Towing requirements
My camper trailer is 3500 Lbs. I am looking for a SUV that will tow it.Should I have a SUV that can handle a higher amount than that like 5000? Or am I safe getting a vehicle that just tows that amoun...
Forum Discussion
Huntindog wrote:Boomerweps wrote:Spot on.
WDH or WD is Weight Distributing Hitch.
TT is travel trailer.
TV is Tow Vehicle in these forums.
GTWR gross trailer weight rating.
CC cargo capacity
GAWR is gross axle weight rating.
A truck, older cars, and SUVs based on trucks have a full solid frame that everything attaches to. By itself, it is somewhat ladder shaped.
A Unibody is a vehicle that depends on a sheet metal shell for its unit strength, common on front wheel drive vehicles. There is a sub frame that attaches to the front of the body that the drive components (engine, transmission, transaxle) are mounted on. Many of the so-called crossover "SUVs" are also built this way. The sheet metal shell or cocoon is often not strong enough to tow much weight.
A WDH levers the hitch weight forward on the TV and some rearward on the TT axle. This allows better control for towing and helps keep the TV level. A unibody usually doesn't have the strength to handle the torque from this lever action and without a real frame could actually rip the hitch mounting bolts out of the sheet metal, or at least twist the unibody.
I have heard that SOME unibodies can tolerate a WDH... So check with the manufacturer on this....
DO NOT overlook this.
It can be a really bad thing.
So what would be the best hitch or tow package that I should be using on this vehicle? Don't want to loose my TT down the road or twist something out of whack on the road.
