Pushing the limits on tow vehicles

[SprinklerMan]

On my way to go camping in Hagerstown md , I was going up one of the small mountains pulling my camper and in the slow lane was a Ford expedition pulling the same model I have. A sunsetcreek 30 ft 10 k gross weight . He had 3 kids , 2 adults ,a dog , he was barely going 30 up the hill , I was behind him for about 5 minutes before I got around him going up the hill . ( I have a v 10 excursion) . He ended up at the same campground about 45 minutes later . The next day I stopped by his camper and asked him how was his trip getting there . He said scary , he bought it a month ago from a dealer who said his expedition could pull it no problem . He said the trailer is only 7300 lbs . I told him thats right .....EMPTY , not loaded with bikes, water food etc , You are closer to 9000 lbs . Its his first time camping . We looked at the specs on the door , it had the small v8 and the max towing was 5000 lbs . He decided to call a friend of his to tow it home with a 3/4 ton truck .

[Old-Biscuit]

Caveat Emptor

[patricks99]

Feel for that guy who had to have a buddy come pick up his TT. I was lucky when looking for a tow vehicle for our 26ft wilderness (bought it first then picked out the tow vehicle) My friends who have TT all are retentive about having too much truck than having just enough or too little.

I ended up getting a 05' silverado 2500 with the 6.6 duramax, tows like a dream, hadly notice it back there.

[GMT830]

youwillforget wrote:
60 days ago I bought a 1997 C3500 with the 7.4L 454 I am now confident I can pull my Harbor Freight 48"X42" utility trailer fully loaded. I should look into trailer brakes though.

Don't forget helper springs for the rear, dual exhaust, Cold Air intake. Oversize stacked plate transmission cooler in the 30k range would be wise also.

And of course a W/D hitch with your favorite sway control.

[Hawk7]

SprinklerMan,
Thank you for stopping to talk to this man. You may have saved his life and that of his family! I'm local to Hagerstown and have towed through Sideling Hill on I-68. My stomach dropped when I read your post thinking about this situation. I'm glad you explained how serious his situation is and that he's getting a friend to tow him home.

Barb

[ChooChooMan74]

A local CW salesman was trying to sell me a bigger trailer! Even though I am below my "Tow Rating", NO WAY that I can pull a bigger camper. He even said I could pull it empty until I get a bigger truck.

I thought that this post was about someone like me. But even I can pull 60 through some decent grades, EGTs at 1300.

[brirene]

And yet so many complain when they perceive a "weight police" post.

[pappcam]

How do these dealers get away with this? They're clearly endangering the lives of the people they sell these seriously overweight trailers to along with the lives of people sharing the road with these trailers.

My truck dealer and trailer dealer were both forthcoming and honest as to what I could tow.

[time2roll]

Even the dry weight exceeded the tow rating.
Dealer may have given bad advice... and the buyer needs to be a little more aware also.

The small engine limiting speed to 30mph was probably a good thing.

[youwillforget]

60 days ago I bought a 1997 C3500 with the 7.4L 454 I am now confident I can pull my Harbor Freight 48"X42" utility trailer fully loaded. I should look into trailer brakes though.

[Dannyabear1]

Hang around long enough and you will find that if you add air bags to your 1500/f150 they transform it into a 3500/f350 dually..........

[JordanH]

Thats they worst with most dealers, they want to sell it to you safe or not. I was at a dealer with a friend, he has a 2014 silver ado 1500, The dealer began showing him the largest models all while reassuring he could tow it no problem.

[dadmomh]

Let the buyer beware....unfortunately, excitement, emotion and the anticipation of great times with family and friends gets in the way. Not to mention the sales person who usually hasn't a clue. Gotta do your homework first and DO NOT under any circumstances set foot in a trailer that doesn't qualify, because that's the one you'll think you can't live another day without.

[downtheroad]

I feel bad for people who are in situations like this...it could almost be classified as fraud on the dealer's part.

BUT, as consumers, we have a part in it too. We are responsible for doing careful and proper research before making these kinds of financial and safety decisions.

[gbopp]

Maybe buyers should start asking the dealer/salesperson to put it in writing?

I wonder if they will change their story? 🙂

[n7bsn]

Yup, how often do we hear that refrain "your X will pull this trailer fine"

Really scary what you see on the road, like a Porsche pulling a 15 ft AirStream, or a Toyota PU pulling a 30 ft 5e, or a Dolphin (Toyota based MH) pulling a 12 ft Wells-Cargo, loaded, full.