Trailblazer and towing sv291

dave_twins · 08-28-2008, 01:23 PM

Hi there...new to the forum and just had a question. What do you think of a Trailblazer towing a sv291. Okay let me give you my specs. It a 2003 V8 3.73 rear with the extended wheel base(129 vs 109) which is actually longer than the Tahoe. It has a 7000 tow capacity(which is reduced when adding gear and people) If I max out the Tailblazer it reduces my tow capacity to 6100. So I was thinking that the SV291 would not be a bad match. I think out the door the TT is around 4900(with all options) then I figure add about 700 pounds of stuff and I should be around 5600 pounds. Just wanting to know anyones thoughts. The Trailblazer that I have seems to be a descent tow vehicle. Thanks everyone.

acadianbob · 08-28-2008, 02:38 PM

Many people recommend that you do not exceed 80% of your towing capacity. I would go even lower than that. If you are towing long distances or in the mountains, I think you would be disappointed. If you are towing only an hour or two you might be OK. Personally, I think this is pushing the limits.

08flagvlite · 08-28-2008, 07:34 PM

If you'll be staying within 200 miles or so of home, then as long as "home" is relatively flat, you should be fine. I am underpowered in my opinion with my hemi Ram, but it does the job. Mileage sucks, but it gets me there. Your 3.73 gear is good, do you have the towing package? Transmission cooler? My Ram has almost 380 HP., and it needs more, or at least a gear change. Randy

dave_twins · 08-28-2008, 08:40 PM

Yeah, it's got the tow package. It seems like everything out there(that we like) is right around our limit. I think that I am going about it the right way and I know for a fact that my numbers check out with this combo. I am within all of my limits....Now as a wise man once said....Limits are safe, not always fun but safe. I just feel confident that whatever I go with it will be wrong

It just kills me though with sales people...they seem to have no clue when it comes to towing. I had a guy tell me..."Just keep the dry weight 1000 pounds below your tow capacity and you will be fine". That would be 6000 pounds for me! The sv291 is 4900 with all the options and I am questioning it. They should make these guys take a class or something.

Thanks guys for the feedback.

Realer · 08-29-2008, 06:54 AM

Hey dave twins. I'm new here too. I pick up my new SV 291 today. My tow is an '02 F150 Supercrew King. Trailer package good for 7500. I'll let you know how it tows later.

dave_twins · 08-29-2008, 08:17 AM

Thanks Realer appreciate it.

acadianbob · 08-29-2008, 10:34 AM

Do not overlook these items: 1) Gross Combined Vehicle Weight 2) The relationship of your TV wheelbase to the length of the trailer. These are just as important (if not more important) than your towing capacity. I think where you may have the biggest issue is TV wheelbase vs trailer length. You may be prone to wagging and that is dangerous. Do yourself a favor and get the best anti-sway system you can afford. Good luck. You will make the right choices. Trust yourself but educate yourself first.

acadianbob · 08-29-2008, 10:38 AM

For the first 110" of wheelbase, this allows you 20' of trailer.
For each additional 4" of wheelbase, this gets you 1' more of trailer.

Here is a chart:

Wheelbase Length Wheelbase Length
110" 20' 150" 30'
114" 21' 154" 31'
118" 22' 158" 32'
122" 23' 162" 33'
126" 24' 166" 34'
130" 25' 170" 35'
134" 26' 174" 36'
138" 27' 178" 37'
142" 28' 182" 38'
146" 29' 186" 39'

acadianbob · 08-29-2008, 10:39 AM

These guidlines suggest that you shouldn't be towing over 25 feet of trailer.

dezolen · 08-29-2008, 10:46 AM

I pull a 29'Rockwood with no problems. No matter what vehicle you have if you drive like a madman , let your guard down for a second, don't drive defensively, expect anyone and everyone to cut you off no tow vehicle is safe. Just go easy on the gas, expect the unexpected, drive very carefully slow down when you encounter heavy crosswinds even if it means below the speed LIMIT you should arrive safely. Remember it is the Limit not the minimum.

dave_twins · 08-29-2008, 11:35 AM

Thanks guys for all the replys. With this setup the only thing that I will be over is length....which I know should not go over 25ft. I have even concidered getting the hensley or pro pride. I know that this does not increase tow capacity or anything else, however, it will help with stability for the extra 4 ft.

