Towing Capacity Questions

[jamiecc]

Hi All.
My first post and I have a few simple (I hope) questions regarding what I need to know when figuring out what my vehicle can safely tow.

I have a TV with Capacity of 5000lbs.
Looking at a 2011 Roo 233S.
Specifications:
Maximum Sleeping Capacity: 10
Number Of Slideouts: 1
Length (ft-in / m): 27' 9'' / 8.5
Interior Height (in / mm): 78 / 1981.2
Base Weight (lbs / kg): 4134 / 1875.2
Carrying Capacity (lbs / kg): 1833 / 831.4
Hitch Weight (lbs / kg): 532 / 241.3

I need to know the weight factors as I think about 4100 Dry and my vehicle tows 5000 I have 900 to play with but quickly learning that this is not the case.

What else do I need to factor in when deciding how heavy of a trailer can I safely tow?

Thanks in Advance.

[Todouble]

Anything you put in camper adds to the weight. Food, clothes, tools, entertainment, Etc.... Also dry weight usually doesn't include your propane, any water or pooh your carrying in the tanks. Doesn't sound like much but it does add up fast. Would help if we knew your tow vehicle details?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Todouble

Anything you put in camper adds to the weight. Food, clothes, tools, entertainment, Etc.... Also dry weight usually doesn't include your propane, any water or pooh your carrying in the tanks. Doesn't sound like much but it does add up fast. Would help if we knew your tow vehicle details?

Anything you put in your camper AND anything you put in your tow vehicle excluding the driver adds to the total of cargo carrying capacity.

For example 3 kids a wife and a dog plus anything in the bed of your truck deducts your "tow" capacity numbers.

You really need to look at your cargo carrying capacity on your truck door jamb sticker.
It with the tire loading info.
You'll likely exceed that before anything else . Period.
I'll post an example of my ccc sticker.

TURBS

Goshen is my playground.
The last man standing also has a sharpie

[TURBS]

Here's mine.
Passengers and loaded equipment including hitch weight should not exceed this number. "2448"


TURBS

Goshen is my playground.
The last man standing also has a sharpie

[jamiecc]

Here are a few specs I could find online..

MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY** 5000 lbs.
GROSS WEIGHT 5150 lbs.
CURB WEIGHT 3786 lbs.
MAXIMUM PAYLOAD** 1100 lbs.

It's looking like I need to trade up for a bigger TV.

What is everyone's opinion of using it this year and trading in next year.
Is it possible to pull the Roo if It's practically empty, I am only travelling about 200KM max per trip.. I drive slow.. flat roads, etc etc etc..

Could I 'get away with it'? Terrible I know but I really don't want to pass on this trailer. It's a really great deal.

Thanks again for all the replies.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by jamiecc

Here are a few specs I could find online..

MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY** 5000 lbs.
GROSS WEIGHT 5150 lbs.
CURB WEIGHT 3786 lbs.
MAXIMUM PAYLOAD** 1100 lbs.

It's looking like I need to trade up for a bigger TV.

What is everyone's opinion of using it this year and trading in next year.
Is it possible to pull the Roo if It's practically empty, I am only travelling about 200KM max per trip.. I drive slow.. flat roads, etc etc etc..

Could I 'get away with it'? Terrible I know but I really don't want to pass on this trailer. It's a really great deal.

Thanks again for all the replies.

Your max payload will be eaten up quick.

Hitch weight alone on the roo before loading one single item is half your cargo carrying capcity. 500#
150# for reciver hitch weight distribution and sway bars.


TURBS

Goshen is my playground.
The last man standing also has a sharpie

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by jamiecc

I need to know the weight factors as I think about 4100 Dry and my vehicle tows 5000 I have 900 to play with but quickly learning that this is not the case.

What else do I need to factor in when deciding how heavy of a trailer can I safely tow?

Thanks in Advance.

Hi Jamie,
The dry weight on the yellow sticker of my 233S says 4,464lb. As I recall, that was 332lbs more than the listed brochure dry weight due to the factory installed options. My factory options included (going by memory here): The convenience package, power awning, slide out toppers, power jack, spare tire, and raised fridge panels.

Along with the "dry weight" you will load quite a bit of extra cargo into the new trailer, which will increase it's weight. Plan on something like 800-1,200lbs of clothes, cargo, water, batteries, propane, food, refreshments, etc. It adds up fast.

