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Old 11-30-2014, 12:48 PM   #1
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My wife and I are wanting to get into the rv lifestyle within the next few months. My tow vehicle is a 2008 GMC Envoy with the 4.2 6 engine and 3:42 rear axle. Max tow is listed at 5300lbs. We are interested in purchasing a 2015 Rockwood Mini Lite 2109s. The model at our dealer has a dry weight of around 3665 and a GCVR of 4885. Dealer says we can safely tow this with our vehicle. I need some experienced opinions as we will be mainly in east Tn, but down the road would like to drive to Maryland to take our grand daughter camping. Is this a good bet or will I be looking for touble? Plan to use a weight distributing hitch, electic brake, etc. Any thoughts?
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Old 11-30-2014, 02:41 PM   #2
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The 4.2 is an inline 6 which makes it quite reliable as a tow vehicle. We had an 05 buick rainier with the 5.3 v8. Plenty of power but the problem we had was sway. our TT was 25ft bumper to bumper and even with WDH and sway control we had a very scary towing experience coming back to lubbock from dallas on I20. Maybe the tad bit shorter rockwood you're looking at may not cause problems but I'm just letting you know my experience. If you do go through with it, don't skimp on good sway crontrol. Maybe if we would have spent some more money we'd still have that combo.
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Old 11-30-2014, 03:15 PM   #3
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P metric tires have a softer sidewall than LT tires do, this by it's self is a worry I take seriously.

I suggest a tire change as a minimum.

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Old 11-30-2014, 04:19 PM   #4
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We bought our mini lite 2502 when our TV was a Toyota highlander. The Toyota had the towing package, and was rated to pull a 5000 lbs trailer. The mini weighs 4184 according to the yellow sticker. That said, two things come to mind.

I felt safe pulling with the Toyota, but the 3.5L was way under powered. We had no problems with sway, and had a Reese WDH and friction sway control. We were right up to the limits, though, and I had to push the motor way too hard which killed mileage.

We got our trailer in September, and haven't used it much, though we are excited for spring to get here. We have since traded the Toyota for a Ram Ecodiesel which pulls it with ease.

I wouldn't be afraid of that trailer with your TV, you should be fine.
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Old 11-30-2014, 04:32 PM   #5
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Many Envoy/Trailblazer owners find that theirs ends up a poor tow vehicle for towing a full height TT.
mainly due the short wheelbase and trailer's frontal air resistance.

That 5300 number is rated for a 4x4 with only a 150lbs. driver in it. Any additional passengers or cargo in it, lowers that number.

Where did you get the 3665 number? FR's website shows a dry weight of 4091lbs.
and its actual hitch weight may exceed the Envoy's max amount.
Another negative is the 2109S's very poor cargo capacity. After deducting for "options" and battery and propane and water, you could only have 200lbs for cargo.
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Old 11-30-2014, 04:55 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
Many Envoy/Trailblazer owners find that theirs ends up a poor tow vehicle for towing a full height TT.
mainly due the short wheelbase and trailer's frontal air resistance.

That 5300 number is rated for a 4x4 with only a 150lbs. driver in it. Any additional passengers or cargo in it, lowers that number.

Where did you get the 3665 number? FR's website shows a dry weight of 4091lbs.
and its actual hitch weight may exceed the Envoy's max amount.
Another negative is the 2109S's very poor cargo capacity. After deducting for "options" and battery and propane and water, you could only have 200lbs for cargo.
I got the number from the specs plate on the side of the trailer when at the dealer. Maybe they were given a bogus number from the factory. Thanks for the info though, gives me more to consider.
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Old 11-30-2014, 04:57 PM   #7
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I suspect you won't be happy.

I tried pulling my Roo 19 (4700 lb GVWR) with a 2011 Chevy Traverse, 3.6L V6, rated to tow 5200 lbs. I wasn't happy. I bought a 2009 Silverado with a 5.3L V8 and 7500 lb tow rating. I'm a lot happier.

As mentioned above, it's not really the weight, but the drag from the front of the trailer that kills you.
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Old 11-30-2014, 05:06 PM   #8
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The 5300 is his tow rating... not effected by passengers. That would be payload, and, of course, they both feed into GVCW.
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Old 11-30-2014, 05:30 PM   #9
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Much to consider.. Is there a Rockwood Mini Lite that someone would recommend as a viable alternative that is similar in overall features to the 2109S that my Envoy could better and more safely tow? Trading for another vehicle is not a good option at the present time.

Thanks to all for the information. I prefer some disappointment now to a big one later on.
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Old 11-30-2014, 06:03 PM   #10
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I think you could handle that trailer just fine. The dry weight is only 70% of your max towing capacity. The dry tongue weight should be in the 450ish range. Get a decent WDH, keep the extra load reasonable and give it a try. The mini lites are made with your vehicle in mind.

Would a bigger rig be better? Of course it would be, but even if I had stayed with the highlander, I would have been fine -- I just would have had to go slower. And your scenario is better than mine was. My car had less towing capability by 300lbs and my trailer weighs 500lbs more than yours.

Besides, you'll just end up buying a bigger TV the same as I did, lol.
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Old 12-01-2014, 01:49 PM   #11
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I would be cautious about pulling a full size (height) TT with an Envoy. Don't believe anything a salesman tells you.


I had an 02 Trailblazer I6 4x4 and towed a popup (Coleman Mesa/Sunridge ~2800 lbs. loaded) for several years. It was doable but with DW and 3 kids and gear it was close to its limit.


Towing was no fun in crosswinds, headwinds or in the mountains. The wheelbase is quite short to tow even a popup without some white knuckles. The small gas tank has you looking for gas every 2-3 hours or so. The I6 is underpowered for that size of vehicle to begin with. But I liked the ride and it was good to drive when not towing. I only towed a few times a year aside form one 10,000 km trip out west.


I got better mileage (towing or not) from my 05 and 06 Suburbans than with the Trailblazer. Even my Suburban struggles in headwinds due to the front loading on the TT. But it's solid on the road when towing.


If you are doing short trips and not on major hills it may be ok but plan on a new TV soon. I heard from the dealer that my Trailblazer needed transmission work and steering work after I traded it ...
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Old 12-01-2014, 02:15 PM   #12
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I have the same camper but branded as a Flagstaff. I have a 4.8 chevy v8 and I know that I would like to upgrade my TV.

That 10 tall trailer is just a big parachute behind you. I love the trailer and highly recommend it for couples but to answer your question, I think your TV will struggle
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Old 12-02-2014, 01:14 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BudsFolly View Post
I got the number from the specs plate on the side of the trailer when at the dealer. Maybe they were given a bogus number from the factory. Thanks for the info though, gives me more to consider.
I think you're reading the wrong thing.
the UVW from the factory, is on a yellow sticker.
usually it's located on the side or in the door frame.
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