Would selling this trailer be irresponsible?

Agree with westernrvparkowner. 1500lbs = 1500lbs. Where is the problem?

I have a pistol for sale..........BUT I am not going to sell it if YOU intend to use it cause I don't think you will be safe doing so.


??????

2lazy4U wrote:
Thanks for your comments. Westernrvparkowner, by the time you put your gear into the trailer, add water and propane, and include yourself (tow ratings include the car's contents also), you're going to be considerably over the tow rating.

Towing capacity doesn't include the weight of the contents of the car. From the GM website (it's the first one that came up on a Google search): "The tow rating or towing capacity refers to the maximum weight you can pull with a given vehicle. This rating, easily found within your vehicle’s owner’s manual, not only represents the weight of the trailer itself, but the weight of any cargo loaded within it." Notice it doesn't mention anything loaded into the tow vehicle itself. Those capacities are addressed in other weight ratings such as GVWR, GAWR, and GCWR.

Make the sale but if possible, deliver the trailer to their location as opposed to them picking it up with a questionable TV.

Add no disclaimer to the sale other than the standard "sold in as-is condition with no warranty implied."

2lazy4U wrote:
I have a nice Chalet Alpine, a hardside Aframe trailer, weighs 1500#.

A very nice couple wants to buy it. They're not that common where I'm at, though the Aliners are easier to find.

Problem is, they have a car rated to tow only 1500# (Honda Element). I told them they would be unsafe and if in an accident, they would get ticketed and possibly sued. They are adamant, saying they'll only tow it in reasonably flat areas, which would be doable if you only go west of here into Utah, which is where they want to go. They can't afford a new tow vehicle. I also told them they could eventually wreck their transmission.

I talked to the folks at Chalet, and they agree it would be unsafe. Others are saying to sell it, that they're informed and it's their call. I'm not too worried about being sued or anything, but more about them having an accident, even if I never heard about it. I told these guys that Chalet said they would be unsafe, but they are still interested.

What would you do? I don't have to sell it. I'm inclined not to, but where does one draw the line at responsibility? Or would they be OK?

You came here with a question..

I often notice that most folks who ask these types of questions already KNOW the right answer.. But they are looking to "justify" the wrong answer.

When I put my previous 20 ft TT up for sale, I had a lot of "tire kickers", many showed up with way too light of a vehicle to properly tow that trailer (4K lbs empty)..

Took about 9 months before someone showed up with a pickup truck, that person BOUGHT the trailer..

There are plenty of potential buyers who are looking for a used trailer.. I say pass on selling it to them. You KNOW that IS the correct answer to the question you asked.

They will easily overload their current vehicle once they load food and other belongings.

Tell them that you cannot in good faith sell it to them knowing that it will not be a good match for their vehicle. You are concerned more about their health and welfare than making a sale.

Yeah, they may not be happy now, but down the road you will not have to worry about them harming themselves or other motorists from your deal. Heck they may even thank you silently every day they live..

OP - your offer of a test tow is the best idea - jump in with them and point out if their vehicle is handling the trailer poorly...

Anyone know of a case where someone towing 150lbs over the lawyer limit went to jail after being sued after being arrested on the spot after the RV.net Weight Police Response Unit arrived on scene and shoveled up a crashed RV trailer and weighed it?

Question for Old Biscuit - would you sell a gun to someone who told you they were going to commit suicide or murder? Your analogy isn't quite on, though I understand where you're coming from.

These guys are in their 60s. I think I'll let them do the test drive and take it from there. I thought towing weight was car contents and trailer, but since being set straight on that, I did read some things about the Honda Element and it said that in Australia the same car has a tow weight of 3000#, which I question, but maybe they can pull it off.

RV.net Weight Police Response Unit - that's pretty good. LOL

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I have a pistol for sale..........BUT I am not going to sell it if YOU intend to use it cause I don't think you will be safe doing so.


??????

I understand your comment Old B.
But would you sell them the pistol knowing he was going to shoot the Sheriff. I think that would increase your exposure. Possibly as an accomplish.

I'd sell it. They would not be the first to tow a trailer with to light of a tow vehicle.

06Fargo wrote:
OP - your offer of a test tow is the best idea - jump in with them and point out if their vehicle is handling the trailer poorly...

Anyone know of a case where someone towing 150lbs over the lawyer limit went to jail after being sued after being arrested on the spot after the RV.net Weight Police Response Unit arrived on scene and shoveled up a crashed RV trailer and weighed it?

They WILL be considerably more than 150 lbs over.

Think about it.

Vehicle is "rated" at 1500 lbs "towing", at best that rating is only good for cargo of the driver.. add in one passenger and the 1500 lbs is now 1300 lbs..

Add in some gear in the vehicle and now they are at 1200 lbs..

And that is not even taking into consideration of the actual available cargo of said vehicle which typically you will run out of before hitting the vehicles tow rating.

I am not being the weight police by any means but really a 1500 lb "empty" trailer will not weight 1500 lbs when loaded to camp, instead it will be closer to 2000 lbs - 2500 lbs when food, clothing, pots, pans, drinks, water, propane, ect are loaded.

They will most likely be 400 lbs - 500 lbs over their vehicles axle ratings not to mention over the tire ratings of said vehicle.. That A liner most likely can not be outfitted with WD and the vehicle may not have a hitch rated for WD..

Then there is the little matter of STOPPING the combination.. That trailer will not have electric brakes (unless it was bought as an option or added on aftermarket)..

Sure, modern engines can easily get it rolling but a good chance the vehicles brakes will not be up to the task of getting them stopped when overloaded.

Not a smart thing to do.