Towing with SUV vs. Truck in terms of payload

[Jim Arnold]

Ok newbie here. I just did the math, I have a 2015 21.8 ft Sport, 4500 lbs. I pull it with a 2014 BMW X5-6000lb pulling capacity. That gives me 1500 lbs to play with.

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by Jim Arnold

Ok newbie here. I just did the math, I have a 2015 21.8 ft Sport, 4500 lbs. I pull it with a 2014 BMW X5-6000lb pulling capacity. That gives me 1500 lbs to play with.

Good. Towing capacity is one calculation. The other is payload. What is the payload capacity of your X5?

Subtract the tongue weight of your AS from that, and that's what you have left for cargo and passengers on your X5.

[Atsushi]

Thanks again for great discussion. We initially thought FC20 would be sufficient for us because 90% of the time, it's just two of us and a dog.

Once a year, my folks from Japan come to visit us, and when and if we take them to a week long trip, it'll be 4 people and a dog (530 lbs = 160 lbs + 130 lbs + 110 lbs + 90 lbs + 40 lbs). So if we get FC20 (Tongue weight 631 lbs rating ~800lbs actual?), a properly equipped Jeep GC seems to be able to do it.

Family on my wife's side is a bigger challenge. While it is highly unlikely that all of them want to come with us on a weekend trip, if they ever did, it'll be 3 additional adults and two kids. So FC23 still seems too small. But with two cars and a tent, it seems doable.

I really like GC, but if we have FC23, with its tongue weight of 779~1,000 lbs, I don't think we can safely bring 4 people (my folks don't drive).

Having read everyone's input here, I'm beginning to be convinced that a pick-up truck is the option with the least number of question marks. It also seems to give us more flexibility in the future if we ever want to go bigger and bring more stuff.

Thanks!

Atsushi

[Shiny16]

Konichiwa
If you do look at the GC make sure to look at the yellow door stickers. I guarantee everyone you look at will have a max payload of 1050. With that said we have 2015 v6 limited and it works great for us but we are towing a 16.
Jimmy

[Starlight Mike]

A 2500 or 3500 Suburban/Yukon with the big diesel, not the small one, would be the ideal TV.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Milo1952

If I may ask, what kind of gs mileage are you getting with your TV

Take the EPA Average and deduct 40%. Will get you into the ballpark


1990 35' Silver Streak
2004 555 Cummins

[Rocinante]

Just a quick personal note. Please do not presume to tell me that a big truck is automatically safer and proof against towing accidents.

Don't want to dive deep into a fruitless towing discussion, but in the video below skip forward to 0:47 and note the 1-Ton Dually truck tossed around like a toy by its 5th wheel trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwOqARlw1EI

[rostam]

To paraphrase another forum member: Just because a 10 pound grocery bag fails, it does not mean it cannot hold twice as much as a 5 pound grocery bag.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by EarlM

I do not understand why folks want to tow a large trailer with a toy truck ...with the small truck comes small brakes and tires. it just appears some on here just want to prove common sense wrong!

Towing is only one part of the equation- Stopping and handling and safety are the others

just my 2 cents

Earl

Well said, Earl !

We should enter this photo for the most ridiculous TV ...


*** we staged it, of course and tow with a 2500 at reasonable speeds of 55-65mph (16-20 mpg).
The exhaust brake alone on the diesel option is worth the increase in cost when we hit the local mountainous down hill roads... making what used to be a hairy experience into a non concern.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

Just a quick personal note. Please do not presume to tell me that a big truck is automatically safer and proof against towing accidents.

Don't want to dive deep into a fruitless towing discussion, but in the video below skip forward to 0:47 and note the 1-Ton Dually truck tossed around like a toy by its 5th wheel trailer.

Interesting and scary for sure...but that was a trailer; not a 5th wheel. It also did not have an equalizer-anti sway hitch system on that rig..it was hooked to the truck directly. I've heard recently from a Ford salesman, that you can tow a big trailers with a 1T without needing one...I would not want to tow a big trailer like that without one; especially after that video! I have seen and been in some pretty bad winds in the Dakotas while driving to/from MT ant TX; that video gives pause about trying to tow in high winds for sure. The other issue is ice....2 years ago, we saw 9 big rigs on their sides while driving from Austin to San Diego in December, due to ice and winds...similar site each year going through Dakota to MT around December...pays to avoid such weather when towing to be safe. I still think it is wise to have a TV which is rated to tow more than just the limits of the trailer and load your carrying. The experts on the Forum have taught us a lot in this area...

[Tcitruck]

I just bought 2007, 2500 with the Duramax Diesel engine kit put in. It pulls my 28' Sterling beautifully, sits 7, with cargo space galore, so I don't have to load down the AS. I was using my QX80, and it was a struggle...even in the flatlands of Louisiana. Fuel was terrible and the cruise control couldn't keep up.

I have a good friend that owns a Chevy and a GMC dealership and there are no plans to come back with the 2500...at all, and certainly not with the diesel. At least not any time in the near future. Originally there was a military/corporate possibility, but that didn't come through. He says they are having trouble keeping up with the demand of the 1500's, so until that wanes, there will be no 2500's. For what it's worth. I also looked at the Ford Excursion, but couldn't find one to fit my needs.

