MH Olson

Hi, TooGars. Thanks for writing. I wound up getting a great car loan (3.85%) on a used Jeep GC, and just yesterday paid cash for a used trailer ('17 Forest River Flagstaff 23'). People on this forum were enormously helpful. If there was to be a loan (and there definitely was!) it made sense from a bunch of angles to make it a car loan only. Regards, Madeline

Thanks again to everyone for your terrific advice! I just bought a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland V-8, and financed a little over half of the cost. I shopped around in advance for a great rate (Alaska USA CU was the best that day of all the CUs I researched), and the dealer got a CA bank to match the rate. Next week, I'm buying the travel trailer with cash (thanks for the advice on that) since loan rates for RVs are nearly twice that of cars and trucks. Now I just have to get my house ready for sale ! 😉 Hope to meet some of you at my first Escapade in June!

Just wanted to let everyone know that--thanks to your great advice and links--I just bought a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland V-8 4x4 with tow package, which tows 7400 pounds. (I came close to buying a 2018 Chevy Tahoe V-8, but the cost with the same mileage was $10K higher. Ack!) With the weight distribution option for my trailer, I think I'll be all set. Cheers, and I hope to run into you at my first-ever Escapade! Madeline

Hi and thanks so much for your post. My head is spinning with all the things I ought to consider, as well as all the options available for a TV. I hadn't considered the wind factor so much since it's not generally an issue where I currently live (WA), but I will definitely be driving the SW within the next 6 months or so, so need to think about it. I'm inclined to go with a mid-size SUV with tow capacity of 6-7,000 since it's cheaper than a bigger TV, will get better MPG (probably), and will fit more easily in my garage (!). I'm paying close attention to all the weight and capacity statistics of the trailer, and won't exceed 80% of the tow capacity of the TV, fully loaded. If/when I buy a bigger rig, I'll go with one of the full-size SUVs, I think I'll trade the mid-size one for a Toyota Sequoia, Chevy Tahoe, etc. I really appreciate how everyone contributed to my education!

Thanks, ARGO. There are so many considerations! I've decided to go with a used 2017 or 2018 with relatively low mileage, and am using Consumer Reports and this article https://autowise.com/best-suv-for-towing/ as a guide. I'm inclined to buy something with far more tow capacity than I need, both for safety and in case I decide to up-size the trailer in a year or two. I'm definitely keeping in mind all the great feedback I've received from this forum!

Will do. I'm interested in the best rate! Thanks for writing.

Thanks for your message! After talking with my financial guy, I've decided to pay cash for the trailer (it's a smaller, used one) and finance the SUV. I shared a lot of the input I received on this board, which was all very helpful. A great bunch of people!

Thanks for the advice; I'll check them out.

Great info; thanks. A new friend in my local Escapees chapter suggested I add another 2/3 to the GVW of the trailer to estimate its weight fully loaded. How does that sound to you?

This link is enormously helpful; thanks. Right now I'm in touch with several area car dealers who have SUVs that might fit the bill. All have 8-cyl engines, and I'm having them check whether or not they have the factory tow package. I'll ask to see the sticker or that door-panel label before I trust what they tell me. No point driving 50 miles to be disappointed! I'll check Carfax before buying, as well. (Also reading articles on Consumer Reports; as you can see, I'm a research-aholic!)

Great advice, Kirk. Thanks.

I didn't know that. I'll definitely do some online research before I settle on anything. Thanks!

Thanks, Dutch. It says it must be towed on a dolly. I imagine that's a little tricky, but I've towed a tent trailer before so it should be manageable. I really appreciate your sharing this link!

Thanks, ND. Thanks to your note on my other post string, I'm looking again at used Class C's that could tow my 4-cyl compact. And yes, I figured that RV dealer was a little full of it. I could already tell by the way he kept pointing out obvious things as we toured various trailers ("the dinette is a SOFA when you REMOVE the table!" "Just LOOK at all this STORAGE!" "The SHOWER has a TUB!") I just nodded my head and had a good laugh when I returned to my car!

It's a 4-cyl automatic, front wheel drive. And I like your suggestion re: pull-through sites, but they're not always available. And are sometimes more expensive. I'll do a search of the Forums for advice re: towing a toad. Thanks again for your help!