2003 26FS Flagstaff Super Lite Towing

[rvnewbie98]

We are looking at buying a used 2003 26FS Flagstaff Super Lite. The add claims 3600lbs dry weight. We currently have a 2005 Chevy Traverse RS with a rated tow capacity of 5000lbs.

We are looking for advice on if this RV can actually be safely pulled by our vehicle under real life conditions. Assuming the dry weight is actually correct, there is also the consideration of the length of the RV. With the 121in wheelbase of the traverse typical recommendations I see online, are to limit RV length to 22'-23' (whereas this RV seems to be 26'-27').

Is this being overly conservative and in real life it will be just fine?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[bikendan]

There is no such Flagstaff travel trailer 26FS, for 2003:

https://www.jdpower.com/rvs/2003/flagstaff-by-forest-river/travel-trailers-5th-wheels

I seriously doubt it weighs 3600lbs.
If it does have 26 in the actual model number, it will be at least 28-29ft long.
Either way, it will be too heavy and too long for a Traverse.

Is this a popup?

 

[rvnewbie98]

Ya I am starting to think it's not a good fit. I have attached some screenshots of the listing

 

[bikendan]

You need to look at trailers under 23-24ft long.
They have 20 or 21 in the model number.
Does your Traverse have the full factory tow package?
What does the driver's door sticker say is the Traverse's max payload capacity? That number is more important than the 5000lbs towing capacity number.
And how many will be in the car, including the driver?

There are many factors that go into towing, especially for marginal tow vehicles like a Traverse.

 

[Oaklevel]

Also when looking at campers do not go by dry weight......... It is that empty as it leaves the factory.......... with no options, no gear, water, often no battery or propane. Gross weight will be a closer number to go by

 

[rvnewbie98]

You need to look at trailers under 23-24ft long.
They have 20 or 21 in the model number.
Does your Traverse have the full factory tow package?
What does the driver's door sticker say is the Traverse's max payload capacity? That number is more important than the 5000lbs towing capacity number.
And how many will be in the car, including the driver?

There are many factors that go into towing, especially for marginal tow vehicles like a Traverse.

I made a typo in my original post, it is actually a 2025 traverse that comes standard with the full tow package.

Looks like 1459 lbs payload capacity? Hopefully that just means 500lbs tongue weight and 959 lbs passenger and luggage weight?

There will be 2 adults and 2 children under 10.

 

[rvnewbie98]

Also when looking at campers do not go by dry weight......... It is that empty as it leaves the factory.......... with no options, no gear, water, often no battery or propane. Gross weight will be a closer number to go by

Would it be correct to add about 1000lbs to the dry weight to get to a conservative gross weight? And then 10% of that would be the tongue weight?

 

[Oaklevel]

Would it be correct to add about 1000lbs to the dry weight to get to a conservative gross weight? And then 10% of that would be the tongue weight?

Maybe, maybe not.......... You do not know what a previous owner added to the trailer a better number (guess) would be to go by gross weight. Best is actual CAT scale weighed weight when loaded for camping.

But I know when shopping that is not an option. As far to tongue weight 10 to 12% depending............ Single axles typically have a higher tongue weight than a dual axle. Do not base everything on dry tongue weight either.

What little I can find looks like the unit you are looking atwill weigh a little over 6000 lbs

Good Luck !!! Bad news is you are limited to smaller trailers.

 

[bikendan]

View attachment 1115644
I made a typo in my original post, it is actually a 2025 traverse that comes standard with the full tow package.

Looks like 1459 lbs payload capacity? Hopefully that just means 500lbs tongue weight and 959 lbs passenger and luggage weight?

There will be 2 adults and 2 children under 10.

You forgot about 100lbs for the WDH. That puts you at 1559lbs, 50lbs over without any luggage weight.

This why I referred to your Traverse as a marginal tow vehicle.
Vehicles like the Traverse, are not truly spec'd for towing, like trucks and full-size SUVs(Expedition and Suburban)are.

 

[bikendan]

Finally found the trailer's specs(for a 2008 23FS):

https://www.jdpower.com/rvs/2008/flagstaff-by-forest-river/m-26fs/4097884/specs

So what immediately stands out is that the fictional dry tongue weight is 529lbs, which is already over the max hitch weight of 500lbs, before battery, factory options, dealer add-ons, propane, water and trailer cargo.
Second is the trailer is over 29ft long, WAY too much trailer for a Traverse.

As I said before, you need to find a trailer that's 24ft long or shorter.

 

[rvnewbie98]

Finally found the trailer's specs(for a 2008 23FS):

https://www.jdpower.com/rvs/2008/flagstaff-by-forest-river/m-26fs/4097884/specs

So what immediately stands out is that the fictional dry tongue weight is 529lbs, which is already over the max hitch weight of 500lbs, before battery, factory options, dealer add-ons, propane, water and trailer cargo.
Second is the trailer is over 29ft long, WAY too much trailer for a Traverse.

As I said before, you need to find a trailer that's 24ft long or shorter.

Thank you for all your help and research. I am glad I asked this forum as I am very new to all of this. We will continue our trailer search with better guidelines in mind as I would rather not damage my vehicle or risk my family or others on the road.

 

[bikendan]

Thank you for all your help and research. I am glad I asked this forum as I am very new to all of this. We will continue our trailer search with better guidelines in mind as I would rather not damage my vehicle or risk my family or others on the road.

Good on you for doing the research BEFORE purchasing a RV.
Too many newbies come here, asking for help, AFTER they've purchased a RV and things are going wrong. They did no research nor visited a RV forum before they bought the RV.

 

[rvnewbie98]

I received updated information on the travel trailer and it is actually a 2003 26DS. Just so I make sure I understand this correctly, so I can analyze future listings, would it be correct to say that the minimum weight of this trailer before adding any cargo would be 4179 lbs? (3624 [UVW] + 257 [Fresh Water] + 257 [Grey/Black Water] + 41 [Gas])? Tongue weight would then be anywhere from 417.9 lbs (10%) to 501.48 lbs (12%)? My TV capacity remaining before cargo would be 257.52 lbs (1459 [payload capacity] - 100 [WDH] - 501.48 [tongue weight] - 400 [2 adults] - 200 [2 children])? Making this trailer just technically feasible to tow with no extra cargo and under perfect conditions (ignoring the fact that its 2ft too long)?