Newbie towing recommendation

Laziebun wrote:
Man...I want to attemp th combination so bad, because of the size and price point. I know it will probably tow it and I know it would be a struggle, but could be done. However given my experience level, I rather not risk injuring anyone to include the public.

Probably a good choice.

That mythical max tow capacity number, gets a lot of folks in trouble. When manufacturers say their truck can tow 10,000 lbs, they are calculating that with a truck that has zero aftermarket accessories, zero cargo, zero passengers, and they are using a flat trailer that has much less wind resistance. When these things get loaded, the available payload and max tow capacity are going down, pound for pound.

People don't go camping that way. We install bed covers / caps, bed liners, and step bars, etc. Then we load up the family, a tool box, a BBQ grill, lawn chairs, firewood, and bicycles, etc.

Here's a link to a towing calculator. It may help you with your search.

When you look at trailer dry weights, figure loaded for camping weight will be about 1000 lbs more. Then figure hitch weight will be 12 - 13 percent of the loaded weight.

Keep in mind, hitch / tongue weight is not a constant number. It fluctuates, up and down, during every trip. Depending on location, in relation to the trailer axles, the holding tanks can have a significant impact on tongue weight. If the tanks are in front of the axles, they add tongue weight. If they are behind the axles, they subtract tongue weight. In any case, tongue weight should always be above 10 percent, and it could be up to 15 percent. My trailer has fresh water (behind the axles), black tank (above the axles), grey tank (above the axles), and a grey tank (in front of the axles). My tongue weight can be anywhere between 975 and 1200 lbs. The advertised dry tongue weight was 880.