Newbie-Camper - Can I tow this trailer?

You should shoot for something with a dry weight of around 1500-2000 lbs and dry hitch weight of 150-200 lbs. There are some out there, but I don't think they'll have a slide or a wet bath. Rockwood 1940LTD is one that could work.

If they rate the Journey for 2500 lbs max towing, there must be a reason (and we know it isn't the engine). It could be the brake size, the suspension, the cooling system size, the strength of hitch receiver mounts, etc.

I'd suggest getting a Reese/DrawTite receiver, they're good quality. Make sure you have brakes on your popup, and any decent trailer specialty shop can wire in a 7 pin receptacle and brake controller (as well as mount the receiver).

But before you get discouraged, there are lighter PUPS out there. You need exact specs on your vehicle but you may find another PUP that will do it. Now, it probably won't have a slide and bath but it can still bring a lot of fun.

Can you physically do it?

Yes... The Pentastar V6 is FABULOUS... I tow 2800 lbs worth of pop up with mine and its fantastic.

Will you exceed somethings ratings? You better believe it...most likely the hitches rating.

The trailer you are looking at will likely be 3500 lbs loaded...

My PUP is within 150 lbs of GVWR without any water in it.

Fortunately your model has the kitchen and the wet-bath in the back.. that will help keep tongue weight down. Mine has the kitchen and the wet-bath in front of the trailer...my tongue weight is 440 lbs and my trailer weighs 2700 lbs.. You read that correctly.. 16% tongue weight.

The highest rating I can find on a Dodge Journey hitch is 400 lbs....

don't forget that you will have a power roof jack, and TWIN propane tanks (35 ish lbs each) and a battery on the tongue... You could EASILY have 400 lbs of tongue weight before you add anything to the camper.

Don't forget to count the draw bar too.. Mine is about 20 lbs... so my 440 lbs is actually 460 before I loaded some of the cargo around to get the hitch weight to 400 lbs.

If you pay particular attention to weight, balance, and be careful its doable... but its going to be difficult and be prepared to not like what you find.

Good luck in your search!

Thanks!

Jeremiah

GMAN2015 wrote:
........Just inquiring on if I can tow this camping trailer with my vehicle.

2008 Starcraft Hi Wall Pop Up Camper Model 3608

Yes until one of two things happens:
- The Journey breaks
- You can take the white knuckle driving no longer!

If the Trailer Life 2013 towing guide is correct, your capacity WITH the tow package is 2500#.
Also, that tow rating probably has to be reduced by everything in the truck except a 150# driver.Think about it - With the Journey tow rating at 2500#, the trailer exceeds your tow rating by 365# when empty and only a driver in the truck.

Forget this trailer!

GMAN2015 wrote:
Newbie camper here, can anyone let me know?

Just inquiring on if I can tow this camping trailer with my vehicle.

2008 Starcraft Hi Wall Pop Up Camper Model 3608

Dry Weight (lbs/kg) 2865
Payload Capacity (lbs/kgs) 636 / 288.5
GVWR (lbs/kgs) 3750
Hitch Weight (lbs/kgs) 325 / 147.4

Have a 2013 AWD Journey Crew rated at 2500-3500 pounds

If so can anyone recommend a hitch and wire harness for brakes and lights rated to pull the trailer above.

Thanks
George

George,
If I understand your figures correctly, you will be over weight by 250 pounds gross and 125 pounds on the tongue--provided you Journey is set up to pull 3500 pounds. By the time you add people to the vehicle and anything you will want to carry in it, you will definitely be over limit. You have a small SUV, that means a trailer smaller than what you are looking at.

What you need to determine first is what capacity of Journey you have. If you have the 2500 pound capacity then you need a very small trailer. Tongue weight is probably 250 or 350 pounds depending on your setup. You also need to find out the GCVW for your Journey so you know what you can carry in your vehicle and pull for a trailer.

You will need a hitch, wiring harness, and a brake controller. Most states require that trailers with a gross weight rating 3,000 to 3,500 lbs have brakes, but there are a few that specify 1,500 lbs.

Not sure what a Journey Crew is, nor where the 2500-3500 lbs rating comes from. I've not seen particular vehicles rated with a range, although some models are rated that way based upon which engine or other options you have. Either way, if your specific option package is rated at only 3500 lbs, you ought not attempt to tow that trailer. If it is only rated at 2500, that trailer is way over the limit.

See, here's the thing. While there is probably enough safety factor built in to a tow rating of 3,500 lbs, to be able to handle the extra 250 lbs, you will be out on a limb so to speak should there be an accident. And if there isn't an accident, you will likely wear out/use up the tow vehicle faster than you should. Not to mention that it might not be enjoyable towing that much weight.

I think I'd go for a slightly smaller rig. Or a new tow vehicle.