SUV/Truck for Towing a camper

[Lotheron]

My wife and I both said when we had our girls that we wanted them to be active. We wanted to take short travel trips. Well times as they are, any decent hotel room for the weekend is going to be $200-$300 when all is said and done.. taxes, etc. That means a weekend trip could easily be $500-750 when its' all said and done. This limits our trips to one every few months or even 6 months.

We both like the idea of a small popup camper for our small family. Our girls are 22months and 6 months, so while their a little young now, they won't be as they grow an inch every time I blink. I think that, while obviously it might cost a bit more than an average trip, overtime staying in a camper could be cheaper. Not to mention there are some beaches that you can just drive onto and camp next to the water.

So I need ideas for a tow vehicle, buying used , $~15K with a little miles as possible but probably under 50K miles, as new as possbile (2008+) Looking for something with 4 seats (crew cab/SUV) with at least 5000lb to rating for a small popup or even a small camper as we might upgrade later.

Vehicles I've thought of so far:

Trailblazer/Envoy
XTerra
Explorer (Although you can't rent from UHaul if you have one of these, not that I do it very often)

I'm looking for something obviously as reliable and economical on GAS as possible. I'd like to stay newer than 08, but if the same body style goes back a few years on a particular vehicle, I'd be ok with that as long as it's somewhat reliable. Also something that comes standard with a Class 3 receiver would be a big plus.

Any input would be appreciated. Or talk me out of this?

 

[skyking]

Is this going to be a DD as well? Towing a popup is no big deal. We put a few thousand miles on our Pilot towing a 2500 pound pop up, it was like it was not even back there.
I'd look at DD qualities as being the deciders, if that is what it will be.

 

[Lotheron]

Is this going to be a DD as well? Towing a popup is no big deal. We put a few thousand miles on our Pilot towing a 2500 pound pop up, it was like it was not even back there.
I'd look at DD qualities as being the deciders, if that is what it will be.

I have not decided yet, although I'm leaning towards no. I have an 07 mazda6s that's paid off and my wife has the '10 T&C that I do not want to get rid of. That being said, my wife stays at home so even if we did trade in the van, the mileage would be very minimal.

 

[superccs]

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/

Could be all you need is a truck plus one of these

 

[Lotheron]

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/

Could be all you need is a truck plus one of these

LOL... a bit small for a family of 4..

 

[thedarkwolf]

Can't you just use the town and country you already have?
The base model can handle 1800lbs and if you have the touring it can handle 3800lbs.

 

[Lotheron]

Can't you just use the town and country you already have?
The base model can handle 1800lbs and if you have the touring it can handle 3800lbs.

The one I have does not have the towing package. A package that I have found out must be installed at the factory and is not dealer installed. The parts that it involves are prohibitively expensive, actually and not something available other than in the aftermarket.

Also, if you haven't driven one of those vans, I would not want to get anywhere near that limit. I'm also thinking ahead, if we outgrow the popup in the next few years, it would be nice to get a smaller camper. A small popup plus gear will get us very near 4000lbs.

 

[WackyDan]

Look into small motorcycle touring tent trailers... they can be towed with a standard 2" ball behind any vehicle and generally weigh less than 500 pounds... Though You would be roughing it a bit more with one of those. You could use your existing vehicles that way. They make some that are heavier and sleep four or more.

* and I'm talking the trailers that are towed BEHIND A MOTORCYCLE by the motorcycle.

 

[desy]

Chev Avalanche

 

[Doppel]

Things to think about...

1) A camper won't work in the winter
2) Where the hell are you staying that a hotel room is $200-300/night?
3) A 2010 T&C's tow rating varies but will suffice to pull some of the lightweight pop-up campers. I can't remember the brand but there is a company that makes really nice pop-ups with aluminum parts, so they are light and won't rot out or anything.

I'm also thinking ahead, if we outgrow the popup in the next few years, it would be nice to get a smaller camper.

