Towing with a Jimmy

[bikendan]

well, if the Jimmy has the factory tow package and the 4.3 vortec, you probably do have a 5000lbs. tow capacity. that's what the Astro/Safari vans had.
just remember, the 5000 amount is figured on the vehicle having just a 150lb. driver and nothing else, except fuel.
anything or anyone extra, reduces the 5000 number, by its weight. that includes the WDH.
i tow a 23' hybrid with a 5.3 v-8 and i wouldn't dare tow it with a v-6. but i live out West and have lots of mountains to get over.
even with flat land, i would be looking at a 19'-21' ultra-light bunkhouse trailer.

the Rockwood 1905 or its twin, the Shamrock 19FD, would give you the Murphy queen bed and bunk beds, in a package just under 21ft.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by darrenandmelissa

We have two kids, that is why we need something with bunk beds. We were looking at hybrid but want to get away from canvas all together, and for about the same price as a hybrid we could get into a smaller travel trailer. Once we can get a different tow vehicle we will probably get a bigger camper.

I see. I was going to suggest a hybrid, but you really have to be OK with the canvas and you've got enough experience to know that from your pup.

I wish you all the best. Either of those trailers would work, but as I am sure you've gathered by now, its going to be pushing the limits of your TV. A good WDH like the Equal-i-zer 4-point or Reese Dual Cam along with the Prodigy P2 or P3 brake controller will help.

[darrenandmelissa]

I know it is not the ideal setup but we want to continue camping and not sure how much more of the popup I can take.

[mtnguy]

Beware of the GCWR. With the 3.08 gears, your Jimmy is probably rated at 8500 lbs. With the 3.42 and 3.73 gears the Jimmy will be rated at 9500 lbs. If I remember correctly, my Blazer weighed 4400 lbs....according to the title. Don't know how big your kids are, but your combined passenger weight could be in the 500 to 600 lb. range. Right there without other gear in the Blazer might put you over 5000 lbs. With the 3.08 gears, you are now restricted to towing 3500 lbs. before you reach the 8500 lb. GCWR. Do the math with your situation.

[steeljag]

Darren....we pulled a 19 ft Hybrid with a 2000 GMC Safari 4.3 all over the flat lands of Florida. I knew it was back there, and would not have taken it to the MTS. I much as I liked that van ( 4 captains chairs ) and room in the back....I don't see pulling anything longer or heavier !

[fajitas21]

We currently tow our pop up(2000lbs) and we don't even know it is there.

Keep in mind a 2000# pop up and a 4000# pop up would likely tow about the same when moving along.

However, a 2000# hard walled, tall sided, wind sail of a traditional travel trailer is a completely different problem altogether.