I'm looking at getting a new Traverse (5,200 lb towing capacity) and want to make sure I will be able to tow a decent sized trailer. I currently have a pop up, but plan on getting a small trailer or hybrid next year. What is the heaviest weight camper I should look at? I know you have to add the weight of fluids and your gear, but can you max it out at 5,200, or do you need to leave some room? The vehicle will be driven in Michigan only, so no big mountains or anything. Thanks!

Ooooohh... you'll probably get a lot of varied replies! We pull a Lance 1685 with our 2006 Toyota 4 Runner, rated at 5,000 lbs - but the truck has factory towing with extra transmission cooler as well as a Fastway E2 weight distribution hitch. The Lance 1685 is 3800 lbs DRY weight and we figure when loaded for extended camping (months at a time) it's around 5,000 lbs. We do not travel with anything in the tanks except for a bit of emergency water. We looked at the R-Pods and liked them except there wasn't enough storage in our estimation for long trips. Whatever you decide, yes, you do need an extra 1000 plus pounds for stuff, so 4,000 lbs dry weight is probably maxing it out. While we tow with the 4 Runner, if we had a different truck, it might be safer. If we were getting a new truck (you mentioned thinking about getting a new Traverse), I'd be looking at other trucks. Or staying with a smaller lighter trailer. For more on our 10,000 plus miles of experience towing the Lance 1685 with our 4 Runner, here's my blog post... Towing a Travel Trailer with a 6 Cyl Toyota 4 Runner

Check the owners manual. Many vehicles of this size class not only have weight ratings for towing, but also frontal area requirements too. Which may limit you to the popup.

Max capacity if appropriately equipped is 5200 lbs. That means something in the range of 4500-5000 lbs (depending on how you like to drive) FULLY LOADED WEIGHT would do fine. Check the payload limits on the Traverse, and keep in mind that tongue weight reduces your payload (you, other passengers, other stuff in the Traverse). To stay in the 4500-5000 lbs range you'll likely want a dry weight in the neighborhood of 3500-4000 lbs. You could go higher, but would then have to be VERY careful about loading to stay below limits. I used to do this with my old trailer - everything that went in was weighed first to make sure it wouldn't put me over. It worked, but was a pain to do and isn't generally recommended.Driving tips: Max speed 60 mph. (Keep in mind many trailer tires are only rated for a max speed of 65 mph.) Plan on going slower through mountains, should you ever go somewhere like that. You're on vacation - no need to rush around.

Technically you could pull to your max tow rating but usually you will max out other ratings, like payload, before reading it. Check all your ratings. Keep in mind as well that the tow rating number is calculated with an empty vehicle and allows 150lbs each for the driver and a passenger. The rating is reduced pound for pound with weight added to the vehicle beyond that.

I pulled my Ascend RD17 3,500 lbs. dry with my 6 cyl Highlander. now will use my V6 Tacoma.bumpy

Biggest camper you can pull comfortably with a Traverse?

12 Replies

sch911
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016
Check the owners manual. Many vehicles of this size class not only have weight ratings for towing, but also frontal area requirements too. Which may limit you to the popup.
TrailerTravele1
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016
Ooooohh... you'll probably get a lot of varied replies!

We pull a Lance 1685 with our 2006 Toyota 4 Runner, rated at 5,000 lbs - but the truck has factory towing with extra transmission cooler as well as a Fastway E2 weight distribution hitch.

The Lance 1685 is 3800 lbs DRY weight and we figure when loaded for extended camping (months at a time) it's around 5,000 lbs. We do not travel with anything in the tanks except for a bit of emergency water. We looked at the R-Pods and liked them except there wasn't enough storage in our estimation for long trips.

Whatever you decide, yes, you do need an extra 1000 plus pounds for stuff, so 4,000 lbs dry weight is probably maxing it out.

While we tow with the 4 Runner, if we had a different truck, it might be safer. If we were getting a new truck (you mentioned thinking about getting a new Traverse), I'd be looking at other trucks. Or staying with a smaller lighter trailer.

For more on our 10,000 plus miles of experience towing the Lance 1685 with our 4 Runner, here's my blog post...

Towing a Travel Trailer with a 6 Cyl Toyota 4 Runner

Forum Discussion

Biggest camper you can pull comfortably with a Traverse?

12 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Seat Comfort

How primitive of terrain are you comfortable traversing?

Biggest Challenges

traverse city

Comforters