help on tow weights
we are in the market for a hybrid trailer, I have a 2006 Saab 9-7x with the 5.3 v8. towing capacity is 6500lbs and has rear air leveling. I will be getting a weight distrubution with sway hitch Two ...
Forum Discussion
Welcome neighbor!
Ignore the published dry weight. That's a fictional number. No one tows a trailer at it's dry weight. Dry weight does not include factory installed options, depending on the manufacturer, that could be A/C, awning, spare tire, microwave, and other things. The shipped weight is a better number. But for towing planning, go by the listed GVWR of the trailer.
I think overall though you'll be fine but these are about the biggest trailers I would ever tow with that platform. That Saab is a GMT360, Trailblazer/Envoy platform. I wouldn't pull it with the I6 (I had a Trailblazer with I6, it was great for a smaller trailer but only OK for my current Jayco X20E), but with the 5.3 you should be fine. Check your gearing, that'll make a difference. Look in your glove box for a white sticker with RPO codes, look for one of the following to validate which gears your have.
GU6 = 3:42 ratio
GT4 = 3:73 ratio
GT5 = 4:10 ratio
Verify your towing capacity is really 6500# by comparing your option list and gears to the towing chart in your owners manual.
You will also need to subtract everything inside your TV and the weight of the WD hitch from the rated towing capacity. So if your rated capacity is indeed 6500#, and your family, stuff that travels in the Saab, and hitch weighs 500#, now your towing capacity is 6000#.
When your trailer is loaded is when you should weigh your tongue. For planning though, figure 13% of the trailer's GVWR. So if your payload is 1100# and your tongue weight is 700# and your stuff is 500#, then you are over weight because your payload has been exceeded by 100#. This is why knowing the payload is so critical.
EDIT: Just your post that your payload is 1,230#. Same rules apply though!
I wish you the best!
Ignore the published dry weight. That's a fictional number. No one tows a trailer at it's dry weight. Dry weight does not include factory installed options, depending on the manufacturer, that could be A/C, awning, spare tire, microwave, and other things. The shipped weight is a better number. But for towing planning, go by the listed GVWR of the trailer.
I think overall though you'll be fine but these are about the biggest trailers I would ever tow with that platform. That Saab is a GMT360, Trailblazer/Envoy platform. I wouldn't pull it with the I6 (I had a Trailblazer with I6, it was great for a smaller trailer but only OK for my current Jayco X20E), but with the 5.3 you should be fine. Check your gearing, that'll make a difference. Look in your glove box for a white sticker with RPO codes, look for one of the following to validate which gears your have.
GU6 = 3:42 ratio
GT4 = 3:73 ratio
GT5 = 4:10 ratio
Verify your towing capacity is really 6500# by comparing your option list and gears to the towing chart in your owners manual.
You will also need to subtract everything inside your TV and the weight of the WD hitch from the rated towing capacity. So if your rated capacity is indeed 6500#, and your family, stuff that travels in the Saab, and hitch weighs 500#, now your towing capacity is 6000#.
When your trailer is loaded is when you should weigh your tongue. For planning though, figure 13% of the trailer's GVWR. So if your payload is 1100# and your tongue weight is 700# and your stuff is 500#, then you are over weight because your payload has been exceeded by 100#. This is why knowing the payload is so critical.
EDIT: Just your post that your payload is 1,230#. Same rules apply though!
I wish you the best!
