Weight distribution hitch advice

[Undercover Poe]

I mention in original post the 7 pin and the brake control are installed. If not I meant to

[bikendan]

My apologies, I missed that.

Poe, can you provide the numbers from the trailer's weight sticker.
here's how it should look:

[Undercover Poe]

Uh oh! My sticker indicates 3650. That's more than I thought. The seller showed me the manual and when I followed the model number over it's said 3380,he told me assume 3500 lbs. Both are incorrect. I never knew the sticker was there till today. So GCVW=8000lbs minus 3700 gives me 4300 for my explorer. I think the explorer weights 4500. I'm already 200 lbs over. I'll be 1000lbs over with people and another couple hundred with gear. I think I chewed up my factor of safety and then some. I'm going shopping for a diesel pickup so I don't have to deal with being at capacity

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Undercover Poe

Uh oh! My sticker indicates 3650. That's more than I thought. The seller showed me the manual and when I followed the model number over it's said 3380,he told me assume 3500 lbs. Both are incorrect. I never knew the sticker was there till today. So GCVW=8000lbs minus 3700 gives me 4300 for my explorer. I think the explorer weights 4500. I'm already 200 lbs over. I'll be 1000lbs over with people and another couple hundred with gear. I think I chewed up my factor of safety and then some. I'm going shopping for a diesel pickup so I don't have to deal with being at capacity

Yep, that's what I was afraid of. Yours is near the size of mine and its empty UVW was over 4400lbs.
It was 400lbs over the brochure/website "dry" weight.

NEVER believe brochure/website weights. They are based on a stripped down version of the trailer and are fictional. NO trailer weighs its brochure/website dry weight when it leaves the factory.

That's why most of us were concerned. That's why we ignore "dry" weights ad ask for factory sticker weights.
Older trailers like yours and mine, have white weight stickers, inside the trailer.
Newer ones have yellow weight stickers, outside the trailer.

[karrun]

Good luck on your hunt for a new TV. You'll rest much easier knowing you're not pushing limits. That's why we bought our Excursion. Just not enough margin.

[windsurfdog]

With the TV decision made (and a GOOD one too), you'll still want to make a good decision on WDH. I vote for Blue Ox. Good luck with your searches.

[bburns7385]

Recommend you insure your tow vehicle can handle the load. My Ford Escape says it can handle 3500 lbs and my new TT weighs in at 3100 dry. After loading supplies (no water) estimate was at 3400-3500 lbs. While the Escape did tow the load, gas mileage was 8-9 mpg (at 63-65mph), sometimes road uncomfortably and sometimes felt uneasy in cross winds. Also Escape ran toward high temp on uphill grades. Now selling my 2016 Rockwood Mini Lite 1905 after one trip!

[bburns7385]

Oh, forgot to mention I was using an Eaz Lift weight distribution hitch with a tongue capacity of 1000 lbs.

[DocRob]

Sorry to say but many who respond would tow with a semi tractor if possible, but to answer your question I would consider starting with:
1. An inexpensive weight distribution hitch - you can always upgrade should this turn into a real passion but you gotta have weight distribution with your setup. Harbor Freight and etrailer both offer entry level units in your price range.
2. Install a large transmission cooler if it's an automatic.
3. Amazon sells a number of extension mirrors for a lot less than etrailer if you don't have them.

If you have basic Reese WDH you can upgrade it with active sway control for not too much so you might consider starting in that direction.

Another thing to consider with your rig is excessive tongue weight so don't take the factories word for it and make yourself a scale with a 3 foot length of 2x6, a brick, and a bathroom scale. Put the bathroom scale at one end the brick at the other and the tongue jack midway. Whatever the scale reads x 2 and you have your tongue wt.

My little Roo came in at over 500 lbs unloaded and if I hadn't checked it out I certainly would have overloaded both my hitch and my tow vehicle.

Hope I don't sound too much like a know it all, because many times I've asked for advice and just gotten opinions instead.

Hope you have a great new adventure, Rob

[karrun]

Originally Posted by bburns7385

Recommend you insure your tow vehicle can handle the load. My Ford Escape says it can handle 3500 lbs and my new TT weighs in at 3100 dry. After loading supplies (no water) estimate was at 3400-3500 lbs. While the Escape did tow the load, gas mileage was 8-9 mpg (at 63-65mph), sometimes road uncomfortably and sometimes felt uneasy in cross winds. Also Escape ran toward high temp on uphill grades. Now selling my 2016 Rockwood Mini Lite 1905 after one trip!

If it were me, I'd sell the Escape.

