Thanks to all of your excellent advice, I have decided to find either a full size van or SUV to pull a travel trailer (I am thinking around 20’) for my cross country trip this summer, primarily because of all the pets and needing to have somewhere to stay with them in the event of a breakdown.What needs to be on my list of “must-haves” when I’m looking for a tow vehicle that will be able to reliably carry me and my menagerie over a variety of landscapes and conditions, mountain passes, etc? I’m assuming I should only be looking at something with a V8 engine?When I’ve been searching I have been narrowing my searches to vehicles already with a tow hitch with the assumption that this would mean that it’s equipped to tow, but I’m wondering if that is incorrect... must the vehicle have been originally manufactured with an official “tow package” or can an otherwise capable vehicle be outfitted with a trailer hitch after I buy it?Would an older vehicle with low miles and no major mechanical problems after an inspection be reliable, or should I really try to find a newer vehicle? For example, I found a 2007 Ford E350 with a tow package and only 60k miles on it for $8500, and I am interested in it but hesitate because of its age.Any thoughts on these vehicles that have come up in my searches, pro/con or something else I should be looking for entirely?SUV - Nissan Armada, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Sequoia or Land Cruiser, Chevy Tahoe or Suburban, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, Lincoln NavigatorVans - Nissan NV, Dodge RAM Promaster, Chevy Express, GMC Savana, Ford E150/250/350Thank you so much for any advice!

Depending on how and where you will be towing and how nervous your passenger might be, the new seat belt design might be something to consider.......

JaxDad wrote:Depending on how and where you will be towing and how nervous your passenger might be, the new seat belt design might be something to consider.......The OP is a "she" and her passengers will be a dog, two cats, a snake, a turtle, and two birds. (I hope I got that right from memory.)It will take a lot of seatbelts or a good sound system to keep everyone quiet.

"What needs to be on my list of “must-haves” when I’m looking for a tow vehicle that will be able to reliably carry me and my menagerie over a variety of landscapes and conditions, mountain passes, etc?"You are close to violating one of the rules...buy or select the trailer first, then match a tow vehicle to the trailer. While I don't know of any 20 foot (+ or -) trailers that an F350 couldn't tow and carry the weight, you don't need an F350 for that size trailer.Next, don't fixate only on "towing" or "pulling." The tow vehicle also needs to be capable of carrying tongue and hitch weight, passengers, stuff in the TV etc. within specifications set by the manufacturer...payload.

Factory option tow package: It has the options already installed for towing.This is not to say that a vehicle without it is not capable, it just wraps a lot of the necessary items into a tidy package. e.g: brake controller, wiring, etc...

You may want to check out the blog RV Sue and her Canine Crew. https://rvsueandcrew.net/She doesn't post much anymore as she no longer full times, but her older posts might be helpful to you, especially the very oldest when she was preparing to full time. She full timed for years with a Chevy van and a Casita travel trailer. I can answer one question, yes, any vehicle can be outfitted for towing. But the towing capacity without the factory tow package is severely limited. I'd try to look for one that came with the towing package. Often on dealership websites, you can view the original window sticker that lists all the options on the vehicle. Even my car, an Explorer, came with a towing package, but still doesn't have a brake controller, so if I ever wanted to tow anything other than a little utility trailer (which I don't), I'd need to add that.

Must-haves for Van or SUV as tow vehicle? | Good Sam Community

JaxDad
Explorer III
Nov 13, 2020
Depending on how and where you will be towing and how nervous your passenger might be, the new seat belt design might be something to consider.......
dedmiston
Moderator
Nov 13, 2020
JaxDad wrote:
Depending on how and where you will be towing and how nervous your passenger might be, the new seat belt design might be something to consider.......

The OP is a "she" and her passengers will be a dog, two cats, a snake, a turtle, and two birds. (I hope I got that right from memory.)

It will take a lot of seatbelts or a good sound system to keep everyone quiet.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Nov 13, 2020
"What needs to be on my list of “must-haves” when I’m looking for a tow vehicle that will be able to reliably carry me and my menagerie over a variety of landscapes and conditions, mountain passes, etc?"

You are close to violating one of the rules...buy or select the trailer first, then match a tow vehicle to the trailer. While I don't know of any 20 foot (+ or -) trailers that an F350 couldn't tow and carry the weight, you don't need an F350 for that size trailer.

Next, don't fixate only on "towing" or "pulling." The tow vehicle also needs to be capable of carrying tongue and hitch weight, passengers, stuff in the TV etc. within specifications set by the manufacturer...payload.
d3500ram
Explorer III
Nov 13, 2020
Factory option tow package:
It has the options already installed for towing.
This is not to say that a vehicle without it is not capable, it just wraps a lot of the necessary items into a tidy package. e.g: brake controller, wiring, etc...
JAC1982
Explorer
Nov 13, 2020
You may want to check out the blog RV Sue and her Canine Crew. https://rvsueandcrew.net/

She doesn't post much anymore as she no longer full times, but her older posts might be helpful to you, especially the very oldest when she was preparing to full time. She full timed for years with a Chevy van and a Casita travel trailer.

I can answer one question, yes, any vehicle can be outfitted for towing. But the towing capacity without the factory tow package is severely limited. I'd try to look for one that came with the towing package. Often on dealership websites, you can view the original window sticker that lists all the options on the vehicle. Even my car, an Explorer, came with a towing package, but still doesn't have a brake controller, so if I ever wanted to tow anything other than a little utility trailer (which I don't), I'd need to add that.
Tortiemctortiep
Explorer
Nov 13, 2020
Very close, dedmiston! I’m impressed! Just subtract 1 cat and add 1 dog, 2 birds, and a bunny. :D
JAC1982
Explorer
Nov 13, 2020
Oh also I forgot to mention, my in laws tow a 25' travel trailer or a boat (obviously not at the same time) with their Toyota Sequoia and it does just fine.
Tortiemctortiep
Explorer
Nov 13, 2020
Okay, thanks!

So it sounds like I should add factory tow package to my must-have list.

And perhaps tend toward a van for the greater payload capacity due to all the pets and their supplies and my things that I will be moving with me... I was hoping I could make an SUV work just because it would make a nicer daily driver when I get to WA, but I’m thinking I might need a van for my travels after all?

I will check out Sue and crew as well, thanks!
Tortiemctortiep
Explorer
Nov 13, 2020
JAC1982 wrote:
Oh also I forgot to mention, my in laws tow a 25' travel trailer or a boat (obviously not at the same time) with their Toyota Sequoia and it does just fine.

Oh! That is good to know!
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Nov 13, 2020
"And perhaps tend toward a van for the greater payload capacity..."

Vans don't necessary have more payload capacity than a pick up. Depends on the van. They have more space.