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Old 05-17-2018, 12:46 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Scottyb1707 View Post
Our Expy has the 5.4 V8, perhaps the EcoBoost would provide more power.

Enjoy
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That's like saying perhaps a lion is stronger than a housecat. Having owned both, there really is no comparison in power between the 5.4L and the 3.5L Ecoboost. Mileage is much better as well. In almost identical truck layouts, my 5.4 got a best mileage of something like 18.4 over a long highway trip. My 2018 3.5EB just got 21.4 on a mostly highway trip. And I was milking the 5.4 but driving normal with my EB.
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Old 05-17-2018, 12:58 PM   #22
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On the way back from RV Wholesalers after the purchase.
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Old 05-17-2018, 02:06 PM   #23
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My only advice would be to make sure that you stay well under your capacities if you want to keep that same tow vehicle for a while. I spent a long time reading on this forum before buying my first trailer. I went to the dealer with a specific model in mind but after walking through it and several others I ended up with a different model. The wildwood 28dbud that I purchased was, on paper, within the tow capacities of the 2013 Tahoe with the HD towing package that I had at the time. With the Husky centerline ts wdh, tongue weight limited me to traveling with just the family and dogs in the vehicle - that was fine, everything else went in the trailer anyway. The wdh is great - very little sway with the tahoe pulling the trailer. On the flats or rolling hills that are around me here in north Texas I was happy with the setup. Then I took a 2000 mile round trip through northern AZ and NM. I now have a 2016 F250 with the 6.7L diesel.
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Old 05-18-2018, 04:23 AM   #24
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Here's our 2012 Tahoe pulling a 29' Salem Cruise Lite. Our Tahoe has a tow rating of 8200 LBS. We use a basic Curt WDH with chains and sway bar. It took a couple of tries to get the WDH dialed in. It tows excellent once dialed in. We tow mostly to the Sierra Nevada mountains from southern Calif. Tahoe has 5.3 V8 with 3.42 rear ends. Click image for larger version

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Old 05-18-2018, 04:28 AM   #25
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A neighbor at the uHaul storage pulls a midsized airstream with a Subaru Outback. They use a weight distribution hitch and claim to be legal.

Legal is a important term. Over loading your tow vehicle can exempt you from insurance coverage. That would fall under negligence and you would be liable for any damages or losses incurred by you.

If you look you can find idiots who will tow 13,000 lb trailers with a vehicle rated for 7000 lbs.

If you are not ready to upgrade your tow vehicle then you can buy a very lightweight TT either in pop-up or hybrid. I've seen some nice TT that weigh less than 3000 lbs.

Have fun and take a little extra money because your fuel economy will tank.
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Old 05-18-2018, 05:01 AM   #26
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just remember a SUV will have softer rear suspension and lower payload capacities.
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Old 05-18-2018, 05:34 AM   #27
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I have a 2004 4WD 4.0L v6 4Runner and use to tow a 2013 HW277. It towed ok but I knew it was behind me. A year later we upgraded the wife's car to a 2017 Ford Explorer Sport, with the 3.5L EB I didn't even know the HW277 was behind us.

We have since upgraded from the HW277 to a Roo 19. This new trailer is pushing the limits of our Explorer (weights) but the Ecoboost has plenty of power.

I will post pictures as I find them...Click image for larger version

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Old 05-18-2018, 05:45 AM   #28
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I have been looking into buying a travel trailer but only have my SUV and don't really want to change it. Reading over various posts on multiple forums it seems most people seem to jump to trucks for towing but the SUV towing population is growing. So I was curious for those of you who are towing with an SUV would you post a picture/description of what your towing and what your towing with? It would also be interesting to know what wdh or sway controls your using if any and how that's working out.

I've seen the various posts discussing how bad suvs are at towing and don't really want to get into that discussion here. If done right it shouldn't be an issue.
Towing a 2018 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104s with 2003 Toyota Sequoia 4.7l V8 with Andersen WDH, & Tekonsha P3 brake controller. Good sway control and able to return proper weight to steering axle with the WDH. Tow mainly in MD, PA, & VA. Not sure I would take it out west but I’m satisfied with the setup for where we travel now.

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Old 05-18-2018, 06:52 AM   #29
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This is great to see all of your setups and very good extra info so far. The more I look up specs and compare you really have to be careful with all your specs. It's easy to have a couple in but another out.

