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Old 03-09-2017, 04:58 PM   #1
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Brand New FROG

Hi, my name is Deborah, my sister is LittlePM. I bought my baby last week but can't get her until Tuesday, 14 March. I picked out a 224RLS Vibe trailer and LOVE it!! I bought LOTS of treasures in the last couple of days and am busy embroidering my kitchen towels this afternoon to be followed by my bathroom towels.

My Chevy Traverse will be a month old, her name is Dovey (because of her color) but I don't have a name picked out for my trailer. I'm an RN and collect Teddy bears, hence the user name . Suggestions are very welcome, I don't want any name related to Vibe, just saying.

I have my first campout set for the day I get my rig, gonna stay at Point Mallard, near the dealership, to get a good feel for her before heading out from Alabama back to North Carolina. Hubby and I are planning to attend the Bamaganza in October and hope to meet a lot of y'all.

Hugs, Deborah
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Old 03-09-2017, 07:18 PM   #2
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Welcome to the forum. I'm so happy that you came to visit and found your new Vibe, I hope you are happy with it for a long time
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Old 03-09-2017, 07:24 PM   #3
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Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new camper. Looking forwarded to meeting you at Bamaganza. Later RJD
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Old 03-09-2017, 07:48 PM   #4
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Welcome to the forum,
Congratulations on your new Vibe. The members are always here to help you with questions that you may have. Have a blast with family and friends building lots of memories and while traveling this great nation. Stay safe and Happy RVing from Farmer NC
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Old 03-09-2017, 07:51 PM   #5
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Welcome to FRF!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but that trailer is WAY too much trailer for your Traverse.😨😨😨

The max towing capacity of a Traverse is 5200lbs.
Based on the specs, that only leaves 314lbs for battery, propane, water and cargo.
And that is IF it actually weighs the brochure weight, which most most trailers weigh more than.

And that's not even addressing the fact that the trailer is over 28 feet long!

I have a feeling that you were taken advantage of, by an unscrupulous RV salesperson.

NO WAY should you be towing that trailer with a Traverse.
My sister owns a Traverse and she would only tow a popup with it.
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Old 03-09-2017, 08:13 PM   #6
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Welcome from SW Ohio , enjoy your TT ! Six RN's in our family !
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Old 03-09-2017, 08:22 PM   #7
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Welcome to the forum from Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Congrats on your new trailer and Chevy Traverse.
I am afraid bikendan is correct, the chevy SUV is too small to pull the 28' Vibe. To pull it safely, you will need a 1/2 ton truck. What's hubby driving?
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Old 03-09-2017, 08:37 PM   #8
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Old 03-09-2017, 08:43 PM   #9
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Thank you for your concerns regarding the weight of my Vibe, I have an UltraLite, under 4,500 lbs, the max weight for my car is over 1,000 lbs greater. I researched and so did the dealer because I was very concerned. Deborah
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Old 03-09-2017, 08:48 PM   #10
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Congratulations and Welcome from Mebane, NC
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Old 03-09-2017, 09:04 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TeddyRN View Post
Thank you for your concerns regarding the weight of my Vibe, I have an UltraLite, under 4,500 lbs, the max weight for my car is over 1,000 lbs greater. I researched and so did the dealer because I was very concerned. Deborah
The Vibe Extreme Lite website says the trailer's UVW is 4486lbs
The 2016 Chevrolet Towing Guide says the max towing amount of the Traverse is 5200lbs, NOT 5500lbs.
Still a 28+ft trailer is too long for such a short wheelbase vehicle.

And PLEASE don't believe the dealer without checking with seasoned RVers.
#1 Newbie mistake is believing the dealer.[emoji15]
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Old 03-09-2017, 09:11 PM   #12
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We are just thinking about your safety. Any way to back out of the deal??
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Old 03-09-2017, 09:31 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TeddyRN View Post
Thank you for your concerns regarding the weight of my Vibe, I have an UltraLite, under 4,500 lbs, the max weight for my car is over 1,000 lbs greater. I researched and so did the dealer because I was very concerned. Deborah
We are not here to fight or upset you, ruin your day or be a buzz kill.
Per Forest River your trailer weighs 4886#.
( The UVW does not include cargo, fresh potable water, additional optional equipment or dealer installed accessories. (OR ANY OF YOUR STUFF 500# minimum)
The Traverse can tow 5200#. (NOT INCLUDED in your UVW that reduces your 5200# tow rating is YOUR HUSBAND / FAMILY + stuff + battery + hitch)


Chevy Traverse - A hitch lets you tow a boat or trailer up to 5200 lbs.
1
Heavy-duty cooling system
.
1 Maximum trailer ratings are calculated assuming a properly equipped base vehicle, plus driver. See dealer for details.

