Newbie with questions on Escalade TV

[rk05]

Hello, we are looking to buy our first camper (travel trailer) and got a new(er) TV to pull it. We bought a 2010 Escalade ESV and I would like to know if anyone has one what dry weight camper they are pulling?

I know the rated towing weight is 7800lbs but I don't want to tow anything that close to the max. Most of the campers we are looking at are in the low to mid 6Klb mark. what is everyone's recommendations on trailer weight and what we can realistically tow. Not looking at going cross country just local for now.

Thanks,
Tom

[MitchF150]

I'll bet you are looking at the "dry" weights of these trailers... Then comparing it to the "tow rating" of your truck, right?

Two little kids always tend to grow into two heavier kids and then they want to bring along friends!

Your Escalade is a pretty much "loaded" vehicle, so it's payload is reduced because of that.

Look at the payload sticker and that's a start..

As was said, look for "dry" weight trailer in the #4000 to a max of #5000 and you'll be better off than the ones with "dry" weights of over #6000..

Sure, they will be smaller trailers, but you got what you got and you can't change that unless you get a bigger rig..

Good luck!

Mitch

[APT]

rk05 wrote:

The trailers we are looking at have only one slide out and have the tv on the long wall where you can sit and look straight on to watch it rather than having to turn you head. I don't think we have found one with that floor plain under 6klbs. all are between that and 6800lbs.

Not sure if we want to buy one if we can't get what we want and tow it with our current vehicle. Not going to go buy something else now.

I believe you will need some kind of compromise between those two paragraphs, but confirm your actual payload.

[rowekmr]

Great suggestion!
I like this simplified formula for calculating max trailer weight. I think it is much easier than the traditional longer formulas. My only question is this formula I believe would apply to loaded weight not empty weight of trailer. If my math is correct it assumes a tongue weight of approx. 14.28 % of total trailer weight so I wouldn't want to use this figure (7x) for unloaded weight unless I planned on not carrying much.

I don't have an Escalade but I don't see why the OP couldn't find a moderate sized trailer to tow safely. I have towed with 1/2 tons and they can tow well within their design limits the trick is following equations like this to find something within your weight limits.

APT wrote:
A mid 6000's dry weight TT will be close to that 7800 pound tow rating.

Practically, half ton SUVs will run out of payload when carrying a family and towing and RV under payload. Check your as equipped payload per the tire and loading sticker. Note what your vehicle has where mine says 2051.



Subtract the weight of the people who will be traveling inside and multiply by 7 to get a reasonable dry weight target.

[The_real_wild1]

We have a 2012 and I wouldn't want to tow more the 5 or 6k with it.

[jerem0621]

The problem you are going to run into is the payload rating on the SUV. Your SUV will have 1200-1600 lbs of payload (look at the tire and loading sticker in your drivers door jamb). This is the most weight you can load in your SUV including passengers, cargo (luggage, kids toys, wife's purse, and the trailer tongue weight) A 6,900 lb empty trailer will weigh about 8,000-8500 lbs plus once you are loaded and ready to go. This simply way way too much for a half ton SUV and most Half Ton pick up trucks.

Imho keep shopping for the rightly matched trailer for your SUV or buy a 3/4 ton pick up truck.

a weight distribution hitch does just that. It distributes the trailer tongue weight force across the TV's axles and some of the trailer axles. This is an essential piece of equipment, especially for half ton tow'ers pulling TT's. They make the handling oh so much better and allow the trucks to handle higher tongue weights. (Higher as in greater than 500 lbs)

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[rk05]

Thanks all for the reply's. We are a family of four with two young ones who combined weight is less than 90lbs and our weight is about 350lbs. When we would tent camp we wouldn't bring a bunch of extra stuff but I have no idea on the weight.

What about those weight distributing hitches? Do they allow you to tow more or just move the load?

The trailers we are looking at have only one slide out and have the tv on the long wall where you can sit and look straight on to watch it rather than having to turn you head. I don't think we have found one with that floor plain under 6klbs. all are between that and 6800lbs.

Not sure if we want to buy one if we can't get what we want and tow it with our current vehicle. Not going to go buy something else now.

Thanks all

[jerem0621]

Look for a trailer with a unloaded or dry weight of 4,500-5,000 lbs. start there first.

[CarnationSailor]

I towed a 24-foot TT with a 2007 Escalade. Escalade was rated to tow 8100, and TT was 7100 loaded to go. Tongue weight was 650 pounds.

With only my wife and me plus maybe another 150 pounds of cargo, we were well under the rated payload. It had plenty of power on the flatland, but in the western mountains, I would have to get into line behind the semis and keep an eye on the transmission temp. (Only once in 3 years I had to pull over and let the tranny cool down.)

I was uncomfortable with sway caused by semis passing and side wind so I bought a Hensley Arrow hitch and it towed rock solid.

[Sandia_Man]

Payload is the problem with 1/2 ton tow vehicles, check your door jamb label for your payload. Then load up Escalade with everything including passengers and head to the scales. Subtract your scaled weight from your vehicle's GVWR and that's your available payload. Tongue weight run's about 12% of your trailer weight which directly affects payload. Another thing to consider is the short wheelbase, longer trailers will feel like the tail wagging the dog. There are plenty of nice ultra-lites that should be doable. Unfortunately, listed tow capacities of many 1/2 tons are a joke with their anemic payloads.

[APT]

A mid 6000's dry weight TT will be close to that 7800 pound tow rating.

Practically, half ton SUVs will run out of payload when carrying a family and towing and RV under payload. Check your as equipped payload per the tire and loading sticker. Note what your vehicle has where mine says 2051.



Subtract the weight of the people who will be traveling inside and multiply by 7 to get a reasonable dry weight target.

[Jebby14]

you will run out of payload. towing capacity wont limit you.