So, buy a larger vehicle then. The cost of an installed hitch on your van is under $250. Maybe you'll love camping, maybe you'll hate it. At the least you should get the hitch on the van and rent a pop-up trailer for a summer to see if it's actually something you enjoy doing with the kids first. Worse-case loss is $250 for the hitch on the T&C if you need to upgrade.

4) A vehicle, its registration, its insurance, and a camper all combine to pay for a sh*tload of hotel rooms

 

[JulesMaximus]

So, you don't even have a caravan (camper) but you're buying the tow vehicle now? Your daughters aren't even of the age where they would remember it. Wait a few years and see if this is something you still want to do.

Maybe take them car camping a few times first.

You could even rent one the first time or two.

I have a friend who likes to go RV'ing with his wife and two kids for about 2 weeks out of the year so naturally he went out and bought a $50,000 camper and a $45,000 truck to tow it with. Nevermind the fact that you could rent one for a couple weeks for a couple thousand dollars. I figure he'll break even in about 30 years.

And people say the Prius makes little financial sense.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Rent a small RV initially for testing the experience.

UHaul will put on a tow hitch and wiring for 150-200. I had a Dodge 150 van that had no problems with a popup.

When you want a full self contained pull camper, then a V8 will be needed. If hills, the equivalent of a F250, Dodge 2500 will be needed.

You can get used RV of all sizes, from the size of small van to sleepers for 8 people

Rent before purchase to feel comfortable with handing (pull or self propelled), capacity and extras

 

[Pulsar]

If hills, the equivalent of a F250, Dodge 2500 will be needed.

That is not true at ALL. F-150s are perfectly capable of hauling a good size camper, as are Dodge and Chevys outfitted similarly.

Anyway, many family vehicles can tow a very decent amount. The Explorer, the Edge, and their equivalents from Dodge and Chevy will be able to tow most of what you need for a family of 4 camper if you keep it small. If you are looking for a true pull-behind with shower etc (more than a popup) then you've moved on into F-150, E-150 territory. The smaller vehicles just aren't going to do it. Sure, they might work for a short distance, but you're going to glass your brakes and destroy your transmission in the process.

Also, consider how far you'll be going. A V-8 towing will get 10-14 MPG. A 300 mile trip (150 mile one way, or roughly 3 hours) will cost you $100.

A family vehicle with a small engine will get 22-30 mpg. A 300 mile trip will cost you $50 dollars.

Add in you daily driving, insurance, registration, and you'll be shocked how quickly the larger vehicle gets expensive.

What I'm getting at is that if you're going for more than a vehicle that can tow a popup, you're going to be shocked at how much money you don't save.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Might I suggest a tent rather than a camper? You can still have all the niceties and spend less on a new vehicle and camper. We own a Regent pavilion that is 16' square with a 6' wall at the roof line and the center goes up to 12' It only has 5 poles and is easily put up by two people or, one with a bit of sweat.

 

[Lotheron]

Things to think about...

1) A camper won't work in the winter

I live in south TX, it damn well will work in the winter and is preferred

2) Where the hell are you staying that a hotel room is $200-300/night?

A decent hotel is at least $100-120 when you consider the rate, taxes, etc no matter where you go. Add on food cause you didn't bring any (nothing to cook it on) so you're eating out and/or you brought snacks. The list goes on and on.

3) A 2010 T&C's tow rating varies but will suffice to pull some of the lightweight pop-up campers. I can't remember the brand but there is a company that makes really nice pop-ups with aluminum parts, so they are light and won't rot out or anything.

IT's $1500 lbs and that includes the entire loaded up vehicle as well. You cannot pull a popup that can fit 4+ people that light. I've researched.

So, buy a larger vehicle then. The cost of an installed hitch on your van is under $250. Maybe you'll love camping, maybe you'll hate it. At the least you should get the hitch on the van and rent a pop-up trailer for a summer to see if it's actually something you enjoy doing with the kids first. Worse-case loss is $250 for the hitch on the T&C if you need to upgrade.

