Travel Trailer Towing Recommendations

[Retired_Enjoy_L]

We just purchased our first travel trailer. We are looking at purchasing a new tow vehicle. Would like recommendations on what tow vehicle is best what to avoid. We will be towing a bunkhouse GVWR is 7,500 lbs.
TIA for your recommendations.

[blt2ski]

Glad two others said a 25 series van. Another excellent option for larger families. I didn't go that way due to using truck in landscape biz, along with using the trailer as a ski hut in the winter. 4wd and chains on truck and trailer were common needs getting in and out of a parking lot.

Don't quite me, I also believe Ford has an 8300 gvwr 150. Few and far between, but with an eco boost, also a good option.

Marty

[Dadoffourgirls]

Based on your descriptions, I second the one-ton Chevy Express as the dedicated tow vehicle. It would double as a grandkid bus. I have had an Express for the last 6 years. With the exception of not having 4wd, it makes a great tow vehicle, move to college, go on a brewery tour, and Saturday evening vehicle.

Fuel economy is not that bad in comparison to a 1500, and as good as a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup.

[valhalla360]

Retired Enjoy Life wrote:
More specifics as requested.
The TT is a 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 284BHS.
The sticker on the TT has the following weight information.

........

We have 4 children and 10 grandchildren with more on the way. So we are looking for a tow vehicle that will also be used on a daily basis and be able to accommodate seating as many grandchildren as possible. The minimum would be 6 people which could be accomplished with a truck. However, if we take more than 4 grandchildren a truck would not accommodate that. Hence why we are looking at a larger SUV. Traveling long distances with grandchildren crunched together would not be a pleasant experience. We would take them on long trips which could include traveling through mountains.

........

3/4 or 1 ton body on frame van with bench seats is the best answer. Something like the Chevy full size. The 3/4ton gets you around 2600lb payload and a 9600lb tow rating (make sure you check the details when ordering as it may require a tow package or other options to get the max ratings). If you need more payload the 1 ton version has a payload upwards of 3100lb.

Won't get great MPG but neither will the SUVs you listed.

I'm the youngest of 10 and that's what we always had.

[valhalla360]

Grit dog wrote:

You called?
It's fun to see the "you can't haul 4 fat people without exceeding the payload" comments which are (and I use this word cautiously) NEVER backed up by actual reasons why it's a bad idea. Just general supposition.
Just "because that's what the sticker says". Do you ever wonder how the rest of the world survives every day doing work with their half ton trucks? Or is your view so myopic that you literally have trouble even seeing your rear view mirrors?

Yep, the salesman telling you that you can pull what he's trying to sell, surely knows better than the engineer setting the ratings. :S

Fact is most pickups never do any heavy hauling or towing...the proverbial grocery getter. That's how they survive.

If you are over by 100lbs, will the axle instantly snap in half...probably not but it's not a good situation.

[blt2ski]

OP,
With what you just posted, having been their, done that, get an 8 lug 2500 crew cab short box truck.

You WILL have issues with payload if you out 6-8 of you in a 15 series suc/crew cab truck!

If it were just you and spouse, 2-3 smaller grandkids, a 15 series "might" work. My family of 6 was 700-800 lbs wi youngest being 2 months, to as much as 1200 with 4 adult sized teens in truck. Add in 750-1000 lbs of HW. Maybe a bike or three.... A 1500 is overloaded.


Marty

[Retired_Enjoy_L]

More specifics as requested.
The TT is a 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 284BHS.
The sticker on the TT has the following weight information.
PNBV KG/GVWR
3401 7500
PNBE KG/GAWR
1587 /3500 FRONT/DEVANT
/ INT/ CENTRAL
1587 /3500 REAR/ARRIERE
The weight of the cargo should not exceed 580 kg or 1280 lbs.

