Towing with a Chevy Venture

[VentureVan]

I am considering purchasing a 2015 Sportsmen 14 ft. travel trailer with a dry weight of 2123 lbs. I would be pulling it with a 2004 Chevy Venture that has a 3500 lb tow rating. The trailer has electric brakes and I will be adding air shocks and a transmission cooler to the Venture. I have a class III receiver hitch and plan on using an E2 WD hookup. Am I leaving anything out as far as towing hardware?? I don't plan on towing any faster than 55 to 60 probably not in OD. Thanks

[full_mosey]

I tow a 2010 K-Z Sportsmen 14RK with a 2004 GMC Safari which is an 8-passenger minivan.

The door sticker says "the weight of occupants and cargo must not exceed ***kg or 1425lbs".

The van handbook says:
5000lbs tow capacity,
10000lbs GCVWR....


I can go on with the complete specs and CAT weights for TT and TV, but this is not my thread.

Would it be too much trouble for the OP to post complete specs?

HTH;
John

[dadmomh]

Though it's a moot point since Rocky left with his new dad this morning.....our '03 F150 CC is rated to tow 8000# with factory tow, etc. Our 2604 was the straight 2604 NOT the 2604WS, had a 6629# GVWR and was weighed fully loaded and enroute to FL with our DS#1, his wheelchair and other assorted things that rarely went with us. CAT confirmed a slight hair over 6000#. Grey and black tanks likely had some load and we'd just filled up the tank. Additionally, called our dealer with VIN# from the CAT to make sure we did, in fact, have completely accurate info.

If you're trying to make a point, today is not the day to do it, especially when your information is incorrect. Saw the rear of Rocky heading down our street for the last time and NOT being towed by our truck. Suggest you recheck your post. I don't believe the numbers you considered part of our sig show up anywhere. The truck is rated for 8000#, the mostly fictional dry weight of the 2604 is 5585# and GVWR is 6629#.

[VentureVan]

colliehauler wrote:
I would give it a try. It sounds like you are well aware of weight and possible transmission issues. You also said you are willing to upgrade tow vehicle if it isn't satisfactory. Removing the seats and loading light should have you under weight rating.

I hope you enjoy your new trailer and make a lot of good memories.

Thanks 🙂 I am feeling much better about my TV after reading on the K-Z Sportsmen Classic forum that many people are towing them with a Toyota RAV4.

[colliehauler]

I would give it a try. It sounds like you are well aware of weight and possible transmission issues. You also said you are willing to upgrade tow vehicle if it isn't satisfactory. Removing the seats and loading light should have you under weight rating.

I hope you enjoy your new trailer and make a lot of good memories.

[VentureVan]

I am not ignorant of towing facts or weight stickers. The poster asked what my payload was not my payload capacity, that is why I asked what he meant. We will only be traveling with two people, and all but the two front seats will be removed from the van. Without doing this the payload capacity is 1600 lbs. so its around 1900 lbs. with the heavy seats taken out. We will be well under the Vans payload capacity. The Chevy towing package includes air leveling rear suspension and a tranny cooler. I will be installing a heavy duty tranny cooler bigger than the one Chevy uses. The K-Z Sportsmen Classic brochure advertises those model trailer as designed to be towed by Mini-Vans and we would be getting the smallest model so I think we will be okay. I doubt I will be able to tow at 65 mph safely but I don't want to drive that fast towing a trailer anyway and I plan to stay off the Interstate highways. I do worry about the transmission though as that seems to be a weak point on this vehicle, the owners manual recommends not trailering in OD so I won't be. I do appreciate everyone's opinion and advice.

[2012Coleman]

VentureVan wrote:
Not sure what you mean by payload?? 🙂

And that is exactly your problem. Payload is what your van is carrying which includes people gear, your WDH and tongue weight. Payload WILL be exceeded before reaching your stated tow capacity. Check the sticker on your door jamb and check your gross vehicle rating. Google tells me this number is 5357 for a 2005 Venture. So the total weight of everything in it cannot exceed this weight.

Since your TV was not originally set up with a tow package, it most likely does not have the correct tires and has smaller brakes. Air shocks doe not create payload capacity. Why not post a picture of your doorjamb sticker?

Good luck.

[Bumpyroad]

Jetta03 wrote:

dadmomh wrote:
Glad someone beat me to it re the frontal area. That makes all the difference in the world between 2100# of boat and 2100# of travel trailer. I am getting the feeling that the OP is looking for support in this decision and not finding it.

OP, please understand that folks on the forum have been around a long time, have seen or heard most and are only offering suggestions based on their knowledge. We may not be perfect, but usually pretty much right on with the opinions. If you have already made up your mind to go with this combo, we all wish you the best and safest travels. If you're after solid advice, please take it in the spirit it's intended.

