What do you pull your TT with?

[netslacker]

Something I’ve also noticed is the payload for most of the SUVs are less than the payload for their truck counterparts. My guess due to all the excess metal on them. I have a 4 runner myself and it has been such a great vehicle I am very hesitant to switch. I eventually am going to upgrade but in my research faze now. I really liked the Sequoia but just can’t get over how little the pay load is compared to the Titan. I’m leaning more towards a truck now especially since I quit my volunteer job and may no longer have to play bus for my brother and his daughter. Due to his daughter now having her driving permit. Scary thought! My research faze is going to take another year or two so I have time to wrap my head around my decision. I’ve had my eye on campers with 5000 gvw and need a lot of play in my numbers since I love the mountains.

Agreed! The payload on the Sequoia (another option we considered since it's an SUV and not a truck) is nearly the same as our 4Runner (1280-4Runner vs. 1330-Sequoia) so there's nearly no advantage to going to a bigger SUV if payload is the limiting factor (it is, in many cases). Sure, it can tow 2k lbs more but really it can't, since the tongue weight will be higher.

I was also just looking at a 2013 Tundra CrewMax 4x4 V8 5.7L... Payload? a wimpy 1375 lbs. Ugh.

Either I'm missing something or there's a lot of people overloading their TV and either don't know or don't care.

 

[giadiep]

I have a 2014 Tundra Crewmax 4x4 with the 5.7L. 1350 payload. It's fine for the 4600 lb (loaded) HTT that we have. You can get more payload in one of the domestic 1/2 tons. I'm thinking of going to a bigger truck for a bigger trailer, either a domestic HD with 2500 payload or the Nissan XD which has about 1900 payload. The problem is that heavy duty trucks are not as comfortable to drive on a daily bases unloaded. It's got me a little on the fence about getting a bigger trailer.

 

[WrkrBee]

Something I’ve also noticed is the payload for most of the SUVs are less than the payload for their truck counterparts. My guess due to all the excess metal on them.

SUVs carry extra metal, extra glass, extra rows of seats, extra AC / heating components, and extra insulation. It all takes away from the payload. I still prefer the Expedition, over the F150, for the towing I do.

 

[Dingit]

I specced out my truck to optimize payload, paying attention to the weight of every option. So yeah, just a crew cab dents payload significantly--I'm sure an entire SUV's worth of stuff has a pretty big impact.

While my truck is actually a joy to drive, if I didn't need a TRUCK I'd have an SUV. Also, I can't see over my popup whether I'm in my truck or standing on the ground.

(I do not have a truck for my popup. It has other responsibilities.)

 

[netslacker]

SUVs carry extra metal, extra glass, extra rows of seats, extra AC / heating components, and extra insulation. It all takes away from the payload. I still prefer the Expedition, over the F150, for the towing I do.

I see you have kayaks. We have kayaks which pose extra weight to the payload. How do you carry your kayaks? on the TV or on the TT somehow?

 

[netslacker]

(I do not have a truck for my popup. It has other responsibilities.)

This is where I struggle a bit. We live in D.C. We have zero need for a truck of any type, really, other than something to tow a TT with. I'm having a hard time justifying a move to a full size truck that's sole purpose would be to pull a TT 6x a year.

I was secretly hoping that by starting this thread I'd hear from people that were successfully towing with their mid-size vehicles. There's been a few, but those with trucks are advocating that I get one as well. I see the benefits, and the drawbacks of the various vehicles. Clearly, a truck would tow better, have more payload (sometimes), likely more hp and torque but possibly more important than anything is they have more weight, bigger brakes etc. and can better manage a TT in more conditions. Things to keep thinking about.

 

[Dingit]

I can't help ya. I'd never want anything as large as the stuff you're looking at. As it is, my admittedly large popup limits me quite a bit in places I can go.

If it helps, my parents tow a light 7' x 18' box TT with a Durango, and before that, a V8 4Runner.

I recommend picking the TV for your regular life and squeezing into a smaller TT for the camping parts.

 

[jmkay1]

We live in D.C. We have zero need for a truck of any type, really, other than something to tow a TT with. I'm having a hard time justifying a move to a full size truck

. I totally get this. I live a hop skip jump from there. I have a 3600 GVWR popup that I tow with my 4 runner. I have zero problems towing with it except in the steepest hills like when I tow in the mountains. Ive had many instances when towing where I’m thankful I stuck with my popup. No matter how much the camper try’s to push me around in an emergency my Runner was always in full control. I’ve towed my parents 4500 dry TT with their v8 4Runner with a 7000 tow capacity and it was not the greatest ride. The runner felt underpowered even though on paper everything works. Don’t underestimate how much wind drag causes your vehicle to work harder. My father even felt where the TT was pushing the car around when towing. Not a comfortable or safe feeling. The smaller wheel base is what plays the role here. It’s the reason I chose to stick with a popup vrs upgrading to a TT with my vehicle. Seeing as I tow in the mountains I knew the 4 runner just doesn’t have what it takes. When your talking about the weights your talking about towing your options are limited. 1) You can’t go by dry numbers as they are always underestimated 2) your payload on your vehicle is what you really got to look at not the tow capacity as you know. Good luck. I understand not wanting to drive a full-size truck in the city. Heck towing the popup in the city is nerve racking as it is.

