Recommended vehicles to tow a 7000 lb camper

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Gillys Travels

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Feb 24, 2013
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Hello,
First I'd like to thank the Forum Staff and membership for all the helpful information.  I was getting frustrated searching for answers online until I found this site!

I have been towing a pop-up camper with my Town & Country minivan for the last 5 years, and have had good success with that.  However, I have been given an opportunity to purchase a Dutchman Classic 22' that has a GVWR of 7000 lbs.  At first, I considered whether or not my minivan could pull this, but after reading in this forum I see that is out of the question!

So my question is, do you have any recommendations for what vehicle I would need to pull a 7000 lb camper?  A better question would be, is there an easy way to search online for vehicles based upon their towing capacity?

If anyone could help answer these questions, I would be very appreciative!  Thanks again!
David Gilbert
 
A 1/2-ton Tundra with the 5.7 motor and the HD tow package. They are a great TV IMHO. Actually any of the newer 1/2 ton PUs with the HD tow package would pull/handle that trailer with ease.
 
Chevy Suburban 2500, Ford Expedition.........

Are you thinking truck or SUV? If truck, have you considered a crewcab?

You should be fine with a 1/2 ton but you'd be at the upper limits of your payload and rear axle ratings if you are also carrying passengers and cargo.

I have an '06 Silverado 1500HD. It has a 300# camper shell, 150# bedside and I carry a lot of stuff in the bed (firewood, tools, etc). A 700-800# tongue wt would put me right at the limits. There is a lot more to consider than just the trailer weight.
 
Hi David, and welcome to the forum.  Yeah...your mini-van ain't gonna cut it.  So what will...check out the towing guides here.  These go all the way back to 1999, so you should find the perfect vehicle for your trailer.  After perusing these (you'll be cross-eyed before long), come back with any specific questions and we'll be here to answer.

http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/
 
The Trailer Life annual towing guide lists tow capacities for just about every conceivable configuration of most all common brands of tow vehicles. Do your shopping via computer!

http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/
 
edjunior said:
check out the towing guides here.  These go all the way back to 1999, so you should find the perfect vehicle for your trailer. http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/
Great info. Thanks for posting.
 
All the towing guides show are the tow ratings of vehicles. That rating alone is only a starting place. On most vehicles, one must subtract the weight of cargo and passengers. Be sure to understand payload ratings and axle ratings. Even check the tire ratings. Be sure to check to see if the vehicle is rated for a WDH (most truck chassis are). 

Here's a good place to study tow ratings:
http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-tt.shtml

I'd certainly recommend studying the info in that site before investing in a new TV......
 
A modern half ton will pull it OK if you're mostly in the flat lands.  If you tow a lot in the high country and up & down steep grades, it wouldn't be a bad idea to step up into a 2500/F250 series of truck.  My TT grosses out at just under 8K lbs, and I tow mostly in very high elevations up steep roads.  A half ton would be at the ragged edge.  The closer you get to the limits of the truck, the less fun towing is.

And do check the charts....even the Gas 2500 Chevy has a huge variance in towing capability based on whether you get the 3.73 or 4.10 axle. 
 
Thanks so much edjunior and Gary RV Roamer for the trailer life link!!!  You have taken hours off my searching!! Thanks to all the rest for your comments as well!
David
 
before you jump on the mini van not being able to tow a 22fter train, check out this place in canada that has set up many toyota sienna and other mini van to pull stuff your size and large.

http://www.canamrv.ca/hitch-hints/

not every thing is so cut and dry..

 
carl2591 said:
before you jump on the mini van not being able to tow a 22fter train, check out this place in canada that has set up many toyota sienna and other mini van to pull stuff your size and large.

http://www.canamrv.ca/hitch-hints/

not every thing is so cut and dry..
YEE GADS!!!!!! Not on this forum too....... :eek:
 
carl2591 said:
before you jump on the mini van not being able to tow a 22fter train, check out this place in canada that has set up many toyota sienna and other mini van to pull stuff your size and large.

http://www.canamrv.ca/hitch-hints/

not every thing is so cut and dry..

The obituary will be if you try that where I live......



 
Tom said:
Anyone care to explain this to me  ???

Don't know about the "this forum too" thing, but if I had to guess, the same information is being disseminated elsewhere...

The obituary is what you'll be reading if someone tries to tow a 7000 lb trailer with a Sienna Minivan in the NM high country.....{screeeeeechhhh!!!......splat}  ;)
 

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