Buying SUV and Trailer at the same time - what to get?

[chaoticneutral]

I'm so complicated, I'm sorry, but I need somebody with experience to help. I'm getting a decent sized settlement in the next few months, and at that time I'll be buying a new SUV and used trailer. I just don't know what to get. We have a 4Runner right now, but it wouldn't tow enough. I was looking at the Explorer, which might work for my needs. I'm trying to get a new SUV that has not horrible gas mileage. I only live 4 miles from work, so I'm not horribly worried about gas, but don't want a humongous truck (trucks are ugly). I don't want a Flex or anything really square because I think they're ugly.

We have a family of 3. I want a separate area for my husband and I vs. our daughter to sleep. We're big Renaissance Faire geeks and spend many weekends camping, where there is partying going on. We spend at least 8 weekends a year just doing that. This trailer would be dropped off and left there for about 6 weeks straight. And as long as I can afford it, I'll take this to Burning Man at least once so my husband can go (I've been, he hasn't). A couple of the weekends will be up in Tahoe in June, where it's really cold and sometimes snows in June. So it has to be able to get up into that area.

I've been told by a few people to get a trailer instead of an RV. Why? It seems like the cost difference in getting a smaller SUV that gets better gas mileage might make up for the costs of an RV. I need your expert opinions on that.

What kind of trailer could I tow with an Explorer? I was looking at the TrailManors. They're a great size, but they're not very common. Anybody have one of these, how is the quality? While the size is good, it would be nice to get a trailer that doesn't need to pop up so I can just keep everything in place and not have to set it all up and make sure the "stuff" is where it belongs.

Another issue is storage. We have a long driveway that would fit this, but getting into the driveway is an issue as it's very narrow. No room for messing up or I'll run into a fence or bushes. It seems an RV would be easier to put in the driveway.

If you could get a vehicle and RV or trailer, what would you get?

[PAThwacker]

Go with the c, mod up the 4 runner for the rubicon, or trade it for jeep jkl Rubicon.

[dodge_guy]

Personally there isn`t any more disadvantages to a "C" than a TT. the oil change intervals can be extended, they don`t need to be done every 3 months regardless of mileage. cover the tires when not in use to keep the sun from prematurely aging the tires.

Go with a "C" and don`t look back.

[chaoticneutral]

Yes, at Camp Richardson. We'd get in before the customers get there so I wouldn't have to worry about the patron's cars. We took my brother's small trailer up the 50 last year (and took his truck). Getting up was fine, over the crest was okay with his brake system, but even in a car alone I'm not fond of that drive. We probably would not use the toad up there. I would leave it at Casa de Fruta from Labor Day to mid-Oct, take it Sonora the weekend after that. Take it to the beach a few times. Take it to Burning Man if we can get somebody to watch my daughter all week (again, no need for toad). There are a few things in the Spring I'd probably take it too. When we're "camping" most of the time we're busy and we don't go out to explore.

I will look at the Touaregs. I had a Jetta once upon a time that I really liked.

And what you all mention about the negatives with MH is why my brother got a TT.

For driving a regular vehicle, I don't drive far to work (4 miles), but if we do something on the weekend it's 50 miles into the city or East Bay, a little further to Sac. Our friends are all over the place.

So many options and indecision. You are all very helpful so far. I think I'm going to have to go look at vehicles next and figure out what I really want from these options.

[sky_free]

Each RV type has advantages and disadvantages. My advice is to carefully examine your annual intended usage of both the SUV/car/truck and the RV and make list of things that are important to you. For example, annual insurance and registration costs were a deal breaker for us when we considered a class C. Also, I would not want to be regularly driving a C and a toad up highway 50 and through all the traffic we have around here. The short SUV we have and smallish trailer are bad enough. If you are looking at trailers, make sure you don't get one too large to go where you want to go. A lot of the state parks around here are really hard to get into even with our small trailer. You are probably considering camping at Camp Richardson which has the annual Ren fair. That's a mess in the summer with all the narrow roads and cars parked all over the place.

Also, FYI the Touareg TDI can tow 6,000 lbs realistically, so it is between the 5-10K values you mentioned. If you can find a trailer with a dry weight under 4,500 lbs that would be a good match.

[camp-n-family]

If I do get a class C - what are the disadvantages,

It's another vehicle to maintain. Engine, trans, brakes, tires, exhaust etc. All things that don't sit well for extended times, and don't forget the cost of regular oil and fluid changes.

[chaoticneutral]

I did rent a class C many years ago and liked the size of it. I'm getting a new car no matter what, but I can get one for cheaper, and get better gas mileage if I get a toad.

If I do get a class C - what are the disadvantages, other than needing to get the toad and more insurance? I'd be able to back that into our driveway much easier. Don't most of them have really heavy duty engines that can tow 4K lbs fairly easy? Are they made better or worse than a TT? My DH does know how to work on cars so I'm not too worried about being horribly stuck. That happened to us with a TT, lost a little tiny piece of metal and spent all day going around trying to find one to buy.

