Need tow vehicle - preferably under 10k

[Andrewmart]

I'm looking for a vehicle for our travel trailer. My wife likes the sportsmen 301BHLE. It is 33 feet long and hitch weight of 880. Gross trailer weight is 8000. We both like the double bunk bed options and it's within our budget.


I'm hoping to get TV under 10k if possible (not sure that exists). This would likely just be used for towing trailer several times a year (10-15 times). The hard part is we have 4 children, and it would be preferable to all fit in one vehicle. I looked at the excursion but read differing opinions on whether it could tow something that big. I've also heard about getting a van but don't know where to start with that. Not opposed to getting a 3/4 ton pick up but then we'd have to take two vehicles, which is a little but of a hassle.

We currently have a F150 without HD tow package and 2017 expedition with HD tow package.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[patperry2766]

Andrewmart wrote:
I'm looking for a vehicle for our travel trailer. My wife likes the sportsmen 301BHLE. It is 33 feet long and hitch weight of 880. Gross trailer weight is 8000. We both like the double bunk bed options and it's within our budget.


I'm hoping to get TV under 10k if possible (not sure that exists). This would likely just be used for towing trailer several times a year (10-15 times). The hard part is we have 4 children, and it would be preferable to all fit in one vehicle. I looked at the excursion but read differing opinions on whether it could tow something that big. I've also heard about getting a van but don't know where to start with that. Not opposed to getting a 3/4 ton pick up but then we'd have to take two vehicles, which is a little but of a hassle.

We currently have a F150 without HD tow package and 2017 expedition with HD tow package.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

The second sentence is confusing. Do you already own this trailer, or is it one you're wife likes and wants to buy? If you don't already own this trailer, can you find something else that will work that won't necessitate the need to purchase a third vehicle?

[anw7405]

Well I haven't been on here in a while but I was kicking around the option of selling my 8.1 3/4 ton burb. If any one is interested I might sell it. Its a 2005 gmc yukon xl 3/4 ton 8.1. Very rare indeed. I pull my 38' 10K trailer with it all the time (with 4 kids)with no problems whatsoever. It's rock solid mechanically but does have some normal wear and tear. I think it has a bit over 200k on the clock. I can check if anyone is interested.

[Lantley]

My prior rig was a diesel Excursion pulling a 36' TT with a Hensley hitch . It was a great combo.
I eventually upgraded to my current 5th wheel. While my 5th wheel is a drastic improvement over my TT in terms of space.
My crew cab pick up is a step backwards in terms of space.
Passenger space is a key factor to enjoying the camping experience.
An SUV or a van will provide a lot more room for passengers that any crew cab pick up.
With 4 kids don't underestimate the need for ample passenger space especially on long trips. A crew cab pick up is cramped when compared to a SUV or van.

[Fordlover]

Andrewmart wrote:
So after thinking it over, we are gonna go with a 3/4 truck. Looking at a 2013-2016 either ram 2500 or Ford f250. I'm assuming all of those would be capable of towing our TT with a ProPride hitch. I've run the numbers and we are well within payload, hitch and total towing capacity. Will this type of truck make the drive better?

I expect it will be more a more stable tow, it will still move a bit, but shouldn't make you uneasy. My gas F250 has a payload of 3K and is solid going down the road, even without the weight distributing bars installed.

But on windy days, I'm glad I install the Sway control and know it is working.

[Grit_dog]

Haven't seen a TT out there that was too much for any newer HD pickup. You can have good confidence that whatever you get will tow it more than adequately.

[LanceRKeys]

Yes it will make it better, but you still need to have everything set up correctly. Also keep an eye out for a single rear wheel 350/3500, same size, more payload.

[Andrewmart]

So after thinking it over, we are gonna go with a 3/4 truck. Looking at a 2013-2016 either ram 2500 or Ford f250. I'm assuming all of those would be capable of towing our TT with a ProPride hitch. I've run the numbers and we are well within payload, hitch and total towing capacity. Will this type of truck make the drive better?

[carringb]

APT wrote:
Gross weight of 8000 pounds with only 880 pounds of TW? I find that unlikely. Anyway, we agree on the compromises. But an Ecoboost Expy (1215+) for $10k budget?

He already owns the Expy

[APT]

Gross weight of 8000 pounds with only 880 pounds of TW? I find that unlikely. Anyway, we agree on the compromises. But an Ecoboost Expy (1215+) for $10k budget?

[carringb]

APT wrote:

carringb wrote:

The Chevy Express 6.0 with the 6-speed is good too but only has a 16,000# GCWR. Because of the higher curb weight, this means it can only tow about 500 pounds more than an Expedition, and the Expedition EcoBoost has WAY more torque on hand. The 6.0 has to spin fast to make power.

Power of Ecoboost means it will tow faster. But an Expedition has about half the payload of GM 1-ton van, so if you load up both with people and cargo, that 500 Tow rating advantage on paper grows quickly with larger families.

Yes, that's true. However the OP has 4 kids. Even if everybody in the family averaged 160 pounds, he could still pull the trailer he referencing with the Expedition he has now. The Express van would provide more payload that he doesn't necessarily need, while delivering less power and having fuel economy.

[APT]

carringb wrote:

The Chevy Express 6.0 with the 6-speed is good too but only has a 16,000# GCWR. Because of the higher curb weight, this means it can only tow about 500 pounds more than an Expedition, and the Expedition EcoBoost has WAY more torque on hand. The 6.0 has to spin fast to make power.

Power of Ecoboost means it will tow faster. But an Expedition has about half the payload of GM 1-ton van, so if you load up both with people and cargo, that 500 Tow rating advantage on paper grows quickly with larger families.

[jerem0621]

carringb wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
I have a Buddy who has a Pioneer 30bh quad bunkhouse and he has an 07 Expedition EL. The thing tows the trailer very well. We have some dialing in to do on the Weight Distribution hitch, other than getting the full floating axles I don’t see much of an advantage with the Excursion.

Jeremiah

FYI - The Expedition has full-float axles too! It's a necessary part of IRS:)

You are absolutely correct!

Thanks for the clarification!

Jeremiah

[carringb]

A couple more notes on the Excursion...

The Excursion only got the 4R100 transmission, except behind the 6.0PSD. Stay away from the 6.0 unless you really like tow trucks and repairs shops.

The 4R100 can be made strong, but it's gear ratios are simply too far apart. The stock programming behind the 7.3L leaves the torque converter unlocked too much, and that's why it eats them. They hold up fine behind the V10 (mine has 482,000 miles, still haven't touched the tranny other than doing fluid about every 100k), but the ratios suck. Mine works out ok with deep gears, the Banks Powerpack, and a 5-star tune. But the 5R110 just works better especially behind the V10. And you can't get this in an Excursion. Only in the 2005 and newer E350 vans. But they are getting hard to find, since 2014 was the last year for the factory van body, and lots of folks are scooping up used V10s to convert into 4x4 camper vans. So V10s end up being a hefty premium over the V8.

The Chevy Express 6.0 with the 6-speed is good too but only has a 16,000# GCWR. Because of the higher curb weight, this means it can only tow about 500 pounds more than an Expedition, and the Expedition EcoBoost has WAY more torque on hand. The 6.0 has to spin fast to make power.

[carringb]

jerem0621 wrote:
I have a Buddy who has a Pioneer 30bh quad bunkhouse and he has an 07 Expedition EL. The thing tows the trailer very well. We have some dialing in to do on the Weight Distribution hitch, other than getting the full floating axles I don’t see much of an advantage with the Excursion.

Jeremiah

FYI - The Expedition has full-float axles too! It's a necessary part of IRS:)