Can my tow vehicle handle it?

Irgrrrl · 06-21-2011, 03:00 PM

I have a down payment on a rock wood roo 19. I want to make sure before I have my parents drive up in my planned tow vehicle that it will work out. The TV is a 2004 mercury mountaineer v8, 4.6L with RWD and a rear axle ratio of 3.73. I'm getting a lot of conflicting info and answers. Due to all the help on a previous thread, I will get an equalizer hitch. Manufacturer says I can tow up to 6980 pounds. GVWR on trailer is 4639 lbs. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

BigDTx · 06-21-2011, 03:22 PM

that 4639 lbs is most likely an empty weight. When you add in the full Propane tanks, a battery, water, food/supplies/gear, people (driver and passangers) and fuel you will be alot closer to 6980 lbs I suspect. The truck will tow it, but what all you pack into it will make the difference.

**Terier** · 06-21-2011, 03:32 PM

Looks like 4662 is the GVWR and not the dry weight. Would it change anything?

http://www.forestriverinc.com/nd/def...&series=Expand

**Herk7769** · 06-21-2011, 03:46 PM

Here is an awesome calculator to let you know if "you can safely tow it"

Travel Trailer Weight Calculator

Irgrrrl · 06-21-2011, 04:02 PM

The dry weight is 3300, I purposely put in the higher weight of GVWR, which includes water, propane, cargo, etc, right.

Irgrrrl · 06-21-2011, 04:02 PM

Thanks for the calculator. I'll try that, too. But does anyone have any personal experience thought?

kamp k · 06-21-2011, 04:33 PM

Honestly, I think you'll be ok weight wise, and the 3.73 will certainly help pull the weight. Even at 80% of your max towing, you'd still be under the trailer's GVWR. I'd be more concerned with your payload capacity because your hitch weight's probably going to be somewhere between 500 and 600 lbs depending on how you pack and load, plus you, your family, full tank of gas, and whatever other cargo you carry in the Mountaneer.

Irgrrrl · 06-21-2011, 06:58 PM

GCWR is 11,600.

Dodge Guy · 06-22-2011, 06:32 AM

Dry weight of 3300lbs will be approx. 4400lbs ready to travel. the Mountaineer with the V-8 and 3.73 will not be an issue for you or the truck. I used to tow a TT that weighed in around 5000lbs with a 95 V-6 Explorer. it did OK power wise the V-8 would`ve been great. no problems with towing.

Don`t give it a second thought. just be sure the WD hitch is properly setup and that you have a good brake controller (Prodigy).

Good luck!

prof_fate · 06-22-2011, 08:35 AM

You should be fine.
We tow with an expy and many warned us of all sorts of issues -if I was towing 24/7 or through the rockies I might change what I use, but for the alleghenies and such it's just fine- my concern was we're near the max GCWR so the tv will be working hard. You appear to be well under so should be OK.

Add up the weight of the truck, trailer, hitch setup, cargo in the trailer (propane, batt, water, food, bedding, pots n pans, chairs and toys, etc) and then the cargo and people in the TV and a full tank of gas and see where that sits.

Read up on the proper setup of a trailer and wd hitch. Done right it's good, done badly it's a nightmare waiting to happen. Yesterday at a rest stop a guy cam through with a RAM quad cab and ~26 ft sprinter, the toungue was high on the trailer and the WD bars pulled up way way way too tight. I'd imagine that trailer was towing tail heavy and wagging all over the place.

jim44646 · 06-22-2011, 08:55 AM

I would put heavier tires on tow vehicle. Standard tires are 2 ply side walls. Even with an equalizing hitch you can get side wall shimmy. Feels like trailer sway which is an uneasy feeling.

**bikendan** · 06-22-2011, 11:25 AM

you'll be fine pulling the Roo 19. but i strongly suggest getting a WDH with built-in sway control, over the more inferior friction bar Husky your dealer is trying to sell you. unless it's the Centerline model, which apparently has the built-in sway control.

Irgrrrl · 06-22-2011, 07:57 PM

Thanks everyone. I insisted on the equalizer, with extra cost to me. What kind of tires are you referring to? Do I need an additional transmission cooler?

**bikendan** · 06-22-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irgrrrl

Thanks everyone. I insisted on the equalizer, with extra cost to me. What kind of tires are you referring to? Do I need an additional transmission cooler?

should get LT tires and if you have the factory tow package, it should have came with a tranny cooler, along with the Class III/IV receiver, pre-wiring for a brake controller and a 7-pin connector.
if you don't have all of those, then your TV can't tow that max amount.

you didn't mention brake controller. is the dealer trying to sell you a inferior one? Prodigy is the top selling BC.

F and E Damp · 06-22-2011, 08:47 PM

In the UK, you could legally tow that thing with a VW Passat TDi. There was a fascinating piece in last Saturday's Daily Telegraph (www.dailytelegraph.co.uk) about the "Best tow vehicles" for 2011.

For a 3100 pound TT, the Ford Focus was the winner! Different strokes for different folks!

slupp40 · 06-22-2011, 09:33 PM

Will my 2006 Honda Ridgeline tow this trailer.
Also first time using a forum. Don't know if I'm doing this right.

jim44646 · 06-22-2011, 10:07 PM

Even some LT tires are 2 ply side walls. I have 2 ply side 4 ply tread and can feel rear end shimmy Look for at least 4 ply side wall. I agree with a Prodigy brake controller. Simple to install but takes a bit of time.

**bikendan** · 06-22-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slupp40

Will my 2006 Honda Ridgeline tow this trailer.
Also first time using a forum. Don't know if I'm doing this right.

first, if you're asking about the 2006 FOREST RIVER Rockwood 2701SS mentioned above your post, the answer is NO WAY!!!!!
i hope you're kidding. and i hope you aren't a Troll, looking to stir things up.

second, no, you posted this in the Expandable/Hybrid section and under the Roo sub-section.

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