Matching tow vehicle to a TT

[dnhx]

Hi Everyone,

We are looking to purchase our first TT. We do not have a tow vehicle yet. I have some questions about weight and the towing capacity. We are looking at a 25' trailer that is about 5200lbs dry weight, 7200 max, and hitch 580 (Keystone Cougar 21RBS). I am trying to get an estimate for what the trailer would weigh loaded. Add propane tanks, battery, and 30 gallons of fresh water (it holds 45), weight distribution hitch (~100lbs), that is about 500 lbs. There are only two of us, so not sure how much stuff that would be, my estimate is about 800-1000lbs.

So that puts the trailer at 6500-6700 lbs. We would like to tow this with a mid size SUV, which limits the choices considerably. Will something like a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Chevy Tahoe that are rated to tow 7400-8000 lbs actually be able to pull the trailer? How much will the tongue weight increase as we load the trailer? And finally, what about frontal are restrictions? The Grand Cherokee has a 55 sq ft maximum, which wouldn't pull any TT, wonder if that would void the warranty?

Thank you

dh

[dnhx]

Thank you everyone.

So is it a fair estimate that we will need something with a tongue weight limit of at least 900 lbs? And my estimate of "stuff" around 1000lbs is close? So the TV will need to be able to carry 900lbs plus two people,a dog, plus a little cargo?

Neither of us wants to drive an Expedition or Suburban around town. That really only leaves something like a Sequoia, Tahoe, or Armada. All three have tongue weight limits of 900-1000 lbs. And even with these it sounds like we would be close to their maximum ratings with a 6500lb loaded TT.

Since we would prefer not to have to buy a 1/2 ton truck, we could find a smaller or lighter trailer. But it sounds like to use a mid-size SUV (with a tow limit around 7500lb), we are going to have find a trailer that is no more than 4000 lbs. (5200 loaded, tongue weight around 750 lbs)



don

[handye9]

Tow capacity ratings are mythical advertising numbers. They are based on pulling a flat bed trailer (little to no wind resistance), with a 150 lb driver, who is alone and has no cargo.

A travel trailer is a completely different animal. It has a lot of wind resistance, and, the driver is rarely alone, or without cargo of some kind.

Tow vehicles have multiple ratings that must be observed. In addition to tow capacity, you need to watch payload (cargo carrying capacity), gross weight vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCVWR), and hitch receiver rating.

GVWR is max weight rating on the tow vehicle's frame, suspension, power train, drive train, tires, and brakes

Payload is the difference between what the vehicle actually weighs, and it's GVWR. If it weighs 5500 and has 7000 GVWR- the payload would be 1500 lbs. That is weight capacity for fuel, occupants, cargo, WD hitch, and trailer tongue weight, combined.

GCVWR is max weight rating for tow vehicle and trailer combined. This includes everything and every body, in or on both, tow vehicle and trailer.

Hitch receiver rating is amount of weight the receiver is rated to carry, with or without weight distribution.

If you're planning to purchase both, tow vehicle and trailer, I would suggest you select the trailer, then shop for a tow vehicle that has the capacity ratings (in all areas) to support the trailer, cargo, and planned occupant weights. Keep in mind, towing at max weight is unpleasant. You may want some cushion in the ratings.

6500 - 6700 lbs loaded trailer will need 900 lbs (+ or - 50 lbs) out of your available payload.

When you shop for the tow vehicle, check it's payload first. Then deduct for passengers and cargo, and see if there is still room for your loaded tongue weight.

[APT]

Edit: double post

[APT]

A survey was taken a few years ago on this forum of RV owners who have actually weighed their setup. The average "stuff" people took was 1200 pounds over RV manufacturer dry weight. Larger families and full timers was higher and single and couples that take long weekends are lower. 1000-1500 pounds is a fair estimate.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee RV tow limit is likely the 720-750 pound receiver tongue weight limit. That puts you under 6k loaded. Also, at 585 dry TW, that is likely to exceed 720 pounds when loaded for a long weekend. As far as towing experience, a full sized half ton with whatever brand's HD towing package would be more comfortable.

[Fastfwd75]

double post

[Fastfwd75]

My trailer is only 3600# dry so well under 5000# loaded. We had to choose to sell either the Acura MDX or the Ford F250.
On paper the MDX could pull the trailer within all the numbers. But the more I read about it the more it was evident that everyone that towed trailers like this with a 5000# max SUV was doing it from lack of choice. Others have all upgraded their truck after a single season.

[BubbaChris]

We bought a 25' TT thinking we'd tow it with a 4Runner. Although we could maybe stay within specs, we would not be safe during imperfect road conditions.

So we upgraded the TV to a Ford Expedition and there are (windy) days when I'd still prefer an even more steady package.

The key figure is to determine what the tongue weight will be if you have 15% of your full trailer on it (so close to 1,000 lbs in your case) and then look at the yellow payload sticker on the vehicle (usually in the driver's door). The total "cargo" number includes your tongue weight and passengers and any other cargo inside the TV.