Traveling with Baby and Travel Trailer

[watercat]

To all moms and paps out there..

We are planning to buy a 33 feet travel trailer pulling with a Ford Expedition. All numbers line up, we do have 1000 lbs tolerance between the trailer and the pull vehicle, considered tongue weight/payload. So numbers work out. Also, will get an e-qa-lizer or Hensley hitch. Still, I have the question do you feel safe with a baby/toddler on board to pull a travel trailer? How sever is it with wind conditions, highway conditions, people speeding, pulling out in front of you and you have to react quickly, etc.? Just wanted to know your experience.
What should we prepare (physically and in our minds) for in terms of road conditions/safety?

 

[Gronk]

You need to learn to drive for what you have. A larger vehicle or combination (truck and trailer) take longer to get moving and longer to stop. You will learn that you need to leave more room in front for safety. Far as the wind, that depends on your particular set up, but you learn your tolerances and drive appropriately. I would have no problem with having my family with me. It all depends on you. Sorry to be so blunt, but whomever is holding the steering wheel is the one ultimately responsible........

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

First, welcome to RVF, @watercat; glad to have you here. And, welcome to the world of RVing.

Now, to your question; thousands (probably millions) of families have enjoyed safe RVing over the years. Our family has done so for more than 50 years with both kids and grandkids. The key is to drive within your own comfort zone. @Gronk gave you some good basics and I agree with his bottom line; "whomever is holding the steering wheel is the one ultimately responsible."

In all honesty, however, safe RVing is far more than having all the numbers line up. A 33' travel trailer is a pretty big unit and pulling it with a Ford Expedition raises some questions for me. The Expedition basically is a modified Ford F-150 (half-ton) chassis. Being within 1,000 pounds of the max tow rating would give me pause because most people (especially families with kids) will use up that "excess" quickly. While most people are concerned with how much weight they can PULL, they forget about how much weight they will need to STOP.

Since I don't know the specific ratings for your Expedition and the trailer you are considering, I am not making any judgements here; just suggesting some areas you need to check out carefully. As I said previously, lots of people have traveled lots of miles in RVs over the years; most of them safely. Those who experienced problems were mostly those who pushed the limits in one way or another.

TJ

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I was taught when I started riding a motorcycle to drive like every idiot out there was trying to kill me. I tell everyone driving a bike, car, or RV the same thing. My brother said that was to harsh and just that no one can see you may be better. Truth be told he is right. Everybody lives in there own world, this makes them blind to what is going on around them.
A few people observe what is going on around them but most only want to get to their appointments damn the rest of us. If you watch everyone entering the road ahead of you for movement( I like eye contact and don't trust anything else), and expect anything out of people, you can navigate through life without to much problem.

I have been traveling with trailers from the time my daughter was under 6mos old( been quite a few years ago). I give everybody there space and the right of way without question. I slow down for eradic drivers or those that appear to push their limits. I give people trying to pass room in front of me, I slow down for them when they can pass and the conditions are right for them to pass. I am in no hurry, other lives are in my hands, so it is up to me to be safe.

When I get cut off by someone I am not startled by them because I expect it out of them, so my movements will not upset the boat so to speak.
Oh yes @TJ$LadyDi have my opinion. an expedition is likely a little light, did you add all the human bodies into your gcvw numbers? An equalizer hitch will not change the gcvw and is not a fix for overweight.

 

[watercat]

@Kevin D Pem @TJ&LadyDi thanks so much for your feedback. This was my first post in this community and I really appreciate your honesty. A ford expedition would just fit so perfect as every day family car since it has a 3rd row. But yes the 1000 lbs tolerance is quickly used up, I agree. Got your points about save driving!

Anyone know a pull vehicle which can pull more than a ford expedition (9000lbs) whitch is a SUV or Mini/Cargo Van? I don't think there is a truck has 3rd row?!

 

[watercat]

@Gronk thanks...

