New to the forum. SUV towing questions
First off, thanks for this forum. I have learned a ton lurking here. Everyone seems very friendly and helpful, so I figure no harm in putting my particular scenario out there. I have been towi...
Forum Discussion
PDX.Zs wrote:A trailer with a loaded weight of 5500# should have a tongue weight around 5500*0.13 = 715#.
Thank you very much for the input. I really want to be conservative here. I know people tow big stuff like this all day, but I really want to leave a lot in reserve.
OK let's use real numbers and see how it all works.
GVWR = 7100
Curb = 5500
Family, cargo and hitch = 800
Payload = 7100 - 6300 = 800 lbs.
So here is where it gets interesting. If the trailer weights 4500 or so, we are likely going to jam another 1000 lbs in it of gear, food, water and toys. The lightest we could possibly be is 5,500.
With a properly sized and adjusted WDH, a TW of 715# would cause a vertical load of approximately 715*0.8 = 570# to be added to the TV.
Using your above numbers:
the TV's GVW would be 5500+800+570 = 6870#.
The 6870# GVW would be 230# less than the 7100# GVWR.
Is this enough conservatism?
Ron
