iLLBRED
Quebec
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Joined: 01/26/2012
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Hey guys (and girls)
I've been reading these forums for the last couple weeks and getting more and more confused. These questions are probably the most asked questions on here.
I'm looking to get a TT in the next couple months. My 2005 Equinox has a 3500# tow limit. I'll be getting the swaybar/weight distribution bars.
Reading all these posts is helping me get a better thought of what i should be getting but decided to post a message and get answers.
What should be the maximum loaded weight of my trailer be? Following the 80% rule would be 2800#, correct? Loaded with gear, food, occupants in the TV and so on?
Theses are the trailers we are interested in and would like to know if it would be wise choices
1. Cikira 17exp hybrid Trailer.
Dry Weight: 2,200lbs
GVWR: 3845 LBS
Hitch Weight: 220lbs
http://www.baysidemotorsport.com/new_veh........03044&veh2=203044&compare=specs&#compare
2. Jayco Swift Slx
FLOORPLAN 154BH
Dry Weight: 2,480
GVWR: 3,200
Hitch Weight: 3,200
http://www.jayco.com/php/products/floorplans.php?id=375
3: Our 1st choice would be... Takena 1860BH by Chalet Rv.
Dry Weight: 2,640
GVWR: 4,500
hitch weight: 235
http://www.chaletrv.com/travel_allspecs.php
This model suite our needs the best with 3 beds, lightweight, not a wetbath and so on
4. The KZ models are in our list also.
I understand that we will have to pack lightly, travel with empty tanks of water in the trailer and wont load up to the max. The point of camping is having piece of mind.
So 3500 - occupants/250lbs - propane 40lbs - luggage 500lbs - hitch/sway/torsion bars ~75lbs = 2635. Is this correct ?
I doubt i'll travel with 500lbs of luggage but it does add up quiet fast.
Thanks and hope to have some reply to clear my mind. Sales man wanted to sell me a R-vision Crossover 230BH 3028lbs dry weight trailer saying I wont have any problems !
Pat
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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Number one and 3 have the potential of exceeding your tow ratings. But IMHO even number two is going to push that SUV beyond it's comfort zone.
Terms like "dry" and "shipping" are totally meaningless as is your SUV's curb weight and towing rating. The towing rating is based on a base level vehicle with 1/4 tank of fuel and one 150# driver. Every pound above that subtracts from the vehicles tow rating. I suggest you look up you look up your GCWR and then load the SUV up with everything you will carry when traveling. Full tank of gas, people, maybe an ice chest, dogs, birds what ever you will have in the SUV and get to a set of scales for some accurate weight. Once you have that you can determine how much real world load carrying capacity you have, plus how much weight you can tow and not exceed the GCWR. Also remember towing a hard side trailer is equal to pulling a barn door down the highway behind you. In other words, lots of wind resistance. You will be far better off looking at a tent trailer or getting a more capable tow vehicle first.
Donn,Lorri,Max (rescued Lab)
Saigon International Airport 1966/67
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Terryallan
Foothills NC
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I too would suggest a popup. I'll bet thet 3500lb does not take into account the frontal area of the TT. I have an Escape. I would not think of towing a TT of any size with it.
Terry & Shay
Pioneer 23T6
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
Lazy Campers
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jerem0621
SE Tennessee
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I was exactly where you are this time last year. I had a sweet Kia Sorento with a 3500 lb rating. We thought about trying to get by with a smaller trailer. Until I went and weighed my Sorento on a trip. Fully loaded with gas, family, and three suite cases I barely had 400 lbs of payload or so. I tried my best to figure the numbers to my advantage but I couldn't.
My father in law bought a Pop up with an 8 ft box, me and my brother weighed the tongue of the pop up and found that unloaded this little pup had about 240-250 lbs of tongue weight.
Reality told me that I had to either have a pop up or I was going to go over my ratings.
For us we wanted a full size travel trailer.
So something had to give.
We bout the strongest half ton we could pay cash for and it is my daily driver.
We also have a travel trailer we enjoy and towing is a pleasure.
IMHO your payload is going to be your biggest issue. Almost any loaded travel trailer will overload most hitches available for your Chevy. You may be under your 3500 lb tow rating but you will most certainly be over your 350 lb tongue weight rating.
IMHO a small pup would be a great match or some of the small travel trailers. I am not saying you can't tow a travel trailer but that you will be dangerously close if not over.
Thanks and good luck!
