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]

By the way, back in the day, my family of 6 with 4 adult sized teens, a canoe and rack on truck, generator, bikes for kids, along with a 6500-7000 lb total weight trailer, I had a SW 3500, and ran down the road with 3000-3500 lbs of wieght in the truck. A 1500 might handle 2000-2500 at best.

Fare to say again, too many unknowns.

SUV wise, the longer WB GM/Ford options would be my choice I'd one does not want a pickup

[blt2ski]

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

I owned three Tahoes…’01, ‘07 and ‘15 and liked them all but I would not tow 7500 pounds with any of them. Max maybe six thousand. Wheelbase is another issue with a Tahoe. It’s too short for stability when a truck passes.

This is not a good quote to follow per say. The 01/05 rigs have 1/3 the HP of a current model, ie about 2014 and forward. Along with at least 2vfewer gears in trans mission, to upwards of 6 more if you get a 10 sp auto. Also their have been some improvents in chassis design.

OP did not mention trailer length. Is said trailer 20' long? Or 30' long. A recent Tahoe will do fine with a 20' trailer, 30' as noted, the WB of the Tahoe is on the short side. BUT with a better hitch setup, it will and can be safe and sane towing.

OP does not say brand of trailer. An Airstream at 7500 pulls easily vs a boxy Fleetwood with coronated aluminum siding. Latter trailer may need an addition 30-40 HP to hold 60mph due to additional wind resistance.

Where is OP towing? Sea level or 10,000 ft elevation A majority of the time. At sea level my 4.3 V6 will motivate a 7500 trailer fine, generally speaking. I will slow down more on steeper grades than a V8 with more HP.... Go to 10K ft, 30% drop in HP due to elevation, the 3.5 eco boost or the small diesels in the 1500 series trucks don't start losing HP until 8-10k ft.

Is OP wanting to haul a golf cart or equal load in the bed? Or haul 2-3 teenage kids/grandkids or adults along? If so, one has now overloaded a typical 1500

As Grit has non eloquently pointed out, too many unknowns at this time to say what truck is needed.

Marty

[bikendan]

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?

SUVs have softer suspensions, lower payload capacities and lower towing capacities, than a comparable truck. A crew cab truck would be a much better choice, if you need more seating. You can fit up to 6.

[Grit_dog]

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?

That exactly still doesn't tell us a thing about the vehicles you're considering as what you posted could be anything from a 30 year old vehicle for $2500 that is on it's last legs or a new $90k rig.

1 thing is certain, apples to apples, the full size SUV will have less payload capacity and a lower towing rating than a similarly equipped pickup. And may have a totally different rear axle/suspension setup that is not easily modified for more weight carrying, if necessary.

That said, there are plenty of new or newer full size SUVs that are capable of towing a 7500lb trailer, but not with the same degree of capability of a pickup.

If it appears that I am speaking in generalities, I am. First, to help you understand the general differences. And secondly, because you haven't provided any specific info as to the particular vehicles you are considering. Nor have you communicated your intended use of the vehicle and trailer.

The best vehicle for "the job" is different if you're talking say, little local trips around Cheeseland and the midwest and primarily a DD vehicle the majority f the time, vs a long haul rig, towing big miles and grades and altitude, vs a full time tow rig where towing performance and comfort are paramount and the rig is not a DD being parked in, say, a city parking garage 5 days a week.

All things to think about that responses to vague questions won't really help you answer....I think?

[Grit_dog]

agesilaus wrote:
Avoid other brand pickups (like Toyota) which are not suited for towing.

ROFLMAO
What makes a Tundra or Sequoia inherently less suited than similarly equipped vehicles from the big 3?

[Gooma]

Have you looked at the tow and capacity rating of the 3 SUV's you are considering?
I was suprised at the low rating of the Tahoe.

[way2roll]

bgum wrote:
The 3 tv you are considering are marginal and would limit your selection of trailer. If you are set on those then reduce your weight of trailer as well as the length. Trucks do a much better job of towing and can be as nice inside as a suv.

They already bought the TT.


OP, to do it right, your TT should be loaded for travel (clothes, food, dishes, etc) and weighed to understand what real world tow weight will be. Understandably that can be a challenge as you bought the cart before the horse - literally. So, guess your best on what the trailer will actually weigh towing and look for vehicles that can safely tow that weight. And don't skimp. A marginal tow vehicle will be no fun and introduces risk. Get the right vehicle. As others mentioned, you can't have too much truck, If you ever step up to a bigger trailer you don't want to have to buy a whole new truck as well. The SUV's you mentioned I think are too small for your TT unless you look at excursion or suburban. It's not just tow capacity, it's wheelbase which will affect handling. You don't want the tail wagging the dog. Also, as I am sure you are finding, there is a vehicle shortage right now. What you want and what you can actually find to buy is a challenge. New truck orders can take months and months and don't expect a deal. You can expect to pay full MSRP if not more in dealer add on pricing.

[Lwiddis]

“We were thinking of a Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon or Toyota Sequoia, rather than a truck. Thoughts on that for towing? ”

I owned three Tahoes…’01, ‘07 and ‘15 and liked them all but I would not tow 7500 pounds with any of them. Max maybe six thousand. Wheelbase is another issue with a Tahoe. It’s too short for stability when a truck passes.

[bgum]

The 3 tv you are considering are marginal and would limit your selection of trailer. If you are set on those then reduce your weight of trailer as well as the length. Trucks do a much better job of towing and can be as nice inside as a suv.

[rjstractor]

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?

The full size SUVs listed share many of the same components as full size pickups. I would look at a Suburban or Expedition Max for the extra space and wheelbase. The Sequoia's max tow rating is under the GVWR of your trailer. Also, payload can be an issue with any of the full size SUVs. Hitch weight on your trailer will be over 1000 lbs which eats up much of either a 1500 series pickup or full size SUVs payload.

[ppine]

Retired,
Your choices are a little light for your current trailer. They have shorter wheel bases. What happens if you get a slightly larger trailer or get off the main highways?

[Retired_Enjoy_L]

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

[agesilaus]

bgum wrote:
Chevy 1500
Ford F150
You should get the trailering package.

You will be a little heavy for the lighter trucks such as Tacoma etc.

Ford
Ram
GMC

Trucks either 1/2 ton (F150/1500), 3/4 or 1 ton from the three American manufacturers. A HD truck lets you move up to a heavier TT later without buying a new truck. With tow packages for the 1/2 ton trucks. Avoid other brand pickups (like Toyota) which are not suited for towing. Try all three trucks brands out, you will like one more than the others probably.
Get a good towing hitch, a weight distributing hitch (WDH)
When towing keep your speed down to 55-62 mph, mostly stick to the right hand lane on highways and just let people pass you.
Your fuel mileage with be optimal in that range. Expect mpg in the 8 to 12 mpg range. And towing stability is much better and safer in that speed range.

[Grit_dog]

OP, tow vehicles to avoid?
Since you literally provide no other parameters for consideration to your very open ended question…avoid these….
Anything mid size.
Any smaller less capable full size suvs.
Any half tons that are base model drivetrains.
No go karts
Definitely no motorcycles
Compact cars and mid size cars are out of the question.
No minivans

That should aboot cover it!
Next caller please…

[Grit_dog]

bgum wrote:
Chevy 1500
Ford F150
You should get the trailering package.

You will be a little heavy for the lighter trucks such as Tacoma etc.

Lol, 5 pages in the TT forum with an owner scared of his own shadow and a buncha folks telling him how bad it will be with his capable half ton and the same weight trailer…..
Fwiw, any 7500lb trailer is absolutely half ton towable and I agree with you.
Just struck me funny is all!