How Roadworthy is my rig?

Hello everybody

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

My name is Brett, and my wife and two daughters (aged 4 and 1) are super excited to announce that we have just purchased our first travel trailer. We have signed on the dotted line and the unit is awaiting pickup in a couple of weeks.
The trailer is a 2014 Coachmen Clipper 17BH. We chose this unit primarily for it's layout coupled with light weight. Of course the budget was quite limited too. At 22 feet, it is also at the limit of what I can fit in my backyard which is important.

Specs of the Clipper 17BH:
Hitch Weight: 406lbs
Exterior Length: 21'8"
Width:88"
Exterior Height: 9'8"
Base weight:2818lbs
GVWR: 3626lbs
Single Axle, electric brakes

I have never towed before and wanted to remain on the safe side of my vehicles towing limitations. The tow vehicle will be a 2014 Grand Cherokee V8.

Specs of the Grand Cherokee:
Curb Weight: 5324 lbs
Wheel Base: 114.8"
5.7L V8, 360hp, 390ft/lb
4wd, 8 speed auto
The tow limit is 7200 lbs, tongue limit is 720lbs
Payload: 1090lbs (a little on the low side but manageable)

I have installed a Tekonsha P3 brake controller and the dealer is equiping my trailer with a weight distributing hitch. I believe that I am ready to pick the trailer up and I'm just waiting for the weather t stabilize a little more.
I must admit I got a little excited and really jumped head first into all of this and I lack any experience. I did not test drive my trailer with my tow rig and perhaps have made some hasty/unwise decisions.
So I guess what I'm looking for here besides sharing my excitement with all of you is opinions on how my setup will function on the open road. I will be doing a lot of towing in the mountains through relatively high elevations at times. I know that my tow vehicle has a shortish wheel base and I certainly do not want to be swaying back and forth in the wake of semis with my family on board. I want this to be safe first and foremost.
What do y'all think? Please keep in mind that we have already purchased so changing trailer models is not really feasible at this time.

Thanks

beemerphile1
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Welcome to the forum.

I see one issue immediately. Many of the approximately 3,500 range GVWR trailers have very tittle cargo capacity. Yours is no exception.

The as built weight will likely be more than the 2818 base weight. You will have to be very careful at how much gear you pack. Water alone weighs 8.3# per gallon. Fill that 33 gallon fresh water tank and you just added 273# which is 1/3 of your cargo capacity.

Make sure you get a good weight distribution hitch. Many of us like the Equal-i-zer brand.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
beemerphile1 wrote:
Welcome to the forum.

I see one issue immediately. Many of the approximately 3,500 range GVWR trailers have very tittle cargo capacity. Yours is no exception.

The as built weight will likely be more than the 2818 base weight. You will have to be very careful at how much gear you pack. Water alone weighs 8.3# per gallon. Fill that 33 gallon fresh water tank and you just added 273# which is 1/3 of your cargo capacity.

Make sure you get a good weight distribution hitch. Many of us like the Equal-i-zer brand.

Cute trailer;
modern_family
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
I think that is a nice combo. You will have about 500 pounds to work with inside the GC, (pending the fluid levels) take out the wife and your kids so you can do the Math on what how much you can load in your SUV. As far as wagging around, you may always feel something from the big rigs and fast SUVs in the left lane, but it will not be unsafe as long as you maintain your weight. The TT is light, just the payload as you mentioned, put as much as you can in the TT and you will be good.

What kind of WDH hitch did dealer install, (they are not all created equal)The GC is a nice SUV and a very capable TV when used correctly, you should not have a problem.

Congrats and have fun!
AirForceAngler
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
You're going to be just fine. Add sway control to your WDH and don't overload the trailer and all should be well.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
You should do great. Congrats on the new TT and the fun you'll have with your family until the girls become teenagers. Then will be yuck!!! I don't want to go camping....

Make sure your side mirrors allow you to see the rear end of the trailer. You may need mirror extensions.

Take the rig to a large empty parking lot and practice with it. Use some cones or boxes to mark out a tight parking spot and practice backing into it from different angles just like you might have to do at a campground.

Remember try to use small steering inputs until you get a feel for what the trailer will do.

Backup in a straight line for a long distance to get a feel for what the trailer wants to do.

Also be careful but do some aggressive manuevers like panic stop (use the trailer brake manual control) quick lane change, and avoidance manuevers.

Plan on spending a few hours... this will help build your confidence when out in the real world.

Speaking of real world-
The short wheelbase will make some roads feel rough due to what's known as "bucking". The trailer and Cherokee get out of sequence on the bumps. Just slowdown if it gets too bad.

Passing semis may move the trailer around so be ready. If they are going in the same direction you are the trailer will be sucked towards the semi. If they are headed in the opposite direction the trailer will be pushed.
KFCCaravan
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Thanks for all the replies

I can definitely see that the payload of the tow vehicle and in particular the payload of my single axle trailer are going to be limiting factors on my trips. I totally neglected to factor in trailer payload when comparing trailers prior to purchase. However I have yet to find a trailer of similar layout with tandem axles (higher payload) that doesn't grow significantly in length and weight. I still think we'll have no problem making it work and we'll just need to be cognisant of the GVWR. Did I mention the dealer installed a 160 watt solar panel and extra battery? Yeah, there goes my payload.
As for the weight distributing hitch, all I know is that it will be new and not used. Brand and quality unknown at this point. Now I'm wondering iff the dealer has equiped a sub standard WDH, will it be possible to retro fit a higher quality unit or is my A frame going to be compromised by a swiss cheese of mounting bracketry holes?
I can't wait to get it on the road and I plan to take it to an empty parking lot to practise. So excited!

Cheers
Oasisbob
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Welcome and congratulations. This is a great place with really helpful folks. Your rig looks good to me.Being an impatient person I was shocked at your wait time to pick up. Have the dealer hook up everything and show you how it is done. I suggest a short weekend trip to start with. It took us about a year to figure out what to pack and not. Always pack a camera and a sense of adventure. The rrest will fall into place with time.
westend
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Get out there and take it easy for the first few miles. You'll do fine. Nice TT, BTW.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
:h

Looks to me like tongue weight is going to be around 400 pounds max- since the tug's TW limit is almost twice that, is a W/D system really needed for this setup?

I hope the O.P. understands that W/D isn't "sway control" in case that's why it's being added-?
boosTT
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Some WD hitches require drilling, some don't. I would be more concerned about sway control rather than WD with your setup. Some WD hitches have sway control built in, but the cheap ones don't. I would also recommend investigating towing with air suspension, if you have it.

There is a good chance you will end up over the GVWR of the trailer. The tires are probably barely rated to meet the GVWR. A blowout with a single axle could be nasty. I would consider upgrading the tires (assuming they have a low load rating). Weighing the trailer couldn't hurt either.

Otherwise, your setup should be awesome. It will take time to get the hang of it, but I'm sure you'll do fine.

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