Yes...another "New to RVing" thread
Sorry in advance for the 1 millionth "new to RVing" thread. But I'm trying to get some advice (and/or feedback) before landing my new tow vehicle. I have a young family, a wife with 3 sons, 6mont...
Forum Discussion
You need to budget for 8mpg for any gas powered vehicle towing any high walled TV. You might get 9-10 at 60mph. Never 12mpg. Even 12mpg with a modern diesel 3/4+ ton pickup is not consistent enough to budget towards. 12mpg towing is reasonable average for one of the 6-cyl diesel powered SUVs, like Jeep Grand Cherokee, VW Touareg, Qudi Q7, MB ML 350D, etc. There just are no good 3-row options for RVing with a diesel and those are premium vehicles that can otherwise pay for a lot of fuel at 8mpg instead of 12mpg.
5k dry is fair for all brands of full sized half tons. You do want to make sure the one you buy has the respective towing equipment. For example, the majority of the GM twins on lots and sold have tow ratings in the 5000 pound range. They need the 3.42 axle and HD towing equipment to get up to 8000 pound range.
I bought my TT when my kids were about the ages of yours 5 years ago. We started in a crew cab pickup and lasted two years before changing to 3-rows of seats. 3 kids strapped into child seats all within arms reach of each other was not always a fun ride to the campground.
I highly recommend something with 6+sped transmission. That means 2007+ Ford Expedition, 2007 GM Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/XL, 2007+ Escalade/Yukon XL Denali.
I also highly recommend the long wheelbased version of whichever you choose. We had a SWB Yukon Denali for a weekend before we bought our Suburban. My wife opened the tailgate and laughed when she saw it could barely hold the kids school backpacks, let alone groceries with the 3rd row seat up, plus the cramped 3rd row space.
A 2007+ Yukon XL Denali AWD is probably your best bet. They all come with the HD tow package, 3.42 axle, 400+hp 6.2L V8, 6-spd trans. Payload should be in the 1350-1400 pound range, plenty for a young family and 700-800 pounds of TW. If you can find a 2008+ Suburban/Yukon XL 2500 it will also do you very well. We love ours!
5k dry is fair for all brands of full sized half tons. You do want to make sure the one you buy has the respective towing equipment. For example, the majority of the GM twins on lots and sold have tow ratings in the 5000 pound range. They need the 3.42 axle and HD towing equipment to get up to 8000 pound range.
I bought my TT when my kids were about the ages of yours 5 years ago. We started in a crew cab pickup and lasted two years before changing to 3-rows of seats. 3 kids strapped into child seats all within arms reach of each other was not always a fun ride to the campground.
I highly recommend something with 6+sped transmission. That means 2007+ Ford Expedition, 2007 GM Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/XL, 2007+ Escalade/Yukon XL Denali.
I also highly recommend the long wheelbased version of whichever you choose. We had a SWB Yukon Denali for a weekend before we bought our Suburban. My wife opened the tailgate and laughed when she saw it could barely hold the kids school backpacks, let alone groceries with the 3rd row seat up, plus the cramped 3rd row space.
A 2007+ Yukon XL Denali AWD is probably your best bet. They all come with the HD tow package, 3.42 axle, 400+hp 6.2L V8, 6-spd trans. Payload should be in the 1350-1400 pound range, plenty for a young family and 700-800 pounds of TW. If you can find a 2008+ Suburban/Yukon XL 2500 it will also do you very well. We love ours!
