Just purchased a 2013 Flagstaff 205 pop-up and would like to tow with my Chevy Traverse that didn’t come with tow pkg. I want to make sure I can tow the pop-up before I get a hitch added. Owners manual says towing capacity is 2000 and camper dry weight is 1900. I’m sure it’s not that simple and was hoping some experienced campers could advise?Tina

By the time you are ready to go you will exceed your towing capacity. Not a good fit.

It’s a pop-up, I don’t see filling the basement storage or FW tanks as being a deal-breaker. Put all the camping gear in the Traverse and drive carefully until you can get a frame hitch installed.

On the pop ups the dry weight is just that, shipped from factory. So, you need to add in anything put in at the dealership for weight. So, ac, fridge, water heater , awning, propane tank, battery, and whatever else you have has to be added on to the dry weight. You will be over.

JaxDad wrote:It’s a pop-up, I don’t see filling the basement storage or FW tanks as being a deal-breaker. Put all the camping gear in the Traverse and drive carefully until you can get a frame hitch installed.How is that going to relieve the stress on the engine and transmission. Heat will be generated and that is what leads to premature failure.

ChiefAndSweetie wrote:Just purchased a 2013 Flagstaff 205 pop-up and would like to tow with my Chevy Traverse that didn’t come with tow pkg. I want to make sure I can tow the pop-up before I get a hitch added. Owners manual says towing capacity is 2000 and camper dry weight is 1900. I’m sure it’s not that simple and was hoping some experienced campers could advise?TinaI am hating to say this,but you are under vehicled. I see no way to make that combination work if your numbers are correct.Open your drivers door, there will be a sticker, either on the door it self or the sill.It will say something to the effect of "Weight of all cargo and passengers shall not exceed xxxx" And that means everything, from your cooler to spanky to the chicken nuggets under the seat.Your empty trailer will be putting a bit over two hundred pounds of weight on your hitch before batteries and propane.I know I am just some guy on the interwebs,but I would not operate that combination.

New camper towing | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

bgum
Explorer
May 17, 2021
JaxDad wrote:
It’s a pop-up, I don’t see filling the basement storage or FW tanks as being a deal-breaker.

Put all the camping gear in the Traverse and drive carefully until you can get a frame hitch installed.

How is that going to relieve the stress on the engine and transmission.

Heat will be generated and that is what leads to premature failure.
Sjm9911
Explorer
May 17, 2021
On the pop ups the dry weight is just that, shipped from factory. So, you need to add in anything put in at the dealership for weight. So, ac, fridge, water heater , awning, propane tank, battery, and whatever else you have has to be added on to the dry weight. You will be over.
JaxDad
Explorer III
May 17, 2021
It’s a pop-up, I don’t see filling the basement storage or FW tanks as being a deal-breaker.

Put all the camping gear in the Traverse and drive carefully until you can get a frame hitch installed.
bgum
Explorer
May 17, 2021
By the time you are ready to go you will exceed your towing capacity.
Not a good fit.

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New camper towing

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