Is the Roo 19 too much for our GMC Acadia?

[marie_2014]

I am a newbie, of course, and am still so overwhelmed with all the trailer choices and information. I am at a loss of what would be the best hybrid for us. Can someone give me ideas of what the best hybrid to get would be?
First, we will be driving a GMC Acadia with the tow package and towing capacity of 5200 lbs. We are driving from Oregon through Utah into New Mexico and Texas and need a light hybrid trailer. We need a big enough trailer for 3 kids a cat and the only option we see is a hybrid. We have narrowed it down to the 17, 183 and 19. We like the 19 because it gives us the couch to sit on and it just seems more roomier. Each search gives me a different idea of what I can tow and different weights for the Roo's. The problem I am finding is that I keep reading that a fully loaded Roo is different than the weight that is on websites. Is that true? When a dealer says they have a fully loaded trailer does that mean it is heavier than what the said weight is from the manufacturer? We found a Roo 19 fully loaded for a really great price, but I am very worried that it will be over the actual weight and we will be kicking ourselves. I am now leaning toward the Roo 17 for the main reason of being scared that we are going to ruin our car with the 19 ft because with all the options it will be over what we expected, even before we load up our minimal stuff. We are very light packers and somewhat minimalist people, but stuff adds up quick no matter what.

Has anyone towed a 19ft with a vehicle similar to ours and was it fine? Is the 17ft doable with 3 kids and a cat? Any advice would be great.

[Broadway Joe]

The Roo 19 is listed at 3524 shipping weight add an additional 100 - 150 lbs for battery and propane tanks for an estimated empty weight of 3624 - 3649. The estimated max cargo capacity is 1182 for a gross weight of 4706. This puts you into the upper limit of your vehicle without you and kids and stuff loaded in your Accadia.

[DaGrinch]

The dealer's definition of "fully loaded" is different than what we on the forum call "fully loaded".

The dealer's term is more consistent with what you would hear from a car dealer. Fully loaded means it has all the bells and whistles.

Here on the forum, we use "fully loaded" as having all the items in your camper you need for a camping trip; food, clothing, fully loaded propane tank(s), battery, full load in the fresh water supply, etc. This can add up to several hundred pounds in extra weight than what the yellow sticker on the camper lists.

As far as which hybrid - you need to give more information on your GMC. Does it have a tow package, size engine, what is the GVWR, etc?

My answer is just scratching the surface. You need to look at lots of stuff before you can decide if your GMC can tow a particular hybrid before you even decide if it will be possible once loaded with all your gear. The 19 might look good, but once you factor everything in, the 17 might be the only one feasible model.

Larry

[davel1971]

kids require a lot of extra stuff to be brought along. Allow for more than you even think you will need. If it was just 2 adults, you might be able to do the 19

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Good thinking beforehand Marie....weights add up quick...If you shop by camper GVWR posted numbers (dry weight of rv + cargo capacity of rv) this will help you quickly narrow down what you can realistically tow with said TV.
If your tow vehicle (TV) has a max tow of 5200lbs, it's safe to bet you'll want your trailer GVWR to be 4250lbs or less...also remember your TV payload increases also as you had occupants and gear/aftermarket add ons to the TV itself.

It can sound confusing but once you work out the math, you'll ensure a better tow experience vs being overloaded and putting a strain on the TV and yourself!

[ChooChooMan74]

I was just reading your posts on the other forum. I think you will be ok, but the setup is not optimal...sorta like mine. There is someone on the Jayco forum towing a larger trailer with the Chevy version. Not sure if they have kids, but they are pushing the envelope. They say they aren't having issues.

Big thing, do everything safely. Get the best weight distribution hitch. Get the best brake controller. And, never be in a hurry. Our neighbors in Europe tow good size trailers with smaller cars with some success.

[bikendan]

your problem is using fictional "dry" weight numbers that manufacturers use to draw newbies into their web. NO trailer weighs its brochure/website "dry" weight.
the 3524lbs. number does not include the weight of so-called "options" that nearly all trailers have. awning, spare tire, oven, microwave, a/c, tv, water filter to name most of them.
plus it doesn't include the weight of a battery, propane, water and cargo, which has to be factored in to get a real world number.
i'm betting that the yellow sticker weight(which is what it really weighed when it left the factory)will be around 3900lbs.

so, loaded for camping, it'll easily weigh around 4500lbs., which is getting close to your Acadia's max of 5200lbs., IF it only has a 150lb. driver in it.
adding the weights of your family, WDH and cargo in the car, you could easily be near or at the max of your Acadia.

and as someone who lives out West and is always going over the Sierras, Siskiyous and Cascades , with my hybrid, i wouldn't want to be towing at max.

especially with a loaded SUV with a v-6 engine.

[Sgt. Schultz]

looking at the numbers for the trailers - the Gross Vehicle Weight (what should be the maximum trailer weight with all your stuff) all fall under the capacity of your vehicle and could be towed - you should know what the GVW of the vehicle is - all people/pets/camping stuff in the Acadia - once you have that you can then see if the on paper numbers work.
In any case these campers will all be on the high side of your towing capacity so you should not expect to win any races on the road, slow and steady will be the rule.
Depending on the age and options of the Acadia you may need new shocks, new tires, cooling system service, transmission service etc before heading out on this run.

