hanklee2016
Jun 10, 2016Explorer
camper wieght?
im looking at a 1984 skyline weekender 18ft and need to know the weight of it. we looked all over and found a Ul number and data plate number but cant seem to find how much this thing weighs.
atreis wrote:MitchF150 wrote:
#4600 "tow rating" means you also don't really carry anything in the 'truck' either, so you might need to consider that too...
Not necessarily true. For instance, my Sienna has 1100 lbs of additional cargo capacity on the GVWR AFTER taking the maximum tongue weight into consideration (and it's not even a "truck"). The GCWR is simply the sum of the total tow rating, weight of the vehicle, and cargo capacity (1650 lbs), so the same is true for that number too.
From what I've seen, this statement actually applies to trucks, not "trucks", for the most part. (e.g. Some pickup trucks only allow for a 150 lb driver.) Nearly all of the minivans, and similar-platform SUVs, have substantially higher cargo capacity left over after adding the tongue weight. The pickups seem to do this so that they can advertise greater towing capacity, a selling point for them.MitchF150 wrote:
Also, a #3000 full sided TT is gonna have a lot more wind drag to it then say a #3000 pop up trailer..
Might want to check the 'trucks' front sq/ft area rating too...
This hasn't been a published limitation for most minivans and similar-platform SUVs for a long time. (e.g. It hasn't been true, for instance, for the Honda Pilot or Ridgeline since 2008.) As far as I know, it's never been true for the Sienna. There are recommendations (not the same as limitations) for most vehicles along these lines, including pickup trucks.MitchF150 wrote:
Anyway, it's still a pretty small and "lite" trailer in the grand scheme of things and you'll get down the road.. Just be prepared for it to work a bit more than normal driving. (ie: lots more rpms and probably a lot of having to mat the gas pedal to the floor.)
Mitch
In all of the years I've been towing trailers with this minivan and the Ford WindStar I used before it (this one was bought used in 2009, and this is the second trailer it's pulled) I've only found one hill, a several-miles-long 11% grade that one has to start up from a dead stop at a traffic light at the very bottom, that I had to push the pedal all the way to the floor. Generally speaking, modern engines, including the six bangers in minivans and similar-platform SUVs, have quite a lot of power.
I don't work harder while towing. (Having a good hitch helps a lot here.) My minivan definitely works harder. The same is true for an F-350 towing at 90% of capacity. *shrug* Stay within the published weight ratings of the vehicle, and it's fine. (My minivan has yet to need anything other than fluid changes, new tires, and new brakes after ~40K miles of towing, 75K miles total. BTW - I put 160K on the WindStar with only 1 major repair - new rack and pinion at 120K.)
Caveat: I tow at 60mph, and never carry water in my tanks. (Many people here recommend that limit on speed while towing, regardless of vehicle.)
That said: If the actual weight empty is 4000 lbs - it's really not a good choice. If it weighs 3500 lbs empty, it's marginal but workable if one packs carefully. Less than that (which is very likely for a 17' trailer) would be better.
Given the sellers unwillingness to weigh it, I'd not be inclined to work with that seller. Weighing your trailer is something everyone should just DO, and be willing to do if selling to help the buyer make a good choice.