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Post by tamluvspat on Jan 20, 2013 19:49:49 GMT -5
We have a 2011 Sportsmen Classic 13FKT. Our current tow vehicle is a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan which has amazingly survived several years of camping (we had a large pop up before the KZ), but feel it's time to get something newer and more set up to haul a camper. We are also hoping to upgrade our camper in a couple of years to something a bit larger. Our heads are spinning at what we should get! We are even considering getting, or leasing, a 2013 Grand Caravan (with a tow package). Was wondering if anyone had any advice on this? We feel our options are an SUV, a truck, or a minivan with a tow package. The minivan is probably the cheapest, but is it good enough?
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Post by kelley on Jan 25, 2013 21:04:42 GMT -5
Well, it's all going to depend on what kind of TT you're looking at getting. Check to see the max. weight limit on the Caravan. You're going to have to stick with a very small, lightweight camper. We are in a similar predicament. We purchased our new to us 2007 240BH Spree that weighs 4100lbs. knowing full well, our Ford Explorer Sport Trac would pull it dry, but would struggle with it loaded...max towing capacity is 5050lbs. So, we're looking for a crew cab truck or an Avalanche. If I were you, I'd look at campers and decide what you'd like to have...what features you'd like and how much they weigh.l.and add on 1000lbs for good measure. THEN decide what kind of vehicle you'll need. We thought we were going to be happy with pop-up camping when we bought the Sport Trac, but times change. You can always tow something smaller with a larger vehicle, but it doesn't work well the other way around. ;-) Best wishes on your shopping!!
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Post by ozandus on Jan 26, 2013 17:36:26 GMT -5
We purchased our new to us 2007 240BH Spree that weighs 4100lbs. knowing full well, our Ford Explorer Sport Trac would pull it dry, but would struggle with it loaded...max towing capacity is 5050lbs. So, we're looking for a crew cab truck or an Avalanche. Unless you've actually weighed your 240BH on a scale guess again! Our 2008 240BH-LX weighed 4574 lbs as it left the factory - no gas in the tanks, no battery, obviously no water in the tanks, no nothing. Loaded and ready to camp it typically ran ~ 5500 lbs, +/- a couple hundred depending on how much might be in the three holding tanks at any given time. Gross tongue weight, as measured with a Sherline tongue weight scale, typically ran ~ 750 lbs or ~ 13.6% of the trailer's typical gross weight. I towed it with a 2006 5.3L Silverado CrewCab equipped with the older wide ratio 4 speed transmission that fed a 3.42 axle and because of this always had to tow in third. The current tow vehicle is a 2005 Avalanche with the same engine, same transmission, same axle, and same results. How you'd tow your 240BH, even if it's a non-LX model, with a SportTrac is a mystery to me! |
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Post by ssnakeracer on Jan 28, 2013 7:05:35 GMT -5
The advice you 've been given so far is dead on. Know what you're going to be pulling. Know the loaded weight.....go find a truck scale, or add a generous amount to the empty number. Then match your towing vehicle to the trailer being pulled....my additional advice is go generous i.e. overmatch the numbers don't just meet them. You may want to upgrade again later on and meanwhile you're not pushing your tow vehicle all the time. The best way I've found to make vehicle comparisons is by using a towing guide. Go to google put in towing guide and you'll get a ton of info and advice on the towing/pulling combinations. Good luck. As an example here's the first thing I pulled up: www.diehlford.com/images/pdf/TOWING_GUIDE_2013.pdf |
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jnord
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 2
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Post by jnord on Feb 1, 2013 0:19:19 GMT -5
Follow the suggestions here, but you really need to know what the vehicle can handle. Remember...you have to figure out what you're putting in the tow vehicle while pulling the trailer, weights of the occupants and subtract the tongue weight. The tongue weight goes against the vehicle payload capacity...at least that's what I figured. I woke up several times in the middle of the night sweating about this before I purchased. I pull my 240BHS with a 2003 Toyota Sequoia Limited and have had no issues so far.
If you have scenarios, run them by the forum and listen to what some of the seasoned pros think!
Best of luck to you!
Jim
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Post by kelley on Feb 4, 2013 17:07:00 GMT -5
We purchased our new to us 2007 240BH Spree that weighs 4100lbs. knowing full well, our Ford Explorer Sport Trac would pull it dry, but would struggle with it loaded...max towing capacity is 5050lbs. So, we're looking for a crew cab truck or an Avalanche. Unless you've actually weighed your 240BH on a scale guess again! Our 2008 240BH-LX weighed 4574 lbs as it left the factory - no gas in the tanks, no battery, obviously no water in the tanks, no nothing. How you'd tow your 240BH, even if it's a non-LX model, with a SportTrac is a mystery to me! Actually, the 2007 240BH Spree doesn't have a slide. They added the slide for the 2008 model. Yes, our camper weighs 4100lbs. So, as I stated previously, we can and did tow our camper dry with our Sport Trac, but are not willing to tow it with our gear, etc and are LOOKING FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I wasn't actually looking for judgment, but thanks so much for giving it. ;D |
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Post by ozandus on Feb 4, 2013 20:39:51 GMT -5
Unless you've actually weighed your 240BH on a scale guess again! Our 2008 240BH-LX weighed 4574 lbs as it left the factory - no gas in the tanks, no battery, obviously no water in the tanks, no nothing. How you'd tow your 240BH, even if it's a non-LX model, with a SportTrac is a mystery to me! Actually, the 2007 240BH Spree doesn't have a slide. They added the slide for the 2008 model. Yes, our camper weighs 4100lbs. So, as I stated previously, we can and did tow our camper dry with our Sport Trac, but are not willing to tow it with our gear, etc and are LOOKING FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I wasn't actually looking for judgment, but thanks so much for giving it. ;D No where did I say your 2007 240BH has a slide ... and in fact neither did the 2008 as the side dinette slide wasn't introduced until the 2009 model year. The Recreational Vehicle Specification Nameplate for my own 2008 240BH-LX shows it weighed 4574 lbs as it sat at the factory with no options, no accessories, no gas in that tanks, no water, no nothing. If you honestly believe your own 2007 weighs just 4100 lbs it's time to drag it to a weigh scale for an honest assessment of what it really weighs.  |
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