TomG2 wrote:
The OP wrote, "We're still looking at getting a Winnebago Micro Mini 1700BH TT, which is single-axle, 20'9" overall length, 3000 dry/3800 GVWR."
Wow! To tow that monster, you need at least a one ton dually with a Hensely hitch. Got to be safe, you know. NOT.
You are correct in looking at all the numbers but unless you are going to haul a thousand pounds of junk in the bed of the pickup, you will have plenty of capacity. If you have even the slightest tendency to sway, there is something wrong. A fancy hitch might hide the problem but it is easier and just as correct to set up the trailer right in the first place. It should not sway, regardless of the hitch involved. My trailers do not sway.
Wow, thanks for your astute answer and sense of humor. I just got a 3200 LB 21.5 foot Aspen Trail 1700BH and was concerned that my Ram 1500 Outdoorsman wouldn't be enough truck for the massive trailer I have just purchased. I was very concerned until reading your post. NOT...
But, a general rule of thumb imho and if you have your family in tow, don't experiment with equipment or lack thereof. The story of the guy doing a 360 illustrates the point although when he swayed at 20 mph, I would have immediately known "something isn't right."
Research carefully and hard before towing and KNOW what your vehicle is capable of, purchase accordingly and try to avoid trailers the run to the maxes on your vehicles capabilities. I used to tow a 1900 lb pop up camper (1350 dry weight) with a Subaru Forester (manual tranny). Many were incredulous. But I researched the living poo out of it before doing it. I had electric brakes put on the trailer at purchase and I was still 25% below it's rated towing capability (2400 lbs) and I went about 30K miles with that set up and never a problem. I knew that Subaru's of the second generation were build by engineers who knew what they were doing.
They were designed to tow including being pre-wired for it. I knew that in Australia, they had a 3200 lb tow rating with the same trailers we tow here in the U.S. Oh, I don't recommend doing what I did with any small SUV anymore including Subaru's. The marketing pukes took over the company at the expense of the engineers and so are becoming not any different than all the other small SUVS with the most recent generations.
The lesson though, is do your research prior to taking the plunge.
