Hi, thanks for reading this.I'm new here and to TTs.I'm looking at buying a TT very soon. We are going to live in it in our driveway for two to three months while we do renovations to our house. After that we (wife, kid 1, kid 2, kid that's on the way and myself) will be using it to go camping.We are also looking at buying a new SUV. We have a growing family and need a bigger SUV (currently own an Explorer). We like Ford products so we are thinking of the 2016 Expedition with HD tow package (or a Navigator). However we are still open to suggestions. It does have to be an SUV though.I (like a few others) only looked at TV max towing capacity and TT weight while shopping. I didn't consider other factors in this.I'm fortunate that I haven't purchased anything yet. I had a list of about 4 or 5 models that I was really considering, I'm glad I found this forum or I could have been in a bit of trouble.I should note, that I have read a post, which is very very similar to what I'm asking: ***Link Removed***. Requests: My wife would like something as long (big) as we can get while still towing with an SUV (most likely the Expedition). She'd like a bunkhouse that has a door (for the kids). I'd like an outside kitchen. Outdoor shower. 'Extended season'.Any ideas on any models we could consider? Any other factors I'm missing? Is weight the main deciding factor or does length have a lot to do as well. Sway etc.. Not sure if it matters or not, but we live in Los Angeles. Thanks again,ShawnTL;DR Looking for 'biggest' TT that can be towed with large SUV, most likely 2016 Expedition.

My sister and brother in law have 3 kids and a 2015 Expedition 3.5 EL. I think the official tow capacity is 9200 or something but you can't realistically go that heavy when you factor in the axle and payload ratings. Their trailer weighs 6k gross and is 27' long and I don't think you want to go any bigger with that tow vehicle and a family of five. Their trailer actually has a quad bunkhouse up front and a rear queen that slides out of the back so it's reasonably comfortable for the five of them. However there is no side slide so it's kind of tight inside, it has very low ceilings and very little ground clearance. Go drive a heavy duty crew cab pickup, or at least give it some thought. We also have three kids and fit really well in it, and all you really give up is that third row. If you need extra covered storage a canopy is always an option, or it also opens up the possibility of fifth wheels either now or in the future. The towing experience even with a larger trailer (or especially a fifth wheel) is far better compared to a half ton SUV, and it opens up way more options that may make your wife a lot more willing to use it frequently. I had a longer version of this same conversation with my sister/BIL before they bought their Expedition and they obviously blew it off, but I think it warrants consideration.

IdaD wrote:Go drive a heavy duty crew cab pickup, or at least give it some thought. We also have three kids and fit really well in it, and all you really give up is that third row. If you need extra covered storage a canopy is always an option, or it also opens up the possibility of fifth wheels either now or in the future. The towing experience even with a larger trailer (or especially a fifth wheel) is far better compared to a half ton SUV, and it opens up way more options that may make your wife a lot more willing to use it frequently. I had a longer version of this same conversation with my sister/BIL before they bought their Expedition and they obviously blew it off, but I think it warrants consideration.+1. You aren't realistically going to safely tow anything that will house a family of 5 in comfort with an SUV. To meet safety margins, you will have to settle for substantially less TT unless you get a 3/4 ton pickup.

Check out the KZ Spree 240bhs--it has beds for 5 with a max weight of 6500lb, which should give you about 800lb on the hitch.When looking at SUVs, you want the maximum payload (yellow sticker on the driver's door frame) that you can find. I bought a 2015 Expedition without knowing to look for it, and mine only has 1364lb payload, which really limited my options. I still went with the Spree, but I'm closer to my limits than I would like.

