I have posted elsewhere about my trailer needs but for the TV...Really would like to keep the TV to a Dodge Durango (V8) which has towing capacity of 7200 pounds. GVW is 7100 pounds and loaded with fuel and a small size family of 4 people are saying it weighs in around 5700 pounds. That leaves 1400 pounds for the trailer and cargo. If the trailer is 7000 pounds loaded, that is 700-1050 pounds on the tongue, leaving 400 pounds for luggage/cargo. Even if our family gets full size, we aren't big people (under 150 lb each, 4 of us including 2 kids), so it seems like we do have some leeway.Am I doing this right? Is that doable? We would like to avoid having to step up to a truck for a trailer that we'll only tow a few times a year, especially because the SUV would have more day to day utility around town (and my wife will drive it, whereas she won't drive a truck).

If you don't have a specific Durango in mind, you'll want to check the yellow sticker in the driver side door frame on a few of them on dealer lots, and get some accurate payload numbers before you run your calculations.For reference, we have a 2015 Durango Limited that serves as our family truckster (not used for towing). The yellow payload sticker indicates we have 1200lbs of payload available, and ours only has the 3.6L engine, which I assume is lighter than the 5.7L motor. Also remember, the weight of passengers comes off that available payload too, not just cargo and hitch weight. And kids do tend to grow...

In theory, if your SUV is rated at 7200lbs towing capacity, if you put 1000lbs in it (people & cargo) your tow capacity is now 6200lbs. The weight to watch out for is the tongue weight combined with your rear cargo as you do not want to exceed the GRAWR (Gross Rear Axle Weight Rating). Its listed on a sticker inside the drivers door jamb. The only real way to know is take your SUV empty over the CAT scales, record the front/rear axle weight, then again with everybody and everything you think you will take as cargo and weigh it again. You should also find out the GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) of the SUV. This will tell you the what the vehicle can tow, total weight of the SUV & trailer. Hope this makes sense!

rvshrinker, you've posted a lot of numbers but you left out the most important one, Payload Capacity. This is the biggest weakness of SUVs, when used for towing.You need to post that number.

There are no SUVS after 2006 that have receivers rated to 1050 pounds. The GM twins are 1000 pounds the highest by about 50 pounds. All the mid size and full sized receivers are integrated and cannot be replaced. Check that Durango one as I thought it was under 800 pounds, which is not enough for a 7k loaded TT.With a family or 4, why do you prefer an SUV? They cost more than similarly equipped half ton pickup with a lot lower tow ratings, receiver limit, and payload. A $200-2000 bed cover provides the world's largest trunk which is perfect for all the dirty/wet camping gear.For 5000-7000 pound loaded RVs, I think full sized half tons SUVs are the way to go.

SUV's have a short wheelbase. You end up with the tail wagging the dog and you won't be happy with your RV'ing experience towing with it. I tried it with a Tahoe ONCE and never ever again.

Hoping to keep it to an SUV... will it work? | Good Sam Community

DakotaDad
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
If you don't have a specific Durango in mind, you'll want to check the yellow sticker in the driver side door frame on a few of them on dealer lots, and get some accurate payload numbers before you run your calculations.

For reference, we have a 2015 Durango Limited that serves as our family truckster (not used for towing). The yellow payload sticker indicates we have 1200lbs of payload available, and ours only has the 3.6L engine, which I assume is lighter than the 5.7L motor.

Also remember, the weight of passengers comes off that available payload too, not just cargo and hitch weight. And kids do tend to grow...
Hemi_Power
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
In theory, if your SUV is rated at 7200lbs towing capacity, if you put 1000lbs in it (people & cargo) your tow capacity is now 6200lbs. The weight to watch out for is the tongue weight combined with your rear cargo as you do not want to exceed the GRAWR (Gross Rear Axle Weight Rating). Its listed on a sticker inside the drivers door jamb. The only real way to know is take your SUV empty over the CAT scales, record the front/rear axle weight, then again with everybody and everything you think you will take as cargo and weigh it again. You should also find out the GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) of the SUV. This will tell you the what the vehicle can tow, total weight of the SUV & trailer. Hope this makes sense!
bikendan
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
rvshrinker, you've posted a lot of numbers but you left out the most important one, Payload Capacity.
This is the biggest weakness of SUVs, when used for towing.

You need to post that number.
APT
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
There are no SUVS after 2006 that have receivers rated to 1050 pounds. The GM twins are 1000 pounds the highest by about 50 pounds. All the mid size and full sized receivers are integrated and cannot be replaced. Check that Durango one as I thought it was under 800 pounds, which is not enough for a 7k loaded TT.

With a family or 4, why do you prefer an SUV? They cost more than similarly equipped half ton pickup with a lot lower tow ratings, receiver limit, and payload. A $200-2000 bed cover provides the world's largest trunk which is perfect for all the dirty/wet camping gear.

For 5000-7000 pound loaded RVs, I think full sized half tons SUVs are the way to go.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
SUV's have a short wheelbase. You end up with the tail wagging the dog and you won't be happy with your RV'ing experience towing with it. I tried it with a Tahoe ONCE and never ever again.
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Apr 28, 2016
Thank you for all the feedback.

I don't have the Durango yet so I can't give you hard numbers. The Dodge website makes it hard to find precise numbers beyond towing capacity. Question: how can it be rated to pull 7200 pounds if the tow hitch cannot handle that much?

We need a vehicle for carpooling, taking family around, etc. We would use that capacity almost weekly, that's why we wanted the SUV. We thought about a truck with a camper shell and outboard jump seats but worried about safety and as kids get older, maybe not that comfortable for them.

If I have to buy both an SUV, and a truck, and then a trailer, we're looking at 6 figures!
ktosv
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
rvshrinker wrote:
Question: how can it be rated to pull 7200 pounds if the tow hitch cannot handle that much?

Because it would be very possible to tow a boat and boat trailer that weight 7000#. The tongue weight can be significantly different for a boat from an RV.

What I can tell you is that with a family of four I comfortably towed a 5000# GVWR Hybrid Travel trailer with an Envoy XL that had a 6200# GVWR. I was under all of my weight ratings with that vehicle.

With a family of 6 (plus two dogs) a 2005 Suburban towed the same trailer and was still under all of the weight ratings.

Just out of curiosity, why a Durango?
APT
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
The half ton full sized SUVs can tow a 6000-ish dry TT. I highly recommend the long wheelbase, say Suburban vs. Tahoe, Expedition XL vs. standard for a more comfortable 3rd row.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Apr 28, 2016
7000lbs is asking too much of any midsize SUV.

I've got a friend who towed a HTT with a Dodge Dakota for a few years, but last year he upgraded to an F250. You could see that poor little Dakota was being squashed down front and rear.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 28, 2016
mkirsch wrote:
7000lbs is asking too much of any midsize SUV.

I've got a friend who towed a HTT with a Dodge Dakota for a few years, but last year he upgraded to an F250. You could see that poor little Dakota was being squashed down front and rear.

I do agree that 7,000 lbs is asking a lot...the Dakota is apples and oranges to the new Durango. The Durango isn't exactly a mid sized either it has a GVWR higher than some Half Ton Pick up trucks that have a higher tow rating!

The Durango is a great and Populr choice for towing a light weight TT.

The tongue weight must be managed as I believe it has a 750 or 850 lb limit depending on the owners manual.

A good handling vehicle with the right trailer would be pure joy to tow with. Like wise it can be a nightmare if the combo isn't set up right.

Thanks!

Jeremiah