Specifications from the Jayco website for this vehicle:
Dry Hitch Weight 735 lbs.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 6,060 lbs.
Cargo Carrying Capacity 1,440 lbs.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 7,500 lbs.
Measurements:
Exterior Length (overall) 33’7”
Exterior Height 10’4”
Exterior Height (with A/C) 11’ 0”
Exterior Width 8’0”

We have 4 children and 10 grandchildren with more on the way. So we are looking for a tow vehicle that will also be used on a daily basis and be able to accommodate seating as many grandchildren as possible. The minimum would be 6 people which could be accomplished with a truck. However, if we take more than 4 grandchildren a truck would not accommodate that. Hence why we are looking at a larger SUV. Traveling long distances with grandchildren crunched together would not be a pleasant experience. We would take them on long trips which could include traveling through mountains.

The tow vehicle would be a new 2022 or perhaps a year old if we go with a used vehicle. It would have a factory installed maximum tow package and a weight distributing hitch.

2022 Chevy Tahoe specifications:
4 WD
GVWR 7500 lbs.
Engine 5.3L Eco Tec3 V8
Transmission 10 speed automatic
Factory max tow package 8,400 lbs.
Wheel base 120.9 inches
Horsepower 355
Torque 383
Rear axle ratio 3.23

2022 Chevy Suburban specifications:
4 WD
GVWR 7,700 lbs.
Engine 5.3L V8
Transmission 10 speed automatic
Factory Max tow package 8,300 lbs.
Wheel base 134.1 inches
Horsepower 355 @5,600 rpm
Torque 383 @ 4100 rpm
Rear Axle Ratio 3.23

2022 GMC Yukon specifications:
4WD
GVWR 7,400 lbs.
Engine 5.3L V8
Transmission 10 speed automatic
Factory Max tow package 8,200 lbs.
Wheel base 120.9 inches
Horsepower 355 hp@5,600 rpm
Torque 383 @ 4,100 rpm
Rear axle ratio 3.23

2022 Ford Expedition XL STX with stealth performance package specifications
4WD
GVWR 7,450 lbs.
GCWR 15,500 lbs
Engine 3.5L Eco Boost V6 (High output)
Transmission 10 speed automatic
Factory Max tow package 9,200 lbs.
Wheel base 122 inches
Horsepower 440hp
Torque 510
Rear axle ratio hopefully this info will assist with responses. Thanks

[Grit_dog]

valhalla360 wrote:
A 1/2 ton truck CAN be suitable but it depends wildly on how it's spec'd out.

There is the official tow rating but there is also the payload to consider.

You want around 12-15% on the hitch (more is better but often not practical).

So with a 7500lb GVWR, figure around 1000lb on the hitch which counts against the payload.

1/2ton truck payload: I've seen payloads as low as 950lb but also near 2500lb. At the upper end, you can probably pull at the full tow rating. At the lower end, a well fed American family of 4 can use up the entire payload before even hooking up the trailer.

SUVs are generally far less well suited to towing larger trailers. They are mostly designed for passenger transport and comfort take precedence over capability.

PS: Without actual scale weights fully loaded for travel, your use of GVWR is a good assumption. Use that with 15% hitch weight and you are probably good for selecting an appropriate truck. Be careful of sales men (and certain posters on this forum) who are happy to tell you to exceed the ratings. It's not fun when the rig handles like a pig.

You called?
It's fun to see the "you can't haul 4 fat people without exceeding the payload" comments which are (and I use this word cautiously) NEVER backed up by actual reasons why it's a bad idea. Just general supposition.
Just "because that's what the sticker says". Do you ever wonder how the rest of the world survives every day doing work with their half ton trucks? Or is your view so myopic that you literally have trouble even seeing your rear view mirrors?

[way2roll]

Hopefully the OP returns with more details.

[valhalla360]

A 1/2 ton truck CAN be suitable but it depends wildly on how it's spec'd out.

There is the official tow rating but there is also the payload to consider.

You want around 12-15% on the hitch (more is better but often not practical).

So with a 7500lb GVWR, figure around 1000lb on the hitch which counts against the payload.

1/2ton truck payload: I've seen payloads as low as 950lb but also near 2500lb. At the upper end, you can probably pull at the full tow rating. At the lower end, a well fed American family of 4 can use up the entire payload before even hooking up the trailer.

SUVs are generally far less well suited to towing larger trailers. They are mostly designed for passenger transport and comfort take precedence over capability.

