SUV Tow vehicle suggestions
Hi all! New to the RV world and jumping in head first out of necessity. We bought a 35’ Coleman Lantern 314bh and are having it towed to our destination for long term living during the work week. That...
Forum Discussion
Bankoske wrote:
Thanks for the feedback. Let me expound a couple items...
Our family of 5 consists of my wife, my 11, 7, and 3 year olds which adds about 600 lbs to the vehicle's gvwr. The max tongue load for the older Expedition is 920 lbs and the tow weight is 9200 and the 2018 is 930/9300. The GVRW of the Expedition varies from 1700-2000 lbs.
If you bumped the tongue weight to say 850, added the 600 lbs from the family, and another 300 lbs of "stuff", we would be right at the limit of the gvwr but would still be well within the limit of towing. That said, if we were mindful of the situation, we could also load the gear in the trailer itself and stay well below the tow weight.
Thoughts?
Jeff
The tow rating of new vehicles is calculated with 150lbs each for a driver and 1 passenger. Any weight above that that is added to the vehicle reduces the tow rating pound for pound. Keep in mind that your kids aren't going to get any smaller or lighter.
I think you're being a little optimistic on your weights too. That trailer, even lightly loaded will be near 9k with a tongue weight over 1k. Both will exceed the ratings of an Expedition or any 1/2 ton based SUV. The payloads you show (1700-2000) are unlikely as well. They are brochure weights for empty stripped down models. Any options added will reduce that number quickly.
Do yourself a favour and stop using dry or brochure weights. Your trailer should have a yellow sticker, usually on the screen door or a cabinet, which will show its actual weight with options as it left the factory. What is that number? Vehicles will have a similar sticker on the drivers door frame that states "weight of passengers and cargo should not exceed xxxx". That is the actual payload as it left the factory (before dealer added options).
If you can't weigh the trailer I would estimate as best as possible. A family of five will easily add 8-1000lbs of stuff for a week long trip. Sounds like you'll be living in it so that number could be significantly higher. Tongue weight should be approximately 13 percent of the loaded trailer weight. Don't forget to add approx 75lbs for the hitch as well.
That trailer is heavy for what it is. I have the identical layout with my Keystone Bullet 31bhpr. My shipped weight is only 6400lbs (1k lighter). Loaded we are just under 8k and 1k of tongue weight. I still wouldn't tow it with any of the vehicles you list.
