New trailer, what do these weights mean?
Hi, we are brand new to travel trailers and I'm trying to get a grasp on what all of these weights mean to figure out if we're even towing safely.
I have been trying to read all I can, but it's just confusing me further.
I do have all our specs, I think:
Trailer: 2017 Kodiak Ultimate 240BHSL
Dry weight, from manufacturer: 5312
Dry hitch weight: 620
Cargo capacity: 1286
Length: 27’6
Tow Vehicle (info from manual)
2008 Escalade ESV 6.2L
Tow limit from manual: 7800lbs
GVWR: 7400lbs
GAWR Front: 3600lbs
GAWR BacK: 4200 lbs
GCWR: 14,000
The sign on the tire sticker in the door: “Combined weight of occupants and cargo should not exceed 1433lbs”
We loaded the trailer and car with all our gear (not much) and took it through the scales, here was the result:
Steer axle: 2760
Drive axle: 4240
Trailer: 5020
Gross weight: 12020
Are we within our TV capacity?
In the cab of the car would be myself, husband, and 3 kids with a total weight of 465lbs, plus some coolers and such.
Escalade has new brakes, new tires, and brake controller installed.
Dealer installed Eaz-lift WDH and sway bar.
Main questions:
1. It seems our rear axels are over their capacity by 40lbs. Does the WDH help with this? Do we need to readjust this?
2. How do we figure out our tongue weight?
3. Are there liability issues we need to be aware of? We fully insured the trailer and got Good Sam roadside assistance, but I want to make sure we're within legal boundaries to tow the trailer
4. Anything else we can do to ensure a safe tow? We are thinking maybe invest in ProPride 3P hitch, but also worried that maybe the extra weight of a heavier hitch will put us even closer to a dangerous zone.
Husband drove tanks in the army so he is used to big vehicles, but NOT towing at all. I'm pretty terrified!
All our towing will be dry towing without water since we will use sites with full hookups. We will likely never tow more than 100 miles from home with this set up.
I have been trying to read all I can, but it's just confusing me further.
I do have all our specs, I think:
Trailer: 2017 Kodiak Ultimate 240BHSL
Dry weight, from manufacturer: 5312
Dry hitch weight: 620
Cargo capacity: 1286
Length: 27’6
Tow Vehicle (info from manual)
2008 Escalade ESV 6.2L
Tow limit from manual: 7800lbs
GVWR: 7400lbs
GAWR Front: 3600lbs
GAWR BacK: 4200 lbs
GCWR: 14,000
The sign on the tire sticker in the door: “Combined weight of occupants and cargo should not exceed 1433lbs”
We loaded the trailer and car with all our gear (not much) and took it through the scales, here was the result:
Steer axle: 2760
Drive axle: 4240
Trailer: 5020
Gross weight: 12020
Are we within our TV capacity?
In the cab of the car would be myself, husband, and 3 kids with a total weight of 465lbs, plus some coolers and such.
Escalade has new brakes, new tires, and brake controller installed.
Dealer installed Eaz-lift WDH and sway bar.
Main questions:
1. It seems our rear axels are over their capacity by 40lbs. Does the WDH help with this? Do we need to readjust this?
2. How do we figure out our tongue weight?
3. Are there liability issues we need to be aware of? We fully insured the trailer and got Good Sam roadside assistance, but I want to make sure we're within legal boundaries to tow the trailer
4. Anything else we can do to ensure a safe tow? We are thinking maybe invest in ProPride 3P hitch, but also worried that maybe the extra weight of a heavier hitch will put us even closer to a dangerous zone.
Husband drove tanks in the army so he is used to big vehicles, but NOT towing at all. I'm pretty terrified!
All our towing will be dry towing without water since we will use sites with full hookups. We will likely never tow more than 100 miles from home with this set up.
