New 30ft Trailer Towing Experience
Picked up our 2016 Sunset Trail 270BH from Manteca and towed it back to Reno using our 2014 Toyota Sequoia Platinum with 113t P rated Michelin LTX Defenders aired up to 42psi (max 44) and an Equalizer...
Forum Discussion
bailer6334 wrote:
Gator Mike,
My GD 2150 dry weighed is 5,384 lbs, with a hitch weight of 412 lbs according to GD's build sheet. That said when I weighted the tongue with a sherline tongue weight unit, it weighed 680 lbs (this included 2 batteries, 2 propane tanks, no water but other stuff in the rig. ) Add 90 lbs for the Equalizer 4 point WDH assembly and that makes up the 770 lbs of tongue weight. While my Dodge Durango pulled the trailer without problems, because of its uni-body frame/suspension, from a safety point I had to move to a tow vehicle with a higher hitch capacity. My issue is while I got a good deal price wise on the Chevy 2500HD DMAX I typically only use it 1 week every month. I hestitate to use it as a grocery getter/errand runner because of the emmisions stuff on newer diesels. Thats why I'm looking at gas tow vehicles. The Sequoia looked like a viable choice until I was told about the hitch capacity limits.
Do you use the existing mirrors or do you have 3rd party mirror extenders?
Glad the Sequoia works for you. I still need to think about what I want to do.
I do use some mirror extenders that slip over the OEM mirrors. Got them from etrailer.com. They help a little. I find the rear view camera on the back of the TT much more useful for seeing what's behind me.
I pulled out my Sequoia manual to review what it actually says about tongue weight limits. It says the trailer should be loaded so that the tongue weight is 9 - 11% of the trailer weight. The max allowed trailer weight for my SR5 is 7,400 lbs, so 11% of that would be 814 lbs. so it seems the 740 number is a bit 'squishy'.
You cAn probably get your tongue weight down some by shifting some cargo weight behind the axles of the trailer. As Bluepost said earlier, a little weight shifted can make a big difference.
I will say we love having the Sequoia and it's 8 passenger capacity available for the rest of the time that we're not towing. And Consumer Reports just pointed out that Sequoia owners are among the highest group of large SUV owners that would buy it again. But in the end, you have to be comfortable with your set up.
Keep us posted!
