Need Your Input (trying to show Hubby)

[DannysMom]

I want to do the configurations on a "possible" TT we are considering and want to prove to hubby I have the "facts" more or less before we spend $ on something that isn't going to work.
We have a 2018 Chevy Tahoe Premier with Max Trailer Package which "states" towing capacity it 8600lbs. Well, even I know that is much less when calculations are done.

We are looking at a 2020 or 2021 Rockwood Mini Lite 2204s or 2104S

The GVWR on Chevy door jam reads GVWR 7100lbs, GCWR 8600, Payload 1540.

The TT would be for lite travel, no mountains. 2 Adults, 3 small pups (total 30lbs., minimal gear, just overnight stuff, no bikes or heavy stuff. About an additional 200lb max. of stuff.

Our hitch confuses me. The sticker says max 1000lb, Class III.

Hope I'm making sense...blah!

Can someone help me configure what can be towed safely??? Please just tell me what you need to help me out. Thank YOU!

[llamb]

GVWR is the max the vehicle can weigh on it's own 2 axles with everything inside. Payload is the difference between the empty weight and the GVWR. The GCWR is the combined weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer.

Part of the trailers weight will be carried on the tow vehicle (tongue weight), the rest on the trailer axles.

The delta between the GCWR and GVWR seems really low and I suspect is inaccurate.

[lbrjet]

Yes, your GCWR is not correct.

[lbrjet]

GVWR of the trailer would be helpful. Not sure exactly what number you are reading on the hitch.

You have a good payload number on the tahoe so that is a great start.

[rsdata]

When I look at specs for either trailer, the UVW ( unloaded weight) plus the cargo weight are both about 6800# max ( fully loaded).

Real world tongue weights are about ( 10 to15%) 13% of the gross trailer weight which is close to 900#, so you are under the 1000# limit.

You will need to purchase a weight distribution hitch. Etrailer dot com has good info on hitches.

If you pack the Tahoe and the trailer conservatively ( don't carry a lot of water in the tanks) I think you will be OK with either choice, considering just two of you plus the animals and you said not much else. So you should be well under your max capacities.

[DannysMom]

Attached pics

[rsdata]

The only problem that I see is that you probably have P-rated tires ( says so on the tire placard). P-rated are little too soft and will allow the trailer to sway. Upgrade to LT-rated tires on the Tahoe and you should be good to go. I like the Michelin LTX tires currently on sale at Costco. I am a little over 60K miles on my set and still rolling with tread to spare.

The trailer tongue weight not to exceed 1000# and 10,000# of trailer weight. You should be under both with the choices you posted earlier.

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by rsdata

The only problem that I see is that you probably have P-rated tires ( says so on the tire placard). P-rated are little too soft and will allow the trailer to sway. Upgrade to LT-rated tires on the Tahoe and you should be good to go. I like the Michelin LTX tires currently on sale at Costco. I am a little over 60K miles on my set and still rolling with tread to spare.

The trailer tongue weight not to exceed 1000# and 10,000# of trailer weight. You should be under both with the choices you posted earlier.

The problem is, that's what the hitch is rated for, not the Tahoe. There is even a disclaimer on the hitch label that states the vehicle's max rating may be less, which it is in this case. If max tow rating is 8600 lbs, then GM will have a max hitch weight of 860 lbs for the Tahoe. GM's standard max hitch weight is 10 percent of max tow weight.

[llamb]

Based on the 1000/10000 for tongue weight/trailer weight, you're likely good. Just be careful with the payload capacity, the tongue weight, fuel, people, pets, other necessities all add up to it.

If the tongue weight is around 900lbs, that leaves 640 for all the rest. My bets, you'd be over by at least 100 lbs based on what you're describing.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

The problem is, that's what the hitch is rated for, not the Tahoe. There is even a disclaimer on the hitch label that states the vehicle's max rating may be less, which it is in this case. If max tow rating is 8600 lbs, then GM will have a max hitch weight of 860 lbs for the Tahoe. GM's standard max hitch weight is 10 percent of max tow weight.