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, , 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch with Reese Dual-Cam sway control
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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Joined: 11/21/2005
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iLLBRED wrote:
So 3500 - occupants/250lbs - propane 40lbs - luggage 500lbs - hitch/sway/torsion bars ~75lbs = 2635. Is this correct ?
yes, you've got the right idea but you forgot the weight of the battery, water, options that aren't included in the fictional "dry" weight and you get 150lbs. for the driver in that 3500 number.
and when you include all the food, drinks, luggage, clothing, tools, chairs, bedding and other stuff, 500lbs. for "luggage" is pretty easy to get.
first, Cikira has been out of business for a couple of years.
anything in stock, will be an orphan. i don't even think they built any 2011 models.
second, all but the Swift have GVWRs over your 3500lbs. tow max. and that 3500 number is with only a 150lb. driver in the car.
so, anything or anyone else's weight will lower that 3500 number.
third, check the frontal limit on the car, i'll bet every trailer you've listed will exceed that.
the Equinox is a CUV and truly only adequate for popups, teardrops or A-frame trailers.
and NEVER listen to dealers and salesmen, they just want to make a sale and will tell you anything to make it.
* This post was
edited 01/26/12 11:03pm by bikendan *
Dan- Firefighter , Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur , Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever , 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
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iLLBRED
Quebec
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Thanks for all the replys guys.
Their is some mix reviews and alot of topics concerning this.
I'm still trying to find the lightest hybrid trailer available.
I can't buy another vehicle as we speak but might look into trading it to something stronger.
On the road we see alot of 3500LBS TV pulling lightweights, hybrids..etc and they say it ain't no probleme when speaking with them. Gotta take your time and no rush.
Can't wait for camping season !!
Pat
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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You could also look at the small molded fiberglass trailers like Casita, Scamp, and our own Egg Camper. Almost all of they can sleep three. Our Egg C. has a 2500# gvwr. We've towed it with our 6 cylinder minivan and it does very well. These trailers are very aerodynamic so mpg is better than with more conventional trailers. Check out the website for them: www.fiberglassrv.com.
RRUGG
2009 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ 1500 4x4 5.3L
2011 Kodiak 281RLGS travel trailer
2011 Egg Camper
2010 Chrysler Town & Country
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Camped in 49 states. Missing Hawaii.
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kellem
Shenandoah valley,VA
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We are currently looking at smaller SUV's and the Equinox is right at the top of our list.Reviews are very good,good looks,nice ride.
Newer ones offer higher towing capacity but it won't be used for towing.
As a previous P'up owner,would you not consider one?
We never had any issue's what so ever with our P'up,thoroughly enjoyed it.
P'ups offer a great camping experience for those with marginal tow vehicles that prefer not to invest a bunch of money upgrading there equipment.
If you had a more formidable tow vehicle then i would highly recommend a hybrid,larger one of course with a slide "Roo/Jayco".
Its your decision but as a rule "a good one" don't let your trailer's GVWR exceed that of your vehicles towing capacity.
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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iLLBRED wrote: On the road we see alot of 3500LBS TV pulling lightweights, hybrids..etc and they say it ain't no probleme when speaking with them.
well, maybe in flat country, but i'll tell you that we don't see this out West.
if you lived near mountains, i'll bet you wouldn't see that.
out here, our coastal mountains are higher than most "mountains" in the Midwest or East.
and that's not counting the Sierras, Cascades or Siskiyous.
so, pulling a trailer at, near or over max, won't fly out here.
and the few that try are seen pulled over on the side of the road, broke down.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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iLLBRED wrote:On the road we see alot of 3500LBS TV pulling lightweights, hybrids..etc and they say it ain't no probleme when speaking with them. Gotta take your time and no rush.
You need to take what they say with a grain of salt. They probably have a different idea of what "just fine" is, or what "no problem" is, than you do. Their idea of "take your time" may not be acceptable to you. They may be out-and-out LYING to you because they are in denial that they made bad choices.
That said, I think you will be FINE if you look for trailers with GVWR of 3500lbs or less.
The actual weight of a trailer is somewhere between "dry" and GVWR 99.99% of the time. When the trailer's GVWR is at or below your vehicle's tow rating, you are practically guaranteed that you will always be within your limits.
I forget. Was the Starcraft AR-ONE series included in your search? The biggest AR-ONE has a GVWR of 3750lbs, and the smallest has a GVWR of 3000lbs. I really like the 16BH bunkhouse model, myself. Perfect for a dad, mom, and two kids.
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
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