[karrun]

Originally Posted by DocRob

Sorry to say but many who respond would tow with a semi tractor if possible, but to answer your question I would consider starting with:
1. An inexpensive weight distribution hitch - you can always upgrade should this turn into a real passion but you gotta have weight distribution with your setup. Harbor Freight and etrailer both offer entry level units in your price range.
2. Install a large transmission cooler if it's an automatic.
3. Amazon sells a number of extension mirrors for a lot less than etrailer if you don't have them.

If you have basic Reese WDH you can upgrade it with active sway control for not too much so you might consider starting in that direction.

Another thing to consider with your rig is excessive tongue weight so don't take the factories word for it and make yourself a scale with a 3 foot length of 2x6, a brick, and a bathroom scale. Put the bathroom scale at one end the brick at the other and the tongue jack midway. Whatever the scale reads x 2 and you have your tongue wt.

My little Roo came in at over 500 lbs unloaded and if I hadn't checked it out I certainly would have overloaded both my hitch and my tow vehicle.

Hope I don't sound too much like a know it all, because many times I've asked for advice and just gotten opinions instead.

Hope you have a great new adventure, Rob

So Rob, just wondering, are you recommending the OP give it a try with a distribution hitch, even after he stated it was likely he'd be 1000 lb over the tow capacity of his vehicle? Or are you recommending what he do after he upgrades his vehicle?

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Undercover Poe

The weight of the camper and the max tow cap of my explorer are both 3500 lbs. So I'm right there. Not looking for a lecture on being overweight. Just looking for some weight distribution advise to increase my factory of safety

I have a Ford Explorer with 5800 pound towing capacity. Even Towing 2500 pounds a load distributing hitch is a big advantage. I might even say a necessity because even with the super heavy duty Ford Explorer tow package telling you to uncontrollable without the weight distribution hitch. I would suggest the basic original EZ lift is available as Pro brand, Curt brand or Reese also. Sway control only does not begin to offer the help you need. I suggest ordering a new hitch comma I just ordered a heavier one for our new trailer etrailer.com and I think I got the best price on the internet including free delivery and no sales tax. Best of luck Towing, my Explorer handles the empty weight of our old toy hauler , which is technically under the gross towing capacity of my Explorer comma but I wouldn't be able to take it out of the driveway without the weight distributing hitch

[tragusa3]

Maybe you were joking? But shopping for a diesel to pull #3500 dry weight TT is ridiculous. A properly equipped half ton with a gasser will tow that trailer effortlessly. I know, I pulled the same weight with mine on a 6k mile trip cross country. Towing was a complete non-event.

Maybe I missed somewhere in the thread you were going to shop for the future? If so, have at it. Or, if you just "want" it, have at it. But the extra expense is not necessary.

[Steveboe]

I might feel safe for a very short tow to a close by campground but I would not go over 50 mph without a WDH. Check Craigslist for a used one right away or bite the bullet and buy a new one. They have a MAX tongue weight sticker on the spring bars and are adjustable to make your tow vehicle ride level. Start by Googling WDH's for some info.
I have seen small tow vehicles tossed up on two wheels as the driver struggles to keep it together. Not the kind of fun you are looking for Im sure. Be sure to max your tire pressures also.

[Wolverine 1945]

I am amazed @ what some people think they can tow,,,
with what they have !!!

[karrun]

If you're referring to the op,he's already acknowledged that he is over weight limit.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by karrun

If it were me, I'd sell the Escape.

He's got an EXPLORER, not an Escape.

Poe: I think your decision to look for a pickup is a good one. I tried pulling my Roo 19 (about 4000 lbs wet) with my Traverse (5200 lb capacity) and was not happy. Got a Silverado and I'm a LOT happier.

As mentioned above, you don't need a diesel unless your planning lots of mountains and/or you expect to move up to a larger trailer in the future. Diesels generally cost more to buy and more to maintain.

[Wolverine 1945]

There was a guy talking about towing with an Escape !!!
Can you imagine how many folks are towing overweigh,,,
that are not even on this thread ???

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

There was a guy talking about towing with an Escape !!!
Can you imagine how many folks are towing overweigh,,,
that are not even on this thread ???

Look at post #27.
Member was pulling a 3100lbs dry weight TT with an Escape.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Look at post #27.
Member was pulling a 3100lbs dry weight TT with an Escape.

From post #1: "Hello TT, I purchased an 05 flaggstaff forest river 23 foot trailer and I'm planning on towing it with my ford explorer."

Some else threw in the Escape for some reason; confusing the issue.