Towing question

Dbt803 · 01-13-2013, 08:50 PM

I am exploring towing a vehicle behind my RV. My towing capability is 5000lbs. If a vehicle weighs 3,684lbs how much weight do I allow for the tow brackets, etc. Of course my current vehicles can not be flat towed and there is no place to store a tow dolly at the storage place.
I am looking at the Nissan frontier so I will have a truck at home and possibly put my bikes or scooter(would like one) in the bed which adds extra weight.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Dave_Monica · 01-13-2013, 09:15 PM

It would appear that the Frontier even with gear in the bed will be well withing the towing spec of the Berkshire. The GVWR for the Fronteir is 4690 lbs...that's it's max fully loaded weight if it's an extended cab.

Dave

kingwood390bh · 01-14-2013, 01:50 AM

Debbie
I agree with Dave on the weight. The bracketry may add another 60 pounds. One caveat is that only manual transmisson Nissans can be towed four down. I looked and found only one small truck with automatic trans that is towable(there may be others), the Chevy Colorado.

Dbt803 · 01-14-2013, 04:59 PM

39' RV plus 17' for the truck and the brackets I think that might be too much for me to handle. Going to look for something smaller. Today went to the local used car lots and could not believe they had a 1987 jeep wrangler with 107,000 miles for $2,500.00 and a 1998 jeep wrangler with 200,000 miles for $3,800.00. Will keep exploring. Thanks for the info on the weight.

lefaivre · 01-19-2013, 01:59 PM

First question ... when you say tow capacity of 5000lbs ... are you referring to the capacity of your RV or the capacity of your hitch?

None of these number can be exceeded not even by 1 lb.

The only way to determine this for sure is to drive across a scale with the RV and tow vehicle loaded. It is very important not to make a determination based on factory weight specs. Weight distribution across each of the RV axils is important as is the loaded weight of the toad.

I can say from experience that a broken tow bar is a terrifying and potentially disasterous experience. One of the very first questions that any insurance will ask is the weight of the toad. If you are so much as an once over the limit, the insurance is deamed void

ChooChooMan74 · 01-19-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefaivre

None of these number can be exceeded not even by 1 lb.

Numbers are just suggestions.... Like speed limits...

MillerTime · 01-20-2013, 12:16 AM

But bad things can or will happen when your over!

Hope you have some luck on your quest dbt803!

Dbt803 · 01-22-2013, 11:20 PM

Close to being a owner of a 2008 Saturn Vue that weighs 4300. I hope to weigh my mh this spring to get accurate numbers..
Thanks for the feedback

lefaivre · 01-22-2013, 11:54 PM

ChooChoo

These are more than suggestions. These numbers are based on a engineers design specs. I would agree that every design spec includes a safety margin ... and yes ... you could most likely get by with overloading by 10-15%. However, the fact remains... if you are overweight and something goes wrong resulting in and injury or damage to personal property .... The insurance company will tell you that you are on your own.

ChooChooMan74 · 01-22-2013, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefaivre

ChooChoo

These are more than suggestions. These numbers are based on a engineers design specs. I would agree that every design spec includes a safety margin ... and yes ... you could most likely get by with overloading by 10-15%. However, the fact remains... if you are overweight and something goes wrong resulting in and injury or damage to personal property .... The insurance company will tell you that you are on your own.

I was being a bit sarcastic when the guy said that it must not be exceeded by even 1lb. But, if you tell the same person that the speed limit must not be exceeded by even 1mph..... You get my picture.

Dbt803 · 01-23-2013, 07:27 PM

Question, my 390bh has a towing capacity of 5000 that's why I am going with the Saturn. Now when I get the hitch equipment receiver are you saying they have various weights as well?
Help me to get it right. lol

lefaivre · 01-24-2013, 12:09 AM

I believe that all 390BH com with a hitch install ... I know that ours did. Your hitch type and towing capacity will depend on which model of 390BH you have. Example 390BH-60 has a 10000 lb capacity and I think that the -40 has a 5000 bl capacity.
This is the point at which you need to concider the loaded weight of your car and RV by axle.

Assuming that you are able to tow the weight of the Saturn, you need to match the tow bar to the car. I personally use a Blue Ox Alladin. The older model Alladin had a capacity of 5000bl and the newer ones are 7500. Getting one with a higher tow rating will only increase your safety margin.

Remember ... your do not want to exceed any of the following ; GVW, hitch capacity, max axil weight, or tow bar capacity.

Good luck

ps
remember ... it is law in most States and Provinces that you have a supplimentary braking device. I use the Brake Buddy and am quite please with it. One last thing to keep in mind when towing. Many vehicle that can be flat towed have some sort of towing restiction ... example ... can not be towed over 60mph, or can not be towed for more than 2 hours without running engine. Check a publication called The Dingy Towing Guide for your make and model of vehicle. (it can be found thru Google)

Dbt803 · 01-24-2013, 09:44 AM

My hitch came installed and it is for 5000lbs. So when I look for a tow bar it should be rated for 5000lbs or more? I will probably order from e-trailer but I wanted to have a little more knowledge before speaking to them. lol
I have restrictions with the Saturn-driving no more than 8-10hrs a day and I think no higher speed of 65. I have to remove the ign fuse and let the car run before and after towing. Thanks again

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