 

[watercat]

I was thinking to get the Ford Expedition Max, which has a long wheelbase to make the physics even better. Any experience of someone out there pulling a 33foot with a Expedition Max?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

@Kevin D Pem @TJ&LadyDi thanks so much for your feedback. This was my first post in this community and I really appreciate your honesty. A ford expedition would just fit so perfect as every day family car since it has a 3rd row. But yes the 1000 lbs tolerance is quickly used up, I agree. Got your points about save driving!

Anyone know a pull vehicle which can pull more than a ford expedition (9000lbs) whitch is a SUV or Mini/Cargo Van? I don't think there is a truck has 3rd row?!

Consider a 3/4 or 1 ton window van. Rear wheel drive a must in my book.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Interestingly, looking at the specs for the 2020 Expedition and Expedition Max, the standard version shows 200-300 pounds more towing capacity than the Max version. Any chance you might consider downsizing to a slightly smaller trailer? Dropping down to a 29-foot unit would significantly reduce the weight and would probably be a better fit for the Expedition.

TJ

 

[watercat]

Hi all, this is your newbie again.

Alright, I have taken all your feedback into consideration and want to ask for your advice on this new combination.

1 ton Cargo Van,
GMC Savana 3500 (or Chevy Express)
Extended Wheelbase
RWD, Towing Capacity 10.000 lbs
6L, 8 Cylinder, Gasoline
GVWR 9.600 lbs
GCWR 16.000 lbs

towing a

Toy Hauler Travel Trailer 32.8 feet
Dry weight: 7.330 lbs.
With Cargo: 9.300 with Cargo at max

What do you think? Is that also cutting it to close?

We do want to upfit the Van into a camper as well, so assuming that we add another 1000 lbs to the Van itself.

Everyone with experience on this welcome...

Cheers

 

[Kevin D Pem]

At one time I got owner liability permits to move a boat from Phoenix AZ to San Diego CA. I moved it with a 1 ton van with 360 V8 I beefed up the back of the van to support a penal hook and put an eye on the trailer. I hauled the boat and put it in the water. I had no problems on the trip and drove as safely as I could considering I was overloaded. The pass over the mountains I slowed to 15mph and used the 3 axle trailer brakes to the max. by the time I got to San Diego the speed was at 55mph the max my permit allowed.

When the trip was over the van was sold for 500 us as much work was then needed. That was what I figured would take place and it did. I have done many things normal people would not do, that attests to my mental state. However this was one task I would not do again under any circumstance. It would have been much harder if I got a extended body truck/van. I was however offered a job as a boat mover had I wanted one. Take my word for it, you will add more than 1000lbs in a conversion van. The longer the van the more sheet metal that's weight is removed from gvw.

You can tow more than your supposed to tow, I have done it, however 80% weight is a safe limit believe me. I am not telling you stories I am putting it on the line.

 

[MapNerd]

I’m afraid I think the only solution that would have fit all of your needs and wants would have been a Ford Excursion and they stopped making those in 2005. There is a company I know of that will take a 2016 or prior year F-250 and convert it to an Excursion but it’s such an expensive thing that unless you were really, really needed or wanted three rows and money were no object, a two row heavy duty truck like an F250 makes more sense.

Is three rows really a requirement or just a nice to have?
If you only need seating for 5 but wanted extra space, go look at an F250 SuperCrew or equivalent. They’re insanely roomy.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Am I missing something here? The GVWR of the van is 9,600 pounds. The fully loaded trailer GVWR is 9,300 pounds. My math says that adds up to 18,900 pounds. The Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) for the van is 16,000 pounds. That puts your proposed combination 2,900 pounds OVERWEIGHT.

So, you aren't just "cutting it too close," you will be seriously overweight even BEFORE you convert the van to a camper.

TJ

 

[watercat]

@Kevin D Pem what you are saying, it's better to get the Short Wheelbase. I thought a long wheelbase is towing better since its better 'sitting' on the road. But yes, considering the cargo we want to put into the van a shorter makes more sense.

Trailer, I chose a lighter trailer since @TJ&LadyDi had a point ;-) there. But I'm not loading the van until its GVWR ( i know everyone recommends this, but it's really oversize for our case, that would be if I stick my whole MiniCooper into the Van) if I would fill it up until its GVWR the numbers now are: Van 9600 + Trailer 7000 = 16600 = 600 overweight IF I load the van to its GVWR.

