Help picking a TV

[lee4019]

Hi Folks

I need your help. I have decided on a TT. The gvwr is around 3500 lbs. I would like to get something that can tow 5000 lbs. With cash and trade-in I have about $12,000 to spend.

Here are the specifics

1. Prefer a truck, but would look at suv.
2. Daily driver 60% Towing 40%
3. Must be able to tow 1 1200mi roundtrip, 3 to 4 600 mi round trip and 3 300mi roundtrip per year.
4. 4 wheel drive
5. Last me 5 to 6 yrs

I found a 02 Toyota Tundra V8, that fits number 1 and 4. Kinda worried about the gas millage for daily driver.

Any input is appreciated
Thanks

[PUCampin]

Since this is going to be a daily driver and multi use vehicle, you want it to be comfortable. An unloaded 3/4 is NOT what I would consider a comfortable ride! For trailers you are looking at I would certainly stay 1/2, pick your flavor. You mentioned an older Tundra, my FIL has an older Tundra access cab with a 4.7 and tows a Fun Finder 210, around 3200 dry - 4500 with all installed options, water, ready to go. He has no difficulties, I would not be afraid of Toyota's 4.7 for moderate towing duties, and in the older smaller Tundra it is surprisingly quick and agile. He also gets better gas milage than my big blue bus. For snow, I agree with 4WD, AWD (man I miss my Subaru) especially if you choose a truck.

[lee4019]

bikendan wrote:

lee4019 wrote:
The size of TT's I have decided on are casita, scamp, KZ sportsman classic, etc. They are in the 3500 gvwr range. I drive 100 miles a week to work, with snowy winters. So 4X4 is a must and being able to make the 1200 mi roundtrip would be important.

Maybe I should have said "Most dependable 4X4 TV for $12k"

Great info so far.
Thanks

just be aware, nearly all regular TT's with GVWR's of 3500lbs. have extremely poor cargo capacities.
the sportsmen classic models with that GVWR, have CCC's that range from 660lbs. to 1217lbs.
BUT this doesn't factor in the weights of so-called "options" that nearly all trailers have.
oven, awning, battery, spare tire, a/c all have to have their weights subtracted from the CCC. and propane and water have to come out of that also.
so, it's entirely possible that the one with only 660lbs., could have only 100lbs. left over.

here's KZ's statement about their UVW numbers:
"UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT (UVW) - The typical weight of this trailer as built at the factory. The UVW does not include cargo, LP gas, fresh water, options or dealer-installed accessories."

I'm looking for the TV to haul some of the bulky cargo like a chair or 2, mat, grill, etc.

[APT]

100 miles commuting is a tiny amount where unloaded fuel economy is not that important. I know people that do that per day, even each way!

Any 5.X liter mid 2000's half ton will do great as a do everything vehicle. Ford's 5.4L, GM 5.3L or 6.0L, Ram 5.7L, Nissin 5.6. Get one of those and you will be pleased. SUV or pickup form is only your preference. I prefer pickups, but 3 kids allows more personal space per person.

[lee4019]

APT wrote:
100 miles a week or each way 5 days a week?

100 miles Total each week

[APT]

bmanning wrote:

I mean, it wouldn't hurt, but it's hardly "needed" for something that small & light.

I think any half-ton with a tow package would yank around 5000lb with ease.

Neeeded, no. But a 2010 GM van with 6.0L/6-spd will get the same to better fuel economy than a 2005 5.XL in a half ton from anyone, with more power, better gearing, stronger chassis, and they cost the same. As long as someone wants to drive a van.

[bikendan]

lee4019 wrote:
The size of TT's I have decided on are casita, scamp, KZ sportsman classic, etc. They are in the 3500 gvwr range. I drive 100 miles a week to work, with snowy winters. So 4X4 is a must and being able to make the 1200 mi roundtrip would be important.

Maybe I should have said "Most dependable 4X4 TV for $12k"

Great info so far.
Thanks

just be aware, nearly all regular TT's with GVWR's of 3500lbs. have extremely poor cargo capacities.
the sportsmen classic models with that GVWR, have CCC's that range from 660lbs. to 1217lbs.
BUT this doesn't factor in the weights of so-called "options" that nearly all trailers have.
oven, awning, battery, spare tire, a/c all have to have their weights subtracted from the CCC. and propane and water have to come out of that also.
so, it's entirely possible that the one with only 660lbs., could have only 100lbs. left over.

here's KZ's statement about their UVW numbers:
"UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT (UVW) - The typical weight of this trailer as built at the factory. The UVW does not include cargo, LP gas, fresh water, options or dealer-installed accessories."

