Towing question

CKNSLS wrote:

gmw photos wrote:
I think the point of the whole argument regarding the trailer gross weight rating vs what it's advertised dry weight is....and all the yada, yada that surrounds the discussion is this: you need to know what the trailer really weighs, as you would use it, ready to go camp.
For instance, my trailer has a GVWR of over 6000 pounds, but in reality, it weighs just under 4000 pounds when I pull out of the driveway. So it's good to know real numbers, and there is no substitute to rolling it onto the scales to find out the truth.

A lot of beginners have no concept of PAYLOAD and they don't even know where that little yellow and white sticker is located. That is where the problem of towing weights come in. Generally with a half ton truck with a standard towing package you will not be able to tow the full manufacturer's weight rating because you will EXCEED PAYLOAD FIRST. So many first timers have no concept of this equation.

Thanks for bringing payload into the discussion. Saying my TV can tow xxxx pounds really doesn't mean squat. As I have read again and again - and quoted above, payload is usualy exceeded well before you reach towing limits. To the OP: Payload includes the weight of all passengers, cargo, and a full tank of gas. It also includes the weight of the hitch(the thing that plugs into the receiver)and the tounge weight of the TT which includes front mounted items such as a batterty and propane tanks. All this weight cannot exceed the Gross Vechile Weight of your TV.

Towing capacity boils down to the estimated weight the TV can tow utilizing the equipment it has - engine, suspension, transmission, gear ratio, etc. This number is supplied by the manufacturer and is usually inflated because they don't use real life scenarios to determine it.

One more thing to look at if buying a used TV is the tires. Are they OEM tires or are they just something slapped on by the prevvious owner in order to save a few bucks. Properly inflated OEM tires are part of the calculation that determines gross vechile weight.

Actually another thing to consider is that in the future, you may want to upgrade the TT. Buying more TV than you need at present - like a 3/4 or one ton TV will allow you to do so, and it does not necesarily need to have a diesel engine or dual rear wheels - depends on what you think the future may hold.

Here is a Cat Scale Locater link that may be of help.

Good luck and let us know what you decided to do.

nolra wrote:
I think I'd rebuild the old suburban and make it a tow monster unless it's a rust issue.

That may not be a bad idea. Seeing the OP is from NY, rust may be the problem with this solution.

If I needed the room and had a 2000-2002 Ford Excursion with the 7.3 diesel engine, I would certainly rebuild it since I couldn't replace it with anything in it's class. Of course, an Phoenix, AZ vehicle will still be rust free after a few decades. I guess we have it pretty good when it comes to older vehicles.

gmw photos wrote:
I think the point of the whole argument regarding the trailer gross weight rating vs what it's advertised dry weight is....and all the yada, yada that surrounds the discussion is this: you need to know what the trailer really weighs, as you would use it, ready to go camp.
For instance, my trailer has a GVWR of over 6000 pounds, but in reality, it weighs just under 4000 pounds when I pull out of the driveway. So it's good to know real numbers, and there is no substitute to rolling it onto the scales to find out the truth.

A lot of beginners have no concept of PAYLOAD and they don't even know where that little yellow and white sticker is located. That is where the problem of towing weights come in. Generally with a half ton truck with a standard towing package you will not be able to tow the full manufacturer's weight rating because you will EXCEED PAYLOAD FIRST. So many first timers have no concept of this equation.

I think the point of the whole argument regarding the trailer gross weight rating vs what it's advertised dry weight is....and all the yada, yada that surrounds the discussion is this: you need to know what the trailer really weighs, as you would use it, ready to go camp.
For instance, my trailer has a GVWR of over 6000 pounds, but in reality, it weighs just under 4000 pounds when I pull out of the driveway. So it's good to know real numbers, and there is no substitute to rolling it onto the scales to find out the truth.

I think I'd rebuild the old suburban and make it a tow monster unless it's a rust issue.

Not sure what year explorer the OP is looking at but according to Ford the 2010 -2014 has a MAX tow rating of 5000 which is probably around what that trailer weights empty. If you are going to be towing something like that with a SUV you need a suburban or an expedition.

BarneyS wrote:

RinconVTR wrote:

There's nothing but******for replies in this thread so far.

NO ONE pointed out you stated the trailer is 7000lbs GROSS, meaning it will likely NEVER come near that number unless you carelessly overload it.

GVWR is NOT the number to shop and match TV's with. Sure you can, there is no harm, but more often than not you will buy a TV that is far more than you ever required.