IdaD wrote:My sister and brother in law have 3 kids and a 2015 Expedition 3.5 EL. I think the official tow capacity is 9200 or something but you can't realistically go that heavy when you factor in the axle and payload ratings. Their trailer weighs 6k gross and is 27' long and I don't think you want to go any bigger with that tow vehicle and a family of five. Their trailer actually has a quad bunkhouse up front and a rear queen that slides out of the back so it's reasonably comfortable for the five of them. However there is no side slide so it's kind of tight inside, it has very low ceilings and very little ground clearance. Go drive a heavy duty crew cab pickup, or at least give it some thought. We also have three kids and fit really well in it, and all you really give up is that third row. If you need extra covered storage a canopy is always an option, or it also opens up the possibility of fifth wheels either now or in the future. The towing experience even with a larger trailer (or especially a fifth wheel) is far better compared to a half ton SUV, and it opens up way more options that may make your wife a lot more willing to use it frequently. I had a longer version of this same conversation with my sister/BIL before they bought their Expedition and they obviously blew it off, but I think it warrants consideration.(Sorry if I didn't quote properly, new on this forum)We do need the third row. Our children are younger (all in car seats) and we frequently either have my father or my mother visiting from out of town. If we end up using the trailer enough, I'd buy a truck for it (can't do it at the moment though). I'm going to keep researching and I'll try to find something that I think could work and post a follow up.Thanks.Shawn

I have an Expedition and the third row seating and while it is a great vehicle the only way I would tow a trailer that weighed more than 6500 gross, (5000 dry), is if the Expy was empty other than me. Sorta defeats the purpose unless you just want it for a people mover when not towing.SUVs by their nature are softly sprung so they can haul people comfortably. They used to make some with heavier suspensions,(3/4 ton), but I don't believe they do any longer.For the size trailer you want that will be comfortable to live in for a couple months you need a minimum 3/4 ton tow vehicle. And remember that all the things they do to make a trailer robust and sturdy are HEAVY. Ultra-light trailers are trading sturdy materials for size.

Travel Trailer and SUV (yes another thread on this)

22 Replies

JoeTampa
Explorer
Jul 12, 2016
IdaD wrote:

Go drive a heavy duty crew cab pickup, or at least give it some thought. We also have three kids and fit really well in it, and all you really give up is that third row. If you need extra covered storage a canopy is always an option, or it also opens up the possibility of fifth wheels either now or in the future. The towing experience even with a larger trailer (or especially a fifth wheel) is far better compared to a half ton SUV, and it opens up way more options that may make your wife a lot more willing to use it frequently. I had a longer version of this same conversation with my sister/BIL before they bought their Expedition and they obviously blew it off, but I think it warrants consideration.

+1. You aren't realistically going to safely tow anything that will house a family of 5 in comfort with an SUV. To meet safety margins, you will have to settle for substantially less TT unless you get a 3/4 ton pickup.
IdaD
Explorer
Jul 12, 2016
My sister and brother in law have 3 kids and a 2015 Expedition 3.5 EL. I think the official tow capacity is 9200 or something but you can't realistically go that heavy when you factor in the axle and payload ratings. Their trailer weighs 6k gross and is 27' long and I don't think you want to go any bigger with that tow vehicle and a family of five. Their trailer actually has a quad bunkhouse up front and a rear queen that slides out of the back so it's reasonably comfortable for the five of them. However there is no side slide so it's kind of tight inside, it has very low ceilings and very little ground clearance.

Go drive a heavy duty crew cab pickup, or at least give it some thought. We also have three kids and fit really well in it, and all you really give up is that third row. If you need extra covered storage a canopy is always an option, or it also opens up the possibility of fifth wheels either now or in the future. The towing experience even with a larger trailer (or especially a fifth wheel) is far better compared to a half ton SUV, and it opens up way more options that may make your wife a lot more willing to use it frequently. I had a longer version of this same conversation with my sister/BIL before they bought their Expedition and they obviously blew it off, but I think it warrants consideration.

Forum Discussion

Travel Trailer and SUV (yes another thread on this)

22 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Travel Trailer

My Travel Trailer Fell Down

Travel trailer front lights stay on

Another solar question.

Travel Trailer Tires