PAThwacker wrote:
I do not know how a loaded up minivan can legally tow a trail sport ts 21 bh hybrid. It has mystified me for years??
Been doing it for 6 years (and am not the only one). I'm not of the CanAm club - I stay within the manufacturer's limits.
2009 TS 21 RBH, with AC and microwave removed (no good without the electric to run them - they just add weight), the smaller fridge option, and a handful of other odds and ends removed (mostly false wood panels and the like), 1 115 W solar panel added to roof, and no cargo except for batteries, two full propane tanks, and the hitch sitting on the floor inside weighs 3120 lbs gross.
BTW - after adding the tongue weight (500 lbs assumed - it's usually about 450-480), that leaves about 750 lbs of additional cargo (people) capacity in the minivan. They're pretty good in that respect. My (lightweight) family of 5 weighs 520 lbs currently, and weighed a lot less than that 6 years ago when we started pulling this trailer. We're still well within the margins, and should be for quite some years yet. (For the Toyota van, the GCWR is GVWR + tow rating (3500 lbs). No worries there either.)
With all cargo that we carry for a family of 5 (clothes, blankets (fleece), cookware and tableware (backpacking Titanium cookware and tableware - we also use it when backpacking and backcountry kayaking - about 3.5 lbs total for the whole kit), aluminum chairs, toolbox, flashlights, outside stove and aluminum table to put it on, propane for the stove, some card games (Uno, and the like), rolling freshwater tank, and bikes (heaviest item), weighs 3400 lbs fully loaded (tested at a scale). I'd guess it's about the same or a little less (not tested) if we bring the kayaks instead of the bikes, and 3280 when we don't bring the bikes (tested at a scale).
All items are selected with weight as a primary consideration, and nothing new goes in unless something of equal or greater weight first comes out. (Cargo weight has actually come down by about 30 lbs over the last 6 years, as we've replaced items with versions that weigh less. The Titanium cookware and tableware is new this year - the old cookware was also made for backpacking but was aluminum and the tableware was some durable plastic.)
We don't carry water in any form (freshwater, food, drink), and buy nearly all food at our destination. We'll generally bring bread and peanut butter for sandwiches on the road and buy water.
I'm not suggesting that this sort of packing would work for everyone. That said, I have met a few others that pack like this, in particular people with truck campers that are worried about exceeding their cargo capacity.
If one gets a trailer more towards the 2600 lbs actual unloaded weight (they're available), and packs normally but not excessively (smaller trailers also have less storage), but doesn't carry water or a lot of food and drink, it's really quite doable. Water, and water within food/drink are really what end up getting people if they don't watch.
Advantages to the minivan:
Low center of gravity and long wheelbase - makes for very stable and pleasant towing (with a good hitch, properly configured - same as any other combo). The Toyota and Honda vans also have good strong transmissions (not sure about Toyota, but Honda uses the same transmission in vehicles rated to tow 4500 and 5000 lbs).
BTW, Yes, I have towed larger trailers with much larger vehicles (E-350 van and F-250 pickup). I actually find the minivan to be a more pleasant towing experience overall.
Others can disagree, and that's fine. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I've generally found that most of the people that disagree haven't actually tried it.
2021 Four Winds 26B on Chevy 4500