My father had a TT that he had awful sway with (and had the Reese Dual Cam). He even took it back to the dealer to get the Reese adjusted...still no good. He made the switch to the hensely and it was a huge difference. Now with that said, a 3000 dollar hitch should sit up and sing

dezolen · 08-29-2008, 12:49 PM

I too thought a Hensely is expensive but much cheaper than trading in a tow vehicle as I am finding out. I was considering upgrading tow vehicle but the trade in value is ridiculously low. For the times I really need bigger vehicle I can live with what I have. Perhaps a Hensly is my answer if I go to 33' trailer. My friends pull a 29' Rockwood with an Oldsmobile Bravada with no issues. He never goes over 60 mph but who really wants to with 5000# behind you. We both never have sway problems just the occassional cross winds can throw you.

fourwalls · 08-29-2008, 09:30 PM

I have a trailblazer also. I use it to pull a 18' ranger bass boat. I would not recommend pulling anything any bigger with it, I have not had much trouble pulling it how ever getting it stopped is another story. I have had it push me threw 2 stop signs and drag me backwards down a boat ramp. Neither was fun. I would recommend going with something a bit smaller to camp in.

Realer · 08-30-2008, 11:04 AM

Picked up my new sv291 yesterday. Awesome TT. I have the equal-i-zer wd anti-sway hitch and it pulls like a dream. The 5.4 might be a little under powered, but should be fine for the roads I need to travel on for the most part. Gas is expensive every where. Its hard to find a comparable TT considering weight, construction, layout and I think it is a very sharp looking TT. Good Luck.

slpybeartx · 09-02-2008, 09:30 AM

Congrats on the new SV-291. We love ours...

Just got back from a Labor Day Weekend at Mitchell RV Resort in Perrin, TX. It was a great trip, made much better with all the friends we have there!

dave_twins · 09-02-2008, 02:18 PM

Question for everyone. I went and looked at the 291 on the lot and I noticed that running horizonal almost the whole way accross the very back of the camper is a slightly raised area. The ones where you almost have to close your eyes and feel it to see it....if you know what I mean. I'm guessing that this is pretty normal and not the first signs of delamination or anything like that....right? We will probably be picking it up late in the week or next. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

Bama PrimeTime · 09-03-2008, 12:28 PM

Hey Dave Twins,
I pull ASV291 with an 06 Silverado LS Extended Cab P/U. and it's wheel base isn't much more than what you have. Also, my hitch is a simple Easy-Lift W/D with a friction control sway bar. Very rarely do I pull over 65 mph, I the only time I feel any sway is if there is any brisk cross wind or if a big rig passes me. Also, for every item we load in the rear of the trailer, we try to match one in the front as to keep the tounge weight balanced. After 2 years, I don't have any issuses with our set-up. just remember. whem you're pulling a camper your ALREADY on vacation, relax and take your time.

vkdrums · 02-18-2009, 09:03 PM

i assume u have wdh and sway control.but did ur trailblazer come with a trans cooler? if not get one asap.i put one one mine very pain in the ***** if u know what i mean if u need help i can walk u through it allways tow out of over drive ur trans will thank u 4 it but all taht a side sounds like your tv is matched to the trailer pretty good i have been in fourms where i have read "towing a 14 foot popup with a f350 superduty with wdh and 2 sway cont. bars" its just a little over kill.ohh heres somthing if u have a scrap yard with a scale load ur rig up like u would if u were going camping and weigh the camper and truck sepret the weigh them together see what u get.check the weights agenest ur owers man.

**Bama Rambler** · 02-19-2009, 08:40 AM

That slightly raised area is probably the framing. Those vacu-formed walls are formed around the aluminum frame and if you look real close you can see it. On certain cool mornings when the dewpoint is high I can see my whole frame from the condensation. If you press in on it, it should be solid.

And now MY opinion about tow setups. You should never use any type of sway control (even a Hensley) to correct a bad setup. When setup correctly, you should be able to tow your unit on a perfect day without sway control. Sway control should be insurance for when things aren't perfect. Please don't get me wrong on this. I believe we should all use sway control, we should just make sure our units are set up correctly to start with.

The biggest detriment to towing is not enough tongue weight. The recommendations are 10% to 15% of total weight. I personally think you should aim for 12% to 15%. Some units require more than others. Another issue is tire inflation. For the most part, the tires on your TV and RV should be inflated to the max recommended.

Please forgive me for being "preachy" about this but I feel that it's one of the most important things we can do for our safety.

wittal · 04-29-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

For the first 110" of wheelbase, this allows you 20' of trailer.
For each additional 4" of wheelbase, this gets you 1' more of trailer.

Here is a chart:

Wheelbase Length Wheelbase Length
110" 20' 150" 30'
114" 21' 154" 31'
118" 22' 158" 32'
122" 23' 162" 33'
126" 24' 166" 34'
130" 25' 170" 35'
134" 26' 174" 36'
138" 27' 178" 37'
142" 28' 182" 38'
146" 29' 186" 39'

Is this from hitch to back or the size of the actual trailer.
Thanks

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