Your trailer might come out to as little as 5,000lbs loaded, but that is unlikely. I would guess the loaded weight of your 233S will be closer to 5,300 plus.

Originally Posted by jamiecc

Here are a few specs I could find online..

MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY** 5000 lbs.
GROSS WEIGHT 5150 lbs.
CURB WEIGHT 3786 lbs.
MAXIMUM PAYLOAD** 1100 lbs.

It's looking like I need to trade up for a bigger TV.

Yes, you will. You will be over a few ratings for that truck, including the tow cap and the payload. The payload number has to be high enough to account for all of the people and cargo in the truck plus the hitch weight, which is 650-750lbs on mine depending how I load.

Originally Posted by jamiecc

What is everyone's opinion of using it this year and trading in next year.
Is it possible to pull the Roo if It's practically empty, I am only travelling about 200KM max per trip.. I drive slow.. flat roads, etc etc etc..

Could I 'get away with it'? Terrible I know but I really don't want to pass on this trailer. It's a really great deal.

Thanks again for all the replies.

Anything is possible, but is it practical? Towing completely empty (no food, no cargo, etc) is not really how I envision my camping trips. I think this would quickly take the shine off of camping for me YMMV.

Still, that's a better option than towing over your ratings.

[jamiecc]

I forgot all about the yellow sticker... Took a pic yesterday and just checked it... 4513lbs..

I think I need a bigger TV.

[Chuckinca]

If you are going to get a bigger TV, get one that will handle a larger TT also.

.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Chuckinca

If you are going to get a bigger TV, get one that will handle a larger TT also.

.

I concur ............. buy a tv for your next "bigger" tt

[Shado]

We started in the same position. Santa Fe with a 3500 towing max. Once we started looking at HTTs we realized we needed a bigger TV. Got a great deal on a F150 SuperCrew (originally looking at the Explorer but we realized it wouldn't handle it)...that was with the anticipation of looking at HTTs this year. We got lucky and the local dealer wanted to sell us a 233s they had on the lot.

I feel the Roo behind the F150...I know she is there. I can't imagine ever having tried to tow it with the Santa Fe. I have seen some people pull into campgrounds with Escapes, Explorer, Pilots and Santa Fe's pulling smaller HTTs and they all have said it's a rough ride and they are waiting to get a 1/2 ton pickup as their next vehicule.

We load the Roo, load the truck and load the family and we don't have to worry about weight....ever.

[hockeytownmom]

No way. I'm pull a 233s with a suburban towing capacity of 7000 and I'm pushing it because I have 5 kids. 6 bodies, excluding driver, is taking away from my towing capacity. And the GVWR is over 5000lbs for the 233s.

[bikendan]

the OP needs to get a bigger TV or a smaller trailer, no just "think" about it.

[grayfox]

FYI,

Do the math. Here is a link that is very eye opening.

Tow Vehicle Sizing

[KMP44]

If it truly is a deal you don't want to pass on and you want to wait a year on the bigger tv, maybe consider a seasonal site for this summer. Most dealers will be willing to tow it to a seasonal site and you could probably work out a deal for them to move it to wherever you store it for the winter.

[ChooChooMan74]

My setup, and I feel that I am pushing it. After going to the CAT scales, I am 100lbs over GVW. I am workkng on that, but I am in the market for a new TV, and sizing it to my next TT.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[OldCoot]

If your tv has P rated tires, I wouldn't even consider it, if it has LT LR D or E tires, I'd give it a whirl. Tires are a lot cheaper than bigger trucks.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by KMP44

If it truly is a deal you don't want to pass on and you want to wait a year on the bigger tv, maybe consider a seasonal site for this summer. Most dealers will be willing to tow it to a seasonal site and you could probably work out a deal for them to move it to wherever you store it for the winter.

An excellent idea! That also gives you plenty of time to look for a good deal on a tow vehicle, while you sit around a campfire, sipping on a cold beverage.

[elind]

Buy a TV bigger than you need. I didn't make my first payment on my 2013 Silverado 1500 and DW found a gotta have 5er to replace the TT. But the new truck won't pull it.

[jamiecc]

Thanks for all the replies.
Really great advice from everyone.

Cheers.