Forum Discussion

crasster's avatar
crasster
Explorer II
Jan 24, 2020

Can I tow this and how will it feel?

Okay here are the specs. I "think" I'm figuring this right.

2017 Chevy Express 15 passenger van. 1LT. 6.0L engine.
GCWR 16,000
GVWR 9,600
Van Weight 6,129

Passengers total weight: 920 Pounds
RV weight: 6,660 Pounds
Battery + Propane: 125 pounds

Weight Distribution Hitch: 100 pounds
1 Seat removed from van (extra space) = +80 pounds (gained)

Clothes, towels, blankets, pillows, fluff: 100 pounds
Food: 30 pounds
Extension cords, some hand tools, fix a flat, parts: 100 pounds
A few pots, pans, dishes, etc.: 50 pounds
Outdoors stuff like camp chairs, bug candles, etc: 50 pounds
Bathroom stuff, tooth brushes, etc.: 15 pounds
Misc whatever: 200 pounds

If fill 30 gals of freshwater 30 X 8 = 240 pounds

So I did the Math Subtracting everything (and adding one thing) from my GCWR.

I'd be left with:

+1361 pounds until I hit (what I understand??) to be my limit, or +1601 without a tank full of fresh water.

I also don't plan to travel much with full gray or black tanks.

So question time.


Am I missing something here?
If truly I still have 1361 Pounds left, should that be a "breeze" for my van to tow this trailer + all passengers & stuff?

What about grades? Will it struggle/white knuckle time (or will it handle it well) **note in mountains I will ABSOLUTELY not carry fresh water or gray/black water on mountains so +1601 until GCWR of 16000.


All opinions, suggestions, etc. appreciated. I just would like to know what I'm in for. Thanks!!
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jan 27, 2020
    Is that 7200lbs loaded or "dry weight?" The difference is about 1500lbs in overall trailer weight once you're loaded and ready to camp.

    Tow vehicles are inanimate objects. They don't struggle. Not even figuratively. They either go or they don't.

    You probably won't be the first to the top of the hill, and you definitely don't want to be the first one to the bottom, but as long as you don't mind the engine revving about 2000RPM, and aren't in the biggest hurry to get anywhere, you will be just fine.
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Jan 28, 2020
    mkirsch wrote:
    Is that 7200lbs loaded or "dry weight?" The difference is about 1500lbs in overall trailer weight once you're loaded and ready to camp.

    Tow vehicles are inanimate objects. They don't struggle. Not even figuratively. They either go or they don't.

    You probably won't be the first to the top of the hill, and you definitely don't want to be the first one to the bottom, but as long as you don't mind the engine revving about 2000RPM, and aren't in the biggest hurry to get anywhere, you will be just fine.


    I love this description. :)
    Thanks.
    7200 dry.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jan 28, 2020
    If you towed the 6600 pound TT and then the 7200 pound TT, I bet you never notice the difference. May be 0.5mph slower up the same hill. Frontal area is about the same for most TT in that weight range, which is what you notice while towing at 65mph more than weight. Weight is more a factor for accelerating or up hills, not even stopping. You have plenty of suspension to handle the added tongue weight.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jan 28, 2020
    Can’t say towing that trailer will “feel” as good as a few other things I can think of....(fill in the blanks, lol).
    But the van will handle the trailer absolutely fine and based on your sig line with the light pedal thing, I’m pretty certain you’ll find the power acceptable too.
    And try it with a full tank of water. $20 says neither you nor the van will be able to tell the difference.
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Jan 28, 2020
    Grit dog wrote:
    Can’t say towing that trailer will “feel” as good as a few other things I can think of....(fill in the blanks, lol).
    But the van will handle the trailer absolutely fine and based on your sig line with the light pedal thing, I’m pretty certain you’ll find the power acceptable too.
    And try it with a full tank of water. $20 says neither you nor the van will be able to tell the difference.


    Yeah my sig line is our fun little Toyota. LOL. It's really turning into more of an "afternoon tripper". Family getting "Bigger".... Well, the kids are getting taller, I'm just getting wider.
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Jan 28, 2020
    APT wrote:
    If you towed the 6600 pound TT and then the 7200 pound TT, I bet you never notice the difference. May be 0.5mph slower up the same hill. Frontal area is about the same for most TT in that weight range, which is what you notice while towing at 65mph more than weight. Weight is more a factor for accelerating or up hills, not even stopping. You have plenty of suspension to handle the added tongue weight.


    Thank you this helps. Yeah not looking to win races, but just don't want to be a road hazard or dangerous. :) I'm content going 60 all over the USA.

    What do you thing grades would be like? Let's say 5%?
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2020
    You can hold any Interstate grade at 60mph. You may be be in 3rd gear at 3500rpm, or 2nd at 5000rpm though. You get to pick!
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Jan 30, 2020
    You should be good to go. Have fun, use the skinny pedal as needed and let it rev!

    Still watch loading and try to keep the tongue weight at 10-15% of the total trailer weight. IMHO... a higher percentage tongue weight makes for a more stable tow as long as the van can handle the weight.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • LIKE2BUILD's avatar
    LIKE2BUILD
    Explorer
    Feb 13, 2020
    crasster wrote:
    Next question, would I be pushing it if I bought a 7200 pound trailer....?

    So this would be 821 pounds left for GCWR Max.

    I think I have plenty of payload for Tongue weight.

    What my main concern is will I be struggling greatly up grades/down grades? I don't mind if I feel it for sure, I just mind if I'm gonna have doubts if I can make it over a 6% grade.

    Plus I have a tow button which does.... umm... what it does. :)

    If it would struggle on mountain grades, how would it do on flats and "basic" hills?


    Thanks!

    I used to tow a 34', 7,600lbs TT with a 2004 Chevy 2500HD with 6.0L engine. That was basically the same drivetrain as your van accept I think you have the 6L80E tranny whereas I had the 4-speed version. I towed that trailer in the Appalachian's using a Reese Dual Cam hitch and it did just fine. Yes, I had to let it rev between 3,200RPM to 4,400RPM on the bigger hills but it was rock solid reliable and always got me there. Flat land towing was no problem at all.

    So the short answer is yes, if you're within all your weights you'll be fine towing that trailer. Get a good WD hitch with sway control and you'll be just fine.

    KJ

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