Yes...another "New to RVing" thread

APT wrote:
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.

Your right. 10 MPG's is probably the most we'll ever see. Unless we bought a small hybrid. The wife is against having any soft enclosure especially when we travel west. For a brief moment, we chewed on buying a motor home. "tThe But with the added expense of vehicle maintenance, dinghy towing (a must), and accelerated depreciation of the motor coach.

APT wrote:

They need the 3.42 axle and HD towing equipment to get up to 8000 pound range.

I think all the Denali's are standard with same 3.42 rear axle ratio.

APT wrote:

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.

This is exactly what our delimma would be if we go the route of a P/U. Having that middle aisle helps as the wife (or I) can play "flight attendent" enroute to our destination.

APT wrote:

I also highly recommend the long wheelbased version of whichever you choose.

I'm in total agreement.

Wow, I didn't expect so many responses so quickly. Thanks for the input so far. It's sometimes hit or miss with enthusiast forum sites. I really want to keep my trailer size as small as possible to accommodate our 3 very young children, my wife, and our dog. The more I talk to friends who RV with children, the more I realize that "smaller" is good. Especially when it comes to pulling into and out of crowded camp sites. Also, my TV capacities won't be challenged as much.

Just read through 24 pages of a previous "RANT" thread that gave me some ideas of trailers that may fit our lifestyle. My wife and I want to make the right decision on a trailer as we plan on keeping it for at least 8-10 years. Murphy bed units with a front bunkhouse are a nice design. (need to investigate more on these).

So it leads me back to my original concerns on the best suited tow vehicle. I would really like to stay away from a 3/4 ton SUV as we would use the truck in Michigan's winter months and my work commutes are never less than 35 miles each way.

My wife and I considered a pickup truck as we could utilize it for home improvement needs. But having that 3rd row (including 2nd row captain seats) makes lugging the dog around or having to feed the kiddos on the move so much easier. That's why I own a Town and Country. And that's why my wife have decided to make the SUV a priority over a Pickup.

6.0L Yukon Denali's and ESV's have become our primary target. I think the 1/2 ton HD platform SUV's switched over to a 6speed/6.2L in the 2007 model year. With that said, it's reflective in the commanding price of 2007's. Is the 6.2 a better powerplant? From a spec sheet, it even looks as if the 2007 is rated to tow less than a 2006 by 500 lbs? (7400 down from 7900). Bigger engine with more transmission gears equals less towing capacity? I'm confused?

Ford has the Expedition EL. Seems prices are lower on the Ford's than on competatively equipped GM 1/2 ton models. My concern with the Fords are transmission problems over 100K miles (from what I've been reading) and parts/service accessiblity. Yukons/Burbs/Tahoes are more abundant and parts are more readily available including respective technicians.

My wife and I 86'd the Aspen/Durango realizing we need additional payload capacity and space behind the 3rd row. The XL's just fit everything better.

For a 5000lb trailer, a Chevy Tahoe or Suburban (or the GMC equivalent) will be fine for you. An Expedition is a good option too. These SUVs are the best options for towing. If you want an SUV that has more than enough power, you could upgrade to a Suburban 2500, but none of these will get you 12mpg when towing. Otherwise, a crew cab pick up is a good option for almost any trailer. If you add any pets to the equation though, a pick up won't work for you with 3 kids...especially in 5-10 years.

We've had two Tahoes towing 6500lb+ trailers for 8 years now with no problems.

If the vehicle is primarily for towing, can you consider a pickup truck instead of an SUV? I know you have three kids, but with a quad cab, that could be enough room for everyone. I've even had six people in my Avalanche from time to time.

With a pickup, your options will be significantly increased, especially if you are going with a 3/4 ton. And therefore you have a better chance of getting something in your price range. On AutoTrader, I quick searched for Silverado 2500 and found 2 for less than $15K with less than 100K miles.

APT wrote:

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!

Now that might work.

I've owned both a 2008 Expedition and a 2010 Suburban. My old trailer was 5500-6000lbs loaded. Neither got great mileage. Both, 3.4 rear ends. You're looking at 6-7mpg. The 5.4l is a better tow engine, hands down. It would at least do 65. I couldn't get over 55-60mph in the Chevy without the tranny temps skyrocketing. And I can't even begin to tell you how gutless that engine felt until you hit about 3500rpms. The new ones are supposed to be a little better. However, the longer wheelbase on the suburban did feel more stable.

I would scratch both and look at a crew cab truck with a better tow engine...which is pretty much any modern engine (personally, I'd still avoid the 5.3l). There is more room in the back seat of most trucks than either of those SUV's middle seat...and they tend to be cheaper. Get a truck cap and you have plenty of storage.

My $.02.

I agree with getting a 3/4 ton. I had an 2013 Silverado 1500, ext cab, 4x4, 5.3 with a tow capacity of 9600 lb. I had the bed fully loaded with just over 1,650 of cargo and tongue weight. My TT was a 1997 Jayco Hawk 24 fb loaded at 5,000 lb. It pulled good and basically got 10 mpg. I wouldn't want to pull much more unless I was staying local. I think the Jayco was supposed to be about 3,400 dry but with the addition of all the accessories like microwave, awning, batteries and propane the sticker was not true. At some point in time the industry started including everything in the dry weight and I have even seen some with a sticker near the door that says factory certified weight.

So the dry weight as I remember was probably closer to 3,600 or so. When I bought it I towed it home with a 2012 Chevy Traverse with a 5,200 pound tow package. It did it but it was about the max I would want to pull with it and I would only want to have done local campgrounds with it.

A 3/4 ton van may be a nice choice with kids, car seats, play pen, strollers etc.

All vehicles within a class such as 3/4 ton will vary somewhat depending on the manufacturer or model but let me just give you these 3 vehicles as a comparison:
My old 2013 Silverado 1500= Payload of 1,650

Sons 2012 Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4, CC, long bed, CTD= 2,130 payload and about 480 pounds more than the 1500 Chevy

My current 2014 Dodge 3500, CC, 4x4, short bed= 3804 and about 1,700 more than a 3/4 ton.

Going to a 3/4 will not be overkill in any way. Just plan on 10 mpg. If you hit smaller hills rolling hills you may see a touch less. If you do mountain areas you may see as low as 8 at times. Others can tell you more about that. In hilly areas my 2013 Silverado was getting under 10 mpg.

Also remember rule number 1. WATER DAMAGE. Go over ever inch of the rv roof feeling for soft spots. Go over every inch of the floor looking for soft spots. Put a lot of time into this issue. Do not fall in love when you think you have walked into your dream RV. DO NOT get in a hurry. DO NOT get frustrated and settle for something. You can replace a refrigerator or a/c unit and you will then have an upgraded appliance.

If you have water damage you now have hell on your hands and a heart breaking experience. This is about fun and joy and excitement. Don't let someone sell you junk. It can be tricky to see water damage at times.

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!

With a family of five, I would keep looking in the 3/4 ton range. Since this will be a dedicated TV, consider a 3/4 ton passenger van like an older Econoline. I'm hoping that your considering payload capacity over stated tow rating and know that things like tongue weight subtracts from available payload - among other things.

Get something that's safe and has the ability to tow the large TT your looking for, and let MPG fall where it falls.

Good luck in your search. We are very happy with our '05 1/2 ton Suburban. However, I think you will be hard pressed to accomplish your 12 mpg goal. That is not likely to happen with a full height TT and a gas engine in your TV. 8 to 11 is more likely. I average in the 9s. To get 12, you will need to go diesel, and that increases the cost of your TV purchase by quite a few thousand.