What can I tow safely with my TV
Hello all wise ones out there! I plan to hit the road full-time next spring. I will drive a fair amount to explore much of this grand country I call home-including some mountain areas (Rv at the par...
Forum Discussion
The advice previously given is general spot on. To be quite honest, you wont be happy pulling anything greater than 25 feet long. Mid sized SUVs have too many variables going against them to be adequate towing vehicles. First is payload capacity. With just over 1000 lbs of payload, you'll be way over this limit when it's time to go camping. Dont ever pay attention to dry tongue weight numbers. They're meaningless. Assume 15% of the trailers GVWR. Then add 100 lbs for a Weight distribution hitch. You'll be have used up 1090 lbs of any available payload that truck had from the factory. Even before you add LT tires, humans, pets, coolers. drinks, and refreshments, you'll be over already.
Next is axle and tire ratings. Go way over the payload specs and you'll be stressing your driveline, suspension components, brakes, and tires to the limits. God forbid something fails at highways speeds and you're no longer in control.
Next is wheelbase. something severely lacking from most midsized SUVs. With my Yukon XL Denali, I had nearly 1.5 feet more in wheelbase to tow my 35 foot TT. But that was even a challenge and I had to invest in a premium Hensley Arrow to eliminate the inherent and uncontrollable sway. Unfortunately, that new "expensive hitch" put me over on payload and I was out shopping for a new truck. You see how things inter-connect?
I now own a 2500 RAm megacab paired with the Hensley. I have substational margins in all towing specs for my TV. It's easy to drive, not remotely tiring, and I "let" the wife take the wheel for at least half the miles on our cross country trips. No way I'd ever do that with your prospective setup.
Not that you need a 1 ton dually to tow a 6600 lb trailer, but I think most experienced RVers will agree that its beneficial to step up into a properly equipped 1/2 ton platform.
Good luck and be safe.
Next is axle and tire ratings. Go way over the payload specs and you'll be stressing your driveline, suspension components, brakes, and tires to the limits. God forbid something fails at highways speeds and you're no longer in control.
Next is wheelbase. something severely lacking from most midsized SUVs. With my Yukon XL Denali, I had nearly 1.5 feet more in wheelbase to tow my 35 foot TT. But that was even a challenge and I had to invest in a premium Hensley Arrow to eliminate the inherent and uncontrollable sway. Unfortunately, that new "expensive hitch" put me over on payload and I was out shopping for a new truck. You see how things inter-connect?
I now own a 2500 RAm megacab paired with the Hensley. I have substational margins in all towing specs for my TV. It's easy to drive, not remotely tiring, and I "let" the wife take the wheel for at least half the miles on our cross country trips. No way I'd ever do that with your prospective setup.
Not that you need a 1 ton dually to tow a 6600 lb trailer, but I think most experienced RVers will agree that its beneficial to step up into a properly equipped 1/2 ton platform.
Good luck and be safe.