[dasams]

Originally Posted by Atsushi

.I really like GC, but if we have FC23, with its tongue weight of 779~1,000 lbs, I don't think we can safely bring 4 people.

Your payload will be a limiting factor but keep in mind that tongue weights are dry and any weight behind the FC axels lowers them. But you still have to stay at 10-15% of the total.

Originally Posted by Atsushi

Having read everyone's input here, I'm beginning to be convinced that a pick-up truck is the option with the least number of question marks.

Yes a pickup gives more options but I tow with an SUV because that's what I want to drive when I'm not hitched up. YMMV, Dave

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

I still think it is wise to have a TV which is rated to tow more than just the limits of the trailer and load your carrying.

No disagreement that load capacity matters when considering the tongue weight of a trailer. I'm not suggesting anybody tow an Airstream with a Nissan Leaf or a Subaru Outback.

I'm just pointing out there's no silver bullet and that buying a bigger TV than required does not, in and of itself, guarantee safety. There are lots of variables, some of which you called out above (anti-sway hitches, etc.). That said, posters here frequently over-simplify by focusing on TV size vs. considering those other variables.

[xrvr]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Interesting and scary for sure...but that was a trailer; not a 5th wheel. It also did not have an equalizer-anti sway hitch system on that rig..it was hooked to the truck directly. I've heard recently from a Ford salesman, that you can tow a big trailers with a 1T without needing one...I would not want to tow a big trailer like that without one; especially after that video! I have seen and been in some pretty bad winds in the Dakotas while driving to/from MT ant TX; that video gives pause about trying to tow in high winds for sure. The other issue is ice....2 years ago, we saw 9 big rigs on their sides while driving from Austin to San Diego in December, due to ice and winds...similar site each year going through Dakota to MT around December...pays to avoid such weather when towing to be safe. I still think it is wise to have a TV which is rated to tow more than just the limits of the trailer and load your carrying. The experts on the Forum have taught us a lot in this area...

That occurred because of strong side winds more so than sway. The trailer was just blown over. Too tall, too high center of gravity. In my opinion the tv was not a factor, here, since he was towing on the ball.

[crispyboy]

Originally Posted by Atsushi

Thanks again for great discussion. We initially thought FC20 would be sufficient for us because 90% of the time, it's just two of us and a dog.

Once a year, my folks from Japan come to visit us, and when and if we take them to a week long trip, it'll be 4 people and a dog (530 lbs = 160 lbs + 130 lbs + 110 lbs + 90 lbs + 40 lbs). So if we get FC20 (Tongue weight 631 lbs rating ~800lbs actual?), a properly equipped Jeep GC seems to be able to do it.

Family on my wife's side is a bigger challenge. While it is highly unlikely that all of them want to come with us on a weekend trip, if they ever did, it'll be 3 additional adults and two kids. So FC23 still seems too small. But with two cars and a tent, it seems doable.

I really like GC, but if we have FC23, with its tongue weight of 779~1,000 lbs, I don't think we can safely bring 4 people (my folks don't drive).

Having read everyone's input here, I'm beginning to be convinced that a pick-up truck is the option with the least number of question marks. It also seems to give us more flexibility in the future if we ever want to go bigger and bring more stuff.

Thanks!

Atsushi

With the weights listed for your extended family you would be fine with the JGC. A half ton truck would be slightly better. Depends what you would be more comfortable daily driving.
Invest in a good hitch setup.
You are not having extended family with you often enough to justify a big van. If you wife's family decides to camp with you have them drive their own vehicle, rent the campsite next to you and they can put up a tent. Keep this simple!

[hapsam]

Before you throw in the towel check the Chevy Suburban and Tahoe or their GMC equivalents. My Tahoe has about the same towing capacity as the Silverado P/U and I can seat six, two in front, two in the middle bucket seats and there is a flip down seat in the back that can accommodate two (better for younger people than adults). These are built on the same frame as the 1/4 ton Pick-up and have the same engine and transmission combo and you can get the MaxTow package for towing, same as the pick up. I also think the Ford Expedition offers the same general package except that Chevy uses a V-8 and Ford a turbo charged V-6. From everything I have checked their capacities are within the range required to tow up to a 30 ft Airstream (although that would be near maximum capacity).

[FCStreamer]

Yes, the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade frame can be configured to tow 8300 pounds and has 1500 pounds payload. I tow a 30' FC with no issues.

[Shiny16]

Don't forget the Durango. If you like the grand Cherokee the Dodge Durango is almost the same car but with a better payload slightly longer wheel base and an extra 2 seats for a total of 7.

[dkottum]

The Durango 5.7 Hemi with 8-spd transmission, 120" wheelbase on full independent suspension is a great daily driver and mid-size Airstream tow vehicle choice. The Hemi engine is very decent on fuel, low cost maintenance, smooth as silk, and reliable. A longer wheelbase, extra passenger seat version of the Jeep GC.

They are well-liked, don't expect to get the deal on them that you can on a pickup.