Large family Toad question

[familyman5]

I have been out of the RVing world for about six years but now I am making plans to purchase another motor home and I have a question about the vehicle we should pull. Six years ago I owned and a 40 foot diesel motorhome and we pulled a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Now I have five children and need to pull something larger. I was wondering if anyone has any experience pulling a suburban. I have read online that it will tow with all four wheels down without any modifications. Obviously the suburban is much heavier than the jeep so my question is would I notice a big difference pulling something that heavy? I still need to purchase both the motorhome and the tow vehicle so I am open for suggestions. Also would there be much difference pulling the suburban with a gas powered motor home versus diesel power?

[jerseyjim]

Five kids? Might I suggest a Suburban....and PULL a travel trailer. A Suburban can pull just about anything. I did that for years....it worked for me. Now...empty nesters and semi retired, we got a motorhome.
In my experience, 99% of MOTORHOMES, gassers or DPs are really meant for 2 people with occasional guests.

Just my opinions.

[wallynm]

We tow one sometime with no problems. We always use. FROG breaking system and TPMS.

[viajante]

rekoj71 wrote:
Most new gas class A's have a #5K tow limit (more of a limit on the hitch I think) while the DP's are usually 10K. So if you are even thinking of a gas unit the Sub may be out, but there are a lot of suggestions above for some toads that still fit 7 and will come in under the 5K limit. If you are set on the Sub definitely look for the DP's.

The Ford Flex is less than 5k lbs.

[rekoj71]

Most new gas class A's have a #5K tow limit (more of a limit on the hitch I think) while the DP's are usually 10K. So if you are even thinking of a gas unit the Sub may be out, but there are a lot of suggestions above for some toads that still fit 7 and will come in under the 5K limit. If you are set on the Sub definitely look for the DP's.

[donkeydew]

buick enclave,gmc arcadia or chevy traverse = 7 seats

[viajante]

You might also consider the Ford Flex. It has a lot of storage and the third row of seating is very easy to deal with, they don't have to be removed when not in use, they can be easily flipped down.

[jtbr3]

We got Saturn outlook 8 passenger for large family plus has bike rack on rear of SUV. Makes very easy to transport extra stuff and 4 wheel down. I think GMC Arcadia is similar. Plus weights in around 4900 so good fit for 7500+ hitch.

[fortytwo]

Older Honda Vans tow nicely and have lots of room. Mine weights 4500. Hassle of set up to tow takes 4-5 minutes. New ones have a different tranny and are not towable. Mine is a 2008. Honda does not list it as towable, but has an "emergency tow" instruction in the manual, which is exactly the same as for towing for 06 and earlier models. Think the tranny change came after 2012. Not sure. You would have to check. There's an old thread on towing Honda Van's but I don't have the link.

[rv2go]

3-row, 7-Seat Ford Edge should fit your needs. I have seen the Ford Edge being towed. Don't know if it was a 7 seater.

[Two_Jayhawks]

Sure the burb makes a great large family toad but like others have mentioned you'll want to stick with a diesel. Most DP's have a 10K tow rating but you need to watch the carry capacity as well. I would think a tag model would be the call.

[bsinmich]

Suburban is great for comfort and towable. Check the year for towing regulations. Since a Suburban is close to 6000# you definitely need a DP. This sounds like fun. My daughter tows their Buick Enclave and it seats 7 in luxury. Being raised in Detroit I won't ever have a rice burner in my garage.

[LongWeekends]

You can pull a 4wd Suburban without issue as long as your MH has the capacity. The owners manual has very simple instructions for towing with 4 down....just put the transfer case in neutral. You'll want a very good braking system for sure. 🙂

[coolmom42]

You might look into something like a Honda or Toyota minivan, or a Honda Pilot. All very comfortable vehicles, although the 3rd row in the Pilot is cramped for anyone over 5' tall.

[wildtoad]

With 5 kids and two adults I assume you would be looking at not only the Suburban but also a larger motorhome. You will have a lot of stuff to take along, but I need not tell you that. There is basically only one manufacturer right now for gas chassis motorhomes and it's a very nice V10 but it does have it's limits. If it were me, a DP with bunks, large water and waste tanks, multiple slides, multiple baths would be high on my must go find list. Then pulling the Suburban becomes a non issue.