Towing 8ft wide v 7ft trailer
Is it much harder to tow an 8ft wide trailer than a 7ft? Can you describe the differences? We camp primarily at state and national campgrounds. Does anyone have experience with an 8ft wide trailer ...
Forum Discussion
I can't believe the bum advice you're getting! Yes, an 8' wide TT will be MUCH harder to tow with your Traverse, because the Summerland's frontal area is about 19% greater (it's both taller and wider). I towed a 7' wide by 99" high KZ Escape 14RB with my 2008 Toyota Highlander (virtually the same vehicle size and engine power as your Traverse), and let me tell you it had a tough time dragging that trailer up long grades at higher altitudes. I would not want to tow anything as big as the Summerland with my HL. In fact, I sold the KZ last summer and bought a folding Aliner.
Another huge factor here is the hitch weight. Both trailers have a dry hitch weight of more than 400 lb. Once you add LP, battery, some water, and your camping gear to this trailer, you will be very hard pressed to keep the hitch weight (loaded) under your 500 lb limit. The Summerland is 440 dry hitch... you'll probably be 550 to 600 lb or more on the hitch when ready to camp.
Both of these trailers exceed 21' length, so you definitely would want a hitch that controls sway... and this will add more weight!
You might look at the KZ Sportsmen Classic 16RB; it's lighter weight all around (under 350 dry hitch), 7' wide, and 17' long. I think something that size is a much better match for SUVs like ours. They also make a 19BH, still under 350 lb dry hitch, but last I heard an axle flip was advisable on those because some owners drag the longer back end when going through deep dips... these Classics are (or at least were) very low to the ground.
Another huge factor here is the hitch weight. Both trailers have a dry hitch weight of more than 400 lb. Once you add LP, battery, some water, and your camping gear to this trailer, you will be very hard pressed to keep the hitch weight (loaded) under your 500 lb limit. The Summerland is 440 dry hitch... you'll probably be 550 to 600 lb or more on the hitch when ready to camp.
Both of these trailers exceed 21' length, so you definitely would want a hitch that controls sway... and this will add more weight!
You might look at the KZ Sportsmen Classic 16RB; it's lighter weight all around (under 350 dry hitch), 7' wide, and 17' long. I think something that size is a much better match for SUVs like ours. They also make a 19BH, still under 350 lb dry hitch, but last I heard an axle flip was advisable on those because some owners drag the longer back end when going through deep dips... these Classics are (or at least were) very low to the ground.
