Towing Set Up (New to RVing)

[stevenehaines]

So I am new to RVing, not trailering as we boat quite often, and I'm interested in running some specifications by everyone before I go out and purchase a TT.

We have a 2010 Lexus GX460, V8, 4WD. The following calculation is what I've been doing to determine what size TT we can comfortable tow:

GVWR: 6,600#
Tow Capacity: 5,000# (bumper tow)
Tow Capacity: 6,500# (WDH)
Curb Weight: 5,305#
Cargo Estimated: 700# (4 adults, 1 child, no gear)
Resultant Hitch Weight (Max.): 595#

With these numbers in mind, I'm thinking the specifications on a TT that I would like to get would be:

Dry Weight: ~4,000#
GVWR: =<5,500#
Hitch Weight: 450-500# (I'll be mounting dual Honda 2000i generators up front)

I'm trying to keep the 11-15% in mind on hitch weight. I have to find a way to run generators as we'll be using the TT to tailgate in a parking lot that doesn't have hook ups and the generators will need to be "on-board", not mounted on the ground.

Any thoughts?

[stevenehaines]

rbpru wrote:
I believe you have answered your own question. With 1155 lbs. max cargo and 650 lbs. of people, you have 505 lbs. of carrying capacity left.

With no toys, no truck cap, no camp gear, you can add 505 lbs of tongue and hitch weight. You will gain a bit due to the weight shift of the WD hitch but the numbers are the numbers.

Yeah, I think that about sums it up. The only change I may make is to restrict the amount of passengers I carry in the TV, thus gaining approximately 300#. This would result in 800# of available tongue weight which should more than accommodate what I've been looking at. Particularly not counting the redistribution from a WDH. I still need to try and pinpoint a good generator location, but that will come when I select the TT. With 800#, it may be feasible to keep it up front away from a slide out.

[rbpru]

I believe you have answered your own question. With 1155 lbs. max cargo and 650 lbs. of people, you have 505 lbs. of carrying capacity left.

With no toys, no truck cap, no camp gear, you can add 505 lbs of tongue and hitch weight. You will gain a bit due to the weight shift of the WD hitch but the numbers are the numbers.

[justafordguy]

I would have no issue with having a good welding and fabrication shop building a nice rack on the back. If you explain what you need to carry they can build it to hold up and not hurt the trailer frame.

[stevenehaines]

Regarding the rear mounting the generators, most of the models I was looking at had the rear hard slide so I didn't want the fumes or noise affecting those sleeping quarters. However, if I'm going with the Honda inverter style, noise shouldn't be much of a problem. I'm also required to vent the exhaust to the top of the TT as part of the tailgating requirements.

I have some concern over having someone weld a generator rack to the frame to support the two generators and a 6 Gal. auxiliary tank, probably about 200# total. I don't want to cause any damage to the TT while driving down the road.

If that's a safe alternative, and going with a lighter WDH, it would allow me to move my loaded tongue weight up to around 625# total. I should have plenty of options in that range that are around 4,500# loaded.

[2012Coleman]

If your intent on keeping the TV, then you may want to consider a hard sided popup such as trailmanor, or a regular popup. Jayco has a nice lineup and they come with a two year warranty. Towing a high walled is much different than the flat trailer with weights loaded on that's used to determine towing capacity.

good luck in your search.

[justafordguy]

You should have a rack made for the back for the generators. You can also get an Anderson no sway WDH, they are only around 50 lbs. These two things will will free up at least 150 lbs of hitch weight.

[stevenehaines]

I am trying to narrow down the specifications I need to focus on in a TT. By looking at dry tongue weight, I know I can't exceed the 485#. The 485# does not include the weight of propane, batteries, and generators. So in reality, the loaded tongue weight I can focus on is 805#. Based on this and using 12%, it would afford me a loaded weight of 6,667#.

However, this is well above my max towing limit. So the payload and max tow weight are both limiting factor on what I can safely tow.