One member often said, "I can pull my 23SS with my garden tractor, but it doesn't mean I should". Wisdom.

From your signature

2003 F-150 supercrew tow rating 7700lb
Rockwood 2604 gvwr 7714lb
🙂

just another example that GVWR of the TT is a hypothetical number up to which the TT can be loaded. it does not mean that the loaded unit will actually weigh that much. the only question is what is the loaded weight of the unit as the owner will tow it. But I wouldn't quibble over 14 lbs. myself.

bumpy

[VentureVan]

Jetta03 wrote:

dadmomh wrote:
Glad someone beat me to it re the frontal area. That makes all the difference in the world between 2100# of boat and 2100# of travel trailer. I am getting the feeling that the OP is looking for support in this decision and not finding it.

OP, please understand that folks on the forum have been around a long time, have seen or heard most and are only offering suggestions based on their knowledge. We may not be perfect, but usually pretty much right on with the opinions. If you have already made up your mind to go with this combo, we all wish you the best and safest travels. If you're after solid advice, please take it in the spirit it's intended.

One member often said, "I can pull my 23SS with my garden tractor, but it doesn't mean I should". Wisdom.

From your signature

2003 F-150 supercrew tow rating 7700lb
Rockwood 2604 gvwr 7714lb
🙂

I take no offense and appreciate all advice. I will be within the vans towing capability weight wise. If the wind load turns out to be too much for the Van I will just have to change TV's. I also use the Van for my part time job delivering a monthly magazine because it is more economical and better suited for that than a pickup. Like I said even though the trailer is very small I will still use a wd hitch with sway control a tranny cooler and air shocks. I thank everyone for their helpful info.

[Jetta03]

dadmomh wrote:
Glad someone beat me to it re the frontal area. That makes all the difference in the world between 2100# of boat and 2100# of travel trailer. I am getting the feeling that the OP is looking for support in this decision and not finding it.

OP, please understand that folks on the forum have been around a long time, have seen or heard most and are only offering suggestions based on their knowledge. We may not be perfect, but usually pretty much right on with the opinions. If you have already made up your mind to go with this combo, we all wish you the best and safest travels. If you're after solid advice, please take it in the spirit it's intended.

One member often said, "I can pull my 23SS with my garden tractor, but it doesn't mean I should". Wisdom.

From your signature

2003 F-150 supercrew tow rating 7700lb
Rockwood 2604 gvwr 7714lb
🙂

[dadmomh]

Glad someone beat me to it re the frontal area. That makes all the difference in the world between 2100# of boat and 2100# of travel trailer. I am getting the feeling that the OP is looking for support in this decision and not finding it.

OP, please understand that folks on the forum have been around a long time, have seen or heard most and are only offering suggestions based on their knowledge. We may not be perfect, but usually pretty much right on with the opinions. If you have already made up your mind to go with this combo, we all wish you the best and safest travels. If you're after solid advice, please take it in the spirit it's intended.

One member often said, "I can pull my 23SS with my garden tractor, but it doesn't mean I should". Wisdom.

[GaryWT]

The payload of the van is actually higher than many 1/2 ton pick ups. You just might get away with it, keep it slow and safe.

[nomad297]

westend wrote:

nomad297 wrote:

VentureVan wrote:
Not sure what you mean by payload?? 🙂

You really need to do some research and listen to what the experienced people here have to say.

Your payload will be listed on a sticker on your driver's side door pillar.

Bruce

On an '04, maybe not. I think the mandatory tire and safety sticker came around in '06 but it might have one.

It won't make any difference to the OP but "payload" and the payload rating are what the mfg. says the vehicle can carry (weight). This would be the weight of passengers and cargo inside the van, the weight of the WDH, and the tongue weight of the trailer.

I had two '04 Silverados and an '04 Suburban and they all had the sticker. Maybe a minivan won't have it, but the trucks do.

Bruce

[VentureVan]

Jetta03 wrote:
2004 chevy venture
curb weight 3699 (gvwr 5257, couldn't find gcvwr)
payload 1612lb
towing 3500lb

14 foot kz sportmen
gvwr 2800 (unloaded 2126)
hitch wt 323


I wouldn't push it too much, but you should be well within all your specs with this trailer. I think you'll find the minivan makes a very good tow vehicle.

Thanks that is what I've been thinking. Not everyone has to have a big pickup truck to tow a travel trailer safely especially one so small. I really don't think travel trailers should be towed at 65 to 70 mph anyway I don't care how big the TV is.

[Jetta03]

2004 chevy venture
curb weight 3699 (gvwr 5257, couldn't find gcvwr)
payload 1612lb
towing 3500lb

14 foot kz sportmen
gvwr 2800 (unloaded 2126)
hitch wt 323


I wouldn't push it too much, but you should be well within all your specs with this trailer. I think you'll find the minivan makes a very good tow vehicle.