Trying to understand normal tow handling
I traded in my 2014 Starcraft 1220 popup in August for a 2015 Fun Finder 242BDS at the beginning of August 2014. I weighed the trailer on an electronic vehicle scale with a full load and it came in a...
Forum Discussion
skripo, could you clarify what rating you were over for the Explorer?
You stated originally that you were 1020 lbs over your GVWR of the Explorer. Looking at the Durango numbers, you seemed to be focused on the GCWR.
Anyone using all 3 rows for passengers in an SUV is much more likely to be over their GVWR than their GCWR. If you are really over the GVWR 1020 lbs, you need to be looking at tow vehicles with about 1020 lbs more payload than what you have right now.
Maybe it would help if you posted all of the numbers from your weigh?
As for the feel of sway. To me there are 2 main things that people complaint about.
1. Sway. Sway is due to trailer instability and the faster you go the worse it gets. A back and forth oscillation of the trailer. Very dangerous. It doesn't sound like you have this.
2. Getting pushed around by air from wind or passing vehicles. This is what you describe it seems and it seems like it is something you'd like to see improve. It is pretty common, but the better the tow vehicle, the less you will feel it. Being over your GVWR will likely mean this is more likely. Soft side wall tires make it more likely. A shorter wheelbase will make it more likely.
Moving to the Durango will likely get you more wheelbase, stiffer tires, and more power. You may very well be quite a bit over your GVWR still, which is not an ideal situation. Getting the right tow vehicle is important. This is why I asked for clarification on your situation.
You stated originally that you were 1020 lbs over your GVWR of the Explorer. Looking at the Durango numbers, you seemed to be focused on the GCWR.
Anyone using all 3 rows for passengers in an SUV is much more likely to be over their GVWR than their GCWR. If you are really over the GVWR 1020 lbs, you need to be looking at tow vehicles with about 1020 lbs more payload than what you have right now.
Maybe it would help if you posted all of the numbers from your weigh?
As for the feel of sway. To me there are 2 main things that people complaint about.
1. Sway. Sway is due to trailer instability and the faster you go the worse it gets. A back and forth oscillation of the trailer. Very dangerous. It doesn't sound like you have this.
2. Getting pushed around by air from wind or passing vehicles. This is what you describe it seems and it seems like it is something you'd like to see improve. It is pretty common, but the better the tow vehicle, the less you will feel it. Being over your GVWR will likely mean this is more likely. Soft side wall tires make it more likely. A shorter wheelbase will make it more likely.
Moving to the Durango will likely get you more wheelbase, stiffer tires, and more power. You may very well be quite a bit over your GVWR still, which is not an ideal situation. Getting the right tow vehicle is important. This is why I asked for clarification on your situation.
