Took an interest in camping last summer but have decided tent camping is no longer for me. I am interested in buying a camper but one with a toilet and shower in it. I understand my best type of camper for my needs will be a travel trailer. I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna with a tow package (no hitch yet). Was planning on getting a hitch at Uhaul. From my owners manual it says It can tow 3,500#. Can someone steer me in the right direction for what camper I can safely tow? We are a family of 4... 2 kids ages 10/12 plus our 9# dog. I don't think a pop up is right for me because I really want a bathroom. Thank you so much!

Welcome to the Forum...I guess I'll be the first with the bad news...but hopefully others will chime and be more positive..You are going to be VERY limited in what kind (if any) full featured travel trailer you can tow with that van..Short wheel base, soft suspension, low tow rating and low payload that will be eaten up by 4 passengers and gear.We went from tent to pop-up - survived and made a ton of great camping memories.Good luck with you search.

You need to look at ultra lite campers. We have a chev uplander mini van and can safely tow 3500 pounds. We bought a KZ-Spree Escape and have no problems towing it with the Uplander. Dry weight is around 2400 pounds.This unit has a dinette slide out, full bathroom with shower, and can sleep 4 Works very well for us, and has a reasonable price. New they start in the 12K range.Vic

If it was just you and your wife, there are some units that are mini-van towable. But with 4 kids (who will grow and gain more weight, and also require more "toys") I don't think you have a lot of options. We too got tired of tenting and "moved up". We had pop-ups for over 10 years. My daughter cried when we sold it. There is nothing wrong with using the campground showers. I still do to get more than a "navy" shower in the trailer. Our first HTT had a GVWR of 3450# and we towed it with a mini-van for about the first 18 months. But again, it was just the wife and I.

Could this be towed with our minivan and 4 of us? http://www.kz-rv.com/sportsmen-classic/16BHT.html

lukenick wrote:Could this be towed with our minivan and 4 of us? http://www.kz-rv.com/sportsmen-classic/16BHT.htmlThat actually weighs a little less than the Spree Escape. We looked at those as well. Wife liked the Spree because of the bump out, but that might be a good choice for you. You would just need to pack lightly.

Towing with a Minivan?? | Good Sam Community

downtheroad
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Welcome to the Forum...
I guess I'll be the first with the bad news...but hopefully others will chime and be more positive..

You are going to be VERY limited in what kind (if any) full featured travel trailer you can tow with that van..

Short wheel base, soft suspension, low tow rating and low payload that will be eaten up by 4 passengers and gear.

We went from tent to pop-up - survived and made a ton of great camping memories.
Good luck with you search.
trickyvic3
Explorer
May 29, 2013
You need to look at ultra lite campers. We have a chev uplander mini van and can safely tow 3500 pounds. We bought a KZ-Spree Escape and have no problems towing it with the Uplander. Dry weight is around 2400 pounds.

This unit has a dinette slide out, full bathroom with shower, and can sleep 4
Works very well for us, and has a reasonable price. New they start in the 12K range.

Vic
Campfire_Time
Explorer
May 29, 2013
If it was just you and your wife, there are some units that are mini-van towable. But with 4 kids (who will grow and gain more weight, and also require more "toys") I don't think you have a lot of options. We too got tired of tenting and "moved up". We had pop-ups for over 10 years. My daughter cried when we sold it. There is nothing wrong with using the campground showers. I still do to get more than a "navy" shower in the trailer. Our first HTT had a GVWR of 3450# and we towed it with a mini-van for about the first 18 months. But again, it was just the wife and I.
lukenick
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Could this be towed with our minivan and 4 of us?
http://www.kz-rv.com/sportsmen-classic/16BHT.html
trickyvic3
Explorer
May 29, 2013
lukenick wrote:
Could this be towed with our minivan and 4 of us?
http://www.kz-rv.com/sportsmen-classic/16BHT.html

That actually weighs a little less than the Spree Escape. We looked at those as well. Wife liked the Spree because of the bump out, but that might be a good choice for you. You would just need to pack lightly.
mbutts
Explorer
May 29, 2013
You could tow it weightwise, but the wind resistance of a travel trailer might make the towing unpleasant. Have you considered a pop-up with shower and toilet?
lukenick
Explorer
May 29, 2013
mbutts wrote:
You could tow it weightwise, but the wind resistance of a travel trailer might make the towing unpleasant. Have you considered a pop-up with shower and toilet?

Is there such a thing??
beemerphile1
Explorer
May 29, 2013
lukenick wrote:
mbutts wrote:
You could tow it weightwise, but the wind resistance of a travel trailer might make the towing unpleasant. Have you considered a pop-up with shower and toilet?

Is there such a thing??

Yes there is. You are limited to towing a pop up. Forget about any travel trailers.
trickyvic3
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Yes they do make pups with shower/toilet combos. Not sure of the different brands that make them, but have seen them in dealer showrooms.
PenMan
Explorer
May 29, 2013
As others have already said, forget a travel trailer. You are pretty much limited to a pop-up. Many have toilets and showers. I was pulling a hybrid trailer with an E-150 Ford van with the largest V-8 available (also had the towing package) and it was horrible any time we went to the mountains. I knew we would eventually move up to a TT or 5er so I bought the truck in my signature. As you can also see in my signature, we did eventually move up to a large TT. If you buy even a light weight TT you will be upgrading your tow vehicle very soon. So you need to make the decision before you buy anything, what do you ultimately want to RV in?