How many have stuck with a 5k lbs towing/500lbs hitch weight rigs, towing a geo pro?

[Teedub]

It seems like there’s this huge segment of trailer manufacturers that are trying to cater to the the crossover groups. We’re buying at Geo Pro 19FBS rated at gvw 2962 and tongue weight of 360. We fall into the group that has a vehicle rated at 500lbs tongue and 5000lbs trailer weight. Any folks been successful at using this style of rig to continue to tow with? Did you add a weight distribution system? Which one? Or did you throw in the towel and switch to a different pull rig? What was it?

Thanks,

Teedub

[Fluffywhitedogs]

I started off with a 14’ SOB and upgraded to a Clipper 17bh. Both pulled well with my 4Runner and I have no plans to replace truck or trailer until something completely dies...

[Teedub]

Anyone else?

[bikendan]

you'll be fine on the 19fbs GVWR but you'll be close on the actual loaded tongue weight.

[russhd1997]

My son in law is towing a TT in the 4,000 lb range with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. He's using a Blue Ox WDH and says that it tows nice.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Son has been pulling a 19 foot Jayco for 2 years now with a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. He uses a WDH and hasn't had any problems with it.

[onVacation]

I started with a GeoPro G16BH, towed with a 2006 Highlander AWD V-6. I added a trans cooler, brake controller, 7 blade wiring, and EAZ-Lift 600lb WD hitch. I found that it actually towed fairly well. It had plenty of power, but the trailer felt heavy. After reading forums and researching, tuning the WD hitch and weighing, I learned some vital information. I had about 580lbs on the tongue, not including the WD head, and the dogs in the back row. The highlander manual states 350/3,500lbs, the Curt hitch said 400/4,000lbs with WD. We were a tad overloaded on the hitch...

We recently upgraded to a 2013 Acadia SLT-2 AWD, and it has made a big difference. We have upgraded to the sturdier Draw-Tite receiver, re-drilled the hitch shank (2.5 inches closer to the bumper), and bought some 1000lb WD bars (we have about 850lbs of "WD tongue weight").

Cheers

[NC_RVer]

I was limited to 5,000 lb tow limit with my 2017 Highlander with tow package. I've taken two trips with my E-Pro 19FBS and have not had any problems. I use an Equalizer WDH and brake controller. I can't compare towing with and without the WDH. However, I've driven 800 miles so far and don't feel the SUV lagging. Simi trailers and other motorhomes pass me as I'm doing 60-65 in the Interstates with no effect on my vehicle. I even drove "one handed" one time and had no extra movements of the SUV or TT.

With all this said, I'm already looking to get a larger TT (under 30 ft) and a bigger TV to pull it. This RVing is fun!

John

[Teedub]

Thanks John, I'll be in the same boat capacity wise. I had heard of people saying their actual tongue weight on their 19fbs actually being between 700-800lbs and that seemed really high over the 360 empty rating, unless I put bricks up in the front., so I'm happy to hear you had success with a 5000/500 rated vehicle. I did buy a tongue scale, so maybe I'll be wrong, when it shows up.

[MichaelE]

I stopped at a cat scale with my 19fbs and I am over on the rear axle weighting with my Ford Flex.

Steer - 2975 / 2660 (scale)
Drive - 3257 / 3380 (scale)
Trailer axel - 3500 / 3120 (scale)

6180 (gvwr) + 4500 (capacity) - 1160 (payload) = 9520 total capacity (if this is even right, I can't find an official answer so I'm guessing)

9160 was the total weight on the scale. Now I have to weigh my TV without the trailer to get true numbers.

The axle is pretty far back I think so it's relatively hard to adjust the weight. I have two Yamaha 2000i's in the basement I would love to get into the rear of the TT.

Or maybe I can adjust the wdh up a little to put some more weight on the front axel?

This is all very new to me, a month into TTs and towing blah blah blah haha

[asquared]

I would read your TV manual on what it says regarding a wdh for various tongue weights. I would suggest a wdh and some sort of sway control. Integrated is always nice but at that length you can get away with 1-2 sway bars. Problem with a sway bar is you have to disconnect it to back into a camping site vs leaving an integrated system connected.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by MichaelE

I stopped at a cat scale with my 19fbs and I am over on the rear axle weighting with my Ford Flex.

Steer - 2975 / 2660 (scale)
Drive - 3257 / 3380 (scale)
Trailer axel - 3500 / 3120 (scale)

6180 (gvwr) + 4500 (capacity) - 1160 (payload) = 9520 total capacity (if this is even right, I can't find an official answer so I'm guessing)

9160 was the total weight on the scale. Now I have to weigh my TV without the trailer to get true numbers.

