scootsk
Long Island, NY
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Joined: 06/04/2001
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Hi all,
My friend left a copy of THIS ARTICLE on my desk this morning for my opinion. He is looking to buy a camper. He has a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country with 3500 lb towing capacity. He wants to buy a travel trailer but is concerned with the towing capacity since the trailer he is interested in carries a 4500# weight. I talked him out of it stating that it is important for safety not to exceed that weight by that much since that is dry trailer weight without any gear and family aboard. With the info I gave in mind, he decided on a large PUP with all the amenities.
Well he finds the article and now wants to reconsider the larger trailer.
Please "weigh in" with your opinion.
Don, Kathleen and our little men Henry, Will and Bailey the Wonder Wheaten
02' Chevy Silverado 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 Dually 8.1/Allison (The Gasoholic)
2010 Jayco 351 RLSA Fifth Wheel
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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Tell him to look at www.trailmanor.com for their folding units plus small TT.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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bailer6334
Prescott, AZ
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First look at who wrote the article. A RV dealer! In addition it looked to me that they test drove the combo empty. Add propane, trailer stuff, water, and the family to the mix and I suspect you can add at least 500lbs or more to the numbers. The dealer doesn't have to live with the decision or the consequences of towing a trailer thats over the recommended capacity of the vehicle. Your friend should do more research before making a decision.
2011 Arctic Fox 29-5T 5th Wheel
2011 Silverado HD 3500 6.6L Duramax Diesel Crew Cab
Short Bed 4X4 SRW LT
50gal Transfer Flow Aux. Tank
16K Valley Hitch w/bed saver
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coolbreeze01
Redding, Ca
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I suppose a light tow vehicle is just fine until the wind kicks up or you have to stop quickly.........
2008 Dodge 3500 CTD LB SRW 4X4 6-Speed Auto
Prodigy P3, Blue Ox Sway Pro, 225 75R 15E Maxxis
2007 Komfort 212
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scootsk
Long Island, NY
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Does anyone actually have experience with a combo like this?
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zip0
NY
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The writer of this article seems to only be interested in selling trailers.
Auto manufactures put weight limits on towing capacity for a reason. It is not only for fuel economy but safety. The article doesn't take into account any safety issues. They seem only interested in what they can pull. But what about stopping, not only on flat but going down hill. And what about the vehicle's transmission, rear axle, and wheel bearings, and will you void the manufacturer's warranty. Can the vehicle hold the tongue weight? How much traction will it take off the front wheels? Also with front wheel drive vehicle's the dynamics are not the same as rear wheel drive. I recall reading an article a few years back the said with front wheel drive and towing you are actually trying to rip the vehicle apart.
Tell him there many articles on line that discuss towing and weight limits and he should get more educated in this area before he buys for his, his family's and everyone else on the roads safety. And not to listen when the guy selling something tells you, "Sure you can pull it with that car".
" A day without camping is....WORK"
2003 Bounder 35R
3 Jack Russell's
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Dr Quick
M'boro, Tn
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Van is way underpowered for pulling that much weight. Even at the 3,500 pound limit he would hate himself when it came to any hilly country. Even a 2,000 trailer for the van would be pushing the performance of the van.
I have a friend with a Trail Blazer that is rated for 4,500 pounds, and he got a 3,500 travel trailer. He really has a hard time on the hills with it. Not enough power he says.
Dr Quick
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Burp
St. George's Island, MD
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There are some gross misconceptions in the article. It is assumed that the limiting factor in towing with the minivan was the engine and transmission. The other factor is the frame (or lack of). It is a unibody frame that can only take so much weight bolted to it with a hitch. It is almost all sheet metal, not a strong boxed frame. That has not changed since the minivan came out.
There is also a misconception that a bullet shape means much less drag when towing. Only partially true. When you push (or pull) something through the air you must displace the amount of air equal to the square footage of the front of the vehicle. This does not change no matter what the shape of the front end. The shape does make it smoother while moving through the air and helps with the drag coefficient. But most of the drag is due to the air you have to move out of the way.
Bottom line - don't do it. It is very unsafe to tow something that large and that overweight.
2007 Winnebago Voyage 33V (Workhorse, W20)
2008 Suzuki S83 (VS1400)
Me, the Wife  , Edgar and Sarah 
Places we have camped in an RV
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mbutts
Farmington MI, USA
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Does he really have 3,500 lbs. capacity? Only the models with the towing prep package are rated that high.
When I towed a pop-up (2,200 lbs.) with a Chrysler minivan, it worked really well. The trailer was also shorter than the van.
I agree he might be able to get a 28' trailer rolling, he would have a very difficult time getting up to highway speeds due to wind resistance.
Mike Butts
DW+DD+DS+Camping Poodle
’07 Kodiak 23TT, 2004 Ford Expedition 5.4L with H.D. Tow Package
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sayby1campers
Rock Hill,SC
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The article in question was written by Andy Thomson... a towing expert. I tow a 03 B-19 HTT with my 03 Mazda MPV and love the combo!! Can I use a bit more power in the hills?? Sure, but I recently towed a 7% grade for 45 miles and we did just fine... even passed a few big rigs! Not going to be able to do 65 mph like a diesel would, but held 40-45 mph @ 4200 rpm. That's right in my max power curve for the engine.
All this being said I wouldn't pull a trailer that out weighs recommendations by atleast 1,000 lbs! Lets use some common sense please!!!
DW, DD(10y/o) and CoCo our Sharpei(wrinkle dog)
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