flat tow

Phil57 · 07-09-2012, 11:22 PM

Does anyone flat tow a Buick Enclave with a Brekshire. We have a 340 hp tow rated at5000. The Enclave curb weight is aroumd 4800. Cutting it a little close If anyone is using a toad that heavy with a 40 ft 340 hp let me know how it handles and what your set up is. Thanks

Rsgtivr6 · 07-09-2012, 11:36 PM

Might want to post vehicle specifics. Otherwise it would be hard to give you an answer, because everything from transmission type, to model year can change that.

Phil57 · 07-10-2012, 12:17 AM

The Buick Enclave is a 2008 AWD I know that it can be flat towed I checked that. My big question is weight and braking.

Rsgtivr6 · 07-10-2012, 12:44 AM

Is the 4800 dry or curb and is that with all the options you want installed? Once you add the bar and brake for the toad, you will most likely be over the 5k.

Phil57 · 07-10-2012, 06:58 AM

The problem is finding true curb weight without taking it to a scale. There are several different published curb weight and they don't label each car as it comes off the line with the curb weight for that one car. Gvw is on the door someplace and you can com close by subtracting the cargo. I don't keep a lot of junk in my cars so I feel confident that the curb weight will be right at 5000 with the 50 -80 lbs of tow bar. I could test drive it and run it on the scales but if it was 4900 or 5100 would not bother me that much. I would pull it at 5100 knowing i was over weight. I wanted to see how the Berkshire with the 340 isb handled the weight And what was the best way to stop it. I looked at the Air Force one and that looks like a great system but a little pricey at 1100.00. I know the isb is low torque but I think it would do the job. Like I said I'm not racing to the top of the mountain I just want to get there and back down safely.

kingwood390bh · 07-10-2012, 06:36 PM

I wonder what it would cost to upgrade your hitch to the 10k lb. I have the 350hp and 10k hitch but I can't imagine that 10hp would make that much difference in performance. That, and I would guess that the 5k hitch is actually tested to much greater loads. Your Enclave, being on the bubble, would probably be just fine. Now, try to find anyone who would sign off on that.

Rsgtivr6 · 07-10-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingwood390bh

I wonder what it would cost to upgrade your hitch to the 10k lb. I have the 350hp and 10k hitch but I can't imagine that 10hp would make that much difference in performance. That, and I would guess that the 5k hitch is actually tested to much greater loads. Your Enclave, being on the bubble, would probably be just fine. Now, try to find anyone who would sign off on that.

On the Forest River website, they list the GCVW exactly 5k over the GVWR. I think you might have a problem legaly with going to a 10k to go over the 5k rating if your RV is close to GVWR already. They don't list UVW so I am not sure how much wiggle room there is. Worth an ask to the dealer, though.

Phil57 · 07-10-2012, 10:56 PM

After searching curb weights all night the trim package is coming in at 4900. I would use the 10000 lb tow bar and with base plate I will go for it. The hitch is rated for 5000 I paid for 5000 and I will use all of it. I guess I'll keep the gas tank close to empty to save weight. I would never push it further but if they meant 4500 or 4900 they should have said so. I will get a good brake system thinking AF1 but a bit pricey. The funny thing is the Berkshire has a 340 turbo diesel with a full freight liner frame and weighs around 28000 lbs and the an clave I will tow has a tow capacity of 4500 500 lbs less than the MH.

Phil57 · 07-10-2012, 10:58 PM

I also will weigh the coach next trip to check GVW

mjracsj · 07-11-2012, 08:22 AM

If you haven'd weighed your coach before you may be a bit surprised at how close it is to or is over 28,000 lbs already if you have any amount of gear packed on board even without much water. I became worried about this and posted a gvw thread to get other thoughts whether or not it is a big deal. I think everyone should take the time to weigh it at a CAT scale to at least know what kind of a load you are regularly running. It was certainly an eye opener for me and as a result have to be very careful about keeping water to a minnimum and even dont keep my fuel full unless I have to.

jhpete1 · 07-12-2012, 10:33 AM

Have towed a GMC Acadia with our 390BH 340 rated at 5,000# for approx 6,000 miles now. The Acadia's curb weight is ~ 4,700#. We try to keep it low on fuel and the coach low on water when towing. Have now went over Loveland pass 3 times and Monarch pass once in Colorado while towing - absolutely no problem with power...obviously, you'll lose some speed, but overall you're still passing many of the trucks. We use a Blue-Ox tow bar with a U.S. Brake system in the Acadia - a little pricey, but a nice system. We've continually checked the integrity of the system...welds, etc. - no problems.

Phil57 · 07-13-2012, 01:05 PM

Thanks that is great to know. I have the dealer looking for the color we want now hope to have the deal done next week.

**Herk7769** · 07-13-2012, 01:17 PM

Here is the 2012 Dinghy guide.

silver · 07-23-2012, 12:28 PM

I have pulled my Grand Cherokee 10000 miles now. Same weight. I do not know it is back there. Only effect is 1 mph less when towing.

tmmar · 07-23-2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrClic

Only effect is 1 mph less when towing.

I am assuming (I know) that you meant the only effect was 1 MPG less when towing. Am I correct?

silver · 07-23-2012, 06:20 PM

Yes you are correct. Thanks for the catch. I get 1 MPG less when towing. Sometimes the fingures do not type what I mean.

You may also like: