Do I have enough margin for safety with towing setup?

[canuckystan]

Looking at a 2017 Rockwood Roo 21BD dry 4891, payload 1442, hitch 633. 2012 Ford Expedition Limited w/Premium Class IV heavy duty tow package 8900 pound capacity. Family of 4, 1 dog, fair bit of stuff (4 bikes, etc).

Practically, is this pushing the safety margin?

[shum02]

dodge guy wrote:
This is a case of where you have to use the trailers GVWR. Normally I say to add 12-1500lbs to the dry weight. But here that would be at the GVWR.

But yes the Expedition will handle that trailer just fine provided you set it up properly I.e. 12% tongue weight. That would be a TW of around 780lbs.

IDE be more worried about maxing out the trailer before the Expedition.

X2

The Ex will handle that just fine.

[dodge_guy]

This is a case of where you have to use the trailers GVWR. Normally I say to add 12-1500lbs to the dry weight. But here that would be at the GVWR.

But yes the Expedition will handle that trailer just fine provided you set it up properly I.e. 12% tongue weight. That would be a TW of around 780lbs.

IDE be more worried about maxing out the trailer before the Expedition.

[afidel]

SoundGuy wrote:

canuckystan wrote:
Looking at a 2017 Rockwood Roo 21BD dry 4891, payload 1442, hitch 633. 2012 Ford Expedition Limited w/Premium Class IV heavy duty tow package 8900 pound capacity. Family of 4, 1 dog, fair bit of stuff (4 bikes, etc).

Practically, is this pushing the safety margin?

Sticker dry weight on this trailer as it left the factory is sure to be in excess of 5000 lbs, loaded for a family of 4 and ready to camp I'd see it weighing at least 6000 lbs. 13% of 6K will put your gross tongue weight around 800 lbs so subtract that from the vehicle's payload capacity and what you have left may not be enough for everyone and all additional cargo loaded in the vehicle. Maybe within your limits, maybe not, but you'd surely be towing close to 100% capacity. Your other issue is axle ratio - what is it? :@

If he's not now he will be when the kids get bigger 😃

I've got 250+ lb more cargo capacity and a trailer almost 2,000lb lighter than he will likely be and I'm nearly maxed. Can't see it working.

[coolmom42]

See page 23 of the Ford 2012 towing guide to get your exact ratings. If you have the heavy duty towing package (option 536) you should be good on the tow weight. Check your door sticker for info on the cargo capacity. Your trailer tongue weight is part of your cargo, and it should be 10-15% of the trailer loaded weight.

2012 Ford towing guide

Check the VIN with your dealer to find out for sure if you have that package.

[SoundGuy]

canuckystan wrote:
Looking at a 2017 Rockwood Roo 21BD dry 4891, payload 1442, hitch 633. 2012 Ford Expedition Limited w/Premium Class IV heavy duty tow package 8900 pound capacity. Family of 4, 1 dog, fair bit of stuff (4 bikes, etc).

Practically, is this pushing the safety margin?

Sticker dry weight on this trailer as it left the factory is sure to be in excess of 5000 lbs, loaded for a family of 4 and ready to camp I'd see it weighing at least 6000 lbs. 13% of 6K will put your gross tongue weight around 800 lbs so subtract that from the vehicle's payload capacity and what you have left may not be enough for everyone and all additional cargo loaded in the vehicle. Maybe within your limits, maybe not, but you'd surely be towing close to 100% capacity. Your other issue is axle ratio - what is it? :@

[donn0128]

Trailers GVWR? Use the typical 12-13% of that and add it to your Exps loaded ready to travel weight. Are you over or under the SUVs GVWR as listed on the drivers door post?