What options for a full size SUV as TV?

[greti]

I am looking at TV options but need an SUV as it is also a family and work vehicle. Just upgraded TT to a Rockwood 2504s which is just under 26 ft long and has a dry weight under 4400lbs. Right now I'm seeing few options other than Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia, or Tahoe/ Suburban? Am I missing any? Any suggestions?

[davel1971]

any of those properly equipped would be a good decision. Guess it just comes down to personal preference of what works for you. Just make sure since you are buying it for towing, it has all options to go along with it.

[DDC]

I'm using a VW TDI Touareg pulls my 29ft surveyor 264 great and I get great milage to.

[Triguy]

Greti,

I'm not familiar with all of the SUVs out there nowadays, but the three you mentioned were the ones I looked at in 2007 when I bought. I didn't know about the Touareg so that sounds like a good option, too.

The big tow rating to pay attention to is the payload for the truck as your camper is probably going to weigh around 5,500-5,700lbs fully loaded for a trip.

A moderate 13% tongue weight is going to give you a TW of 720lbs or a bit more that will subtract from the payload. The remainder is for your family, all of the stuff that you will carry in the truck plus any accessories on the truck. Payload can go fast.

If you have young children, plan on the fact they grow fast. My three kids are a cumulative 110lbs more than when I bought this current trailer.

[davel1971]

Triguy is right. Family only gets bigger as does the load of stuff they bring. I would pay just as much attention to payload as trailer tow rating. Bigger is always better in this case, and leaves you a little room if you upgrade your TT in the future

[MagnoliaTom]

I use a diesel Excursion to tow my camper. It's also my wife's daily driver. It could pull just about anything.

[BigBaron]

Yup, family gets bigger and the trailer gets bigger. So then the TV gets bigger... It's a vicious circle!
Just wait until you have a 12 year-old son that is over 6 feet tall. It gets interesting real fast.

[MagnoliaTom]

Originally Posted by BigBaron

Yup, family gets bigger and the trailer gets bigger. So then the TV gets bigger... It's a vicious circle!
Just wait until you have a 12 year-old son that is over 6 feet tall. It gets interesting real fast.

So true. That's why I have a big trailer and TV now, so that we can grow into them and I won't have to upgrade every few years. My 3 kids are under 9 years of age now and I believe our rig will suit us until they get into their teens. They'll probably not want to go camping with us by that time do wife and I will have a lot more room

[MeepMeep]

Take it from a guy who thought that his tow vehicle was big enough the first time - get biggest truck or SUV that you can cuz your first camper is hardly ever your last. We started out with a RAM Hemi towing a Flagstaff 8528IWKS ultra lite (7800lbs empty). Towed like a dream thru the flats, but even with 390HP, the truck sometimes struggled up thru the hills. After a trip through west Texas, we resolved to get 1. something with a diesel and 2. get the highest tow rating we could afford. Long story short, we now feel VERY comfortable towing ANYTHING because we settled on a RAM 6.7L Cummins Dually with 800lbft of torque. The tow vehicle makes the whole experience of "getting there" much, much more comfortable.....

Of course there's a downside: wife decided that since we had a bigger truck, why not have a bigger rig...but that's another whole story. Have fun!!

[campingwilliamsons]

Ford Expedition/Expedition EL is one you are missing.

However, depending on how many seats you need, you maybe better suited with a full size passenger van. The 3/4ton and 1 ton options that are out there will surely handle any payload you throw at them. Any new SUV is going to be hamstrung with payload issues right out of the gate. There are no more new offerings in 3/4 ton SUV.

[cmptrkd]

Campingwilliamsons is right. I used an Expedition to pull our 35' Montana until we upgraded to a 5th wheel. I put 99,000 extremely hard miles on that truck, and other then brakes, tires, and 1 new battery, I didn't sink any major money into it. I know there are ford and chevy people out there who are hard core brand dedicated. The one thing I like in the Ford over the Chevy/GMC products are the 3rd row folds flat into the floor and depending on the model you get, it's powered and all you do is push a button. The Chevy/GMC the seat folds down onto itself and then flips up. This takes up valuable space. If you need it removed to haul something, it's bulky and slightly heavy for one person to do... and you've got to store it. Lastly, for whatever reason, the Ford doesn't hold it's value quite as well so if you're looking for a gently used one, 1 or 2 years old.... they're a bargain! We bought ours 1 year old and it was certified with a bumper to bumper warranty until 75,000 miles. We paid $1,500 more then half of sticker price when new. What a bargain and a super reliable family friendly tow beast. I pushed the limits and was at 12,800lbs significantly over it's 9900 tow rating yet it never gave up on me.

[MagnoliaTom]

Originally Posted by campingwilliamsons

Ford Expedition/Expedition EL is one you are missing.

However, depending on how many seats you need, you maybe better suited with a full size passenger van. The 3/4ton and 1 ton options that are out there will surely handle any payload you throw at them. Any new SUV is going to be hamstrung with payload issues right out of the gate. There are no more new offerings in 3/4 ton SUV.

It's really too bad because I know plenty of folks that would like a new Excursion or a new 2500 suburban with a diesel.

[greti]

Thanks for the responses! I'm kind of leaning towards a used SUV only to use as a TV. This information will help me.

[Cover Dog]

I would stay away from the Nissan. I had a 2004 Nissan Titan LE (from new 2004-2013) and it had the worse gas mileage of any vehicle I have ever had. IIRC the Armada needs to run on premium fuel.

Repairs were also frequent and costly. Can't just go to NAPA for parts, most were dealer only. When I got rid of it the body was fine but the frame was almost gone from N.E. Ohio winters.

[autorot8]

Originally Posted by greti

I am looking at TV options but need an SUV as it is also a family and work vehicle. Just upgraded TT to a Rockwood 2504s which is just under 26 ft long and has a dry weight under 4400lbs. Right now I'm seeing few options other than Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia, or Tahoe/ a Am I missing any? Any suggestions?

Have you considered a 1 ton passenger van (Chevy Express, E350, Nissan NV passenger)? Often cheaper than suv with more payload.

[Talonman]

I am eyeing up an GL320/350 for a TV but you cant miss with the GM, I know nothing about the Japanese ones other than I found them overpriced.

[BiigDaddy]

I did the same search just over a year ago. The factors (kids, TT weight) put me into Suburban 2500 territory, but I could not choke down the $60,000+ pricetag! My solution was a 2013 GMC Savana 2500 and a nice set of custom wheels and tires for about HALF the price, not to mention a lot more towing capacity. The kids all have a row to call their own and it is truly comfortable to travel in...

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by BiigDaddy

I did the same search just over a year ago. The factors (kids, TT weight) put me into Suburban 2500 territory, but I could not choke down the $60,000+ pricetag! My solution was a 2013 GMC Savana 2500 and a nice set of custom wheels and tires for about HALF the price, not to mention a lot more towing capacity. The kids all have a row to call their own and it is truly comfortable to travel in...

Good looking tow vehicle!

[greti]

I never considered a full size van but I'll look into it as well!

[campingwilliamsons]

Fullsize vans offer some advantages, primarily fuel economy and payload. They will give you ~15% bump in fuel economy as compared to most 1/2 pickups.