E&J push'n wind
San Diego CA, The best climate on earth!
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Joined: 12/21/2009
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sonicsix wrote:You can tow what your truck is rated to tow. The so-called 80% rule is totally unfounded. I have yet to see any logical reason for it and believe that it is one of those things that someone said, and others thought it sounded good so it continually gets repeated. I will gladly change my opinion if facts can be presented to the contrary.
The manufacturers go to great lengths to determine safe vehicle ratings and this is what you should go by. You may run into the issue of reaching your GVWR before you get near you tow rating. For a little more info regarding TT towing, click here.
I'd agree with you up to a point on towing what the vehicle is rated to tow. You are looking for facts to the contrary of the 80% rule of thumb. I don't think anyone can produce the facts you may be looking for. The 80% rule of thumb is just that, a rule of thumb. Its not hard and fast but more a guidline to prevent folks from exceeding the GVWR of their TV while allowing them to get as much trailer as that "rule" will allow. Again it is not hard and fast so there is some wiggle room but as a rule it gets you pretty close to your GVWR without exceeding it. It will of course vary from trailer MFG to MFG.
* This post was
edited 04/19/10 09:33pm by an administrator/moderator *
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know much, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
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bar_20
Somewhere West of Laramie
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Joined: 05/22/2003
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You might want to check out the Heartland EDGE M22. It's 26ft long has a queen bed and bunk beds. It has a dry weight of 3690 lbs and a GVWR of 4900 lbs.
http://www.heartlandrvs.com/product.html?id=12&name=EDGE&type=Ultra+Lightweights
Steve & Donalee
2010 Heartland North Trail 28RLS
1994 27ft Winnebago Brave
2008 Lincoln Mark LT
2005 PT Cruiser Convertible
1998 Honda Gold Wing GL1500 SE
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StStg1
Dallas,TX
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Joined: 02/24/2009
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My 04 Nissan Titan is tow rated at 9400# with GV weight of 14,000#. I would never tow anything that would max the tow rating. My TV off the lot came with a dry weight of 6300#. Loaded for the road with everything is 7400#. The TV pulls fine and with WD hitch and sway control is a stable pull. Even on large hills (small mountains) I can average 50-60 mph in drive. You shouldn't have a load that is at the max tow rating. Good luck with you choice.
2006 COACHMEN SOA 28 RLS
2004 NISSAN TITAN 5.6L, 3.73, Husky WD
WIFE & FANCY(Lab/Chow mix), LB (Maltise)
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hottehue
Long Island
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Joined: 04/18/2010
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Thank you for your input, it has been most helpful. And I think I have the information and understanding to convince my DH to go with a lighter weight Trailer.
Kelly
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fisherrf
Calgary, Alberta
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Joined: 02/18/2006
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If you are still looking for input...
I tow with a 2005 Tundra DC LTD. with "E" Rated Michelin Tires. I us the Reese dual cam WD hitch and Prodigy Controler. My Trailer is a '07 Jayco 27BH and this combo tows great. It is easy to control and the tow vehicle does not get pushed around by the trailer. I live in Calgary, Alberta and constantly tow in the Canadian Rockies. I have had no issues up to this point. As you can imagine, on the steep hills I do have to drop a gear or two.. BUT...I am camping, not racing!! I have no issue recomending this setup!!
Good luck on your choice, hope this helps!
PS...Forgot to mention the weights..Dry weight is around 4,600 lbs. and I tow at around 5,600 lbs most of the time. (I always tow with empty tanks)
The Kennel
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The Pennys
Dallas, TX
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Joined: 05/04/2010
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We used to pull our current trailer, 6100# dry, with a 2004 Toyota Sequoia before my 15 year old daughter totaled it (no, it was not hooked to the trailer at the time).
It pulled it just fine all around Texas. Granted, we have no major hills or mountains around but we never slowed significantly on the hills we do have. In retrospect I am pretty certain we were exceeding all the weight ratings the whole time.
Toyotas are the best cars made. Buy what you want and you will be just fine.
2008 Jayco JayFeather 30u Bunkhouse 7500# GVWR
2004 Ford Expedition
Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller
10,000# Equal-i-zer Hitch
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The Pennys
Dallas, TX
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I forgot to mention, BE SURE to buy a PROPORTIONAL brake controller!!!!!!!!!!!! I learned that lesson the hard way on my prior travel trailer.
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