Towing advice

[Squatchin]

We are about to pickup a toy hauler (2020 Salem FSX 190RT) 25’ trailer GVWR of 7,595lbs this weekend with a 2019 Tahoe 4x4 with max trailering package.

Tow vehicle: payload 1648
GVWR 7300
GCVWR 14000
Tow capacity 8600
9.76” rear axle
3.42 axle ratio
Driver alone 240
Family including driver 500lbs

Toy Hauler: GVWR 7595
Hitch weight 595
UVW 4488
Length 25’ two axles.

Toys- 2 quads approx 1400

We added the WDH to our purchase of our Toy hauler. Looks like adding sway bars too now.

When I ran the numbers I was in the green on every towing calculator I used. Mind you, not one asked for trailer length. After reading through this thread now I am a bit concerned. Tow Vehicle has trailer brakes. Will I be within safety margins for towing this? We sign the paperwork tomorrow at 9 am. Please give me your honest opinions.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by Squatchin

We are about to pickup a toy hauler (2020 Salem FSX 190RT) 25’ trailer GVWR of 7,595lbs [...]

Tow vehicle: payload 1648
[...]
Driver alone 240
Family including driver 500lbs

Toy Hauler: GVWR 7595
[...]
We added the WDH to our purchase of our Toy hauler. Looks like adding sway bars too now.

When I ran the numbers I was in the green on every towing calculator I used. [...]

Family + Hitch Weight + WDH weight + other stuff in/on TV
500 + .13*7595 + 75 + 150
500 + 980 +75 + 150 = 1,700 lbs

1,700 > 1,648

It's close and may not be enough to change your purchase decision, but you'll almost certainly be a little bit overweight.

General rule of thumb is that a family with a 7,500-ish lb trailer needs 1,700 - 2,000 lbs of available payload/GVWR on the TV.

[Jstamm2001]

Originally Posted by corn18

No way in hades would I tow that trailer with a Tahoe. At least not on public roads or with my family on board. Might be suitable for one of those RV races on a figure 8 track.

SPECIFICATIONS
Hitch Weight: 790 lb.
UVW 6348 lb.
CCC 1442 lb.
Exterior Length: 33' 3"
Exterior Height: 11' 2"
Exterior Width: 96"
Fresh Water: 40.00 gal.
Gray Water: 60.00 gal.
Black Water: 30.00 gal.
Awning Size: 18'

X2 - I pulled a similar size with a 2019 Toyota Tundra and I didn’t enjoy that experience.

[Kevin45]

I am one to believe that one should not be very close to what the manufacturers claim to be the GCVW. I personally would not be more than 75% to 80% of the GCVW....most of the trailers have electric brakes and sometimes they are marginal on stopping the whole rig and stay straight. You do not want a jackknife trying to stop. I stayed way below my GCVW and am still disappointed in my set up.....I am retired so right now I do not have the option to go up to a 3/4 or one ton.....I would if I could....I pulled some trailers that should have had a baby Freightliner or Peterbuilt.....and they worried me till I got them delivered....when I could I let some else haul those real heavy ones....I pulled one bumper pull that was way over 40’ long and I did not like that and that was with a Dodge dually....if your going to pull in the mountains you need horsepower to keep it going.....

[The Evil Twin]

I would double triple check that hitch weight. It looks a bit light for a 7500lb TT. Should be closer to 900lbs.

[Squatchin]

The dry weight of the trailer (UVW 4488 advertised, actual may be different I understand) plus the quads (1400) bring me to 5,888. I'm not trying to fully load the trailer to meet its max GVWR of 7595. So I should be within my legal limits on paper. It wont have the quads in it bringing it home from the dealership. Even with the quads loaded I should still be good by the numbers. I will take it to the scales to make sure. Looks like I may be upgrading my vehicle to a 2500 gasser of some sorts. I would like to be able to pull it without "feeling it" like I have a feeling the Tahoe will be. I appreciate all your feedback and insight on short notice! Thank you all!

[Squatchin]

From online advertisement:

Dimensions
Length
25 ft. (300 in.)
Width
8 ft. (96 in.)
Height
10.5 ft. (126 in.)
Interior Height
6.5 ft. (78 in.)
Weight
Dry Weight
4,480 lbs.
Payload Capacity
3,107 lbs.
GVWR
7,595 lbs.
Hitch Weight
595 lbs

I know hitch weight will change as I load quads. trying to keep them over the trailer axles with 10-15% towards front of TT.

[Jstamm2001]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

I would double triple check that hitch weight. It looks a bit light for a 7500lb TT. Should be closer to 900lbs.

Agreed - my TT weighs 7500 lbs and the hitch weight with a wdh is 1100 lbs

[67L48]

Originally Posted by Squatchin

The dry weight of the trailer (UVW 4488 advertised, actual may be different I understand) plus the quads (1400) bring me to 5,888. [...]

I recommend you read up on myriad "can I tow it" threads here. You're massively underestimating the weight of your trailer. You need to read up on the mythical dry weight. It doesn't include factory or dealer options ... even though sometimes those "options" are mandatory. It doesn't include the battery (it might include propane). Are you not bringing any clothes, cookware, food, or anything else in that trailer? I hope you have riding gear for those quads ... probably a few gallons of gas. And, so on.

That stuff adds up really, really quick. Most people land around 1,200 lbs over dry weight, at least. People who are meticulous can shave this down.

