allowable toad weight

[Broadstone]

Hi. We have a 2005 36' Itasca Meridan and have always towed a lightweight Toad/Dinghy such as a saturn wagon, Escort, VW, etc at about 3000#. We want to move up to a larger car such as a Saturn Outlook which would double as a full time user at home. These weigh about 5000# and we'd like some advice about moving up to this tow weight. Thanks for any help. Jim & Nona

[Richard S.]

First thing is to check your hitch capacity.

This forum may also help.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/

[Broadstone]

Thanks. The rated capacity of the hitch and bar are 5000lbs.

[Broadstone]

I want to tow a 5000-6000 lb car behind a 2005 Itasca Meridian (probably a Saturn Outlook or Chevy Traverse). The tow bar and hitch are rated at 5000# and 10000# respectively and the tow rating of the Freightliner chasis is 10,000#. Assuming I keep the overall weight within the rated limits and use a Brake Buddy, will this be taxing the camper at all? Thanks for any response or suggestions. Jim & Nona

[jimandsue60]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadstone I want to tow a 5000-6000 lb car behind a 2005 Itasca Meridian (probably a Saturn Outlook or Chevy Traverse). The tow bar and hitch are rated at 5000# and 10000# respectively and the tow rating of the Freightliner chasis is 10,000#. Assuming I keep the overall weight within the rated limits and use a Brake Buddy, will this be taxing the camper at all? Thanks for any response or suggestions. Jim & Nona

Your tow bar is rated for 5000 pounds. If you want to tow a car heavier than that you should get a tow bar rated for heavier vehicles. Are you sure the hitch is only rated for 5000 pounds and you are not reading 500 pounds for tongue weight?

You will definitely feel the weight of a 6000 pound car climbing hills or accelerating.

Jim

[rowesort]

Your hitch rating is 500 lbs without an equalizer tow bars, This is not an issue when towing the car. The maximum you can tow is 10,000 Ibs as long as the combined weight does not go over the combined capacity of your rig. Again this will not be an issue at 6,000 lbs. My Silverado Crew Cab weighs 5700 lbs empty. On the flats you do not even know it is there, on the steeper climbs say 6% I lose maybe 5mph. But rarely go below 55 MPH. Again this is dead pulling where you are slow at the bottom of the climb if I am doing 65/70 Mph and pulling 1800 RPM it usually does not slow down. Definately up grade your Tow Bars and get brakes. It is the law in a lot of states now.

[Broadstone]

Thanks, I feel pretty good about the Outlook, then. It is just under 5000 lbs and,as an 8 passenger vehicle, should be just the thing for the 2 of us and our 5 grandsons. Does anyone have concerns about the Outlook or Chevy Traverse? Thank you all again. Jim & Nona

[Cousin Ed]

If your tow bar is rated at 5000# I'd think about trading for a 10,000# bar.

[Roadking]

If you don't have them yet get a braking system for the toad. The braking system may just save you in emergency stopping situations and as previously stated, it will make you legal as most states require brakes on a towed vehicle, or trailer, that weighs more than 1500 pounds.

[Broadstone]

Thank you. I use a Brake Buddy and have been thankful on several occasions that I do.