Did a long tow with Trailer Toad - it does GREAT!!
07-16-2014, 06:39 PM
#12
Senior Member
Another viable option is a GM 3500 SRW full-size passenger van with a diesel engine. Yes, GM makes them in both Chevy and GMC brands. (Ford no longer offers a diesel engine in a van). Remove the far-back bench seat and the kids will have lots of rattling-around room for long trips. I did that way back when my kids were teeny-boppers. Behind the last remaining back seat, add 3/8th" plywood underlayment over the van floor, then add a layer of 2" high-density foam, then cover it with high-quality plush carpeting (wall-to-wall carpet). The padded carpeted area can be use to sleep or play (unless Mom insists the seat belts must be buckled). My kids loved it.
Here's one I "build & priced" that would make a nice family hauler that can tow a good-sized TT without being overloaded:
2014 GMC Savana passenger 3500 Regular Wheelbase 2LT - Diesel
MSRP starting at $48,530
Destination Freight Charge $995
Options
Standard color $0
16" steel wheels $0
Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel engine (included in base price)
6-speed automatic, heavy-duty transmission Standard
3.54 axle ratio $0
7-pin sealed connector trailer wiring $65
Audio system with navigation $1,400
USB port $0
12-passenger seating $0
Front bucket seats with Custom Cloth trim Standard
SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with 3 trial months $0 (included with navigation)
Seat adjuster, driver 6-way power $275
Steering wheel, leather-wrapped $185
Steering-wheel mounted audio controls $0
Rear-window defogger $155
16" all-season blackwall spare tire $0
Outside heated power-adjustable Black mirrors $115
Rear Park Assist $295
Rear Vision Camera $200
Accessories
Wireless Network Interface $535
Splash Guards - Front Molded $55
Hitch Trailering Package $200
Options and Accessories Total $3,480**
Total MSRP $53,005
http://www.gmc.com/savana-passenger-...-zipcode=79782#
Here's one I "build & priced" that would make a nice family hauler that can tow a good-sized TT without being overloaded:
2014 GMC Savana passenger 3500 Regular Wheelbase 2LT - Diesel
MSRP starting at $48,530
Destination Freight Charge $995
Options
Standard color $0
16" steel wheels $0
Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel engine (included in base price)
6-speed automatic, heavy-duty transmission Standard
3.54 axle ratio $0
7-pin sealed connector trailer wiring $65
Audio system with navigation $1,400
USB port $0
12-passenger seating $0
Front bucket seats with Custom Cloth trim Standard
SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with 3 trial months $0 (included with navigation)
Seat adjuster, driver 6-way power $275
Steering wheel, leather-wrapped $185
Steering-wheel mounted audio controls $0
Rear-window defogger $155
16" all-season blackwall spare tire $0
Outside heated power-adjustable Black mirrors $115
Rear Park Assist $295
Rear Vision Camera $200
Accessories
Wireless Network Interface $535
Splash Guards - Front Molded $55
Hitch Trailering Package $200
Options and Accessories Total $3,480**
Total MSRP $53,005
http://www.gmc.com/savana-passenger-...-zipcode=79782#
My options for the next RV will likely either be something with this toad, a 6-door 1 ton dually and a 5'er (don't laugh -- there is a company around here who makes a real nice looking one, you just give them the truck and about $10k), or (most likely) a motorhome. But this toad gives us the option of an 8-9k lb trailer that could be towed by a nice family vehicle that we would have anyway. I have little doubt an Ecoboost Expedition would move it along just fine, providing they make one with decent ratings and gears.
07-16-2014, 09:46 PM
#13
And....I believe the Expedition has a 7500 lb GVWR (that may be the Heavy Duty Tow Pkg).
You definitely want the HD Tow Pkg - it has a 15,000 lb GCWR. Without the HD Tow Pkg the GCWR is rather low.
You might not load an Expedition to its GVWR, but it's pretty easy to do with a family and all the stuff they carry along on a trip - although hopefully a lot would be in the TT.
However, even if you can keep the Expedition down to 7000 lbs, subtract that from the GCWR and you get a max tow capability of 8000 lbs.
My older Trailer Toad weighs about 200 lbs, but I think the newer ones with a heavier duty axle may weigh about 300 lbs.
That would leave you 7700 lbs for the max weight of a wet and loaded TT. But it would be a comfortable tow with none of the tongue weight on the TV.
.
07-16-2014, 10:53 PM
#14
Senior Member
Hmmmm....I don't believe the Expedition comes with anything but the 5.4L V8. And....I believe the Expedition has a 7500 lb GVWR (that may be the Heavy Duty Tow Pkg). You definitely want the HD Tow Pkg - it has a 15,000 lb GCWR. Without the HD Tow Pkg the GCWR is rather low. You might not load an Expedition to its GVWR, but it's pretty easy to do with a family and all the stuff they carry along on a trip - although hopefully a lot would be in the TT. However, even if you can keep the Expedition down to 7000 lbs, subtract that from the GCWR and you get a max tow capability of 8000 lbs. My older Trailer Toad weighs about 200 lbs, but I think the newer ones with a heavier duty axle may weigh about 300 lbs. That would leave you 7700 lbs for the max weight of a wet and loaded TT. But it would be a comfortable tow with none of the tongue weight on the TV. .
07-17-2014, 08:19 AM
#15
Senior Member
"Ford is estimating the max tow rating of the EcoBoosted Expedition at 9200 pounds."
http://www.ford.com/suvs/expedition/2015/
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...-and-info-news
Last edited by xcntrk; 07-17-2014 at 08:24 AM.
07-17-2014, 09:46 AM
#16
Aha!! That might be a really nice family tow vehicle!
Like the F150, the published weight that it can tow is always based on a stripped down/no options vehicle, and the payload capacity will be what determines the actual tongue weight you can really load onto it. And the GCWR will probably limit the tow to much less than that published "sales brochure" weight.
And, the suspension on the SUVs is commonly even softer than our trucks.
But....with something like the Trailer Toad carrying up to a couple thousand lbs of tongue weight, as long as your rig doesn't exceed the GCWR you're good to go!
.
Like the F150, the published weight that it can tow is always based on a stripped down/no options vehicle, and the payload capacity will be what determines the actual tongue weight you can really load onto it. And the GCWR will probably limit the tow to much less than that published "sales brochure" weight.
And, the suspension on the SUVs is commonly even softer than our trucks.
But....with something like the Trailer Toad carrying up to a couple thousand lbs of tongue weight, as long as your rig doesn't exceed the GCWR you're good to go!
.
Last edited by KR Kodi; 07-17-2014 at 09:53 AM.
07-17-2014, 01:26 PM
#17
Senior Member
"For the first time ever, the Expedition will be powered by an advanced EcoBoost® engine – a standard 3.5L V6."
"Ford is estimating the max tow rating of the EcoBoosted Expedition at 9200 pounds."
http://www.ford.com/suvs/expedition/2015/
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...-and-info-news
"Ford is estimating the max tow rating of the EcoBoosted Expedition at 9200 pounds."
http://www.ford.com/suvs/expedition/2015/
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...-and-info-news