Travel Trailer Towing Recommendations

Krusty wrote:
The Transit is now available with all-wheel drive if traction is an issue. That Wagoneer looks like it may be a good choice too

Transit full of people and a 7500lb trailer?
Um, nope.

I think the OP needs to decide which is of greater importance to them, owning an SUV or traveling with 6 adults plus 4 (or more) grandchildren in the same vehicle. Until someone identifies a 10 passenger SUV, the two are mutually exclusive.


How about an “out of the box” idea?
I know someone who uses a minibus to tow their TT to events. This one should have no issues pulling the OPs TT and transport 6 adults and 4+ grandchildren.

Ford F-550 Super Duty 4x4 DRW 14 Passenger Minibus

“Grandpa’s Party Bus”

Grit dog wrote:
Lol, comparing what people drive 50 years ago is hardly applicable.
And I've driven in enough snow with enough different vehicles, in enough different conditions to know that one can "get around" just fine in a 2wd vehicle properly equipped. From ice roads to the snottiest, heaviest snow possible, solo, towing, plowing snow, etc.
Heck, I ended up driving 650 miles during the Texas snowmageddon from Dallas to Albq in a blizzard most of the way in a rwd BMW rental car with a defective abs system that would randomly lock a front wheel and turn it into a ski, passing everyone on the road. Didn't bother me.

Doesn't mean it was ideal...and if I recall the OP is considering new luxury SUVs. If anyone thinks they are comparable to a cargo van with seats, you are easily fooled.
But you doo you...

While starting 50yrs ago, the last one was around 15yrs ago...He's passed away since then.

Nothing drastically different about 2WD from 50yrs ago, if anything it's better with antilock brakes, limited slip differentials, etc... but it's really amazing how much difference getting extra weight on the rear axle makes in getting a rear wheel drive vehicle to go thru some nasty stuff...but this is an issue you created. I don't recall the OP suggesting he wanted an off road super machine.

If he's looking at moving 8-12people, it's the SUVs that are lacking. They aren't as common anymore but if you want gorped up faux "luxury", you can get a conversion van but really, a passenger van with bench seats is much more practical.

I do know if I'm riding in the back, I'll take the back row of a van over a 3 row SUV any day of the week for comfort.

Just drove our van this weekend; not 50 years ago.
As someone who has a cargo van, passenger vans are not simply cargo vans with seats and I personally would prefer a van over a 3 row SUV when traveling long distances with more than 6 people (more leg room and elbow room). Review the number of people the OP would like to transport; 6 people plus 4 or more grandkids (in a 3 row SUV on a long trip :E). This sounds like a job for a passenger van or two SUVs.

Take a look at the towing capability of awd vans and the weight the OP's trailer.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer website lists up to 10,000 towing on the Capability page but on the Specs page none of the models list towing capacity above 8,790 (MSRP ~$70,000).:h

The Transit is now available with all-wheel drive if traction is an issue. That Wagoneer looks like it may be a good choice too

stsmark wrote:
New Jeep Wagoneer is body on frame, rated for 10k towing. Available air suspension. Might be worth a look.

Best relevant suggestion thus far.
And arguably the most capable towing new SUV with a bulletproof proven drivetrain. Although it would be a tough call between that, Eco Boost or 6.2 LS. With the Eco Boost making the grade faster at altitude.
Only downside is it, too is independent suspension and with OE air ride, not really modifiable. Wonder what the capacity of the air system is?
Be great if it would take an additional 2klbs or so over the curb weight on the rear axle.

valhalla360 wrote:

BCSnob wrote:
Vans are also for people who require interior cargo space PUs and SUVs cannot offer. A van with locking rear and the right tires offers adequate traction for summer on road towing; 4x4 towing is really only needed for off road towing and towing in the snow (which most don’t do). This comes from 20 years experience boondocking on dry and wet pastures.

Grew up with my Dad using vans for decades. This included winter trips Up North in Michigan for snowmobiling. Once you load up a van with 1500lb of people and gear and then put a trailer on the back, there is plenty of traction.

No it's not an off roading machine but neither is an F350 dually 4x4 diesel.

It's more than suitable for what the OP described.

Lol, comparing what people drive 50 years ago is hardly applicable.
And I've driven in enough snow with enough different vehicles, in enough different conditions to know that one can "get around" just fine in a 2wd vehicle properly equipped. From ice roads to the snottiest, heaviest snow possible, solo, towing, plowing snow, etc.
Heck, I ended up driving 650 miles during the Texas snowmageddon from Dallas to Albq in a blizzard most of the way in a rwd BMW rental car with a defective abs system that would randomly lock a front wheel and turn it into a ski, passing everyone on the road. Didn't bother me.

Doesn't mean it was ideal...and if I recall the OP is considering new luxury SUVs. If anyone thinks they are comparable to a cargo van with seats, you are easily fooled.
But you doo you...

Just priced out a 2022 Chevrolet Express 3500, 12 passenger van loaded ready to go, $47,000.00. Not a bad price compared to a Suburban, Expedition, or Jeep Grand Wagoner.
That will tow that TT and all the grandkids without a doubt.

We grew up with vans. Didn’t tow with them but we did make multiple ski trips a winter for decades from Chicago to Breckinridge CO (via the Ike, and before the Ike over Loveland pass). Good tires and chains when required were all that was needed for traction. For years in the 70s one of my uncles drove a dodge van from Denver over Berthoud pass for weekend skiing (most weekends) at Winter Park. The van worked well for him, his wife, and their 3 daughters plus all their equipment.

BCSnob wrote:
Vans are also for people who require interior cargo space PUs and SUVs cannot offer. A van with locking rear and the right tires offers adequate traction for summer on road towing; 4x4 towing is really only needed for off road towing and towing in the snow (which most don’t do). This comes from 20 years experience boondocking on dry and wet pastures.

Grew up with my Dad using vans for decades. This included winter trips Up North in Michigan for snowmobiling. Once you load up a van with 1500lb of people and gear and then put a trailer on the back, there is plenty of traction.

No it's not an off roading machine but neither is an F350 dually 4x4 diesel.

It's more than suitable for what the OP described.