Towing vehicle commendations

[Trail Blazer]

I have a 2007 23 ft. Ameri Lite travel trailer that weighs about 4000 lbs. I have towed it the entire time with a Toyota Sequoia which now has 259,000 miles. Now shopping for 1/2 ton truck to tow with. Any recommendations will be appreciated.

 

[Rosy]

What are your other requirements in a vehicle? I'm really happy with my 2020 Tundra towing a slightly larger trailer than yours but obviously it's not for everyone.

 

[Trail Blazer]

Thank your response, I have no other significant requirements but would prefer a 60/40 split front seat with the fold down console. Does the Trundra have that option? What size engine do you have and what kind of gas milage do you get towing your trailer?

 

[Trail Blazer]

I am sorry, I meant Tundra.

 

[Rosy]

Thank your response, I have no other significant requirements but would prefer a 60/40 split front seat with the fold down console. Does the Trundra have that option? What size engine do you have and what kind of gas milage do you get towing your trailer?

Between 2007 and 2021, the Tundra was offered most, if not all, years with a front bench seat like you describe. I'm not sure which years exactly as Canada and the US had different options. I think it was offered until 2021 in the US but it was dropped some time before then in Canada. To get that option, you'd be looking for an SR trim level or an SR5 without the Upgrade Package. The only downside is those trim levels have the 26 gallon fuel tank, which limits your range when towing. If you step up to the SR5 Upgrade Package or a higher trim level, you get a 38 gallon fuel tank but you also get bucket seats with a full centre console.

I have the 5.7L V8. I get about 10 mpg towing, which is pretty much the same as every other gas engine. (I've talked to guys with Ram 5.7, Ford 3.5EB and GM 6.0/6.2 and they all get the same or worse, depending on wind, terrain, trailer size and driving style.)

 

[Trail Blazer]

Again, thank you so much for your response. I only get about 8 mpg with my Sequoia so 10 would be an improvement for me. Thank you again, safe travels to you.

 

[Voyageurs]

I would consider the ford lightning or Rivian as well. It would probably make for a nice combo with a trailer that size.

 

[Trail Blazer]

OK, great. Thank you for the suggestion, I will take a look at them also.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

How far are you planning or hoping to venture from home? If your patience will allow and you've got $120-150K burning a hole in your pocket along with mostly <75mile planned trips, an electric truck could work (budgeting another ~$10K for a home charger too). If you have future aspirations of maybe getting a bigger trailer you might want to halve your travel radius from home or halve your truck budget and be free to roam anywhere gasoline is available.

 

[Voyageurs]

How far are you planning or hoping to venture from home? If your patience will allow and you've got $120-150K burning a hole in your pocket along with mostly <75mile planned trips, an electric truck could work (budgeting another ~$10K for a home charger too). If you have future aspirations of maybe getting a bigger trailer you might want to halve your travel radius from home or halve your truck budget and be free to roam anywhere gasoline is available.

Hmmm. No. Getting past the budget thing, an electric truck like the Rivian or Ford would easily pull a smaller lower profile tailer twice as far as you indicated. The electric Silverado would easily pull it 250 miles or more.

EV’s typically come with the charge cable. The only expense might be installing a stove plug in the garage. Unless one is installing a bi-directional high power 80 amp unit EV home charging facilities are relatively inexpensive for most people. We paid 350 dollars plus tax for our stove plug. The charge cable came with the car.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Hmmm. No. Getting past the budget thing, an electric truck like the Rivian or Ford would easily pull a smaller lower profile tailer twice as far as you indicated. The electric Silverado would easily pull it 250 miles or more.

A "2007 23 ft. Ameri Lite travel trailer that weighs about 4000 lbs." is likely a 23BW at 7.5'W x 9.5'H which I guess compared to some might be considered a smaller lower profile trailer. Since that's what the OP is asking about towing specifically, I'll offer advice on that and refrain from suggesting another $30-$50K for a replacement trailer too.
I actually did assume twice the radius I suggested assuming at some point they might want to go home and possibly not remain parked the duration of camping. Will they be at a campground that prohibits electric vehicle charging? Want to find out after you're already there? How far away is a charging station; 5 minutes, 90 minutes? I can add 400 miles of range to my minivan in ~3 minutes counting the time to fart around with my wallet and the pump, about double that time for my truck. I see this as a convenience, some may see adding that range in 1-3 hours (with multiple stops) to be a feature rather than a drawback, just depends on what flavor of propaganda you prefer.

 

[Voyageurs]

A "2007 23 ft. Ameri Lite travel trailer that weighs about 4000 lbs." is likely a 23BW at 7.5'W x 9.5'H which I guess compared to some might be considered a smaller lower profile trailer. Since that's what the OP is asking about towing specifically, I'll offer advice on that and refrain from suggesting another $30-$50K for a replacement trailer too.
I actually did assume twice the radius I suggested assuming at some point they might want to go home and possibly not remain parked the duration of camping. Will they be at a campground that prohibits electric vehicle charging? Want to find out after you're already there? How far away is a charging station; 5 minutes, 90 minutes? I can add 400 miles of range to my minivan in ~3 minutes counting the time to fart around with my wallet and the pump, about double that time for my truck. I see this as a convenience, some may see adding that range in an hour to be a feature rather than a drawback, just depends on what flavor of propaganda you prefer.

Exactly. Different strokes etc. We have toured all over Canada and extensively in BC and Washington with our EV RV combo and never had a charging issue. Whether it suits someone’s travel and camping style is up to the individual. But best to get info from those who tow with an EV and preferably the same size rig one is looking at. Ours is not a good comparison for the OP as it’s lighter and shorter.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Between 2007 and 2021, the Tundra was offered most, if not all, years with a front bench seat like you describe. I'm not sure which years exactly as Canada and the US had different options. I think it was offered until 2021 in the US but it was dropped some time before then in Canada. To get that option, you'd be looking for an SR trim level or an SR5 without the Upgrade Package. The only downside is those trim levels have the 26 gallon fuel tank, which limits your range when towing. If you step up to the SR5 Upgrade Package or a higher trim level, you get a 38 gallon fuel tank but you also get bucket seats with a full centre console.

I have the 5.7L V8. I get about 10 mpg towing, which is pretty much the same as every other gas engine. (I've talked to guys with Ram 5.7, Ford 3.5EB and GM 6.0/6.2 and they all get the same or worse, depending on wind, terrain, trailer size and driving style.)

But you didn't talk to me! My 16 RAM with 5.7 and 8 speed averages 13 towing the average without trip meter reset for all milage driven 19

 

[Rosy]

But you didn't talk to me! My 16 RAM with 5.7 and 8 speed averages 13 towing the average without trip meter reset for all milage driven 19

How big is your trailer?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

How big is your trailer?

26ft 7000lbs

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Oh! Almost forgot! I tow tandem. Add another 1000lbs

 

[offroader09]

Several articles on the F150 Lighting range when towing. Most state less the 200 miles if hills are involved. Something to consider when looking at EV's. Growing up in the Big western states 200 miles is a run to the grocery store lol.