Forum Discussion

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

28 Replies

greatnate
Explorer
May 28, 2020
Dirtclods wrote:
You'll be at your limit's towing for sure. It helps that you will have your weight distributing hitch to shift some of that weight to the front of you TV and hopefully an anti sway bar too! I would advise air bags as well.

The LTZ Tahoes have air shocks in the back with auto level feature (will likely reduce the squat from what I'm reading). Do you have any recommendations on a anti sway bar and weight distributing hitch combo?
greatnate
Explorer
May 28, 2020
WNYBob wrote:
Sure you can tow anything, just ask any salesman, just don't come back with your issues!

That is why I'm asking here and not @ the RV dealership...?
Dirtclods
Explorer II
May 28, 2020
You'll be at your limit's towing for sure. It helps that you will have your weight distributing hitch to shift some of that weight to the front of you TV and hopefully an anti sway bar too! I would advise air bags as well.
greatnate
Explorer
May 28, 2020
jshupe wrote:
With 22" aftermarket wheels, you may want to check both the wheel and tire capacities as well. They're usually lower as your aspect ratio goes down. It's likely you derated your tow vehicle with that mod.

Shoot - yeah I didn't think of purchasing a toy hauler when I bought the Tahoe (I bought it with the wheels on there already). The maximum load rating on the tire is 2,337lbs per tire. Can you or someone who knows more about that than I do explain if that is enough? I'm thinking yes because the tires would be rated for even higher than the axle rating (axle rating in the rear is 4100lbs, front is even less).
WNYBob
Explorer
May 28, 2020
Sure you can tow anything, just ask any salesman, just don't come back with your issues!
greatnate
Explorer
May 28, 2020
Right. I guess I'm thinking with the Occupants (family members) it would be pretty close if not right at the GVWR of the Tahoe - does anyone have thoughts on if it's alright to be close to the GVWR or is it better to look at something even smaller? Do they even make smaller Toy Haulers that have a queen sized bed (not a couch) and still have room/capacity for 1 four wheeler (1k lbs) plus about 1k lbs in gear?
n0arp
Explorer
May 28, 2020
With 22" aftermarket wheels, you may want to check both the wheel and tire capacities as well. They're usually lower as your aspect ratio goes down, and aftermarket wheels often come with lower carrying capacities than the ones they replace. It's likely you derated your tow vehicle with that mod.
jdc1
Explorer II
May 28, 2020
Add in occupants to the totals too. Water? Propane?