Looking into getting first TT

[jaydoh]

Hello All and hope everyone is safe,

I am looking into getting my first TT. I have to buy a used (but recent) SUV (3-row seating) to pull the TT. SUV is for comfort as I have a large family. So the TT will have to sleep 6 or more (preferably with bunkhouse room with a closing door) and master that has doors for privacy.

My kids ages: 15 year old girl, 14 year old boy, 8 year old boy, 4 year old boy, 1 year old

This is what I found so far:
1-ASPEN TRAIL 2910BHS...6639 lbs
2-Aspen Trail 3210BHDS...7794 lbs
3-ASPEN TRAIL 3230BHS...8034 lbs
4-ASPEN TRAIL 3280BHS...7190 lbs
5-Heartland Travel Trailer RV Prowler 271BR...7880 lbs
6-Keystone Rv Travel Trailer RV Hideout 318BR...7686 lbs.
7-New 2022 Forest River RV Cherokee Alpha Wolf 30RDB-L...7002 lbs
8-Coleman BH322...7436 lbs
9-NEW 2021 KEYSTONE BULLET 330BHS (has 2 bathrooms)...7032 lbs


So if you can please answer these questions below:
1) What is a GREAT SUV to pull any of the TT above or any that you know would fit my needs?
2) Which from the list #1-9 above would be the best overall TT in your opinion? and please list reasons that would make it the best fit for my large family? (Additional info: Me and my two oldest are 5'5", others are smaller)
3) Are there certain TT companies to stay away from? (maybe due to toilet, plumbing, electric, issues, etc)
4) For #9 above, should I avoid a 2 bathroom TT?
5) Any additional info you can add would be greatly appreciated because this is my first and I want to get the right TT that we will not grow out of to quick??

Thank you and God Bless. Stay safe and healthy,
James

[KD4UPL]

The best SUV for those trailers is a 2500 series Suburban. They stopped making them in 2013. However, in 2007 thru 2013 the hitch was limited to 1,000 pounds of tongue weight which really isn't enough to be able to take advantage of their 9,xxx pound tow rating.
If you go with a 2001 thru 2006 2500 Suburban with the 8.1L big block they were rated to tow up to 12,xxx pounds and didn't have the same limitation on tongue weight. So, that would be just about your only choice.
The other option is a Ford Excursion made from 2000 to 2005. If you go this route look for one with the V10 gas engine. The 6.0 diesel is a nightmare. A very few had the 7.3 diesel which was a good engine but quite old in design, and loud. Despite that, since they were far more reliable then the 6.0 diesel they command high prices.
If you don't like any of these choices you can go the van route. Which isn't bad, I'd get a Chevy with the 6.0 gas or even a Duramax.

[wowens79]

Consider a hybrid camper, you will have more bedspace, and it will be lighter. It won't be as roomy, but it would be easier to find a tow vehicle for.

Like everyone has said, a suburban, or a expedition won't handle it. The problem is the payload capacity of the tow vehicle, which is the amount of weight that can be added to the tow vehicle. This includes weight of passengers, and anything packed into the car, as well as the tongue weight of the camper, which when loaded will probably be 1000lbs. I can see needing 2000lbs of payload easily.
Overloaded like that, those campers will be wiggling that suv all over the road, and will be miserable to pull.

Also, the bunks in campers are pretty small, we bought our bunkhouse when our son was 12, and like 5'6, now he is 6'2" and does not fit on the bunks, so we end up having to use the couch for him, so think about growth.

Sorry to be a downer on the SUV, but I've got 2 friends in the last year that listened to the dealer and bought campers like what you are looking at, and had 1/2ton trucks. Both were miserable towing, and ended up buying 3/4 ton trucks.

[valhalla360]

Get a full size body on frame VAN.

2 Bathrooms: Unless you plan to boondock a lot, plan on using the campground bathhouse unless it's a late night need. Even boondocking, water consumption and waste storage will be very difficult to last more than a night or two with good water conservation.

Keep in mind, those kids will want to bring along friends...or they won't want to go camping with you.

Payload: Just bodies could eat up 800-1000lb of payload before putting anything in the truck or the trailer on the hitch.

PS: Youngest of 10 here, took 3-4 week trip each summer...

[mleekamp]

Something else not mentioned, if you go with a 3/4 ton truck option (4 door crew cab) to pull your TT, you can always have a chaser car with the rest of the family. Not ideal maybe, but its a better way to travel than stuffing all in one.

[BarabooBob]

I agree with the tent solution.

[Skibane]

You don't need 4 tons of trailer to sleep 6 people.

There are much smaller, lighter trailers on the market that will also sleep 6 people.

Another option is to put several people in a tent next to the trailer.

[NamMedevac_70]

Good advice from those above and if you will be towing in high mountains of Rockies or west coast then you will need a really very powerful truck when your TT and tow vehicle is fully loaded.

[deltabravo]

jdc1 wrote:
Find an older 3500 van......with a 454 or 460.

Those haven't been offered in probably 20 years, if not longer, or if ever (in a van).

A GM 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax would be a good choice, if you can find one.

[jdc1]

Find an older 3500 van......with a 454 or 460.

[JIMNLIN]

Welcome to the forums.

1. A 3/4 ton burb size vehicle or a 3/4 or a one ton size passenger van with your crowd.

2 .You'll have to look at each floorplan and decide which is the best for your needs/wants.

3. TTs to stay away from ? Brands....Thats just a personnel choice as their aren't any brands that someone doesn't like.

4. With your family the 2 bath rooms may make sense.

5. Are those weights you listed a mfg dry weight or the trailers gvwr. If their a dry weight add approx another 1200-1400 lbs for loading. Good luch ...you got lots of looking and decisions to make.

[theoldwizard1]

Concur ! Once you add up all of the cargo, human and otherwise, you will realize you need a 3/4 ton pickup.

[AppFire]

PAThwacker wrote:
No suv can tow any of those made in last 8 years. Also you list dry weights, please add 1500 pounds for family of 6 at minimum to each dry weight.
Also determine hitch weight: 14% x 8,500lb is 1190 pounds plus hitch gear 150. Lbs You exceeded max hitch rate right off the bat on a 2021 Chevy suburban


The GM max hitch rate of 1,000 pounds is what killed the 2500 series 3/4 ton suburban. in 2013.

X2

[PAThwacker]

No suv can tow any of those made in last 8 years. Also you list dry weights, please add 1500 pounds for family of 6 at minimum to each dry weight.
Also determine hitch weight: 14% x 8,500lb is 1190 pounds plus hitch gear 150. Lbs You exceeded max hitch rate right off the bat on a 2021 Chevy suburban


The GM max hitch rate of 1,000 pounds is what killed the 2500 series 3/4 ton suburban. in 2013.