Am I getting too much trailer??

[Coacher12]

I am in the process of buying a Catalina santara 27 DBS at camping world. I have a 2007 Yukon with a 5.3l w/tow package and a 2008 tundra with a 4.7l v8. The dealer told me both vehicles would pull this trailer and the dry weight is 5200 lbs, but when I pulled up the specs online, the trailer lists at 6020 lbs dry weight, and 744 lbs hitch weight on rvguide.com. This seems like a stretch for my vehicles and especially the Yukon which Could be rated as low as 6200. The tundra rates out at 7,000 lbs.
There is sooooo much information out there about tow specs and ratings, I even find different specs for the trailer I am looking at. It is quite overwhelming.
We are supposed to go through financing tomorrow, but safety is #1 priority especially with my 2 kids that will be with us and that's not always a priority for the salesman. The dealer is providing the sway bars and break control. We want to have a blast camping this year so any help is appreciated!

[newstome2]

Hello, Coacher:

I am newstome2 out of Oregon. I faced the same situation you are in a few years ago when I first purchased an RV and a new truck. I did extensive research as you are doing, but in a different way:

I will save space by telling you this:

ONLY go by the manufacturers recommended weight rating as posted on their official web sites or specs for your specific vehicle. In fact, print them out and save them on your computer.

Do not pay attention to what ANY dealer or salesman tells you. Do not go by 'articles' you read. You are safe when you go the specs and only the specs as posted by the maker of your vehicle.

The same is true with your trailer. The sticker which comes with the trailer will give you that information. Again, trust only that sticker and ignore comments or suggestions made by others.

Why? Because after 30 years in law enforcement and countless hours of testimony in courts, I can tell you that the only thing that will matter under a warranty OR in a court of law due to an accident while towing is that YOU followed the recommendations of the manufacturer to the letter; Not what someone told you at the time of purchase.

Let me assist you if I can:

I use a formula sheet and an information packet which I assembled on my vehicles. I researched everything about my trailer and new truck. I then made sure I calculated the numbers before I bought my truck. I also made sure I had at least 1000+ pounds of spare tow weight available before I bought the truck. That was to cover any unknown extra weight while loading for a trip.

Also make sure you pay attention to the Ball Hitch Weight. Mine is rated at 1000 Pounds tongue weight along with an 10,000 pound tow equalizer bar system. This is a very important device for towing.

Also make sure you have a sway bar with your kit. Mine came complete with my equalizer bar. It is called EAZ-LIFT.

In my case, I also purchased video tapes called RV-101 by Mark POLK, a nationwide expert on RV tech information, sales, repair and weight ratings.

You can find his tapes and books online via GOOGLE. I highly recommend them.

Go to your truck manufacturer web sites and load the vehicle specs for your trucks. Follow them. Your Spec Sheet on new trucks should also list this information at the dealer.

If you wish, send me your E-Mail address and I will forward my documents to you.

Remember that my information applies to my vehicle and trailer, but you simply plug in your numbers for weight and calculate the proper ratings.

You can also find this information online as well.

It appears this may reach you too late to be of any service, but you can use it to assist you in making load calculations when traveling.

Final comment:

Make sure you go to a Weigh Station in your area for both of your vehicles WHEN LOADED. I went to our local dump which weighs all vehicles on a large electronic scale. I wrote this information down and put it in my computer. Best of all, the weighing is free!

Good luck to you,

newstome2@live.com
June 22, 2013

[Coacher12]

Looks like I can pull it with the tundra, but as I am looking more the Gvwr is 7,000lbs. The way is understand it that is what the trailer CAN weigh loaded down, is this correct?

[Golden_HVAC]

A lot of people find out that the truck is overloaded, and they have to upgrade. At least you are smart enough to check the weights before putting down a (sometimes) non-refundable deposit.

You have to consider the hitch weight, all the kids, and what they will be in 8 years, before you are going to upgrade the truck or Yukon.

I do believe the dealer told you "You will be fine" towing anything they have on the lot. A LOT of dealers say that.

I don't know all about those vehicles, you can probably get the towing guide at a dealership for the GMC or Toyota and get a lot more information.

Fred.