 

[WrkrBee]

I see you have kayaks. We have kayaks which pose extra weight to the payload. How do you carry your kayaks? on the TV or on the TT somehow?

I haven't taken the kayaks anywhere, since we got the travel trailer. I used a homemade rack on the F150 when towing the Aliner a couple of times. I'll probably put a roof rack on the Expedition, if I take the kayaks.

 

[netslacker]

I recommend picking the TV for your regular life and squeezing into a smaller TT for the camping parts.

I think this here is it. Dial down the TT to a level towable by something we'll want to drive on a regular basis.

 

[Dean and Ferri]

We have a 2007 Fleetwood Sun Valley that has a GVWR of around 3500 pounds and we are currently towing it with a Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD that we are going to use to pull a small, (30 to 34 foot) fifth wheel with. We have in the past towed it with a 99 Tahoe and a 2001 Sierra 1500. I’d rather have too much tow vehicle than too much trailer. Strictly for safety and peace of mind.

 

[westernmassguy]

2007 Chevy Trailblazer 4x4 with 140k on the clock. It pulls a 68 starcraft popup. I pull junk with junk LOL. Not really a big vehicle. Also use it to pull utility trailers for home projects. Gets me to work in the snow as well.

 

[Steveo4090]

I tow with a lincoln navigator L with the factory towing package. It has an 8500 lb tow capacity. It's the same vehicle as a Ford expedition.
I wanted a pickup, but there's 5 of us (+ a golden retriever) and getting everyone in a pickup for even a short trip would have been miserable for all.
Had our hybrid 2 season and towed it from PA to upstate NY through the mountains and it did great, but I also don't go crazy trying to keep up with the traffic going by at warp speed. I stayed at the speed limit with little effort which was 65 for a long stretch through the hills.
I get @ 8.5 mpg while towing the htt.

 

[jdavis1123]

We are still happy with the pop up, but do tow it with a GMC Yukon XL. We bought the TV more for kids and cargo room behind a third row seat (that an adult can actually use). My wife drives it everyday with no issues. It is very quiet and handles great. The Yukon will tow most of all the trailers you have mentioned. You might want to get the Denali with the larger engine and different transmission for the largest/heaviest on your list as I believe the tow rating is 6,000 lbs for non-Denali.

 

[jhhertel]

View attachment 72738

2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport S Max Tow. Rated to pull 7600 pounds. It might be a little under powered for the mountains but here in the flat Mid-west it does just fine. Also. cool factor 100.

They make great tow vehicles for medium to small rv action. my popup is no problem at all.

 

[MOSCDENC]

I think this here is it. Dial down the TT to a level towable by something we'll want to drive on a regular basis.

I'll third that. We moved up from a Rav 4 to a Highlander XLE (5000 lbs) to pull our small pup, but then moved to a TT. When shopping we tried our best to keep it within what the Highlander could manage and sleep 4 in beds. The 193BHS is 3500 dry/4700 GVWR but I still try my best to pack light as I can as there are 4 of us camping so that weight has to be factored in as well. We never haul water in tanks and most of our camping is in the coastal plain so no real hills to speak of. We camped in upstate SC once and had no issues there. No problems keeping it around 65 and only time I noticed a struggle was driving into a heavy head wind. Those TTs are real sails. A truck would have uses, but I can't image losing 20 mpg on my 30 mile daily drive.

 

[Sean D'Haenens]

Lo

The downfall of most midsize trucks is a very low payload. Many 1/2 ton trucks have a fairly low payload as well. You have to do your math homework.

My TT is 25 ft and 6k+. I tow it with a long bed crew cab F350. The trucks payload is over 4k. Its bumper tow rating is 15k. I am good for this trailer and the next one.

Lol!

 

[JimmyM]

I tow a hybrid (6500lb GVWR) with my 2011 Ford Expedition (Rated to tow 8900lb). I use an Equalizer 1000 WDH and Sumo coil helpers in the rear to reduce drag. With LT tires, it tows great. Smooth and steady. Crosswinds aren't much of a problem. It never gets hot (engine coolant/oil or tranny). It only struggles to maintain 65 going up some of the hills on I-91 in NH. Otherwise, it's 310HP engine is adequate.

 

[chris rainer]

We went the 3/4 ton suburban route. 2006 all leather. Great shape. $4k. We only use to tow my ocean boat (4500 lbs) or our new to us 2006 starcraft 3608 (280 lbs). If i were retired it might warrant buying new but i am not so it's weekend trips a couple hours away

 

[Ladiesman]

Having always had a pick up and even my wife drives a pick up I cant tell you whats the best for your every day use. But as some have said you would want a truck with a bigger camper. I think what you said about buying the vehicle you can see yourself driving everyday and picking a camper from there is your best bet. Just remember the saying, just because it can pull it does not mean it should when looking for your combo. Safety first better to have to much tow vehicle than not enough.