Have any of you tried one of the electronic anti sway devices? Apparently they use the trailer brakes without user intervention to stabilize the tt. The ones I've seen look like they use the left and right brakes independently.
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Old 05-18-2018, 07:23 AM   #30
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I tow with a 5.3 tahoe with the towing package.My trailer is less than 3000# dry weight.No problem there but realize like others mentioned you are pulling a wind sail behind you.I agree with another poster that really 50 to 60% of tow capacity makes alot better experience.With the this vehicle I would stay at 4500# or less from my past travels.Not alot of flat country around here.From some of my friends and what i see at the campgrounds you get into 6-7000lb trailers a 3/4 ton truck looks alot better and diesel a plus for travels cross country.Much easier on vehicle and driver.
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Old 05-18-2018, 08:19 AM   #31
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When we got our first camper we didnt even have an SUV. So I borrowed my mom's 2002 trailblazer. 5000 # limit. I wanted as big as possible. Went with a Rockwood Roo 19. Dual axle. No slide. Box is 19 feet. It is a hybrid. So when open it was about 25 feet long. We went hybrid over pop up because easier to set up. If we get to the camp ground in bad weather. We can turtle. Leave the ends closed, and still use the camper and sleep if needed. Plus it has all.of the features and amenities of a fully enclosed big travel trailer. As far as towing, we it was fine, but we knew it was back there. Have to be careful when we were passed by trucks, the air void created between the vehicles could pull the trailer towards the truck. Freaks you out until you start to expect it, then no big deal. Dont forget you will need to install a brake controller. After using my mom's suv for a year, we bought an F150. Huge difference. Didnt know it was there anymore. So yes the SUV can tow it. A hybrid is gives you the most trailer with the lowest weight. And when you are ready for that next vehicle get the half ton. Much better towing experience, and then you have options should you want to go bigger with another trailer.
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Old 06-19-2018, 09:15 AM   #32
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There is a lot of good info in this thread.

It was said earlier. You have to do the math. It's not just the tow rating that matters.

That said, here is my SUV setup with an Equilizer 4 point WDH.

From my experience with the 3.5 TT EB engine, I average 9 mpg when towing.
Trip from PA to FL - 9mpg
Travel through WIndiana and Nebraska - 6.5 mpg.
Travel from Jackson Hole to West Yellowstone - 13.5 mpg (must have been all downhill).

Have Fun and Good luck with your decision.
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Old 06-19-2018, 10:41 AM   #33
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Nice setup....where type of bike rack do you have and would that void the warranty if installed on a new roo? I have seen some attaching the rack to the back once they beef up/weld the back end.
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Old 06-19-2018, 10:57 AM   #34
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Nice setup....where type of bike rack do you have and would that void the warranty if installed on a new roo? I have seen some attaching the rack to the back once they beef up/weld the back end.
I don't want to hijack the thread so search my user name and these topics. I would post the links but I'm on the mobile app and do not know how to do that.

- 200th post making it count (results at end)
- Up in front is out in front of the competition.
- Mount-n-Lock Safety Struts.

I have 2 bikes in the front and 2 on the rear to balance the load.

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Old 06-19-2018, 11:13 AM   #35
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The only SUV truly equipped for towing is an Excursion. They have been out of production for 13 years but are still highly sought after.


Modern day SUVs are really just expensive station wagons, designed for comfort and transportation duties. There was a time when an SUV was a truck but people complained they rode rough and drove like a truck so the manufacturers adjusted and the car/SUV was created.
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Old 06-19-2018, 11:35 AM   #36
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The only SUV truly equipped for towing is an Excursion. They have been out of production for 13 years but are still highly sought after.


Modern day SUVs are really just expensive station wagons, designed for comfort and transportation duties. There was a time when an SUV was a truck but people complained they rode rough and drove like a truck so the manufacturers adjusted and the car/SUV was created.
WRONG!!! Stop spreading bad info.
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Old 06-19-2018, 11:58 AM   #37
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WRONG!!! Stop spreading bad info.
I am providing correct information.

Many SUVs are built on a unibody chassis eliminating the full frame construction limiting towing capacity. SUVs are also short wheel based, not ideal for pulling a travel trailer.

The Expedition EL and Suburban chassis based GM products are the largest SUVs available but are based on a 1/2 ton platform. When the Subrurban 2500 and Excursion went away the amount an SUV can tow became greatly limited.
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Old 06-19-2018, 03:55 PM   #38
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When evaluating your towing vehicle, look at more than weight. The frontal area of the trailer also enters the equation. I found this out the hard way. My old Ranger was rated to tow something like 7,000 lbs., but the frontal area of my camper was way more than specified. On its first voyage pulling the trailer, I named it the Little Ranger that Could, because I had to put it in 4X low range to make it up the last few switchbacks to the place we were going to camp, 10,000' high in the Rockies. The next year, I had an F150. A popup will solve the frontal area problem, but there's lots of tradeoffs, one being that on account of bears, some national parks will not let you stay overnight with a canvas sided unit. Another consideration is that with a heavier tow vehicle, you will have more control of the load.
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Old 06-19-2018, 04:05 PM   #39
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A SUV on a truck platform is not the same as a Unibody SUV. They have more capabilities and are generally stronger. I pulled my pop-up for years with zero issues.

I agree with the other posts though that you need to be careful.. it's pretty easy to go overboard with a SUV.. I did and now I learned my lesson.. New-to-us F350 it is.. Click image for larger version

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Old 06-19-2018, 05:14 PM   #40
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A popup will solve the frontal area problem, but there's lots of tradeoffs, one being that on account of bears, some national parks will not let you stay overnight with a canvas sided unit.
Not sure what National Parks you speaking about.

As far as I know, the only National Park campground, that has a permanent ban on soft-sided campers, is Yellowstone's Fishing Bridge campground.
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