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
Boomerweps wrote:
Short answer: Buy the biggest SUV you can afford!
Long answer: Currently my TV has a 5225# towing capacity.
My TT GTWR is 3877#.
TT dryweight is 3166#.
My wife, dog, and I weigh near 500#, TV payload capacity is 1574#. Didn't get a good tongue weight, estimate about 450# based on other weights.
However, I did get good axle weights, with and without the WDH with me, wife, & dog onboard.
Base TV factory weight + payload capacity is 6180#. Without WDH TV weighs 5740, with WDH TV weighs 5920.
With just the numbers above, you can see that it initially appeared I had a good safety margin, TT 5225 tow capacity and buying a 3166# dryweight TT. I thought so. I WAS WRONG!
I bought the TT specifically so I could tow it with my current TV. It tows it adequately, not white knuckle but not that great.
I quoted myself to repeat the data. The data above and the towing experience it results in is what others are trying to tell you about, maybe not too clearly. Again, my factory listed tow rating is 5225#, my trailer dry weright is 3166#, loaded for camping I max out on all listed weight ratings for BOTH my TV and TT! The wind resistance is incredible and makes me happy to be able to pull anything over 60mph on interstates. The weight and wind resistance slows me down on even mild interstate rises. My engine is the 4.0L V6. I turn off the overdrive unless in extremely flat land. I now let the automatic transmission do its job downshifting. I downshifted manually to 3rd on a medium interstate hill under power and chirped the drive wheels in a bad manner. On side roads I usually operate In 3rd gear automatic for power and engine braking.
Vehicle makers list maximum recommended frontal area of your trailer when towing. I'm about 15% over on my frontal area rating.
