Forum Discussion

greatnate's avatar
greatnate
Explorer
May 28, 2020

Can I tow this? Rig Setup with statistics here

Hi Everyone - new to the form and I've been looking for a toy hauler that I can tow with my 2011 Chevy Tahoe Ltz 4wd with the HD towing/cooling package. Here are my stats:

Axle Ratio is 3:42
GVWR: 7300lbs
Max Trailer Weight: 8,200lbs
GCWR:14,000lbs
Max Tongue Weight (With weight distributing hitch): 1,100lbs
GAWR FRT: 3600lbs
GAWR Rear: 4100lbs
Curb Weight: 5,900lbs

Note: The Tahoe has the automatic load leveling in the rear and 22inch aftermarket wheels making the truck sit a little higher.

I've been looking at the Forest River Grey Wolf 19rr, here are its stats:

Dry Hitch weight: 574lbs
GVWR: 7574lbs
UVW: 4180lbs
CCC: 3394lbs
Length: 24"

I'd be looking at towing a ~1k lbs four wheeler and maybe another ~1k-2k lbs in other gear.

My math is as follows: Towing capacity will be fine even with the toyhauler maxed at its GVWR. However, I'm thinking the GVWR of the tahoe might be close to its maximum. As I mentioned the GVWR is 7300 minus curb weight of 5900 minus tongue weight of fully loaded toy hauler (15% of GVWR is 1,136.1lbs) and an additional 100 or so lbs for the weight distributing hitch means I'm at 163.9lbs remaining on my GVWR for the tahoe. Here is my dilema, I'm anticipating 500-600 lbs for the family which means I think I'm over the GVWR by a few hundred (300-400) lbs. Note: I don't normally expect to fully load the travel trailer. At most I'm thinking 1k lbs for my four wheeler and 1k lbs for any additional gear. With those figures I'm guessing I'm at roughly 6.6k-7k lbs on the travel trailer. Assuming I could reduce the hitch weight to 12% of the true loaded weight I'm figuring that would be a hitch weight of 792 (12% of 6,600 lbs, factoring in 420 additional pounds from the Unloaded trailer weight plus 2k lbs for gear and a four wheeler). Our math works out to be 7300-5900-100-792=508 leftover for items I can put in the vehicle. That means I'm right at my GVWR - I live in Wisconsin and don't plan on towing in the mountains in the future. Can you tow at a near maximum GVWR safely with 12% of the trailer weight on the tongue with a weight distribution hitch?

Edit: if this is too big, can you please recommend another toy hauler that will fit at least 1, 1klbs four wheeler and have a queen sized bed?
Toy Haulers
  • n0arp's avatar
    n0arp
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2020
    lincster wrote:
    My many years on this site has shown me it only takes 1 person that says "sure, you can tow that, I have the same thing".
    Then the OP convinces themselves that they can do it.

    Tahoes can tow a boat or small open trailer.
    Their wheelbase is too short to tow any decent amount of weight.

    But go ahead and hook up and come back and tell us if the trailer started pushing you around when you get up to speed.

    I have been told I am in the "conservative" camp, but then again, I have enough truck to hook up to any toy hauler made, so I don't mind being in that camp.


    100% agree. I spent many years throwing good money after bad trying to make undersized tow vehicles work before changing camps. Much of that time was spent defending my choices on here and justifying them to others. After getting my DRW, I realized that nothing substitutes a proper tow rig. Op is setting themselves up for a miserable experience, and an unsafe one if conditions aren't favorable.
  • lincster's avatar
    lincster
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2020
    My many years on this site has shown me it only takes 1 person that says "sure, you can tow that, I have the same thing".
    Then the OP convinces themselves that they can do it.

    Tahoes can tow a boat or small open trailer.
    Their wheelbase is too short to tow any decent amount of weight.

    But go ahead and hook up and come back and tell us if the trailer started pushing you around when you get up to speed.

    I have been told I am in the "conservative" camp, but then again, I have enough truck to hook up to any toy hauler made, so I don't mind being in that camp.
  • Dirtclods's avatar
    Dirtclods
    Explorer II
    Jun 01, 2020
    Just so it's clear a weight distributing hitch does not increase the weight you can tow. It pushes the weight foward and does not increase what you can put on the tong of your bumber pull. Note: GVWR is your safe towing weight and your brakes on your T.V. = Tow vehicle can only help so much.
  • greatnate's avatar
    greatnate
    Explorer
    May 29, 2020
    Hey All - thanks again for all of the responses. I have since realized that my preliminary assumptions and calculations may be incorrect. Can someone check my math here and let me know if I'm wrong?

