New to Trailer Life Need Some Assitance :)

[lp618em]

Hello all, completely new at ever trying to tow anything other than a small boat and we are looking at a specific trailer. But I have read enough to make sure weight is proper but the more I look its almost like nothing would be able to tow the big travel trailers.

To be specific we are looking at the ST33BD or similar to sleep 9 people.

The veichle is a 2006 Expedition, 3.73 ratio, Heavy duty tow package which I believe has the extra radiator, 5.4 v8.
GCWR: 14,500 lbs
Trailer Weight: 8,900 lbs
Max Tongue weight: 895 lbs

I want to say the trailer is too big. But then when I look at all the other veichles that can carry 9 people, its like nothing can carry it. The expedition will be holding 9 passengers. So would like a trailer that can be pulled by the Expedition, or another veichle that can carry 9 people.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

[APT]

Expy, Ave, and Amada - All reasonable for people moving, not so much RVing with people. They all have decent value is if good shape. Sell one (I'd say Ave) for a decent 3/4 ton truck. I recommend Ford V10 or 2007.5+ GM 6.0L with 6-spd. But you can find a 2010 full sized 1-ton van for under $15k, maybe $10k. 12 passengers + enough capability for that TT.

[anaro]

For diesels, it is not as much mileage as it us particular years. For example stay far away from the ford 6.0, worst motor they made. I had issues with my ford 6.4 that are somewhat common but that engine has a decent rep. The chevy LBZ era was the holy frail of engines. This list goes on but is better asked in the tow vehicles forum section. You will get a plethora of well informed advice there. I will warn you, once you go diesel, you will never tow with gas again! Happy hunting.

[lp618em]

Well then at this point it cannot be helped. I appreciate everyones time here.
Just gonna have to look for a decent used veichle. For Diesels is there a certain mile range that I should be on the look out for?

[anaro]

The armada will be overloaded as well. I used to tow my tt (5900 lbs dry, 7300 lbs loaded) and was pushed all over the place by my tt. I don't know about your armada, but mine only had 810 lbs of payload. I would just upgrade now. Most truck rentals will not authorize towing with their vehicles.

[handye9]

Your Avalanche has less tow capacity (8000) and payload (1355) than your Expedition.

The dry weight of the trailer is 900 lbs more than max tow capacity of the Avalanche. The tongue weight will take close to all of its payload. When a driver gets in, it will be overloaded.

[lp618em]

Yes its essentially the same trailer and the Avalanche is currently my 2nd trailer.
What I was hoping for its to not pack the trailer with anything at all nor the avalanche. I fully understand that I need at minimum a 3/4 ton truck.
The only reason I was asking about the Avalanche with just myself is it would make it a little easier on me if I would not have to purchase the veichle for a few months more. If not possible at all then Im ok with just renting a large truck for a weekend here and there till I purchase more than likely a 1 ton veichle Im just looking at all the options.
I also have an Armada, which if by myself, no passenger and no cargo as that would all be on the 2nd veichle.

[anaro]

The hill country is a region specific model. It is exactly the same thing as the sunset trail he mentioned in the first post, just rebranded under a special name. As for the truck, I'm guessing it's his second vehicle?

Honestly this trailer is really in the 3/4 ton range. You might get away with an eco boost with max hd but not with all of your passengers.

[Francesca_Knowl]

lp618em wrote:
Ok so hopefully I haven't driven you all away yet.
My next question is in regards to a temporary solution, 6 months with no long distance trips, max 300 miles.
I have an 2007 Avalanche with a GVWR of 7,100lbs.
If its just me in the truck ONLY, no luggage no nothing, litteraly me and the gas. I weight 362 lbs.
Would it be possible to tow the HC33BD?

What the- what????

Here reviewing the Original Post, you're the author:

lp618em wrote:
Hello all, completely new at ever trying to tow anything other than a small boat and we are looking at a specific trailer. But I have read enough to make sure weight is proper but the more I look its almost like nothing would be able to tow the big travel trailers.

To be specific we are looking at the ST33BD or similar to sleep 9 people.

The veichle is a 2006 Expedition, 3.73 ratio, Heavy duty tow package which I believe has the extra radiator, 5.4 v8.
GCWR: 14,500 lbs
Trailer Weight: 8,900 lbs
Max Tongue weight: 895 lbs

I want to say the trailer is too big. But then when I look at all the other veichles that can carry 9 people, its like nothing can carry it. The expedition will be holding 9 passengers. So would like a trailer that can be pulled by the Expedition, or another veichle that can carry 9 people.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

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[anaro]

No you will not be able to tow that trailer. It has a dry weight of 7890 and a gvwr of 9640. You will likely have at least 1000-1500 lbs of gear in the tt. Quit possibly more with 9 people. Let's guess a loaded weight of 9000 lbs, that's 1100 lbs for propane, battery, dishes, clothes, chairs, toiletries, firewood etc... you are still looking at over 1000 lbs tongue weight.

If you can't make it to a scale, then look in your drivers side door frame for a tire loading sticker. It will say cargo and passengers not to exceed x lbs, then subtract your weight and anything else that will be in there when towing. Your loaded tongue weight must be less than that. You also need to check your hitch ratings.

To give you an idea, on my silverado 3500 this sticker says 3901 lbs- once I account for 2 adults, dog and everything in the truck that number shrunk to 3400 lbs. My hitch rating is 2000 lbs tongue weight with wdh. If I had gone with a short bed, my payload would have gone up but my hitch rating would have dropped to 1500 lbs with wdh. You have to look at every aspect to find your weak links.

[lp618em]

Ok so hopefully I haven't driven you all away yet.
My next question is in regards to a temporary solution, 6 months with no long distance trips, max 300 miles.
I have an 2007 Avalanche with a GVWR of 7,100lbs.
If its just me in the truck ONLY, no luggage no nothing, litteraly me and the gas. I weight 362 lbs.
Would it be possible to tow the HC33BD?

[handye9]

lp618em wrote:
Ok so today we went looking at RV's and saw this specific 5th wheel, which is a Jayco Eagle 29.5bhds 5th wheel and they are saying a F150 or 1500 can carry it, is this even possible? From what I am reading how would they be allowed to advertise this?

They can advertise it because, there is a heavy duty version of the F150 that has over 3000 lbs payload and tow capacity around 11,000 lbs. A small family (2) would have about 2500 lbs payload available for the pin weight.

In an earlier post, I mentioned "not all XXXX trucks are created equal". F150 is a prime example. Ther are F150's with 3100 lbs of payload, some with as little as 750, and various ratings in between. The one on the high end could handle some 5th wheels, the one on the low end could have weight issues hauling groceries and a tent.

There are RV sales people, who are not aware of those differences. They seem to think, if one F150 can do the job, they all can.

[anaro]

This is what you need. It is a custom job but if you can afford it, it will work for you. You are talking at least an F450 or higher. It can tow the 5er you mentioned as well.

[westend]

No, with that 5'er, you're in bigger truck territory. After adding a hitch, passengers, etc., it will be above the payload ratings of all but a few 1/2 ton trucks.

[lp618em]

Ok so today we went looking at RV's and saw this specific 5th wheel, which is a Jayco Eagle 29.5bhds 5th wheel and they are saying a F150 or 1500 can carry it, is this even possible? From what I am reading how would they be allowed to advertise this?