Rolling down the road, your trailer will be between 7,000 and your GWVR (7,500). Your hitch will be around 13% of that. See above.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Kevin45

I have a 2008 Avalanche with a 5.3 that had a 373 rear end. I had a 410 put in and I still hate this vehicle for towing...if you go up a long hill or mountain the temp goes way up between 210 and 260 degrees....now my TT is only 20’ FR ultra light that weighs about 3800#...just for everyday use I love the Avalanche but not for towing....so if I had it to do over I would have at least a 3/4 ton pu. I had several dodge duallies and I got rid of my last 7 years before we got our own TT.....from 2000 to 2007 I hauled trailers from manufacture to dealers. I have pulled light ones, long ones, short ones and heavy ones. 5th wheels and bumper hitches and a dually is the only way to go (IMHO). I drove over a million miles in those 7 years so I know how to pull trailers. I really thought when I got the Avalanche that it could handle the load and when I picked our trailer I really watched the weight.....wanted to stay under 4000#. Well there is my 2cents worth....

I own an Avalanche and it's not a SUV. It's a Suburban with a truck bed.
And a modern crew cab 1/2 ton truck has the same seating space as the Avy and is more roomy.
I also have engine temp issues.
My F150 3.5 Ecoboost SCREW rides even nicer than the Avy, pulls like a diesel, gets the same fuel mileage and is so much roomier and comfortable.
But it sounds like the wife doesn't want a truck.

[Fred and Kelly]

I want to thank you folks (don't know if Male or Female) for your input. We appreciate it.[emoji16]

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Fred and Kelly

I want to thank you folks (don't know if Male or Female) for your input. We appreciate it.[emoji16]

Their profile will usually tell you which.

[Bikemobile]

For a real world example:

2018 FR Salem Cruise lite 201BHXL. Dry weight 4233 pounds
2017 GMC Sierra Crewcab 5.3 8speed. Curb Weight 5300

9733 pounds combined dry.

Add 2 adults 2 kids, 4 bikes, water, generator, and lots of other stuff.... 12,200 pounds combined on my local gravel pit scale.

2667 pounds of gasoline, truck topper, people, water, food, beer, dvd’s, flashlights, firewood, marshmallows, hersheys and graham crackers.

My point is this... you can add 1000-1500 pounds of minimal stuff to a TT.

12200 pounds combined with a “newer” GM truck is at the limit of its abilities in my comfort zone. Avoid a trailer with a dry weight over the tow vehicle you will regret it.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by Bikemobile

For a real world example:


12200 pounds combined with a “newer” GM truck is at the limit of its abilities in my comfort zone. Avoid a trailer with a dry weight over the tow vehicle you will regret it.

So I have a Wildcat 383mb with a dry weight of 12k does that mean I need a semi to tow it with. I understand you are trying to help and give advice but a broad statement like that puts a lot people outside looking in. You added in my comfort zone for the statement above and you gave solid advice until the last sentence. Most trailers are probably going to weigh more than the truck towing them once you get past pop ups and single axles.

[The Evil Twin]

^^ agreed. Empty, dry and no LP or battery and mine is 1,000 lb more than my truck. Fully loaded and it approaches twice the weight.
Edit- more like 1.75x my truck weight.

[Beachbourbon]

How far/long will you be towing? If traveling the country, then I agree with the majority of posters. However, if you are traveling locally/regionally and not climbing the mountains, I think you are just fine for these short trips

[Bikemobile]

Originally Posted by moose074

So I have a Wildcat 383mb with a dry weight of 12k does that mean I need a semi to tow it with. I understand you are trying to help and give advice but a broad statement like that puts a lot people outside looking in. You added in my comfort zone for the statement above and you gave solid advice until the last sentence. Most trailers are probably going to weigh more than the truck towing them once you get past pop ups and single axles.

Fair enough. I’ll add the additional clarification that my experience generally applies to half tons. I see guys in here talking about how their 1/2 ton trucks tow 9k or 10k “just fine.” I just dont see how considering what Ive experienced with my GMC.

If you are towing a dry weight of 12k then you obviously have a 3/4 or 1 ton. Vehicles much better equipped to tow huge trailers that exceed the TV weight.

[Bikemobile]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

^^ agreed. Empty, dry and no LP or battery and mine is 1,000 lb more than my truck. Fully loaded and it approaches twice the weight.
Edit- more like 1.75x my truck weight.

If I applied your situation to my 1500, my trailer would be 10.5k. I know there are 1500’s that can handle 10.5k but not many.

So in your case you have an HD truck that can tow a trailer that big.

My experience and example is directed at the Tahoe situation from this thread. Very different than HD trucks and 30 foot trailers.

[moose074]

It’s funny how talking about a subject can make one more aware of their environment. While I am sure the number of Tahoe’s and or other suvs towing has not increased, since I read this thread but I sure have noticed a lot on my trip that I hadn’t before.

[The Evil Twin]

Originally Posted by Bikemobile

If I applied your situation to my 1500, my trailer would be 10.5k. I know there are 1500’s that can handle 10.5k but not many.

So in your case you have an HD truck that can tow a trailer that big.

My experience and example is directed at the Tahoe situation from this thread. Very different than HD trucks and 30 foot trailers.

Gotcha. That makes more sense if you are talking light duty trucks/ SUV designed more for comfort.