Question about towing my Rockwood

[BigRed61]

Not sure if I am asking this in the right place...

I just purchased a 2010 Forest River Rockwood Freedom 282txr! It is the first trailer my wife and I have owned and we are excited to go on some adventures. I went with the txr for the front deck, we have 2 ATV's and this will allow us to take our toys with us.

I am a little concerned though. I have a Ford F-150 that is plenty capable of towing the trailer, loaded with the ATV's. This was the vehicle I was planning on using. However my wife, wants to be able to tow it with our Tahoe, she says it would be more comfortable and allow more room for the kids. She of course tells me this after I tow it home with my pick up.The Tahoe is a 2015 with the 5.3 V8, but the 3.08 gearing. It has a 6600 pound tow limit.

Any suggestions where I should look to figure out if I can tow it loaded with my ATV's(about 1400 pounds for both of them) and what I may need to add to my Tahoe to to make it safe? I have a feeling that loaded with the ATV's the tongue weight might be a bit too high. I know I would need a brake assist, possibly bags and a weight distributing hitch?

Thanks in advance guys!

[f5moab]

I'm betting that the tongue weight, even when loaded with two ATVs is less than my tongue weight on a 228. You have two axles and that makes a big difference.

Had a neighbor in Moab years ago that had the Flagstaff equivalent model and he borrowed my scale and checked his tongue weight with two ATVs and he was around 475 lbs (I normally run over 500 lbs, thanks to a single axle).

However, he pulled it with a CC PU with a 5.3 engine but he had 3.42 gears and had no problems and he was always heading over the rockies.

Regardless, you will need some type of brake controller. Air bags are a breeze to put on if needed.

[BigRed61]

So I just got back from the county dump, with the trailer loaded up with atv's I am under 5000lb. However my tongue weight is at 1020lbs. Pick up will handle this fine, my Tahoe will need a weight distributing hitch and some bags. But I am televised to know that with the atv's I am under weight. I still need to account for gear and water, but I think I will be good.

[rockfordroo]

Open your Tahoe's drivers door and check the payload on the tire pressure sticker. For an example, here's the one from my 2009 Silverado:



You tongue weight (add 75 lbs for a weight distributing hitch), wife, kids, and any "stuff" you put in the Tahoe must add up to less than the payload on the sticker. I suspect you're going to be over on payload. SUV's are notoriously low on payload.

And airbags don't increase your payload, they only level the vehicle.

You might want to do the same check on your F150, but you're probably OK there.

And you DO need a brake controller no matter what you tow it with. Tekonsha Prodigy P3 is arguably about the best.

[f5moab]

Must be some heavy ATVs.

PU doesn't require a weight distribution hitch? Must have reduced the capacity in 2016.
https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/...50_r1_Oct2.pdf

[BigRed61]

Yup, 2 Kawasaki Brute Force. About 750lbs each.

[BigRed61]

The Tahoe is at 1610, the f150 is at 1459!?? I weigh 380, so in the pick up, with the current load there is not enough room for me and the trailer???

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by BigRed61

The Tahoe is at 1610, the f150 is at 1459!?? I weigh 380, so in the pick up, with the current load there is not enough room for me and the trailer???

Sounds like it. BTW: They assume a 150lb driver, so add another 380 - 150 = 230 lbs for you. (Same for your F150).

[JPBar]

Sounds like someone might be getting a new 3/4 ton Crew Cab Truck. Problem solved.

[BigRed61]

Originally Posted by JPBar

Sounds like someone might be getting a new 3/4 ton Crew Cab Truck. Problem solved.

Lol, I wish. This is where my confusion comes in though. 9000lb towing but only a 1400lb cargo? I guess that is where the wdh comes in?

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by BigRed61

Lol, I wish. This is where my confusion comes in though. 9000lb towing but only a 1400lb cargo? I guess that is where the wdh comes in?

Not meaning to pour salt on it but remember to subtract the weight of the WDH from your payload number...

[Jmkjr72]

Originally Posted by BigRed61

Lol, I wish. This is where my confusion comes in though. 9000lb towing but only a 1400lb cargo? I guess that is where the wdh comes in?

No you need to read more infomany hitches have 2 loads

Weight carrying normal about half of the hitchest total ability
And weight distribution required

Take the hitch on my 99 suburban over 5000 lbs I need weight distribution instead of just weight carrying

A wdh does not increase your payload capacity what it does is spray the load out a little more instead of all being right on the ball the springs spread it from the ball to about 2 feed back on the hitch

[325BH]

Originally Posted by BigRed61

Lol, I wish. This is where my confusion comes in though. 9000lb towing but only a 1400lb cargo? I guess that is where the wdh comes in?

No, the WD system doesn't change your cargo/payload number. The WD system puts "some" of the tongue weight on the trailer, however it isn't that much. It does change the front axle/rear axle loading a lot though.

Your confusion is warranted. Manufacturers post "towing " weights that can never be achieved without exceeding the payload rating or loading a trailer with lower tongue weights.

[f5moab]

Even a 250 would need a WDH since it maxes out at 600 or 850 load carrying or 1250/1400 weight distribution (gas vs. diesel). (Which I find surprisingly low since my 1/2 ton GMC has a 800 lb load carrying.)

[Jerheye]

You will need a transmission cooler too.

[Scrapper]

Take a look at the weight rating for your hitch. You may find that your Max Tongue Weight is less than the CC of your TV. For example the ratings for my hitch is 1100# Max Tongue Weight. On my truck combined weight of occupants and cargo is 1612#. My WDH is 800#. My actual tongue weight for my TT is actual weight is 1,110#. Those numbers don't work. That is why my TT is on a seasonal site all year.