Help! Newbie campers need help picking out a TT and TW

[mommyof4]

Hi! New to the forums and so glad I found them! Two weeks ago we went to the local camper dealership and put a deposit down on a camper. The salesperson assured us our car could pull it. We were to pick it up on that Friday. Well, something in me told me to go home and research this more. I found out our car could not pull it! Thank goodness I looked because we plan on using the camper alot in the mountains of NC/TN. So, we got our deposit back (after they called us many times to assure us that our car would pull it) and we are back to square one.

We have a 2014 Suburban 5.3L with a 3.08 axle. The manual says it can pull 5100 pound trailer. We are not opposed to upgrading our vehicle (wish we had known sooner) but we really don't want to get a 15 passenger van. We can't fit in a truck (we have 4 kids-2 of them are almost teenagers and HUGE) Can you help us?
We want a travel trailer with quad bunks and a U shape dinette. We aren't opposed to a hybrid. I really like the Jayco 29A Jayfeather (I found that on these forums-but saw it wasn't made anymore)

So, can you give us a suggestion on a trailer? Also, maybe a suggestion on towing vehicle if we have to upgrade? My husband is an awesome man and provider, but he's not super great with all things having to do with vehicles, so simpler is better, please? (:

Thanks so much, I look forward to delving in more on these forums and see they are an immense help.

[APT]

Another option if you do not plan to travel far is a dedicated tow vehicle/used pickup. There are lots of HD trucks from 10-15yrs ago that are very capable when it comes to towing TTs. They won't hold your family, so taking two vehicles works for some families. Also allows you to two a boat/PWC with the current Suburban!

[Wishin]

If you like your 2014 Suburban, I think you'd be most happy with a new or almost new (2010-2013) 2500 Suburban. It will have a lot more payload and be ready to handle any trailer up to at least 7500 lbs loaded. Any trailer over that size will quite possibly exceed a Suburban's (2007-current) hitch rating of 1000 lb maximum. The 2500 model should have enough payload for your family and 1000 lbs of tongue weight. They also get reasonable fuel economy with the 6.0L engine and 6-speed auto.

I own a 2003 2500 Suburban with the 8.1L. It would work well also but we use it as mostly just a tow vehicle since we only get about 11 mpg in day to day driving with it (unloaded). It is a great tow vehicle but gets horrible unloaded fuel economy. We get about 7.5 mpg towing 65 mph with our 7,000+ lb trailer (have not weighed it yet). Our 3 kids love all the room it offers. They can even ride 3 across the middle row on trips when we bring our bikes, we can fit all 5 bikes in the back with the 3rd seat folded forward against the 2nd row.

[APT]

First, you can read on other owners experiences here and here.

There are a handful of still new 2013 2500 Suburbans out there like this one. We love our 2011! It comes with everything standard for towing. You are good for nearly any TT under 7000 pounds dry and still hold the family. I have no idea if you are willing to to that.

I think something like this Rockwood hybrid might work well for your family if you are willing to sleep under canvas. A trans cooler should cost less than $300 installed.

[mommyof4]

By upgrading out Suburban, I don't mean modifying it, I just meant trading it in for something bigger/stronger. Sorry for the confusion.

[mommyof4]

Oh we would definitely follow what the placard says. To be honest, we both don't know enough about cars to change them.

The Excursions I'm finding are sooo expensive!

[Pine5008]

mommyof4 wrote:
We have a 2014 Suburban 5.3L with a 3.08 axle. The manual says it can pull 5100 pound trailer. We are not opposed to upgrading our vehicle (wish we had known sooner) but we really don't want to get a 15 passenger van. We can't fit in a truck (we have 4 kids-2 of them are almost teenagers and HUGE) Can you help us?

Hello and welcome from another "new" member. I have a similar family size and need for 6 seats. In regards to upgrading to a 6 seat truck, they are out there, just not as common. My truck (in sig) is one and my previous '98 3500 Chevy cc was also. Not right for everyone, but another option. Good luck.

[rbpru]

Well as you said, it is a good thing you did your homework before you bought the TT.

