Contradicting Tow Vehicle Advise

Littlesonny1 wrote:
First off, I'm a newbie here and something of a newbie at RVing so apologies in advance for any transgressions.

A brief history: We started with a used 2004 Caravan Micro-Lite and a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. We were told by the RV dealer that the Pathfinder was ok for the trailer but being totally ignorant discovered only later that this was totally not true. We did manage a few trips within 30 minutes or so using an Equalizer hitch but it was nervous at best. We later bought a 2010 Pathfinder and life became easier with 4 hour trips to the Gulf over flatland not too much of an issue.

We sold the Caravan a couple of years ago but my wife is selling the business and retiring soon and so recently bought a "used" 27' 2015 Jayco Whitehawk. The trailer had been new and then traded almost immediately for a motorhome. It had been titled for just three weeks and included upgrades and even a $500 cover that was still in the box unused. It was a deal we just couldn't pass up saving about 10 grand off of new. Again we were assured by the dealer that our current Pathfinder was up to the job. We've taken one trip to the Gulf and although there were no incidents, other than someone stealing the hitch pin causing some big time drama, it was obvious the Pathfinder was close to it's limit and we needed something better.

We very recently began looking at a 2012 Tahoe LTZ which we were told by the dealer had a rating of 8500lbs. I'd seen reviews etc. which gave conflicting rating fro, 5500 to 8500lbs but figured the guy knew what he was talking about. I discovered there is an HD Trailering Package option which does give the Tahoe an 8500lbs rating. I asked the salesman specifically about this and he told me the HD package was standard on the LTZ. I discovered last night it is NOT. On this particular vehicle it may or may not have been purchased at as an option but I'm waiting to see the build sheet to confirm or deny. We were down to the last bits of price negotiation and I may well have dodged a serious bullet. Lesson learned.

My question to y'all is some advise on what we should be looking at. There will just be the two of us and our Border Collie. We want to be able to take the trailer anywhere in the country without hesitation. It's suitability to the trailer is paramount. Our dog is sweet as the come but being a BC she runs back and forth in the way back trying to organize the passing cars. Consequently we're not too keen on a crew cab truck with the dog right behind us and would much prefer an SUV. I'd like not to have to go with something as big as a Suburban as our trips will be only occasional in the near future but we may end up going full time at some point.

I've had great luck with forums in the past giving access to good folks with much knowledge and experience. I'm hoping y'all might offer some suggestion that I can create a short list out of.

Thanks in advance.

You do not need the "build sheet" to find the info you are seeking.

That 2012 SHOULD have a yellow tag on the drivers side door or door post. This tag will specifically state the MAX available CARGO weight very clearly.

That cargo weight is certified by the manufacturer to be correct and true as the vehicle left the factory. Driver weight AND the weight of a FULL tank of fuel is already figured into that number.

Your tongue weight becomes CARGO of your tow vehicle.

Your trailer tongue needs to be 10%-15% of the trailer weight with being closer from 13%-15% being better.

You simply subtract any passengers, gear and such that you put into the vehicle from the posted cargo weight and the result is the max tongue weight your vehicle can carry.

So, if you have 800 lbs of cargo weight left after subtracting passengers and gear in the vehicle your could tow trailer weight range of 5,333 lbs (15% tongue weight) to 8,000 lbs (10% tongue weight).

All I did was to divide the left over cargo weight of the tow vehicle by .10 (IE 10%) or .15 (IE 15%) and the result is the max weight weight that can be towed according to your available payload..

Pretty simple and easy to figure out.