I need some help choosing a TV for a family of 7. I know there are lots of posts related to choosing a TV and I have been reading them for weeks. But everyone's circumstances are different. This is ours. We recently purchased a used 2007 Jayco Feather 232 but do not yet have a vehicle to pull it with. It was a deal we could not let slip by.
The TT weighs about 4100 lbs and the GVWR is 5500. After reading lots of other forum posts, I am glad it is as light as it is. I have been assuming that we will be in the 5200 to 5500 range when towing. I will be using WD hitch.
So the family of 7 consists of 2 adults, 3 teens, 1 pre-teen and the youngster. I figure together we are close to 925 lbs. But of course, the kids are still growing. Luckily, the kids don't need as much heavy stuff to keep them occupied when we travel.
We enjoy camping (7 in a tent was an experience) and are hoping that the TT will expand our range a little. We are based in Indiana (mostly flat) and are planning to camp there but hope to expand to the Ohio River Valley, Smokey Mtns, Northern MI, and the rolling hills of Missouri. We would also like to do a few (once a year) 2 week trips out West to the coast.
So now we need to find a vehicle to do that in. Preferably for $8K to 12K but can go a little higher for the right vehicle. I should also say that I have no experience towing so I have nothing to compare to and no real world experience. I have your collective wisdom to guide me.
So in doing research and some test drives I have come to this understanding, but please correct me if I am wrong, that we probably need to be checking the towing capacity and more importantly the max payload. We are undecided on van vs. SUV. For the longer hauls, the van has wonderful room and conversions have lots of comfort. But conversions have ambiguous weight ratings and many do not even have the towing package. SUVs seem to have better towing capacity numbers but are about the same or less room as the minivan we have (and have filled to capacity) now.
The Suburban/Yukon XL currently tops our list for SUVs. We tried a Sequoia (nice person room but very little room to spread out), Yukon XL (not bad but the interiors tend to wear out), an Expedition (kids didn't fit well in the back seat), and an Excursion (DW and kids did not like the harsher ride). I know some would recommend a Sub 2500 but they are difficult to find. I am lucky to find 1 within 100 miles that fits within our "soft limits" of 2001 or newer and less than 150K miles. I have seen several 1500 Suburbans (2002 to 2005, ~120K miles) in the price range. Can anyone comment on the towing of the Yukon XL Denali with the 6.0 vs the standard 5.3? I know it may not have the full benefits of a 2500, but more HP is more HP.
We have looked at 1 or 2 vans. These are also very hard to find, especially as I would prefer a low top conversion to a passenger van. It seems that SUVs really did a number on the passenger van market. Finding a 2500 conversion within the price range is a needle in a haystack at best.
So, what are your recommendations? Is a 2500 Suburban the way to go? Does that ride as harsh as an Excursion or closer to a 1500? Can a 1500 conversion van with a 5.3 and the towing package enough, or do I need to stick to ยพ or 1 ton? Are there better places to look than cars.com, autotrader.com, and craigslist? The comfort/performance/cost/scarcity balance for vehicles for large families is more effort than I was expecting. Funny thing is that I never considered us to be a large family until I was looking for this vehicle. We are really excited about getting out more. Thanks for any input. ๐
