Good to go ????

[jodann]

Still a "Newbie" & after spending hours upon hours reading about towing issues & vehicles I'm as confused as ever. Guess I'm looking for confirmation that my combination of vehicle/tt is OK.

Tow vehicle is a GMC Yukon (not XL) 4x4 w/5.3 engine, 3:73 rear, factory tow pkge, locking diff. Tow components are Reese w/d hitch, Valley friction sway bar & draw-tite brake controller.

Trailer is Trail-Cruiser 26QBH (yes, I know I'm a bit too long on tt) Factory dry wt. is under 3400 lbs. Wgt. of options & propane adds about another 500 lbs. Then I figure less than another 1000 lbs for the 2 of us, 11 lb dog, tools & assorted 'stuff'. I'm now approaching 5000 lbs. Is this doable? Any comments would be most appreciated. Thanx, jodann

[jodann]

Still a "Newbie" & after spending hours upon hours reading about towing issues & vehicles I'm as confused as ever. Guess I'm looking for confirmation that my combination of vehicle/tt is OK.

Tow vehicle is a GMC Yukon (not XL) 4x4 w/5.3 engine, 3:73 rear, factory tow pkge, locking diff. Tow components are Reese w/d hitch, Valley friction sway bar & draw-tite brake controller.

Trailer is Trail-Cruiser 26QBH (yes, I know I'm a bit too long on tt) Factory dry wt. is under 3400 lbs. Wgt. of options & propane adds about another 500 lbs. Then I figure less than another 1000 lbs for the 2 of us, 11 lb dog, tools & assorted 'stuff'. I'm now approaching 5000 lbs. Is this doable? Any comments would be most appreciated. Thanx, jodann

[K-Star]

Going by the 2002 charts, The max trailer weight for your vehicle is 7,400 #. If you assume that the trailer is weighing about 5,000 # (using 15%) your tongue weight is about 750 #.

Weigh your vehicle loaded with cargo and passengers, ready to tow. Then add on the tongue weight. The total weight should not exceed your GVWR or GAWR of the rear Axel. You should be able to find those values in your owners manual.

You'll probably find that you are OK.

[diandtom]

We had a 30 ft trail Light and a GMC 1500 excab, 4X4 5.3 motor and it pulled the trailer very well. The only reason I wanted to get rid of it was there was no where to sit inside that I was confortable and the shower was too small for me. It weighted 5500 lbs. I don't think you will have any trouble. We even towed it in the mountians with no trouble. I got rid of the truck before the trailer because I wanted a fifth wheel and it was just getting time to go.

[Randy the sly old fox]

Make sure that that dry wt includes all options. If this weight is from the brochure it does NOT include them. It also does not include propane, batteries, and water. I would also bet that it is on the light side.

I am glad to see that you already know you are too long - I have a similar rig and have towed both a 21' and now my 22'(23'6" actual) and feel that at 23'6" I am at the maximium for the wheelbase of the Tahoe - not to mention it actually weighs a tad over 5100lbs w/o water. I know it is back there. My old Trail Lite 21' scaled out at 4000lbs w/o water when loaded for camping. I have the same gear in the new AF.

[6MISFITZ]

Never use a trailer's dry weight as a measure of your tow vehicle.
Always look at the maximum trailer weight or Gross trailer weight and then see if that is under your tow vehicle's limit.

Best advice is to get it weighed and then you have the acutal numbers, not a guess.

Options like awning(s), air conditioner, spare tire, microwave, full propane tanks will quickly increase your trailer's actual weight over the dry brochure weight even before you add things like groceries, linens and fluids. However, on paper so far you still look good to go with some capacity to spare.

Your 4 wheel drive will sure come in very handy, the first time you get caught in a wet campground.

Congrats on your trailer and Safe Travels,
Mike.