[bmanning]

rightyouareken wrote:
Lol this thread is hilarious. I'm a 3/4 ton fan and would recommend that for many people, but for someone looking to tow 3500-5000 lbs and daily drive it most of the time? And the biggest gas motor available? Overkill.

I'm with 'ken on this one; a 3/4ton for that small a TT?

I mean, it wouldn't hurt, but it's hardly "needed" for something that small & light.

I think any half-ton with a tow package would yank around 5000lb with ease.

[rightyouareken]

There is a member here towing a scamp/casita type trailer with a Toyota Rav4 and seems to have done a lot of miles with it. I would think a 2005+ 4.0l Tacoma or similar would do well and be very reliable. Those trailers are pretty low profile and rounded in shape, so I think you could get away with a v6. If going with a slab side traditional tt I'd recommend a v8 to overcome the added wind resistance. A v8 Tundra or one of the big 3 American half tons would probably do well and be pretty reliable.

[APT]

100 miles a week or each way 5 days a week?

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Since 1935 the suburban has been hauling people and towing all kinds of things. That would be a good choice!

[pitch]

Get any of the big 3 half ton pickups. You may be able to get a three quarter for the same money but you would just feel foolish.
I do think you will be happier with a larger V-8. Mileage figure 18 at best.

[lee4019]

The size of TT's I have decided on are casita, scamp, KZ sportsman classic, etc. They are in the 3500 gvwr range. I drive 100 miles a week to work, with snowy winters. So 4X4 is a must and being able to make the 1200 mi roundtrip would be important.

Maybe I should have said "Most dependable 4X4 TV for $12k"

Great info so far.
Thanks

[Grit_dog]

atvanish wrote:
Really? 100% of the posters think the OP needs a "3/4 ton" to tow a GVWR trailer of 3500 lbs? (probably 3k realistically)... I'm a little conservative too but you're not talking about that much weight, especially since the OP is worried about gas mileage.. ANY V8 1/2 ton would be fine with that size of a trailer IMHO...

That's only because the "You need a F550 doooley with trans brake, exhaust brake, hallwigs, timbrens, stable loads and airbags..." folks haven't come along yet! haha
I personally wont roll anything less then a diesel but I tow/haul a bunch of various things. Truck does everything from soccer mom duty to cross country at 18,000lbs.

For the OP, if you want a truck, dont bother with a mid size as the fuel mileage wont be much better and the room and capacity of the truck will not be good. For $12k, you're talking older vehicles, so no benefit of some of the newer tech to bump fuel mileage a bit.
IMO, find the best 1500/150 series 4wd suv you cna get for your money.
They all are pretty good in the early/mid 2000's models,so concentrate on low odometer mileage and overall maint/condition and decide on the platform you want suv vs truck.
Tahoe, F150, Expedition, 1500 Ram, etc all good models.
Toyotas are good vehicles but seme to carry a premium price. Nissan Titan/Armada, I know alot of people who have had great luck with them and 1 lemon. They tow great, worst gas mileage of all the mfrs though.
Personally I'd look for a nice GM 1500 in your favorite flavor.

[APT]

Overkill? Yes! But $12k buys a really nice 2005 crew cab half ton pickup/SUV that gets 12-18mpg. That's what a 2009+ 3/4 ton GM 6.0L gets with far more capability and ease of towing, in far better condition. 2000-2005 Trailblazer, Explorer, Durango, Dakota, all get 15mpg like the half tons with bigger V8s! Why bother?

To significantly increase fuel economy, towing or not, means something like a late model mid-sized SUV, like Explorer, Acadia, Flex, or a diesel VW Touareg/Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel. But those are not $12k!

[rightyouareken]

Lol this thread is hilarious. I'm a 3/4 ton fan and would recommend that for many people, but for someone looking to tow 3500-5000 lbs and daily drive it most of the time? And the biggest gas motor available? Overkill.