Big families need big TVs and TTs, not many ways to get around that. Used TTs and TVs are the way to go if you have a large selection available to you. We live where there are many TT and TV dealers and were fortunate enough to find a two year old truck and three year old trailer. The total came to about 60 or 70% of buying both units new. It did take several months however.

About the only way I know to reduce TT weight is a hybrid or PUP.

[eichacsj]

One comment. Make sure you follow (or risk it) what the placard says on the drivers door and TT. You can modify your vehicle any way you want to to make yourself comfortable that you can pull it, i.e. change engines, tranny's, axle ratios, tired rating, etc. If by some unlucky day you were pulled over on those portable scale checks (I never have, but have another story) the scalers will open your TV door and look there, they will careless what you did to it. If that ever happened they will make you disconnect and get a vehicle within spec to pull it.

My story; I had a 86' 1500 chevy 305 CI, 4 speed manual, 3.08 gears, c rated tires, springs. Spent a fortune around 18k to upgrade all those limitations; 350 HI Create motor, 3.78, high performance clutch, "e" rated tires, extra leafs. When I went to buy the trailer I wanted and knew I could pull it safely, the dealer looked at the truck and informed they would not let me pull it off the lot with my truck. I told them it was none of their business and repeated my specs, they told me it doesn't matter and for safely they told me I could whatever I wanted once it was off their lot. They also substantiated their concern with what I explained above. I traded for the correct truck.

[eichacsj]

mommyof4 wrote:
Would something like this work if we bought it?:
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/4676328010.html

It's older but has low miles.

We figured our current Suburban isn't going to work. If we can buy a used vehicle for towing that is relatively inexpensive, we can just buy a used rv as well (the one we were going to buy was new, had all the bells and whistles but was $$)

That should work fine, Just make sure to open the drivers door and look at the tow ratings, and like others have said be sure to count passenger weight and the other weight in tow vehicle and when you get the TT what you will load in it. Don't forget to count full propane, water battery ect.

[michigansandzil]

You're going to have to look at really light weight campers because you'll need a full size suv to pull it and they can't pull the heavy trailers. We have a U shaped dinette and quad bunks in our shadow cruiser and it's easily pulled by our expedition. The trailer weights 5100 pounds. You can find the right combo, but a lot of the bunkhouse trailers will be heavier than you can handle. Look at weight first when shopping. Another thing to be careful of is the weight limit on the upper bunks. Ours is rated to 200 pounds but I noticed last year many newer models only held up to 100 on the upper bunks!

[mommyof4]

Would something like this work if we bought it?:
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/4676328010.html

It's older but has low miles.

We figured our current Suburban isn't going to work. If we can buy a used vehicle for towing that is relatively inexpensive, we can just buy a used rv as well (the one we were going to buy was new, had all the bells and whistles but was $$)

[APT]

Ugh, you have a lot going against you. Half ton payload, large family wanting a large RV, 3.08 gear. Yuck.

For some good news. 3.08 axle was never offered with the HD towing package which includes most importantly a includes a transmission cooler. That package with the better axle ratio bumps tow rating by about 2500 pounds. Also, your 6-spd trans with 3.08 axle has very similar gearing in gears 1-4 to prior generation 4-spd trans with 4.10 axle.

Now reality. Besides tow rating, your vehicle has other limitations for RV towing. Payload at around 1500 pounds - confirm with Tire and Loading sticker on your drigver's door post. Payload should not be exceeded with the sum of people, cargo, and trailer tongue weight. Estimate the weight of your family, I'll pick a random number of 800 pounds. That would leave 700 pound for trailer tongue weight which is about 5400 loaded or 4000 pounds dry. There aren't many RVs in that weight range that are comfortable for a family of 6.

A 3-bed hybrid may be good. Make the teenagers sleep in a tent most of the time. Get that trans cooler.

[camp-n-family]

Your weak point is the 3.08 axle and the payload rating of the suburban. You're going to need something in the 3/4 ton range to have enough payload for 6 passengers and the tongue weight of a trailer large enough for all of you.

There are plenty of trailers out there that have what you're looking for, but they will all likely exceed the ratings of your suburban. Don't know if there are any 3/4 ton SUVs still being made. You may have to go for an older model like a 2500 Suburban or a Ford Excursion.