When we go up to Tahoe, there are always lots of friends there with cars, so even if we don't do the toad up there, we'd have a way to get to South Lake for some fun.

[the_happiestcam]

dodge guy wrote:
Between $45k on a truck and $15-20k on a TT that is upwards of $65k!!! I would seriously look at a class C. and keep your current vehicle for non-traveling gas mileage.

Yep - tow the 4 runner behind it.

[dodge_guy]

Between $45k on a truck and $15-20k on a TT that is upwards of $65k!!! I would seriously look at a class C. and keep your current vehicle for non-traveling gas mileage.

[chaoticneutral]

I was looking online last night at the trailers. It seems from what everybody is saying that is the best option, rather than a MH. The TTs I was looking at were 5-6K lbs. So it seems I need a vehicle that will tow at least 7500 lbs. But I assume that really means 10K because there aren't a lot that tow between 5 and 10K lbs?

I'll go look at the F150s. I noticed there was an option for a short or longer bed length. Can I get the shorter one and still tow okay? I'd get the 4 door version. There were soooo many options to choose from. The one I built last night was about $50K, and I was hoping to spend a little less than that, but I can figure it out once I go look at them and negotiate, if I do like them.

[sky_free]

If you are set on getting an SUV you might like our combination of 2012 VW Touareg TDI and a smallish trailer. The Touareg gets 27-30 MPG not towing and 14-16 towing. Steven's Creek VW in San Jose had a used 2012 for $42K a couple of weeks ago. We have towed up to the Sierras and all over hilly Northern California without any problems.

[westend]

For the Renaissance Fair junky:



Seriously, the Explorer probably isn't the best towing platform for the kind of space you're inquiring about. Separate room with queen bed and perhaps a second bunk room for the Daughter usually means a bigger trailer and, consequently, more weight. When you get into the higher weight rigs, a large SUV, a truck, or a van are the choices.

I'd suggest you visit your local Ford dealer and take a drive in an Ecoboost F-150 crew cab. This truck will pull a lot of weight comfortably and will get decent fuel mileage around town. There will be more room in the rear seat area than any SUV.

[camp-n-family]

My super crew F150 has more leg room in the back than any vehicle I've been in except a limo. It's massive inside. The seats are comfortable and they fold up to give a huge flat floor to haul stuff inside the truck if need be.

You haven't been in many then. The Tundra Crewmax is bigger in back than an F150 crew, or better yet the Dodge Megacab even more so, just to name a couple.

The bunkhouse models from Keystone Bullet(296BHSWE or 294BHS or 298BHS) would be ideal with a separate room for your daughter. But you'll need a full size SUV to tow it. I love my 3/4 ton Suburban and bunkhouse Bullet.

The Bullet line of trailers are nice, but I'm a little biased too. A Sequoia would serve you well but as mentioned they are not cheap and you'll have to watch the payload. Likely the same problem with a 1/2 ton truck unless you find a 1500HD version or the F150 Ecoboost with max tow/payload but they are not cheap either, and ugly too 🙂

[mister_d]

chaoticneutral wrote:
The F150 is more in the range I wanted to go, the Sequoia is good looking, but I didn't want to spend more than about $40K on the car (and the less I spend on the car means the more I can spend on the trailer). I don't ever need to carry about big burly stuff, except camping gear which is made up of the usual plus boxes of costumes. But it does get better gas mileage than the bigger SUVs. I still don't like the look of it, but I'll go sit in one and see how it feels. With a truck I'd have to worry about storing anything in the back during a trip to LA to see the family or into SF for the day. But I know they make lockable covers.

I have a bed cover that locks (bak flip) and have zero concerns for the stuff I store plus my stuff stays dry.

[mister_d]

krobbe wrote:

Pig-Smoker wrote:
I tow with a 2500hd truck. Not ugly and a lot better for towing if you plan on caring firewood , bikes , or anything even close. A 4-door truck with the bed loaded is a lot better than a SUV loaded ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.

I agree trucks are not ugly. But for passengers who want their own seat to stretch out on a 2 or 3 thousand mile trip, then a big SUV can't be beat.(I still have room for firewood in the back on the weathertech liner to keep it clean:))

Quit moving firewood!

[chaoticneutral]

The F150 is more in the range I wanted to go, the Sequoia is good looking, but I didn't want to spend more than about $40K on the car (and the less I spend on the car means the more I can spend on the trailer). I don't ever need to carry about big burly stuff, except camping gear which is made up of the usual plus boxes of costumes. But it does get better gas mileage than the bigger SUVs. I still don't like the look of it, but I'll go sit in one and see how it feels. With a truck I'd have to worry about storing anything in the back during a trip to LA to see the family or into SF for the day. But I know they make lockable covers.