Proteus wrote:
New to this and need some advice. I have an ML350BTC as a tow vehicle. Plenty of power (455 ftlbs), and it has a 7200lb tow rating. I'm looking for a lightweight 25-28ft travel trailer with bunks (something like a surveyor sport, or passport). There is a huge difference in weight and construction..the ones I'm looking at come in right at 5000-5200lbs (delivered weight, from door sticker)
Question is, I've visited a number of RV dealers so far that seem to think you need you need a traditional truck to tow (although one changes his mind when I pointed out this was basically a fancy Jeep Grand Cherokee)
GVWR is 6504, RAWR - 3638, FAWR 3197, curb weight 5109.
This leaves me with a payload of #1395 (more than a "half ton" in truck speak). Tires are rated over 2100lbs each, so no issues there.
My hitch rating is low at 575lbs, since European standard is 8% on the hitch, not 15% like here. From what I understand, a good WD system will take care of that (locally, equalizer "four points" seems to be popular). Per the dealer, the MB has trailer towing software that automatically detects and corrects for sway.
So question is this: Can I safely tow something like:
Keystone Passport 2650BH (4950 dry, 470 hitch),
Coachman Captiva 270RS (4600 dry, 740 hitch, the WD should help here?)
or even a Surveyor cadet SC-280(4700, 504 hitch).
I know in Europe, people tow large boats and caravans with these, and even here in the US, the Airstream crowd tow the heavy 25-28ft models (and per youtube, apparently even the 7500lb 30fter!). At the same time though, there seems to be some great difference of opinion out there.
First 1395lbs payload is more than "SOME" so called 1/2 ton trucks, but way less than mine. And out of that 1395 has to come your tongues weight. BTW. A WDH can not compensate for too little tongue weight. Any way. say your tongue weight of the TT once loaded is 800lbs. So you got around 600 left. How much do you weigh? 200? Down to 400. DW? And the kids? And the 50lb hitch? Your running out of payload fast.
Plus remember. That towing cap of 7200lbs. Is only good with a 150lb driver, and 1/2 tank of fuel. So by the time you put the wife, kids, and WDH in it. Your going to be down to considerable less, prolly around 6200lbs of towing capacity.
Also look at those European trailers. They are not the same as the ones towed here.
So no, after having, and towing with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. You need more tow vehicle. IMOP
BTW. IF you will check. It could be that the ones towing 28' Airstreams here. Have been heavily modified by a company called Cam Am
