handye9 wrote:
I think you are underestimating the tongue weight. If those numbers are manufacturers advertised UVW numbers, they are notoriously wrong, and not wrong in your favor.
I don't have a trailer yet, so there are no manufacturer's advertised UVW numbers in my spreadsheet. I need to see what I can safely tow and then I go shopping.
Also there is a 20% buffer in the trailer cargo. So really 1,040lb trailer cargo on the spreadsheet.
handye9 wrote:
Another number notoriously wrong, is advertised curb weight. Anything added to the vehicle (dealer installed options / aftermarket accessories, undercoating, dirt, rust, etc) since it left the factory, added pounds to the curb weight and reduced available payload. Even something as simple as floor mats took about 15 lbs.
Understood. A necessary step will be to get on a scale with our expected touring load.
The weak link is GVWR and according to these calculations it's 27lb under. I put in a 3% buffer as well, and I estimated our body weights very conservatively. (Shoot maybe I'll lose weight.) For trips like I'm intending I'll just have to be religious about what does and does not go in the cabin. There go the floor mats :D
handye9 wrote:
I think you're putting too much faith in the WD hitch being properly set up and transferring the right amount of weight. Only way to be sure, would be to go to a scale, every trip.
You're putting yourself in a situation where you will need a scale at the door, to weigh every thing and everybody, going into both the tow vehicle and the trailer. You'll also need a tongue weight scale for loading the trailer to a specific tongue weight, everytime.
If that's what I have to do, then that's what I have to do.
handye9 wrote:
If the Expy has passenger "P" rated tires, you'll need to pump them up to max pressure, for towing. They were designed for comfort, not heavy loads.
They are 265/70R17, 115 load index (2,679 lb), T speed range (118mph) SL (Standard Load). So I'd say they are adequate, wouldn't you?
handye9 wrote:
Another area you may save a few pounds, is the WD hitch. Andersen makes a WD hitch with built in sway control, that only weighs 60 lbs...
Ok great! Will look.
What do you consider a safe buffer for the GVWR? 20%?