In your case, matching the TV max towing with the max the trailer should ever be, should be fine. HOWEVER, the Explorer is typically known as a Mid-Size SUV. Just because it can tow 7000lbs, doesnt mean it will do so comfortably. You'll want to make the the actual loaded weight isnt really that close to the max ratings, strictly for comfort.

I towed with a 2012 Honda Pilot nearly maxed out, and it did so very well, but I felt it wasnt comfortable enough to travel entire days at a time, as we changed our plans to start national travel with the TT. So we bought a 2010 Sequoia. There isnt a whole lot different, other than I dont feel the trailer as much, and day long drives wont wear on the driver as much.

Your first sentance is as much **** as you seem to think everyone else's is. Your next two paragraph sentences are just about as bad. You only start to make sense with your last two paragraphs.
Barney

So two of you opt to call me out, while added nothing of value to the thread after doing so. Nice.

Yes, I know you believe Gross weight ratings of trailers are the be all end all number for TV shopping. However there is so much more to it than that, and you know this. I clearly said this method isnt "WRONG" but its a poor method to shop for a TT. Just because a trailer is rated to hold XXXXlbs, doesnt mean you need a truck rated to pull that amount or more. It's ILL LOGIC!

This method of shopping doesn’t consider actual or even over estimated loaded weights, carrying capacity of the TT, its not money conscious, and not often practical for common leisure when the TV is a daily driver. I can go on...

Instead, I provide detail why or why not the Explorer is for them, while no one else had done so.

Previous posts are mostly about "more truck", "safety", "don’t do it" comments. All of which are grossly, generically, over played on here.

BarneyS wrote:

Your first sentance is as much **** as you seem to think everyone else's is. Your next two paragraph sentences are just about as bad. You only start to make sense with your last two paragraphs.
Barney

I agree.. and his last two paragraphs are the same **** that the rest of us have been saying :B

RinconVTR wrote:

There's nothing but******for replies in this thread so far.

NO ONE pointed out you stated the trailer is 7000lbs GROSS, meaning it will likely NEVER come near that number unless you carelessly overload it.

GVWR is NOT the number to shop and match TV's with. Sure you can, there is no harm, but more often than not you will buy a TV that is far more than you ever required.

In your case, matching the TV max towing with the max the trailer should ever be, should be fine. HOWEVER, the Explorer is typically known as a Mid-Size SUV. Just because it can tow 7000lbs, doesnt mean it will do so comfortably. You'll want to make the the actual loaded weight isnt really that close to the max ratings, strictly for comfort.

I towed with a 2012 Honda Pilot nearly maxed out, and it did so very well, but I felt it wasnt comfortable enough to travel entire days at a time, as we changed our plans to start national travel with the TT. So we bought a 2010 Sequoia. There isnt a whole lot different, other than I dont feel the trailer as much, and day long drives wont wear on the driver as much.

Your first sentance is as much **** as you seem to think everyone else's is. Your next two paragraph sentences are just about as bad. You only start to make sense with your last two paragraphs.
Barney

MFOX wrote:
Hi! We are looking for a new truck because our 12 year old suburban is slowly dying. We are looking at a Ford Explorer 8 cyclinder with a max. tow rating of 7000. We are also looking at a KZ Frontier 2505 that the GVWR is at 7000 lbs. Now we would be using a weight distribution hitch and sway bars. Is this going to be okay. I tried to find the answers else where online, but they aren't giving me all the info put together. Thanks for any help.

There's nothing but******for replies in this thread so far.

NO ONE pointed out you stated the trailer is 7000lbs GROSS, meaning it will likely NEVER come near that number unless you carelessly overload it.

GVWR is NOT the number to shop and match TV's with. Sure you can, there is no harm, but more often than not you will buy a TV that is far more than you ever required.

In your case, matching the TV max towing with the max the trailer should ever be, should be fine. HOWEVER, the Explorer is typically known as a Mid-Size SUV. Just because it can tow 7000lbs, doesnt mean it will do so comfortably. You'll want to make the the actual loaded weight isnt really that close to the max ratings, strictly for comfort.

I towed with a 2012 Honda Pilot nearly maxed out, and it did so very well, but I felt it wasnt comfortable enough to travel entire days at a time, as we changed our plans to start national travel with the TT. So we bought a 2010 Sequoia. There isnt a whole lot different, other than I dont feel the trailer as much, and day long drives wont wear on the driver as much.