E-Pro 19FD towing question

[Laurie Sabol]

We are picking up a 2018 19FD in a few days and are very excited about it. It will be our first RV. I have two questions:

1) We are aware of the weight of the FD. At this point we have a Subaru Outback, which is rated to tow 3000 pounds. Can we at least tow the FD home, about 50 miles, without undue stress on the Outback?

2) I'd be happy to hear advice about midsize SUVs that you use for towing your FD. We're looking at a Kia Sorento (V6, 3.3L engine). I'd prefer not to go much bigger than this.

Any opinions appreciated. Thank you!

Laurie Sabol
Ayer MA

[bikendan]

First, does your Suburu have a type III/IV hitch receiver, brake controller and 7-pin connector for trailer umbilical cord?
Second, do you have a WDH?
Third, there's NO way I would pull that TT with an Outback.

The fictional dry tongue weight will be 100lbs over the Suburu's max hitch weight IF it truly has a 3000lbs towing capacity.
You could easily do damage to the car, even driving 50 miles. Plus that combo would be a danger to you and others, on the road.

[Laurie Sabol]

Thanks for your response. After doing a little more research we also realized we can't tow the 19 with the Subaru. Opinions about SUVs that you do use are still appreciated. Thanks!

[bikendan]

Just realize that single axle trailers have heavier tongue weights, compared to similar sized tandem axle trailers.
So whatever you decide to get, check the driver's door yellow sticker for the payload capacity.
It'll say something like "Occupants and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs".
Personally I'm not a fan of SUVs for towing, due to their lower payloads and softer suspensions.

[jeff64]

Less wandering with double axles. Do your math before you buy anything. Dont believe rv salesman. Is the axle weight rating of tv adequate for tongue weight and everything in the tv combined?

[MillMitch]

Congrats on the new TT We bought our first TT in Oct 2017 and love it. This is probably bigger than you are looking for, and more tow capacity than you need, but we're towing with my wifes 2011 Durango (5.7L w/ tow package). Per CAT scales we are maxed out on Payload (i.e. rear axle max), but can make it work because it's just the two of us, and we load everything in the trailer. Whatever you decide on, check the vehicle specs closely. Most vehicles list a tow capacity with small print that says 'when properly equipped'. Tow capacity can be considerably less when not 'properly equipped'. The tow package on our Durango changes the tow limit from 3500 to 7200. As noted above, TV Payload will be a bigger factor than tow limit.
Good luck and have fun.

[Flybob]

The parameter you need to be concerned with when evaluating a TV is the cargo capacity as that is usually the weakest link. Towing capacity is a marketing number to sell vehicles. Check the drivers door jamb for the yellow capacity sticker and get the load capacity. Not do not use general specs as each vehicle will varry depending on what equipment is installed. Once you have that then that will be the limit of the load. The load consists of everything in the TV including passengers, about 100 lbs for a WDH and approximately 13% of the loaded trailer weight. Things like air bags etc can provide a smoother ride, but do not increase the load capacity. Towing at or over the load capacity can be done, but is not safe and can be stressful under some conditions.

[Jfkmk]

We used to tow a similar sized tt with a mid-sized body-on-frame suv rated to tow over 5000#. Thete is no way i would tow it with your Subaru, even for a mile.

I would seriously consider a larger SUV for the traler youve listed. Possibly an Explorer would be ok.

[rzims]

We have the same trailer and I tow it with a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the tow package and a WD hitch. It tows fine, goes uphill and downhill fine and with the WD hitch it isn't even affected when the wind kicks up.

Congrats on the new trailer - we love ours!

[Scottnweeze]

Agree no Outback... our Geo FD19 has a TW of #620 with an Anderson WDH (which is only #60). That is where your issue will lie, not with trailer weight. We were towing with an older Lexus GX470 fairly successfully, but we were right at the TW max. We went with a Tundra to give us a little wiggle room, but if you're going SUV, you'll want something that tows #6500 or so at a minimum... that's pretty restrictive.

[chuckyb9876]

We tow with a 2002 Lincoln Navigator (124,000 miles). It's rated at 6800# and has a type 3 hitch. We had no need for a WDH on a weekend haul but when loaded for a long stay (6weeks) we do use a WDH as we carry more weight in our TV. We removed our third seat and built a little shelf unit for our TV that fits the 40 inch sterilite trays, double high.on top of the shelf unit and keep the rear view clear for travel. We decided to work out of our SUV which has worked out perfectly. This allows us to locate items on the shelf and keep the rear view clear.

[Joe F]

We have a 19FD which we tow with a 2016 Ford Edge. 6 cylinder, tow package, electric brake. The Edge is rated 3500 lbs tow capacity so we a careful with what we add. So far so good. We keep speed at 60 mph. Leave plenty of space between cars and travel mostly in the right hand lane. We have been thru the hills of New York and the mountains of New Hampshire. At times its fair to say the engine strains a bit but seldom has it been an issue.

[Hanesstetter]

I use a chevy v 8 Silverado 1500 to tow our e-pro we recently went to Ashville NC through the hills and then to Myrtle beach with out any issues. My mechanic recommended that I should get the truck. I found that Most travel trailer salesmen say that smaller SUVs can tow them but in the long run your going to ruin the SUV. My suggestion is to get a full size truck.

[ClaudeP]

We have a 19QB which is very similar to the 19FD in terms of load and although the salesman said that my wife's SUV could tow it easily, we bought a mid-size pickup (Chevy Colorado with trailering package) that drives like a SUV but is much safer and more capable TV.

The Colorado is a body-on-frame vehicle and the 19QB is well within its limits in all respects.

In essence, if it's a truck's job, do it with a truck.

Claude

[cherokeebill]

We tow a E-Pro 19fd with a Jeep Cherokee with tow group, V6 4x4. We are pleased with the combo.

[Treybecky]

I just posted this on another thread, but I think you can glen some good info to help you...

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...d.php?t=192548

[Laurie Sabol]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. We looked at an 2018 F150, 2.7L, twin turbo, 10 speed auto trans, Super Cab, GVWR 6500 pounds. We're wondering if it's not going to be strong enough for us to tow our 19fd reliably and safely in any mountain areas we choose to visit. Other than that concern, we really liked the truck. Thanks for any advice!

[Mrprovy]

I can't comment on what will work, but am anxious to get a Geo Pro 16BH by the end of the year. It's a little lighter than the 19, and I'm planning on towing with a '06 Chevy Trailblazer V6 + E2 WDH. I don't foresee a problem towing it on-road, and plan on pushing my limit by towing onto the beach, but am pretty confident my truck (body on frame like the Colorado) will get the job done.

[cherokeebill]

Laurie, the truck you refer to has more then 100 more foot pounds of torque and same for horsepower. That truck will easily pull a 19FD up any mountain passes in North America. Our Jeep manages the mountains well and we do not have nearly the power and torque that the Ford eco boost 2.7 has. If you like the truck then it should be a nice match for your trailer.

[kdot]

We have an 2019 E-Pro 19, weight 3,075 lbs. I tow it with a Honda Pilot to which a towing package has been added. We also have a weight distributing hitch. The Pilot tows it quite well with some slowing on steep uphills. The towing package gives it a tow limit of 5,000 lbs. We just returned from a trip up to Copper Harbor in the U.P., about 6 hrs. driving each way. I get between 13 and 15 mpg towing with the Pilot. Without a tow, the Pilot averages about 21 around town and I've had as much as 32 on the highway. I'm very satisfied with the Pilot. Hope this is helpful. Happy camping in your new R.V. :campfire