The axle is pretty far back I think so it's relatively hard to adjust the weight. I have two Yamaha 2000i's in the basement I would love to get into the rear of the TT.

Or maybe I can adjust the wdh up a little to put some more weight on the front axel?

This is all very new to me, a month into TTs and towing blah blah blah haha

I'm sorry but a Flex is a marginal tow vehicle, especially with a heavier tongue weight TT.
Most RVers are surprised how much heavier their loaded trailer is, when they go to the scales.

[MichaelE]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I'm sorry but a Flex is a marginal tow vehicle, especially with a heavier tongue weight TT.
Most RVers are surprised how much heavier their loaded trailer is, when they go to the scales.

Oh yeah I'm well aware of the situation I'm in lol. Glad we didn't end up with a bigger trailer, the Geo Pro is awesome!

[onVacation]

I have 620lbs tongue weight with my 16BH. That’s loaded ready to go. That’s with two group 24 batteries, 1/2 full propane tanks, and a 3500lb power tongue jack. We upgraded to a sturdier draw-tite receiver and 800lb bars and it does ok.

[cyberrick1]

This is our first year pulling the Rockwood GeoPro 19ft with the murphy bed. Sorry don't remember the model. We have towed it over 500 miles a couple of times and it tows very well. We have a WD hitch with anit-sway. We had it in a 55 mph crosswind and it only fishtailed a little. Just have to make sure you don't over correct. We go about 65-70 mph on the straight.

[NJKris]

Just came back from the Hershey RV show with an order for a new '19 Geo Pro G19FD. On order, deposit placed. Now I'm anxious about the tow vehicle I was going to buy. My wife does not want another pickup (our 21 year old Dodge Ram 1500 is rusting to death), and wanted a mid sized SUV to commute in as well. I was leaning towards the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro or the Explorer Sport, but now I'm thinking that won't do the trick with the 500 lb tongue weight limit. It seems that many owners have posted tongue weights in the 600-750 lb. weight range when loaded. I really didn't want to have to upgrade to a more fuel hungry and HUGE SUV like the Ford Expedition (and about 15k more than I wanted to spend!) Anybody towing this trailer or with similar tongue weight with a mid sized SUV, please chime in! Would love to hear your experiences. I got the same story for the dealer I expected about how a WDH would take weight off the hitch and allow me to go over the 500 lb limit, but all the threads I've read say no!

[cyberrick1]

Hi, we have been pulling our GeoPro G19FD all summer with our 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. We have a WD / anti-sway hitch and haven't had any problems pulling it. We have been through some fairly steep canyons too, and never got below 35mph. You'll find the Pathfinder is rated at about 1000lbs more towing rating than any other SUV of it's size out there. It's CV Transmission has a Tow mode that automatically changes the transmission to give you the best torque and power you need. It also creates some engine braking going downhill (but you still should make use of the trailer brakes). We have pulled it about 500 miles (one way) three times this summer with no issues.


If you want to tow a GeoPro with a SUV you can't go wrong with the Nissan Pathfinder.



Happy Trailering!

[bikendan]

You're going to have a hard time finding a SUV that can handle over 500lbs tongue weight, without going to a Tahoe, Burb, Expy, Sequoia or Armada.
I suggest the Tahoe since it won't feel as big as the others.

[MillMitch]

Here's my 2 cents on tongue weight. I'm towing a Grey Wolf 23MK with a Durango (tow package and 5.7L); rated for 7200# tow and 720 tongue. Our TT had a 600# dry tongue, that sat around 850# loaded (gotta love front end storage). Unlike trucks, SUV's generally only list one tongue weight. My tongue with the WDH hooked up is 740# per CAT scales, which i can live with. My logic is that the tongue weight listed for SUV's is a dead tow tongue weight for trailers w/o WDH, and a heavier tongue should be ok with the WDH. I could be totally off base and will be replacing my wife's Durango, but so far we've towed with no issues this past year. Check payloads on the SUV you look at. We basically tow with the Durango empty because my DW, myself, full tank of gas, and extension ladder in the back, plus the trailer hooked up only leave me 400# under the GVW of 7100#.
If you want a smaller SUV for that TT, I would look at the Durango. Make sure you get the tow package and the 5.7L (and WDH and brake controller).

[RCCas]

For a definitive answer go to your U-Haul dealer they will give you the correct answer. Before purchasing anything I went to the Ford dealership and they directed me to the "experts" I hope that helps.