Forum Discussion

vivaster's avatar
vivaster
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015

Tongue Weight problem

I have a problem, that I don't know how to resolve. I am looking at a Jayco 17C hybrid trailer that would be perfect for my family. I am upgrading from a PUP. The tongue weight on this baby is 465 lbs. I am towing with a '06 Saturn Vue V6 AWD w/rear airbags that has a (Curt) hitch weight rating of 350 lbs. I'm within the 3500 lbs tow rating. For a few years, the Saturn Vue adopted the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX drivetrain which are rated for higher tow capacity, so I'm not too worried about drivetrain, more so with the chassis.

I am thinking of running weight distribution hitch (increase tongue weight rating to 400 lbs) with sway control and moving the lp tanks and battery off the tongue, but what else can I do? Maybe load the trailer more towards rear and try to get the tongue weight down to 10%, which would put it at 350 lbs of GVWR?

Thanks for any help! I really want to pickup this baby up
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2015
    Nothing can be done to the Vue.
    if you want that trailer, you need a different tow vehicle.
  • PAThwacker's avatar
    PAThwacker
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2015
    They are tons of 06 GM vehicles designed to tow (trailblazer, envoy, canyon, Colorado) with common trait(body on frame rWd).

    Your Vue is not in the category to tow full height travel trailers. Small 10 ft pupups, utility trailers, and small 14ft or less boats. I have to admit
    That I have never seen a Vue at a boat launch lol.
  • handye9's avatar
    handye9
    Explorer II
    Apr 20, 2015
    Your owners manual (link) says, your max tow weight rating is calculated with a driver only. The weight of any optional equipment, cargo, and passengers, must be subtracted from that number.

    Advertised weights on that trailer are 2850 UVW, 465 hitch weight, 650 cargo capacity (equals 3500 GVW). With dishes, pots and pans, bedding, camp chairs, BBQ, water, groceries, etc, you will easily hit the 3500 lb GVW on the trailer. One passenger in the Vue, would put it's tow capacity below this trailer weight.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2015
    Remember...the tongue weight number you posted is probably the "dry" weight...
    When loaded up trip ready, that number will go up a good bit.

    Check the PAYLOAD rating for your tow vehicle and start subtracting the weight of the passengers (except the driver), all the gear loaded in the vehicle, the hitch weight, and the LOADED tongue weight of the trailer....

    This way, you can see if you have enough left over payload.
  • vivaster's avatar
    vivaster
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2015
    sch911 wrote:
    Those are good ideas but are you sure that you don't have a frontal aea restriction in the tow rating for your vehicle also? Many tow vehicles in this class do limit the frontal area of the TT to <30-32 sq-ft.


    I don't know too much about frontal area restriction. I will look it up for my vehicle. Thanks!
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2015
    Those are good ideas but are you sure that you don't have a frontal aea restriction in the tow rating for your vehicle also? Many tow vehicles in this class do limit the frontal area of the TT to <30-32 sq-ft.

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