New combination
GMC Savana 3500 (or Chevy Express), Normal Wheelbase, RWD, Towing Capacity 10.000 lbs, 6L, 8 Cylinder, Gasoline (GVWR 9.600 lbs
GCWR 16.000 lbs) putting 1500 lbs cargo inside.

towing a

Toy Hauler Travel Trailer 32.4 feet, Dry weight: 5.500 lbs., With Cargo: 7.000 with Cargo at max

Therewith I'm towing 7.000 pounds with a 10.000 pounds towing capacity (reducing it with VAN cargo by 1500 lbs) so its actually only 8.500 pound x 80% rule = 6800 lbs I should maximum tow. So should be working out?

@MapNerd thanks for that insider. Its not so much the rows we need its the space we need. Since we want to use the van for day excursions around where we stay with the trailer. We want to turn it into a "camper" with light modifications to sleep in and to cook some food. It also gonna be my husband's 'office' when we stay at the park (he still has a 9-5 and is on the phone a lot) that's the rationale behind it.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

@Kevin D Pem what you are saying, it's better to get the Short Wheelbase. I thought a long wheelbase is towing better since its better 'sitting' on the road. But yes, considering the cargo we want to put into the van a shorter makes more sense.

Trailer, I chose a lighter trailer since @TJ&LadyDi had a point ;-) there. But I'm not loading the van until its GVWR ( i know everyone recommends this, but it's really oversize for our case, that would be if I stick my whole MiniCooper into the Van) if I would fill it up until its GVWR the numbers now are: Van 9600 + Trailer 7000 = 16600 = 600 overweight IF I load the van to its GVWR.

New combination
GMC Savana 3500 (or Chevy Express), Normal Wheelbase, RWD, Towing Capacity 10.000 lbs, 6L, 8 Cylinder, Gasoline (GVWR 9.600 lbs
GCWR 16.000 lbs) putting 1500 lbs cargo inside.

towing a

Toy Hauler Travel Trailer 32.4 feet, Dry weight: 5.500 lbs., With Cargo: 7.000 with Cargo at max

Therewith I'm towing 7.000 pounds with a 10.000 pounds towing capacity (reducing it with VAN cargo by 1500 lbs) so its actually only 8.500 pound x 80% rule = 6800 lbs I should maximum tow. So should be working out?

@MapNerd thanks for that insider. Its not so much the rows we need its the space we need. Since we want to use the van for day excursions around where we stay with the trailer. We want to turn it into a "camper" with light modifications to sleep in and to cook some food. It also gonna be my husband's 'office' when we stay at the park (he still has a 9-5 and is on the phone a lot) that's the rationale behind it.

Let me see if I got this straight. you have now a smaller trailer that has a gvw of 7000lbs am I reading that right? If I am then I like those numbers.

 

[watercat]

Let me see if I got this straight. you have now a smaller trailer that has a gvw of 7000lbs am I reading that right? If I am then I like those numbers.

Yes. I haven't bought neither of both yet. I'm trying to find the right combination. Thanks for your feedback..... Very well appreciated ?

 

["EZ"]

While most people are concerned with how much weight they can PULL, they forget about how much weight they will need to STOP.

TJ

TJ I have to have this very same conversation every day with business owners that buy the Ram Commercial Chassis and bodies that I sell . They want to buy a Ram 4500/5500 with a dump body on it to pull their 45' trailer with the track hoe and 10 pallets of sod on it. ? They all say the same thing..........."That Cummins engine will pull ANYTHING!!!". And then I have the conversation about STOPPING the load once it's running 75 MPH down the road. Many of these idiots need a truck with air brakes but don't want to spend the money to buy a Freightliner or International. Lots of people tell me they've never had a truck salesman try to talk them out of buying a truck before!! I'm just trying to give them the correct information and put them in the correct truck for the application.

Same applies to tow vehicles and campers. Nobody wants to have to buy the $50-$70,000 diesel 1 ton truck to pull their home on wheels but it's what they NEED to be able to do it safely in many cases. ?