Correct! They put that hitch on various vehicles made by them, all with different towing specs.

[rsdata]

SO, et us sum up for the lady...

860# max tongue weight...
4800# empty trailer weight
add 1000# into the trailer of the nearly 2000# allowed ( pack conservatively)
now you are pulling 5800#... 13% tongue weight is 754#
add 100# for the WDHitch you need to buy and you are just below the MAX tongue weight for THIS TAHOE at 860# ( 10% of the 8600 tow limit)

Add two adults and 30# of dogs and 250# of payload to the Tahoe in front of the rear wheels. about 600# + 854# of tongue weight= 1454# of the 1540# Payload on the sticker.

The OPstated

The TT would be for lite travel, no mountains. 2 Adults, 3 small pups (total 30lbs., minimal gear, just overnight stuff, no bikes or heavy stuff. About an additional 200lb max. of stuff.

IMO you are under your MAX limits in all areas. Again I mention upgrading to LT tires on the Tahoe.

[moose074]

Go for it just remind who ever drives, the handling and performance will be different. Even if I hooked it to my Dually while the effect would be less on it than on yours it will accelerate slower and take longer to stop.

[lbrjet]

If the hitch says 1K/10k then that is what it is. The tow rating doesn't change that.

[D W]

One thing that I've learned in life,... never get between a husband and wife during an argument!

[chriscowles]

If you don't already have a hitch, consider an Andersen. Not only are they a good weight-distributing hitch for the class of trailer you're contemplating, they're easy to use and, importantly, add less weight than many others.

The link is an example, not a recommendation for a specific size.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by rsdata

The only problem that I see is that you probably have P-rated tires ( says so on the tire placard). P-rated are little too soft and will allow the trailer to sway. Upgrade to LT-rated tires on the Tahoe and you should be good to go. I like the Michelin LTX tires currently on sale at Costco.

She can’t get them at Costco, though. They will only sell her the tires that are listed on the sticker of the vehicle.

Bruce

[SetauketJeff]

Originally Posted by nomad297

She can’t get them at Costco, though. They will only sell her the tires that are listed on the sticker of the vehicle.

Bruce

It's correct to say that all national / major tire sellers will only install what is indicated on your drivers door pillar sticker. That goes for tire size but NOT rating. They will install speed rated and weight rated tires even if your originals were not. Check the sticker, it only indicates size.

For those who wish to change their tire size there is a workaround: Jack up your vehicle and take off all four wheels. Bring them in in another vehicle and they will mount and balance them. You then bring them back and install.

That's how I got my 1971 Super Bee tires mounted and balanced.

Good luck with the new Travel Trailer should you get it.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by SetauketJeff

It's correct to say that all national / major tire sellers will only install what is indicated on your drivers door pillar sticker. That goes for tire size but NOT rating. They will install speed rated and weight rated tires even if your originals were not. Check the sticker, it only indicates size.

For those who wish to change their tire size there is a workaround: Jack up your vehicle and take off all four wheels. Bring them in in another vehicle and they will mount and balance them. You then bring them back and install.

That's how I got my 1971 Super Bee tires mounted and balanced.

Good luck with the new Travel Trailer should you get it.

X2 they can only install what meets or exceeds the sticker I have put bigger tires on many vehicles using national chains

[itat]

I’m with rsdata. You should be OK but those 45 aspect ratio P-rated tires need to be replaced with an LT tire if at all possible. They are low sidewall height, sporty tires not intended for towing much of anything.

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

If the hitch says 1K/10k then that is what it is. The tow rating doesn't change that.

But that is not the tow rating of the vehicle only the hitch. I can put a class III hitch rated for 1,000/10,000lbs on my Prius. That does not make the Prius tow rating 10,000 lbs.

There will be separate tow ratings for the vehicle and for the hitch itself and whichever rating is the lowest, that is your limit.