TrailManor Owner's Forum - View Single Post

08-12-2012, 08:14 AM

Hello! My husband and I just returned from a wonderful road trip out in the western US. We have both done camping in the past and would like to make this a part of our life again. We plan on doing occasional camping (<3 weeks a year) in the next few years and then doing more extensive camping when we retire in seven years (>8 weeks/yr). In the short term we would take two or three of our children with us occasionally, but would go alone after we retire. We would also loan out the trailer to extended family, so it could be used more often.

We are considering getting a TM 2619. It should fit in our garage while being big enough for all of us. My husband's Dodge Grand Caravan has almost no towing capacity so we would need to trade it in and get a new TV. We would like to go with a SUV vs a truck because we need the additional seating. Our other vehicle is a New Beetle.

I have read a number of threads on this site which have been very useful. We have narrowed the choice down to the following SUVs:
Chevy Traverse
Dodge Durango
Ford Explorer

I do not want to go with a bigger vehicle than on of this size because of garage space, cost, and personal preference. Personally I think the best choice for us is the Dodge Durango because of its superior towing capacity and because it has a lot of options like a comprehensive Class IV receiver towing package and standard trailer sway damping . But we are still exploring options.

If we go with the Durango, how important is AWD vs RWD? How is important is it to get a V6 vs a V8? The towing capacity of the V6 is 6200lbs vs 7400lb with the RWD V8. My husband is concerned about the upfront cost of paying an extra $2000 for the V8 as well as an estimated annual yearly additional fuel cost of $800/year with the lower mileage.

For the 2619, what is really required in a TV and what is excessive? We do plan on doing some towing in mountainous areas but my husband believes going slower and taking precautions is sufficient as long as the basic towing capacity is over 5000 lbs. From reading on this site, I an assuming an estimated weight of 4000 lbs loaded to be safe as we do not plan on taking a lot of cargo other than the trailer with its gas, appliances, water, clothes, kitchen items, etc.

Thank you so much for supporting all of us newbies!

08-12-2012, 08:14 AM	#1
CrazyCampers Guest Posts: n/a	TV Purchase Hello! My husband and I just returned from a wonderful road trip out in the western US. We have both done camping in the past and would like to make this a part of our life again. We plan on doing occasional camping (<3 weeks a year) in the next few years and then doing more extensive camping when we retire in seven years (>8 weeks/yr). In the short term we would take two or three of our children with us occasionally, but would go alone after we retire. We would also loan out the trailer to extended family, so it could be used more often. We are considering getting a TM 2619. It should fit in our garage while being big enough for all of us. My husband's Dodge Grand Caravan has almost no towing capacity so we would need to trade it in and get a new TV. We would like to go with a SUV vs a truck because we need the additional seating. Our other vehicle is a New Beetle. I have read a number of threads on this site which have been very useful. We have narrowed the choice down to the following SUVs: Chevy Traverse Dodge Durango Ford Explorer I do not want to go with a bigger vehicle than on of this size because of garage space, cost, and personal preference. Personally I think the best choice for us is the Dodge Durango because of its superior towing capacity and because it has a lot of options like a comprehensive Class IV receiver towing package and standard trailer sway damping . But we are still exploring options. If we go with the Durango, how important is AWD vs RWD? How is important is it to get a V6 vs a V8? The towing capacity of the V6 is 6200lbs vs 7400lb with the RWD V8. My husband is concerned about the upfront cost of paying an extra $2000 for the V8 as well as an estimated annual yearly additional fuel cost of $800/year with the lower mileage. For the 2619, what is really required in a TV and what is excessive? We do plan on doing some towing in mountainous areas but my husband believes going slower and taking precautions is sufficient as long as the basic towing capacity is over 5000 lbs. From reading on this site, I an assuming an estimated weight of 4000 lbs loaded to be safe as we do not plan on taking a lot of cargo other than the trailer with its gas, appliances, water, clothes, kitchen items, etc. Thank you so much for supporting all of us newbies!