PS: Without actual scale weights fully loaded for travel, your use of GVWR is a good assumption. Use that with 15% hitch weight and you are probably good for selecting an appropriate truck. Be careful of sales men (and certain posters on this forum) who are happy to tell you to exceed the ratings. It's not fun when the rig handles like a pig.

[Tvov]

Retired Enjoy Life wrote:
We were thinking of a Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon or Toyota Sequoia, rather than a truck. Thoughts on that for towing?

Is there some reason you don't want a truck? Size? Those SUVs are almost as big as a pickup truck.

Comfort? Pickup trucks these days are basically luxury mobiles.

Have you looked at 4 door or extended cab pickups? Almost always come with higher payload and towing capabilities, you have plenty of room in the cab for stuff or people, and having a pickup bed to carry stuff is great. If you want to really do it up get a cap for the bed of the pickup and you have a big SUV.

At least you know what you have to tow, which is better than getting the tow vehicle first and then buying a camper too big for it!

[ssthrd]

3 Assumptions:
1) you have possession of your new TT
2) you will buy a TV which is set up for towing and has a factory hitch
3) you will want/need a weight distribution hitch

Suggest that you rent the vehicle of your choice for a day, hook up your new TT, set up the WDH, and take it for a spin to check things out. A trip to a CAT scale along the way might help with your decision.

If you have a buddy that likes a beer or two, and he knows how to set up the hitch, that would be a bonus. Maybe rent for two days. Lol

[MitchF150]

So as soon as someone posts a camper UVW weight and tries to estimate how much "stuff" they'll have, everyone jumps on them and says "use the GVWR."
Now someone posts using the GVWR and someone is doubting if THAT is the right weight....

You guys are just too funny!

So TRUE!

I'm surprised no one has said to "get the 3500 Diesel truck and then you won't have to worry about anything" post... ha, ha... 🙂

Granted, if the OP is only looking for "SUV" type of vehicles, I know I would not want to tow my #7000 GVWR TT with one..

But, that's just me, and that's the main thing here... We are all different, and pretty much all of us that have posted have "been there and done that" kind of thing, which it sounds like the OP has not had that kind of experience before??

Like was said, way too little info to know for sure, but my final answer is "it depends"... 🙂

Good luck! Mitch

[Grit_dog]

Thermoguy wrote:

Retired Enjoy Life wrote:
We just purchased our first travel trailer. We are looking at purchasing a new tow vehicle. Would like recommendations on what tow vehicle is best what to avoid. We will be towing a bunkhouse GVWR is 7,500 lbs.
TIA for your recommendations.

Where did you get this weight from? The dealer or a brochure? Or did you have it weighed ready for camp full of water?

That might help you decide on the actual tongue weight.

So as soon as someone posts a camper UVW weight and tries to estimate how much "stuff" they'll have, everyone jumps on them and says "use the GVWR."
Now someone posts using the GVWR and someone is doubting if THAT is the right weight....

You guys are just too funny!

[blt2ski]

Thermoguy wrote:

Retired Enjoy Life wrote:
We just purchased our first travel trailer. We are looking at purchasing a new tow vehicle. Would like recommendations on what tow vehicle is best what to avoid. We will be towing a bunkhouse GVWR is 7,500 lbs.
TIA for your recommendations.

Where did you get this weight from? The dealer or a brochure? Or did you have it weighed ready for camp full of water?

That might help you decide on the actual tongue weight.

I'm assuming since OP quoted a gvwr of 7500 lbs, that is max wieght per manufacture specs.

BUT HOW it's gvwr is figured, is another story. It might be 2 3500 lb axles, plus 500 lbs of HW. Or like my old TT, 2 3500 lb axles, but a gvwr of 6500 for some unknown reason.... It could have 2 4000 lb axles....

Too little info to give proper answers

[Thermoguy]

Retired Enjoy Life wrote:
We just purchased our first travel trailer. We are looking at purchasing a new tow vehicle. Would like recommendations on what tow vehicle is best what to avoid. We will be towing a bunkhouse GVWR is 7,500 lbs.
TIA for your recommendations.

Where did you get this weight from? The dealer or a brochure? Or did you have it weighed ready for camp full of water?

That might help you decide on the actual tongue weight.