Hi everyone! My wife and I (and dog!) are considering buying a Camplite TT (probably the 21BHS). We are looking at both new and used trailers right now and trying to figure everything out. In addition, we would also need to purchase a tow vehicle to pull that trailer which weighs approximately 3,500 lbs empty. I know that most any type of full sized pick-up truck with a V-8 engine would get the job done, but we are also considering a large SUV because of the flexibility that type of vehicle offers when we are not camping. One of the SUV's we are considering is the Infinity QX56 which is a large SUV with a V-8 that can tow over 8,000 lbs. Our question for this group is this: Would the Infinity QX56 be large enough (wheelbase, etc) to handle this length and size of camper? Certainly the engine is large enough to tow it and we would have the electric brakes hooked up and working properly, but would this vehicle be large enough to handle this sized trailer behind it when the wind is blowing, when we're braking suddenly or we're going down a steep grade and the TT is pushing against the vehicle? To me, it seems like it would be able to handle this TT in all types of situations but since the wheelbase isn't quite as large as a pick-up we want to get some opinions on what you folks think about this. If this isn't the best of choices, do you have suggestions for other SUVs that would work? We aren't stuck on luxury SUVs, but we want reliability and comfort to be almost as high as safety on our list. TIA.
You will see members here who tow the 21' Camplite with anything from a one ton pickup to a mid sized SUV. We considered the 21 RBS with our mid size SUV and even though I was marginally ok with it (with a WDH) we bought a 16TBS and it tows fine without a WDH. So I think that a 1/2 ton pickup or a large SUV would handle it fine, maybe with a WDH for the SUV with sway control.
Others have reported that the 21RBS weighs 4,500 lbs loaded and has a tongue weight in excess of 600 lbs. That tongue weight is what pushes it to the large SUV for a TV. Most mid size SUVs limit tongue weight to 500 lbs.
In general a large SUV has a body on frame design, a tow limit of 6,000+ lbs and a V8, although a 4 liter V6 would work ok. I am not a fan of Eco Boost engines for towing. You need liters to tow with and the Eco engines are small turbo charged models. Nothing beats cubic inches as the hot rodders used to say.
David
We tow our 21BHS with a Ram 1500 and it handles the trailer with no problem. I would think any larger SUV with similar towing characteristics would work fine. Just take a look at your GVWR for the TV, subtract your curb weight to see your cargo capacity. The cargo capacity is probably already shown on the placard on the driver's side door jamb. Subtract the tongue weight (600 pounds to be conservative) from the cargo capacity and that will tell you how much cargo you can put in the tow vehicle, including people. That is often more limiting than towing capacity.
[quote source="/post/12561/thread" timestamp="1434975490" author="@gbpack"]Hi everyone! My wife and I (and dog!) are considering buying a Camplite TT (probably the 21BHS). We are looking at both new and used trailers right now and trying to figure everything out. In addition, we would also need to purchase a tow vehicle to pull that trailer which weighs approximately 3,500 lbs empty. I know that most any type of full sized pick-up truck with a V-8 engine would get the job done, but we are also considering a large SUV because of the flexibility that type of vehicle offers when we are not camping. One of the SUV's we are considering is the Infinity QX56 which is a large SUV with a V-8 that can tow over 8,000 lbs. Our question for this group is this: Would the Infinity QX56 be large enough (wheelbase, etc) to handle this length and size of camper? Certainly the engine is large enough to tow it and we would have the electric brakes hooked up and working properly, but would this vehicle be large enough to handle this sized trailer behind it when the wind is blowing, when we're braking suddenly or we're going down a steep grade and the TT is pushing against the vehicle? To me, it seems like it would be able to handle this TT in all types of situations but since the wheelbase isn't quite as large as a pick-up we want to get some opinions on what you folks think about this. If this isn't the best of choices, do you have suggestions for other SUVs that would work? We aren't stuck on luxury SUVs, but we want reliability and comfort to be almost as high as safety on our list. TIA.[/quote][p]Your thought process, where you aren't getting sucked into a too-small tow vehicle by the misleadingly low looking trailer weight, is correct. It isn't just about the trailer weight, it includes wheelbase, tow vehicle weight (more is better as you don't want the tail to be wagging the dog but that also increases the combined weight and pushes you to a bigger tow vehicle), tow vehicle's braking and suspension (David's commentary is spot on). Also the track (wheel width) of the tow vehicle matters (wider is better). Absolutely body-on-frame will tow better, and this is where you trade comfort when not towing for comfort and safety while towing.[/p][p]
[/p][p]More important the horsepower is torque. Which tends to support David's skepticism about the Eco-boost motors, although those are the higher rated rigs in the F-150 line. [/p][p]
[/p][p]Bottom line, a 5,000-6,000# rated SUV might handle it "on paper" but you are much better off with rigs rated 7,000+ because to get there you will have more of the above characteristics.[/p][p]
[/p][p]My basic philosophy for a tow vehicle is the old Rock-Paper-Scissors school. Big motor, big air conditioner, big bumper. Rock beats scissors. Rock tears paper. Rock beats everything.[/p][p]
[/p][p]TANSTATMTV[/p][p]
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[font size="3"]gbpack,
I think the QX56 with the V8 should be fine for the 21BHS. As a point of comparison I tow a 21RBS with a Toyota Tacoma dual cab short bed. The WB is only slightly longer than the QX56. My engine is a supercharged 4L (not turbocharged) which is almost equivalent to a small V8. The truck with a WDH handles the CL with no problems yet. Last summer's FL-PA-NY-Canada-MI-FL [/font][font size="3"]trip[/font][font size="3"] went without issue, but this fall's FL-CO-CA-FL trip will be the final test. Of course any full sized 1/2 ton PU would be fine as would the Chevy Suburban. The Chevy Tahoe might be a bit short. From Ford, the F-150 is great, but my jury is still out on Ecoboost vs V8. Same for the Ford SUVs.
