What do you haul with?

[GoneCampin]

I'm wondering what people use/drive to haul their pop up...

I currently have an Isuzu Rodeo & its worked great, but she's getting tired & I'm looking to get into a newer vehicle.  I'd also like something smaller - but I want to be sure it can pull my camper!   Thinking about either a Subaru Forester {I have a friend who hauls hers with one} or an Outback.   Looking for ideas from the pros!

That said ~ I'd much appreciate hearing what you drive to give me some ideas!

Thanks so much!:)

[sewserious]

My TV (tow vehicle) is a 2001 Olds Silhouette mini-van.  Before you get any suggestions on a new TV, what camper do you have?  Year, make, model?  Do you know the loaded weight of the camper?

All these things need to be taken into consideration when buying a new TV.

[GoneCampin]

My TV (tow vehicle) is a 2001 Olds Silhouette mini-van.  Before you get any suggestions on a new TV, what camper do you have?  Year, make, model?  Do you know the loaded weight of the camper?
 
 All these things need to be taken into consideration when buying a new TV.

I have a '94 Rockwood XL.  Not sure of the loaded weight (just got it this summer!)

[leefamfun]

I couldn't agree more!(sewserious) And to add to that,be cautious about the gvwr of the tv you are looking at. I have a Jeep Liberty,and,everyone from the Jeep dealership to the Fleetwood dealership swore up and down that I would have no problems pulling my Arcadia.(3970# gvw) Acording to the owner's manual and the dealer,the Liberty can pull up to 5000#.(when properly equipped) While the jeep has the power,and I had a brake controller installed,the short wheel base couldn't handle the pushing from the trailer.I ended up spending $500.00 on a equalizer hitch.This made all the differance in the world.I'm still concerned about the wheel base,so,I'm looking into a bigger tv. Just be careful!!!!

[badabing67]

I pull with a 2001 f150 supercrew and while I understand the needs of larger families and how minivans such as the hondas or caravans offer that flexibility, theres nothing nicer and easier than dropping the trailer on the hitch,no sway control,no distribution hitch, and head on down the highway
just my 2 cents

[AustinBoston]

We use a 2000 Chevy Astro.  Sorry, they don't make them any more.   It was the last minivan that was really good for towing.  Otherwise, it rides like a truck, and drinks gasoline.

Austin

[OC Campers]

Originally towed with a 1998 Astro Van.  Lots of power for a mini van.  Now we tow with a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab.  Needed room for ther 3 kids and 2 dogs.   Hopefully in the next year or 2 we will move up to a larger SUV so I don't have to drive the truck as "mommies taxi"

Jacqui

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

I towed with a V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee for 10 years. It's pulled everything from pop ups to a 28' utility trailer with few problems, it was a tug boat. However, my new Coachmen Clipper is a little heavy and likes to sway more than the old Jeep could handle.  I bought a Chevy Silverado last month and what a difference. No sway, up and down the mountains at the speed limit,  I can see over the trailer from the rear view mirror and I can pack more stuff in the truck than I could in the Jeep.

[Starcraft Dad]

I tow with a 2003 GMC Sonoma.  It's a 4 door 4x4 with sport/tow package.  It can tow up to 5400lbs.  My pup loaded is less than 2000lbs so it pulls it just fine.

[waygard33]

I tow my E3 with a 2007 Tacoma Quad Cab 4x4. It has a tow rating of 6500#. It handles the E3 with ease. The GVWR on the E3 is 4400#. The Tacoma is a V6 with about 236 HP.

I do have a weight Distribution hitch. It keeps the rear end from squating and the E3 pulls nicely down the road. I also have the Prodigy Brake Controller.

The only complaint I have is the brakes. They seem to fade too easily. I will soon be checking into an upgrade in that department.

[austinado16]

Couldn't agree more about towing with something big.  Drop whatever you have onto the hitch ball and go......

While our 1990 4x4 1/2 ton Suburban spends a lot of time holding down the driveway due to $110 per fill (34 gallons), we use it for everything from trailering cars and watercraft to ski trips with 8 on board, to hauling around our daughter(8yrs) and all of her little friends to movies, water slides, etc.  It's a can-do rig and at 250,000mi, it's been there, done that!

[AustinBoston]

I tow my E3 with a 2007 Tacoma Quad Cab 4x4...I also have the Prodigy Brake Controller...The only complaint I have is the brakes. They seem to fade too easily. I will soon be checking into an upgrade in that department.

My first reaction was "go down the hill a little slower."  But if you really think you are not getting the performance you expect from the brakes, make sure the trailer brakes are properly adjusted.  I don't mean the Prodigy, either.  

Unlike most passenger vehicles (which continuously self-adjust for drum/pad wear), trailer brakes have to be adjusted from time to time.  Dexter (makes most pop-up axles & brakes) recommends adjusting every "season" or every 3,000 miles, whichever is first,  and more often in the first year.

On my axle, I jack up one side, secure with a pair of jack stands, remove a small acess cover, and adjust a star wheel until the brakes drag, then back off until they just barely don't drag.  Repeat with the other side.  It takes about 20 minutes.  I usually do it just after repacking the bearings.

Austin

[waygard33]

My first reaction was "go down the hill a little slower."  But if you really think you are not getting the performance you expect from the brakes, make sure the trailer brakes are properly adjusted.  I don't mean the Prodigy, either.  

Unlike most passenger vehicles (which continuously self-adjust for drum/pad wear), trailer brakes have to be adjusted from time to time.  Dexter (makes most pop-up axles & brakes) recommends adjusting every "season" or every 3,000 miles, whichever is first,  and more often in the first year.

On my axle, I jack up one side, secure with a pair of jack stands, remove a small acess cover, and adjust a star wheel until the brakes drag, then back off until they just barely don't drag.  Repeat with the other side.  It takes about 20 minutes.  I usually do it just after repacking the bearings.

Austin

Thanks Austin. I hadn't considered that.

When I noticed my problem, I was decending about a 1 mile grade (medium to steep grade). The E3 pulled so easily, I almost forgot it was back there. I was going slow (under 20mph) as this was a campground access road and there is little traffic. I think I was riding my brakes a bit (not thinking about the trailer), rather than pumping them from time to time. Nearing the bottom I went to brake a bit harder and there was a noticeable loss of resistance. I've read frequently about the lack of good breaking on the Camry and was intending to check into the adequacy of the Tacoma brakes.

Thanks again.

[emeraldcoupe]

i tow with an 04 chevy silverado reg cab/long bed 4.3 v-6. not sure what the pop up weighs, it's a 97 coleman sea pine. pulls it just fine.

[mklawz]

Used to tow with a '95 Nissan Pathfinder but it was a bit of a struggle.  

I recently bought an '01 Toyota 4Runner V6, 3.4L but I have yet to pull the camper with it.   I don't suspect I'll have too much trouble.  I'm confident it will be a better tow than the old Pathfinder.