry but I have to object. We're towing 6000 pounds+ with our Toyota Sequoia and our experience contradicts your claim. There are so many lightweight well built travel trailers now that can be towed by the Sequoia, the new Durango with the Hemi V-8, the new Grand Cherokee with the diesel engine, the Nissan Armada, the Tahoe/Yukon, and the Suburban and Expedition. An upgraded hitch and brake controller is a must, of course. We towed to Yellowstone from MN last summer and we had a great towing experience with our 9 year old 120,000 mile plus "paid for" Sequoia with all 6 of us.

jsparkscougar wrote:
Does anyone know of a lite weight travel trailer good for a couple that could be towed with an SUV?

Depends - there are suvs, and then there are SUVS. I have one in all caps - and it chews up the hills.