I am sure you will at least have a white knuckle drive towing a 28' trailer, over your tow limit, with an SUV. (Best case scenario)
Can you do it? Sure...
Can you do it Safely? Absolutely not.
Good luck out there and let us know how that trip from Alabama to North Carolina goes. ( We could be wrong, but we are not)
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Old 03-09-2017, 09:59 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
Welcome to FRF!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but that trailer is WAY too much trailer for your Traverse.😨😨😨

The max towing capacity of a Traverse is 5200lbs.
Based on the specs, that only leaves 314lbs for battery, propane, water and cargo.
And that is IF it actually weighs the brochure weight, which most most trailers weigh more than.

And that's not even addressing the fact that the trailer is over 28 feet long!

I have a feeling that you were taken advantage of, by an unscrupulous RV salesperson.

NO WAY should you be towing that trailer with a Traverse.
My sister owns a Traverse and she would only tow a popup with it.
Welcome to the forum but I have to agree with bikendan. The Traverse will be overwhelmed by your Vibe. It has too short a wheelbase for a 28' TT and the max. weight on the Traverse's hitch, even with a WDH, is 520 pounds, and you'll be well over that. That's not to mention the fact that you'll be pulling a wall through the air which will really tax your engine and transmission.

If the salesperson knew you are towing with the Traverse, shame on them for convincing you this won't be a problem.

If at all possible, tell the dealer you're concerned about your ability to tow it and see if they'll let you do a test pull to see if it's as white knuckled an experience as we think it will be.

If you really want to try to make this work, consider a Hensley or ProPride hitch but that (the hitch) will be a very expensive experiment.

Good luck!
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Old 03-09-2017, 10:02 PM   #15
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Hi Deborah,

I'm afraid the fellow RV'ers are correct. That trailer is too much for the Traverse. The weight and short SUV wheelbase are the issues. I almost made a similar mistake with my first trailer but fortunately found an honest auto dealer that previously sold RV's who gave me a lesson in the weights and towing. I was discouraged at first but in retrospect I'm very glad he set me straight on it. Good luck and have safe travels!
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Old 03-09-2017, 10:15 PM   #16
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Welcome to the forum but I have to agree with bikendan. The Traverse will be overwhelmed by your Vibe. It has too short a wheelbase for a 28' TT and the max. weight on the Traverse's hitch, even with a WDH, is 520 pounds, and you'll be well over that. That's not to mention the fact that you'll be pulling a wall through the air which will really tax your engine and transmission.

If the salesperson knew you are towing with the Traverse, shame on them for convincing you this won't be a problem.

If at all possible, tell the dealer you're concerned about your ability to tow it and see if they'll let you do a test pull to see if it's as white knuckled an experience as we think it will be.

If you really want to try to make this work, consider a Hensley or ProPride hitch but that (the hitch) will be a very expensive experiment.

Good luck!
I hate to have to jump on the bandwagon, but I totally agree - you are OVERLOADED.

I pulled my Roo 19 with my 2011 Traverse for one season. My Roo weighed about 4100 lbs LOADED, which is considerably less than your TT's dry weight, which is 4886 per the Vibe website, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6719 lbs.

http://www.forestriverinc.com/produc...elID=2227#Main

Just adding 2 LP tanks and a battery will put you right at the 5200 lb tow rating. And we haven't talked about payload yet, either, although you're probably OK there if you're not loading up with passengers and "stuff." However, I believe the hitch itself is only rated for 500 lbs; you need to crawl under the car and see what the sticker on the hitch says.

You haven't mentioned a weight distribution hitch (WDH) but you WILL need one with this rig and that adds another 50-75 lbs to the tongue weight.

I believe your dealer really did you a dis-service.

As I said, I pulled my Roo for one season with a TT probably 1000 lbs (loaded) less than yours and was not a happy camper. I bought a 2009 Silverado, tow capacity of 7500 lbs, and it was SO much better.

There is a lot of towing info in your Traverse's Owners Manual - you should read it.

Good luck!
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Old 03-09-2017, 11:37 PM   #17
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overweight

I don't want to pile on but it does look like you are going to be overweight and I can't even comment on the wheelbase issue. You need to look at the gvwr on the inside of drivers door on your Traverse and if there is not at least 1000lbs difference between this number and the gvwr of the trailer then you should not do it for safety reasons. The tow vehicle needs to be at least 1000 lbs higher then the trailer.
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Old 03-14-2017, 07:12 AM   #18
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OK, after a tantrum, tears and such I traded in my Traverse yesterday and now have a Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup!! I'm smart enough to trust the experts, YOU, and as a result did the smart thing in all of this. Didn't even have the car a month but am pleased beyond words with my truck. THANK YOU again for your advise and concern in all of this. Deborah
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Old 03-14-2017, 07:23 AM   #19
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Welcome from another RN in NC. Congrats on the vibe and truck. I'm so glad to hear you bit the bullet and traded for the truck. You will be much happier and safer. I have towed over loaded and it is no fun. A safe and comfortable towing experience sets the tone for a good camping trip. Now we need to name the truck too.
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Old 03-14-2017, 08:52 AM   #20
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You did the right thing......

Now Go Camping
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