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[font size="3"]Our Jeep Grand Cherokee, mid-size Eco-diesel SUV, pulls our 21RBS beautifully, getting between 16-18 mpg (28-30 w/o the trailer) on the highway. Very pleased.[/font]
Wow, a "clean slate" so to speak. Good advice here so far. And TANSTATMTV is right on; There Ain't No Such Thing As Too Much Tow Vehicle. Be sure to consider other things besides tow capacity in your vehicle selection: safety, mpg, reliability, dealer quality, reviews, ratings, ergonomics for you, costs of ownership, etc. Luxury SUVs are expensive to buy, maintain, repair, and insure, making it all the more important to get one that's just right for you. Not that I'm recommending you get a old beater 1990 "Go ahead and hit me truck"; but do keep in mind the overall costs of operating a luxury SUV. If you're considering a new Infinity, take a look at the RB11 on their web site. No one on this forum has tried that yet for towing and it might be fun and has plenty of HP.
http://www.infinitiusa.com/f1/red-bull-racing-rb11
We have going back and forth on the TV. We initially had our sights on the Jeep Grand Cherokee (v8 with towing package,) but we weren't sure if that a large enough vehicle to handle the 21BHS TT. The JGC is the vehicle we really would like...Brenda- it is great to know that it works for you. We are trying to be über careful with the safety aspect of our decision.
Merlin- just looked at your suggested TV. Could you convince my wife? (rofl)
Quote from: @gbpack" source="/post/12582/thread" timestamp="1435012710We have going back and forth on the TV. We initially had our sights on the Jeep Grand Cherokee (v8 with towing package,) but we weren't sure if that a large enough vehicle to handle the 21BHS TT. The JGC is the vehicle we really would like...Brenda- it is great to know that it works for you. We are trying to be über careful with the safety aspect of our decision.
I tow my 21-BHS with a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a V6 engine, capable of towing 6500 lbs. We have a Tekonsha P3 brake controller and an Equalizer WDH which includes anti-sway. The rig brakes smoothly with a setting of about 5. We have had no problems with sway; the unit feels very solid. We do not need to remove the WDH bars when backing up, which is an important consideration for me. I have all I can handle as it is when it is time to back up!
Last month my husband and I were in the mountains of West Virginia. We had a 9% incline, and the Jeep had no trouble at all.
Leslie,
Sounds like your set up really works for you. It's good to know! We will run the numbers for our specific units and hope we have the same experience. We welcome feedback from all.
We're pulling our 21BHS with a 2014 Audi Q7 3.0 supercharger and it does the trick nicely. We just did a 3 hour camping trip last weekend (one way) and have plans for a 4 hour one in two weeks.
With the electric breaks properly adjusted, the 3.0 pulls without issue and stops just as comfortably.
And it doesn't hurt that I think the pair look great going down the highway. ;)
I will say I have yet to encounter a mountainous route, but I'm not concerned when I do eventually.
Happy shopping.
Posted using my powerful BlackBerry Z30 and probably from my 21BHS
[quote source="/post/12565/thread" timestamp="1434981169" author="@pinstriper"][p]
[/p][p]My basic philosophy for a tow vehicle is the old Rock-Paper-Scissors school. Big motor, big air conditioner, big bumper. Rock beats scissors. Rock tears paper. Rock beats everything.[/p][/quote]
sorry, but spock vaporizes rock
(http://www.samkass.com/theories/RPSSL.gif)
[a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyCa-LHtIKE"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyCa-LHtIKE[/a]
Yesterday we purchased a JGC Overland. so, now we look for our rock...I mean TT.
Excellent choice. The Overland is a really nice looking Jeep. My first vehicle was a '46 Jeep (bought well used, just so you know) and even though I sold it years ago I happen to know that at almost 70 years old it's still running. I suspect the present owner has had to update the engine control module firmware a few times, though.
[quote timestamp="1435150073" source="/post/12634/thread" author="@sandroad"]Excellent choice. The Overland is a really nice looking Jeep. My first vehicle was a '46 Jeep (bought well used, just so you know) and even though I sold it years ago I happen to know that at almost 70 years old it's still running. I suspect the present owner has had to update the engine control module firmware a few times, though. [/quote][font size="3"]Engine control module in a '46? You mean the points and condenser? :P[/font]
The '46 Jeep had about as much of an ECM as old #489, which is 0. ;)
Our son was happy with our choice.
Hello Phil,
Your Porsche will do fine. As I mentioned I have a Q7 3.0 SC and it pulls my 21BHS with ease. Since you have the diesel, unless you're packing heavier than me, you'll be good.
Posted using my powerful BlackBerry Z30 and probably from my 21BHS