[ChooChooMan74]

Here is a Yellow Sticker for a Roo 183.



I think they will be fine. Not optimal. Good WDH like the Equal-i-zer P4 or the Reese Dual Cam. If they are 100 pounds over, whoopy doo.

[ChibullsAN]

X2 on the 183 for the family size and tow vehicle. Good fit.

[RamsFan1]

I am pulling a Palomio Solaire 147x with a Traverse (same towing as your Acadia). My trailer is similar to the Roo 17 in weight and our dry weight is 3154.
We looked at the larger sizes and decided not to push it. I am glad we didn't.
Fully loaded (2 kids) with our stuff we are around 3700# and I wouldn't ask my vehicle to do more. It is your vehicle and the Acadia will pull a larger trailer but you have to find your comfort zone regarding how much you want it to do. It is more weight and drag than you think until you actually pull it.

[ChooChooMan74]

And if you really like the Roo 19, here is the Yellow Sticker



Looks good here, too.
Be safe!

[DaGrinch]

I know, I know.... Mfg stickers aren't the best thing to go by. However, the sticker shown in the 1st photo by ChooChooMan74 gives a grand total of 4715 lbs (3597 dry/1118 Cargo). According to FR site, the Roo 19 and Roo 183 have a difference of 9 lbs in the total weights. Given that, the Roo 19 shouldn't be a deal breaker.

Disclaimer - I agree with Sgt. Schultz. Many variables need to be considered. If it were me, I'd be looking at all the details and weights as well as condition of the Tow Vehicle (TV).
I towed an '08 Roo 23SS with an '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 4.7 High Output engine all over the Western MD/WV/PA Appalachians and to Myrtle Beach a couple of times. Only modifications to the Jeep - air bags in the rear and an aftermarket transmission cooler. I wasn't a road burner, but I usually maintained 60mph, which was good enough for me. Some people probably wouldn't have done this. I was pretty much at my limit, and I wouldn't have wanted a bigger trailer or a smaller TV.

[rockfordroo]

My answer is to your question is.....YES.

Been there - tried that! I tried pulling my Roo19 with my 2011 Traverse (same 5200 lb capacity as your Acadia) for one summer. Just the DW and I; no kids, dogs, etc. I was NOT a happy camper. I went out and bought a 2009 Silverado (7500 lb capacity). I'm a LOT happier now. It's not the weight, it's the drag from the big sail. The 'Verse would run at 3100 rpm, 4th gear, 60 mph on flat, level Interstate. I wasn't happy with that AT ALL. And I'm in the Midwest. I wouldn't want to have taken it into any real hills.

If you decide to get something a bigger (I advise you to do so), do your homework. My Silverado owners manual lists 99 permutations of the 1500 (bed size, engine, cab size, rear end, tranny, HD cooling, etc.) ranging from 4,000 lbs to 13,000 lb towing capacity. You need to make sure you know exactly which version you have.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

And if you really like the Roo 19, here is the Yellow Sticker



Looks good here, too.
Be safe!

thanx, ChooChooMan, maybe they are posting numbers WITH the "options" included now.
they haven't been in previous years.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by bikendan

thanx, ChooChooMan, maybe they are posting numbers WITH the "options" included now.
they haven't been in previous years.

No problem Dan. Took looking through a lot of pics on RVT and RVTrader to find stickers. I love the dealers who post stickers on their new units.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

The 'Verse would run at 3100 rpm, 4th gear, 60 mph on flat, level Interstate.

I was looking at those. Glad I passed and got the used Jeep. 1900 at 60 on the flats in 4th. 2700 in 3rd in the hills. I don't use 5th.

[SKnight]

First, go weigh it. If there's concern about what it actually weighs, go find out. The seller should have no issue helping you with that. Truck stops are good sources for scales, find out first though, not all have them.

Second, you'll carry 40ish lbs of stuff per person. That's clothing, toys, toothbrush, etc. That's my personal number, I'm sure others will tell me I'm wrong.

Third, a couple of hundred pounds of stuff, minimum. Pots, pans, dishes, towels, soap, shampoo, blocks of wood, the list goes on.

That will get you close. It adds up quickly, so do your math. My old TT was about 2,000 pounds of payload above dry weight.

So, 40X5=200lbs of stuff. 200 of basic trailer stuff so now it's 400. Add 200lbs for safe math, 600lbs. 3649 stated earlier plus 600 is 4269. Roughly 900lbs flex room.

I think you'll be OK, but it may not be the most fun to tow. It'll likely labor a bit in the mountains depending on grade. But take your time, be easy on the speed limits.

As for the cat..............Cats are too heavy and will exceed the gross weight rating of any vehicle and should be left at home.

[Davylee]

Originally Posted by SKnight

As for the cat..............Cats are too heavy and will exceed the gross weight rating of any vehicle and should be left at home.

I like that !!

[Platokidd]

Another thing I would question is what kind of tires you have on your tv.
I dont like "P" rated tires myself for towing, LT tires would make it less squirmy.
That said, imo I think you would be wanting to truck up before to long.