Chevy Traverse and Rockwood Roo 23ss

[ike1450]

We just sold our pop up and bought a nice 2009 Rockwood Roo 23SS. Our Chevy Traverse has a tow package, distribution hitch and a brake control. We were hoping that this may be enough to pull our hybrid on flat ground for local camping, but have not tried it yet. From what I'm reading here, we may need to consider something bigger(Tahoe...).
Any other suggestions, advice? Thanks.

[2003_coleman]

make sure you get 1,000 miles on it before towing. you will be very happy with the F 150. it is a great tow vehicle for that trailer.

[ike1450]

Yes. Can't wait to try it out!!! Thanks for everyone's help. Now I know where to go for "expert" advice!

[bikendan]

ike1450 wrote:
We purchased a F150 2WD, 5.0L with a rating of 8000 lb towing capacity, 3.31 rear axle. Our camper is a Roo 23SS being used by 2 adults. This should work much better than our Traverse.

Great!! now you'll tow it without any drama!
i guess we'll see you in the Hybrid Forum now.
there's also an active Hybrid community on Forest River Forums, that has a dedicated Roo sub-forum.

[ike1450]

We purchased a F150 2WD, 5.0L with a rating of 8000 lb towing capacity, 3.31 rear axle. Our camper is a Roo 23SS being used by 2 adults. This should work much better than our Traverse.

[2003_coleman]

ike1450 wrote:
We saw that Ford has a great promotion on new trucks, so we will be looking at those today. Ecoboost or 5L? What is the main advantage of 4WD? Our camping is usually done on fairly flat terrain, but we would love to go to TN this summer. Camper is a Roo 23ss. Thanks.

the choice on engine is yours. Drive both and see which you like best. I have a 5.0 it felt sufficient for our needs, and I couldn't justify the price premium for the eco boost. Bigger incentives on 5.0 over eco boost when I bought and it was a 2,500 premium for the eco boost, so I went with the 5.0.

both engines will be capable for your trailer. I would recommend the 3.73 rear end if you do go with the 5.0, however the 3.55 will still give you about 7,500 lbs. but the 3.73 is about 9,500lbs towing in a crew cab 4x4. both will work for you, but you will have room to grow if you choose too with the 3.73

Also pay attention to payload numbers. A loaded up F150 eco boost without max tow and/or max payload can have a low cargo capacity - about 1,200lbs.

Make sure you ask lots of questions and really examine the door sticker for capacities, axle ratings etc.

the only reason I know all this is we purchased our F 150 3 months ago and went through the exercise in figuring everything out. We ended up with a 5.0 4x4 crew cab with 3.55 and electronic locking axle. We couldn't be happier, especially going for a 2011 Ford Explorer where we really had to watch our weight.

[ike1450]

We saw that Ford has a great promotion on new trucks, so we will be looking at those today. Ecoboost or 5L? What is the main advantage of 4WD? Our camping is usually done on fairly flat terrain, but we would love to go to TN this summer. Camper is a Roo 23ss. Thanks.

[2003_coleman]

make sure it has the 5.3 and not the 4.8 engine. Otherwise you are still likely in the same boat as both the traverse and the Yukon. likely limited to about 5,500 lbs.

A similar vehicle to the silvarado with good tow ratings would be an F-150 with either the 3.5L ecoboost or the 5.0 L with tow package. You will get a minimum of 7,700 lbs with either of those units and have no worries.

I am not sure what the dealer is going to do on a used unit to increase the tow ratings.

[bikendan]

ike1450 wrote:
It's (Yukon)rated for 10,000 lbs trailer capacity with a heavy duty trailer package HD. 1,000 lb hitch weight. Truck engine, truck chassis. So many things to check before purchasing anything.

that 10,000lbs. rating is specifically for the receiver, not to the vehicle it's bolted to.
GM uses that same receiver on a variety of its vehicles, which have a wide range of towing capacities.

you need to check the Yukon's owner's manual to find what its actual tow capacity is. i can tell you right now that it's nowhere near 10,000lbs.

[ike1450]

Not going with the Yukon due to low axel rating. Looking at a 2011 1/2 ton Silverado crew cab 4WD with a 3.42 axel rating. Does not have a tow package, but the dealership is willing to work with us on that. Anything else I'm missing before we purchase a tow vehicle? Thanks for your help.

[2003_coleman]

ike1450 wrote:
It's (Yukon)rated for 10,000 lbs trailer capacity with a heavy duty trailer package HD. 1,000 lb hitch weight. Truck engine, truck chassis. So many things to check before purchasing anything.

That is what the receiver says, and not what the vehicle is rated for. My F150 says the same thing, but I know it is rated for 7,700 lbs.

[mcsurveyor]

There is no Yukon in recent production that is rated anywhere near 10,000 lbs. The good news is you don't need that much of a tow rating. Do make sure it has the 3.42 rear axle ratio. The 3.08 is not made with towing in mind. You're on the right track though. You may want to consider a full sized van in your search.

[ike1450]

It's (Yukon)rated for 10,000 lbs trailer capacity with a heavy duty trailer package HD. 1,000 lb hitch weight. Truck engine, truck chassis. So many things to check before purchasing anything.

[Dadoffourgirls]

ike1450 wrote:
Bikndan--It has both of those that you mentioned, but the sheet also says rear axel 3.08 ratio. Haven't bought it yet, so I guess we need to get it clarified by the dealer?

This Suburban is rated to tow 5000 lb. I would definitely look for one that has the 3.42 rear axle.

[ike1450]

Bikndan--It has both of those that you mentioned, but the sheet also says rear axel 3.08 ratio. Haven't bought it yet, so I guess we need to get it clarified by the dealer?