Towing a pop-up vs. a self-contained
I've owned 3 pop-up campers over the last 18 years. I'd like to upgrade to a 27' self-contained camper but I'd like more information about the differences in towing them. Any and all info is welcome. ...
Forum Discussion
Here's a calculator that you can use to match your tow vehicle to a perspective TT. Click here.
Towing a PUP, you may not have been concerned with some of these terms. They will be very important in matching your tow vehicle with a TT.
Payload (AKA max occupant / cargo weight) is what your tow vehicle is rated to carry. It gets eaten up by weight of aftermarket accessories , people, pets, cargo (in or on the vehicle), the weight distribution hitch, and trailer tongue (AKA hitch) weight. There is a tire / loading sticker, on the drivers door post or drivers door itself, that has this information.
GVWR - Maximum weight on your tow vehicle. The TT will have a GVWR of it's own.
GCVWR - Maximum combined weight of tow vehicle and TT, together.
Max tow capacity - This is max weight the tow vehicle is rated to tow. It does not include passengers or cargo in the vehicle. As you add people and stuff to the tow vehicle this tow capacity goes down, pound for pound, as does the available payload.
You may also want to read the towing section of your owners manual. Some vehicles (some crossovers and SUV's) have restrictions on frontal area of the trailer and weight distribution hitches. You may also find the manufacturers recommendation for front axle weight restoration. Some recommend as little as fifty percent, some as much as one hundred percent.
When you hang the trailer tongue weight on rear of the tow vehicle, it adds weight to the rear axle and takes weight off from it's front axle. The weight distribution hitch uses leveraging to restore that lost weight.
Towing a PUP, you may not have been concerned with some of these terms. They will be very important in matching your tow vehicle with a TT.
Payload (AKA max occupant / cargo weight) is what your tow vehicle is rated to carry. It gets eaten up by weight of aftermarket accessories , people, pets, cargo (in or on the vehicle), the weight distribution hitch, and trailer tongue (AKA hitch) weight. There is a tire / loading sticker, on the drivers door post or drivers door itself, that has this information.
GVWR - Maximum weight on your tow vehicle. The TT will have a GVWR of it's own.
GCVWR - Maximum combined weight of tow vehicle and TT, together.
Max tow capacity - This is max weight the tow vehicle is rated to tow. It does not include passengers or cargo in the vehicle. As you add people and stuff to the tow vehicle this tow capacity goes down, pound for pound, as does the available payload.
You may also want to read the towing section of your owners manual. Some vehicles (some crossovers and SUV's) have restrictions on frontal area of the trailer and weight distribution hitches. You may also find the manufacturers recommendation for front axle weight restoration. Some recommend as little as fifty percent, some as much as one hundred percent.
When you hang the trailer tongue weight on rear of the tow vehicle, it adds weight to the rear axle and takes weight off from it's front axle. The weight distribution hitch uses leveraging to restore that lost weight.
