Looking for help on TT decision

Hello everyone.

I am in the market for a travel trailer and have found one I like and I think I can tow but I want to see if anyone can take a look at the numbers and double check to make sure I am not overlooking anything.

We currently have a 2013 Toyota Sequoia SR5 W/Tow Package. As is well known the limiting factor on the Sequoias is the cargo capacity.

We have been looking and have found a trailer we like, think we can safely tow and have got it down to what we think is a good price.

Here are the details I am working with.

GVWR of Truck - 7100
Tow Capacity - 7400
GCWR of Truck - 16000
RAWR of Truck - 4280
FAWR of Truck - 3900
Curb weight of Truck - 5730
Payload - 1350
Max tongue weight - 1000

I am going to a scale this week to get actual weights of the front/rear axle and current vehicle weight. We usually travel just my wife, 2 labs and myself.

I assume with the trailer we will keep most of the cargo in the trailer except some snacks so I am going to get it weighed with the 4 of us and a full tank of gas.


Here are the numbers I am working with.

Payload of 1350 - 500(Wife, dogs and myself)= 850

So as long as the tongue weight is under 850 I think we should be good?


Here are the trailer details.

Heartland Mallard M27

GVWR 6,900 lbs
Dry Weight 5,500 lbs
Hitch Weight 475 lbs
Width 8' 0"
Height 11' 2"
Length 30' 4"
Fresh Water 36 gal
Gray Water 37 gal
Black Water 35 gal
LP Capacity(2) 20 lbs

Since the cargo weight is my primary concern, the hitch weight is what I am focusing on here(Maybe I shouldn't be?)
The GVWR is 500 Lbs under my TVs towing limit and I am anticipating about 1000 Lbs cargo added to the trailer when we are out on trips which would leave us about 900 Lbs cushion.

Based on the trailer numbers the 475 hitch weight is about 9% of dry weight. Continuing with that 9%, even fully loaded the hitch weight would be roughly 621. I don't think we will ever get it that heavy but we never know until we start packing. Based on the 1000 Lbs of cargo I am looking at 6500 @ 9% = 585 hitch weight.

Even at 621 hitch weight it is still under 850 so I believe I should be good.

Here are my questions.

Should I be giving myself more cushion on the max trailer weight?

Is the trailer too long for the Sequoias 122 wheel base?

Once we start loading with full propane tanks and cargo would the hitch weight go up significantly?

Is 9% a number subject to change based on how we load the TT?

Am I missing anything here?

Thanks in advance for any assistance with this. I will update this post with actual weights once I get them.

-Rick