Cray

CRay-FUN

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2015
Messages
26
I am looking for a tow vehicle for my 18 ft X189FBR. I have read the previous threads but am wondering about a pickup with cab vs a heavy duty SUV.I believe this trailer weighs about 3500 when I have it loaded with gear...not water.I would like to set up base camp and take the tow vehicle into the mountains so I want clearance and probably 4WD. I would like to be able to throw an air mattress in the back and stay overnight if I want so I want the space to be enclosed. I don't care about carrying passengers, in fact the more empty space in back the better. However I don't really want to have a giant vehicle since I am a small woman. Any thoughts on an SUV vs a truck with cab? Most cargo vans I have seen do not have very good clearance so that's out.
 
A GREAT off road vehicle that will easily tow 3500 pounds is the Jeep Trailhawk.

Check it out:

:)
 
We have towed our 2010 189 fbr with V-6 AWD Honda Pilot with tow package without a problem. It has three seats and both of the back seats fold down, the middle seat has a split fold down. A mattress would easily fit in the back. We have not done a lot of back roading but have been on steep gradients and dirt and gravel roads without any problems. Spent three months driving to and through Alaska and over Colorado passes without any concerns. Pilot is still going strong.
 
Thanks for the input. I purchased a 2017 Dodge Ram pickup 1500 with 5.7L, V8, hemi.
This way if I have the option to upscale. Going to put a cap on the back to keep gear dry and sleep in back if I want. Happy Trails!
 
Thanks for the input. I purchased a 2017 Dodge Ram pickup 1500 with 5.7L, V8, hemi.
This way if I have the option to upscale. Going to put a cap on the back to keep gear dry and sleep in back if I want. Happy Trails!

You will really like the Ram 1500 w/5.7 Hemi.
I had one and towed my 30' toy hauler with it for several years.
Finally upgraded to Ram 2500 w/6.4 Hemi.
 
We have a 2016 ram 5.7 hemi short bed and pull a 233rbs without any problems. You will enjoy the Ram I’m sure
 
We used tow our 189xxx with a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (4L V6) which did fine but we did have a scary situation in high cross winds due to its small footprint. We now tow with a 2017 Ram 1500 with the 3L V6 turbo diesel (aka ecodiesel) and could not be happier, love this thing. We still use weight distribution on long trips. Don’t really need it because of sag/tongue weight , but it helps improve the trucks ride quality when the trailer is on bad roads. The EcoDiesel towing our 4500 lbs (loaded) trailer gets about 15mpg. The truck gets 27/28 hwy when not towing.
 
To the OP. Solid choice with the RAM 1500! The 5.7 HEMI should provide plenty of power for pulling 3500 lbs. Mileage will suffer in the mountains tho��. You didn't mention whether you got the Standard vs the Crew cab option nor the bed size. I'm not seeing that many Standard cabs these days��.
A consideration RE: the bed cap is that visibility will be greatly reduced even with a back up camera. Tight turn around in the mountains my be an issue. I just have a tonneau cover on my 2500 and have pretty decent 360 deg viewing (with some head swiveling ��). When in my B-I-L's RAM 1500 (with a cap) that view is severely limited. Just sayin' ��. A possible solution might be a tent for the bed. My daughter and her husband have one for their pickup. I don't know how much they use it but think that they bought it to use like you describe that you would. I think it would still be appropriate to have a tonneau cover to protect gear from the elements.
RipVan
 

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