    My previous math of the tongue weight was based on using a 15% of GVWR assumption. My understanding is that you don't necessarily need 15% of tongue weight to prevent sway. My new understanding is that you can have as little as 10% tongue weight to keep it from swaying (especially since I'm planning on using a WDH with anti-sway built in).

    New Math (Keeping the Same trailer, but changing some assumptions):
    The Trailer is advertised as a Unloaded weight of 4,180 - I think it's safe to add about 320 extra pounds once the propane is added for a true UVW of 4,500 I would then add 1k for a 4 wheeler, 500 lbs for water, and 1k lbs for extra gear that we would haul with us. That gives us a normal operating weight of 7k lbs, take 10% of that gives us 700 lbs plus 100 lbs for the weight distributing hitch gives us 800 lbs plus family weight of 575-600lbs gives us realistic cargo usage of 1,400 - going back to our Tahoe's GVWR calculation is that we have 7,300lbs GVWR minus curb weight of 5,900 gives us 1,400 cargo capacity. Now that means that nearly fully loaded we will be at capacity. If we aren't towing with water in the tanks (I don't think we really ever will) that leaves us under the maximum.

    Now I'm thinking it's definitely do-able. And hey if it isn't I guess I'll just upgrade to a truck. Can anyone spot check my math and reasoning?
  • greatnate's avatar
    greatnate
    Explorer
    May 29, 2020
    nayther wrote:
    I've been where the OP is. I destroyed 3 transmissions on a 1500 towing at or just over the max and it was not a pleasant drive. If you do go for it you'll definitely need a WD hitch, load leveling won't transfer weight adequately. Suggest the Equalizer brand hitch as it has built in sway control. I'd say it will work, you'll be fighting weight constantly though, not able to bring everything, etc.


    Thanks for sharing your experiences! Thanks for the recommendation on the WDH.
  • greatnate's avatar
    greatnate
    Explorer
    May 29, 2020
    valhalla360 wrote:
    I'll give you 10-1 odds you will be over on some of the specs when you actually load up to travel.

    Also, how much ongoing effort are you going to want to put into trying to stay light? Either you are going to risk towing over the limits or it's going to be constantly playing in the back of your mind.


    Thanks for your insight - I'm thinking a few of my estimates were a bit too conservative too. I'll post a new analysis with some more information I gathered.
  • greatnate's avatar
    greatnate
    Explorer
    May 29, 2020
    pennysmom09 wrote:
    We learned quickly that towing our 5th wheel with a F-250 was adequate but at the max. Once we switched to the F-350 towing was fun. So you have to decide whether you want adequate or ease and enjoyment. It wasn’t fun for us being stressed when we drove through the PA mountains. When we back with the new truck we were much more adventurous and relaxed.


    That's definitely a good point - to me the trips won't be much more than in state travel and definitely no mountains in Wisconsin. It sounds like towing near GVWR is acceptable just not enjoyable. My thoughts are to try it with the Tahoe and then upgrade if necessary to make it "fun". Thanks
  • greatnate's avatar
    greatnate
    Explorer
    May 29, 2020
    Lwiddis wrote:
    I had a ‘01, ‘07 and ‘15 Tahoe and wouldn’t pull that trailer or try to lift that weight. Six thousand pounds was my comfort maximum.


    Thanks for your input - did you have the HD cooling/towing package on all your tahoes?
  • greatnate's avatar
    greatnate
    Explorer
    May 29, 2020
    Grit dog wrote:
    Welcome greatnate!
    Realize a lot of the responses you’ll get here are from folks who are ultra conservative with capacities.
    I wouldn’t hesitate to tow that with your tahoe. But realize that you’ll be at the upper end of what is reasonable two tow and it’ll do fine around the Midwest as long as you’re not trying to keep up with your “ buddy” in a hopped up diesel, lol.
    I would be more apprehensive if you were pulling mountain grades, Southwest summer temps, major head winds across the plains and/or high altitude.
    Otherwise trailer brakes and a wdh, watch your trans temp, vehicle maint up to date, fill rear tires to max and go camping!


    Thank you for your thoughts - I'm thinking that between this camper and the Forest River Wildwood 190RT they would be two decent options - I know the Tahoe isn't the best tow rig out there but I do think it's reasonable for my use.
  • nayther's avatar
    nayther
    Explorer
    May 29, 2020
    I've been where the OP is. I destroyed 3 transmissions on a 1500 towing at or just over the max and it was not a pleasant drive. If you do go for it you'll definitely need a WD hitch, load leveling won't transfer weight adequately. Suggest the Equalizer brand hitch as it has built in sway control. I'd say it will work, you'll be fighting weight constantly though, not able to bring everything, etc.

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