I'd like to be in a loaded tongue weight under 600#. This would give me a loaded TT weight under 5,000# based on 12% and 4,600# based on 13%.

The tricky part is finding something that has a loaded tongue weight under 600#; particularly since I'm looking to add generators (2) that weigh approximately 62# each (fueled).

So I'm developing some limiting factors in my TT selection. Would like to make sure we do our homework on what models accommodate our needs without stressing our set up.

As I mentioned, we'll be towing on flat ground in Florida, mainly the Turnpike or I-95, for short weekend trips.

[2012Coleman]

Also, why are you looking at dry tongue weight? Calculate it using the gross weight of the TT * 12%. In the case of 5500 you mentioned in you OP, that is 660.

[stevenehaines]

That's a possibility. I was just concerned over the smell of fuel from the generators and the extra gas tanks. Maybe some of the models have a storage compartment that's sealed off from the rest of the unit? I would still need a rack on the front once we got set up but by moving the tanks, it would reduce a 100# off the tongue.

[2012Coleman]

Can you put the generators in the TT?

[stevenehaines]

The sticker states occupants and cargo not to exceed 1,155 pounds. So, if I assume that doesn't already include the driver, I would estimate the following:

CCC: 1,155#
Occupants: 650# (4 adults, 1 child, no gear)
Max Tongue Weight: 505#
Generators: 100#
WDH: 100#
Battery & Propane: 120#

Allowable Tongue Weight: 185#

A loaded tongue weight of 185# seems to be impossible with what I'm looking at doing.

The only way I think it may work is if I have two adults drive a second vehicle. This would give me ~300# additional and would move my loaded tongue weight to 485#.

I've been looking at the following models:

Jayco Jay Feather X213
Dry Tongue Weight: 450#

KZ Spree 220KS
Dry Tongue Weight: 488#

Keystone Outback 210RS
Dry Tongue Weight: 525#

It doesn't appear any of these models will fit into line with what I'm expecting my TV to do. With that in mind, any other suggestions on models that can still give me the capacity of 6 (4 adults, 2 kids) and will still allow me to mount the generator package somewhere that won't kill the frame of the trailer and won't affect the sleeping of a slide/fold out? Possibly one of the Trail-Lite Trail Cruisers? They seem to have a relatively low dry tongue weight (<400#) and overall dry weight (<3,800#) even in their 26' models.

At this point, changing my TV is not an option.

[APT]

If you have 1300 pounds of payload and estimate 700 pounds of passengers and cargo. you have 600 pounds left for loaded TW. You may think you'll plan for 11% TW, but it seems that TTs tow better in the 13-15% TW. And you are limited on where storage is to how much you can affect TW%. Oh, you want to add another 90 pounds of generators on the tongue too? Verify the payload per tire and loading sticker as I suspect the curb weight 5305 is inaccurate. 600 pounds loaded TW is about 4500 pounds loaded. With 4 adults worth of long weekend gear, you'll want to stay closer to 3500 pounds dry.

Even if you take two vehicles to get available payload higher, you are probably still limited to about 650 pounds of TW per the receiver/vehicle. Check owners manual for TW limits. I think it's time to find a more capable TW. If you are planning for 700 pounds of passenger/cargo weight, then you'll probably want something with at least 1500 pounds per the tire and loading sticker.

[RJCorazza]

Without considering the 2 gensets, it appears 4500-5000 lbs loaded for travel is the high end of what that vehicle should tow. Regardless of whether "up front" is on the tongue, or a tray on the front bumper, it will count against the vehicle cargo capacity.
As others have commented, cargo capacity is usually the limiting spec. Also the hitch itself will have weight limits, usually for bumper pull and WDH. The number you quote appears to be a calculated number?

[2012Coleman]

Agree with Need-A-Vacation. Payload will be exceeded before tow capacity. It's about what your vehicle can carry - not pull. Post a picture of the sticker as suggested for more help, otherwise, your just guessing. Of course your best bet is to load it up for camping and get it weighed at a CAT scale - Google it.