Purchasing our first TT - is this set up safe?

[onelv]

Hi Everybody,

This will be our first TT. I've only towed tent trailers in the past. I was hoping for your advice if towing a 31BHPR (Premier by Ultra LIte by Bullet) will be too big of a jump? It weighs just under 6500lbs.

Also, is our set up safe? - My two vehicle is a 2014 Mercedes GL350 (diesel) with max tow of 7500lbs.

I appreciate any advice.

Thank-you

[hbillsmith]

585 doesnt account for the weight of the hitch itself and may not account for the propane in the tanks and the battery. While a wdh will improve the tow experience, it does not increase the 600# hitch rating on the MB (its a German notion that does not give credance to WDH. Sorry to be the bearer.

[onelv]

hbillsmith wrote:
It's still the hitch weight thats gonna give you fits.

The TT is rated at 585lbs. hitch weight (dry).

If I'm a bit over, would a weight distribution system with sway control work?

[hbillsmith]

It's still the hitch weight thats gonna give you fits.

[dadmomh]

Hi and welcome! That's a mighty big trailer for starting out. Leaving the #s to others to sort out, but I would be looking around the 26' - 28' max with your current tow vehicle. Rule #1.....NEVER take the salespersons word for anything. You need to do plenty of homework....your MB dealer can be a big help, always welcome to ask any questions here, do lots of online research re capacities. With good research, you'll come up with the right combo and be heading out for some great times. Enjoy!

[onelv]

It's been awhile, but I'm back on the market for a TT.

I still have the same TV...although went from a 2014 to 2015 (but still a Mercedes GL350 which I believe same towing specs)

I'm looking at a Apex 288bhs. (the model a looked at was 5100lbs and tongue weight of 585lbs)

Is this still too much trailer?

[West_Coast_Canu]

Anytime you are towing close to your maximum rated load, you are going to feel it on hills, both pulling and when it is pushing you down a hill. You have to subtract your passengers and cargo from your rated tow capacity as well.

[hbillsmith]

All weights were same day, same load. I drove in with the WDH on and had them take Cat weight #1, then drove off the scale and removed the WDH but put the WDH pieces in the trailers front storage bin that's at the front next to the A-front, I then circled around and got Cat weight #2. Then drove off, dropped the trailer, and went back for Cat #3 with car only. Passengers and interior car loads never changed. I was also careful that all tires were situated on the scales in exactly the same places. The whole process (all three weights) took about 30 minutes and as I recall, no other trucks were weighed in between mine. So if 300 moved (180 to the front and 120 to the back) then how come the rear only lightened by 220? My best guess is the weight of the WDH pieces in the trailer accounts for 40 of that 120 and the scales misread the other 40. Other wise the the tongue weight calcs should have both been the same, not 580 and 540.

[AH64ID]

hbillsmith wrote:
Here you go 2010 Mercedes GL450, 2013 Kodiac 242RESL, Anderson WDH

Axles Front Rear Trailer TOTAL

CarOnly 2980 2820 n/a 5800

CarNoWD 2700 3680 5580 11960
Tongue Calc +2700+3680-5800=580 Tongue Weight

Car+WDH 2880 3460 5700 12040
Tongue Calc +2880+3460-5800=540 Tongue Weight
(really hitch impact, WDH does not change tongue)

WDH
Impact +180 -220 +120 =300 moved

Question. Was this all on the same day?

The reason I ask is because the GVW is different(a bit more than I normally see doing the same measurements on a heavier setup), and WDH will have zero effect on GCW. All the weight is still there, just moved. It's also odd, and not really physically possible, that you took 220lbs off of on axle, but added 300 to the others.

It is also possible it was the same day and the scale was off a little.

Even thou you added 300lbs to the FAW and TAW, only 220 came off of the rear axle. To me, and from what I gather most people, that's a transfer of 220lbs, not 300.

Good data collection thou, just some weird number and curious on your thoughts/input on the math discrepancies.

[Cardinals]

Amen to the person who said don't trust the salesman.

[onelv]

hbillsmith wrote:
The Kodiak you picked can work but it'll depend on a couple of things. First, you'll need to be mindful of how you load the trailer. The car's actual payload can handle a lot in the back and still not take away from the 600# tongue weight. The MB has built-in auto-leveling and the Gross weights are sufficient. It's just the hitch's tongue weight factor that restricts you. So load your clothes and groceries in back the car and then put them in the trailer when you get there.

If you are to stay at 600# tongue weight and have that be 10% of the total trailer weight, that means you can't have the whole unit including tongue weigh more than 6,000#. Since the dry weight is 5,049 (Kodiak's are usually pretty accurate, but as the saying goes, a CAT scale is better). You should be ok.

One thing I would do (and it's what I did) is have a machine shop welder fabricate a rear receiver hitch on the trailer (Do Not just add something to the flimsy bumper). On that hitch you can load a bicycle rack, ice chests, or such to the tune of 150# to 300#. That weight on the back will reduce your tongue weight to get you down under 600#.

The caveat is you can't have the total trailer go over 6,000# and you want the tongue to be right at 600# so you have at least 10% or better to avoid sway (As before, the Anderson WDH is light and it's anti-sway is perfect for your car).

Thank-you for this recommendation. This is something that I am really considering.

[CKNSLS]

OK-the tongue weight you can handle is low - and it doesn't increase at all to allow for a WD hitch. And a relatively short wheelbase to boot.

All for 90K.......


I guess our definitions of a decent tow vehicle is different!

[hbillsmith]

CKNSLS - surprise your wrong! Automatic decent and ascent controls, air bags on all four supports, decent torque, ride height adjustment, cooled seats, lumbar for both driver and passenger, radar warning, rear camera. For $90K this baby is an excellent tow vehicle.

[Earl_E]

hbillsmith wrote:
Here you go 2010 Mercedes GL450, 2013 Kodiac 242RESL, Anderson WDH

Axles Front Rear Trailer TOTAL

CarOnly 2980 2820 n/a 5800

CarNoWD 2700 3680 5580 11960
Tongue Calc +2700+3680-5800=580 Tongue Weight

Car+WDH 2880 3460 5700 12040
Tongue Calc +2880+3460-5800=540 Tongue Weight
(really hitch impact, WDH does not change tongue)

WDH
Impact +180 -220 +120 =300 moved

So glad to see someone with some facts. I have the Andersen and have not done the weights. All I know is that with my rig (below) the Andersen brings the front end back down within a 1/2", measuring at the wheel wells (as suggested by Equal-i-zer that I had on another trailer).

[CKNSLS]

I thought I would never tell someone he needs to get rid of their Mercedes and buy a decent tow vehicle.

That's my suggestion.

[FoCoNoCo]

Arizona Kid wrote:
The Lance 2185 ticks all his boxes, GVWR 6,000 lbs and tongue weight 500 lbs. With a WD hitch he should be OK on the tongue weight.
Lance 2185

Floor Length 21' 2"
Overall Length 25'8"
Exterior Width 96?"
Exterior Height 119"
Interior Height 78"
Gross Dry Weight 3930
Hitch Dry Weight 500
Axle Weight 3430
Cargo Carrying Capacity 2070
GVWR 6000
Tire size ST205/75R14
Fresh Tank 45 gallons
Grey Tank 45 gallons
Black Tank 45 gallons
Refrigerator 6 cubic feet
Propane 2-5 gallon tanks
Furnace 25,000 BTU's
Sleeping Capacity 7

We're looking at the same Lance 2185, but not sure if we'll be able to justify the price....