We've been camping, my parents used to have a pop up. We loved it and we want our girls to grow up being outdoors rather than stuck in a hotel room everytime we go anywhere.

4) A vehicle, its registration, its insurance, and a camper all combine to pay for a sh*tload of hotel rooms

That's probably true, and we've weighed it back and forth.

 

[Lotheron]

Might I suggest a tent rather than a camper? You can still have all the niceties and spend less on a new vehicle and camper. We own a Regent pavilion that is 16' square with a 6' wall at the roof line and the center goes up to 12' It only has 5 poles and is easily put up by two people or, one with a bit of sweat.

I cannot for the life of me sleep on the ground. I've done that and I hate it. We also want to pull our camper up next to the beach and I wouldn't want to do that on the ground. I've had campers before and prefer that.

 

[skyking]

I am a bit biased towards the dodge diesels, but you mileage and age requirements would knock your price point right out of the park. I drive old iron because I maintain it myself for the most part.
If you could stomach a 2003 or 2004 quadcab with 150K on it you'd get it cheap enough. The engine itself is barely broken in, but injectors and other crap will start hounding you a bit. Still worth it IMO, it has 4 doors, gets around 20 MPG and will tow anything you hook up to it, sideways up a mountain.

 

[JulesMaximus]

A decent hotel is at least $100-120 when you consider the rate, taxes, etc no matter where you go. Add on food cause you didn't bring any (nothing to cook it on) so you're eating out and/or you brought snacks.

So food is free when own a caravan? $100-120 is sounding pretty good when you consider the cost of an RV and a vehicle to tow it with.

We loved it and we want our girls to grow up being outdoors rather than stuck in a hotel room everytime we go anywhere.

Those are the only two options? Outdoors or stuck inside a hotel room? You do realize that can actually go outside of a hotel room right?

 

[LTC8K6]

http://mopar.snaponeasy.com/en-US/8...Id=1006&GroupId=2073&SubGroupId=3290&pc=53985

 

[LTC8K6]

http://mopar.snaponeasy.com/en-US/8...Id=1006&GroupId=2073&SubGroupId=3290&pc=69538

 

[AlienCraft]

Do yourself and family a favor and just RENT an RV or Camper rig before jumping all in. You may find a diesel motor to provide a better towing experience, I know I did.
Try out "camping" on the family too. good luck with that.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

Wow why is there so much hate on campers. I agree with the OP, the whole experience is good, yes its not true 'camping' with a tent but with two girls he would be much better off with a half decent trailer/camper.

I personally would pick up a older dodge cummins(as per skyking suggested) and get a decent bumper pull. With a set up like that it would be so easy to go camping that you will look for excuses to go out. In my area I just seen a great set up go for 5k.. Thats 93 dodge cummins with 170k miles and a good 20' 5th wheel. With proper maintenance that would last for easy 10 years.

 

[Doppel]

Wow why is there so much hate on campers. I agree with the OP, the whole experience is good, yes its not true 'camping' with a tent but with two girls he would be much better off with a half decent trailer/camper.

No hate, we're just identifying some possible options. I thought about getting into the pop-up camper situation a couple years back, but in the end bought a really large tent instead. Yeah, sleeping on the ground can suck, but with a nice air mattress it's not quite as bad. Honestly one of the huge benefits of a pop-up is the air conditioning, although I'm sure there's a way to rig that up with a tent if one were so inclined. But if OP lives in texas tent camping is out of the question in August in Texas without AC, that's for damn sure (unless you hate life!).

 

[Colt45]

Camping with AC... lmao... just stay home. Bringing TV too?

 

[todpod]

I think I would convince the wife to trade the van for a F150 or something similar and go from there. Put a tonneau cover on back for hauling groceries and such then you have alot of options for what you can tow.