Community Forums

MBS · 04-22-2014, 04:43 PM

Hello,

I am new to trailering, and my wife and I are thinking of getting a 2101DS (3780 lbs dry weight according to Winnebago) or a 2101FBS (3840 lbs dry weight) Minnie Towable. We have a Chevy Traverse with the factory tow package that has a tow rating of 5200 Lbs. I think we will have around 500 lbs of cargo (we might be able to pare that down a bit). We are going from Indiana to California this summer, which means crossing the Rockies and the Sierras twice.

My questions are, can we tow this with our vehicle (safely)? and, has anybody towed a Minnie 2101 with something like the Traverse? If so, what was your experience?

Thanks for any information.

taken · 04-22-2014, 05:33 PM

Please see the replies in this thread. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f45/buick...ve-200242.html Same vehicle in different clothes. You won't be happy.

TDI-Minnie · 04-22-2014, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taken

You won't be happy.

Why do you say that? That combo is pretty well matched, actually.

TDI-Minnie · 04-22-2014, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS

has anybody towed a Minnie 2101 with something like the Traverse? If so, what was your experience?

Thanks for any information.

I've put several thousand miles on this combo. Granted, the Touareg can tow a lot more, but my trailer is also bigger than the one you are looking at. So scaled down, it's similar.

taken · 04-22-2014, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

Why do you say that? That combo is pretty well matched, actually.

OK, since it was too much trouble for you to actually click the link I posted, I'll repeat the exact same thing I posted in the other thread asking the exact same question. The Traverse, Enclave, or Acadia (All the same vehicle) aren't well matched to tow anything. Their tow hitch is at best used for a bike rack. They are great vehicles otherwise. Very nice ride. Comfortable and well built. However, in no way, are they really set up to tow. This comes from personal experience. The two brand new ones I rode in had enough trouble towing an aluminum snowmobile trailer that I can't imagine it towing anything close to it's 5k rating. The transmission is the weak point really. Is set up to shift very softly for a comfortable passenger car ride and will hunt for gears when towing and shifts very slowly under load feeling like it's slipping. It's also underpowered for towing the upper end of it's rating. Can it do it? Sure. Will it be a pleasurable towing experience? Absolutely not. The fact that you have towed with a completely different vehicle doesn't really help the OP at all with their question.

RGene7001 · 04-22-2014, 07:57 PM

For me Traverse is quite capable for the job. CANAM matched enclave/traverse with much heavier trailers. Their design is similar to German crossovers, and any of them will outtow most half ton pickups. I would give it a try. Problems may be expected even with bigger TV.
Usually they stem from soft high-sidewall tires(bigger wheels are better), long rear overhangs, which can be negated by Hensley or other sway free hitch. Suspensions are much more firm and composed nowadays as well
Good luck

taken · 04-22-2014, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGene7001

For me Traverse is quite capable for the job. CANAM matched enclave/traverse with much heavier trailers. Their design is similar to German crossovers, and any of them will outtow most half ton pickups. I would give it a try. Problems may be expected even with bigger TV.
Usually they stem from soft high-sidewall tires(bigger wheels are better), long rear overhangs, which can be negated by Hensley or other sway free hitch. Suspensions are much more firm and composed nowadays as well
Good luck

LOL, another person giving an opinion on specs and no real world experience.

TDI-Minnie · 04-22-2014, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taken

OK, since it was too much trouble for you to actually click the link I posted, I'll repeat the exact same thing

Um, I posted in that thread so thanks for the link.

I agree the tranny will be the weakest link, but you don't need a 3/4 ton for a 4-5,000lb trailer!!

TDI-Minnie · 04-22-2014, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taken

LOL, another person giving an opinion on specs and no real world experience.

Really? Because my German crossover has a v10 diesel with 650ft-lbs, four wheel self leveling airbags and weighs more than a Suburban. I've towed thousands of miles with it and also own a long wheel base 3/4 ton HO Cummins which I directly compare it to with the same trailer.
Who are you to judge other's real world experience on this topic??

I'm all about towing safety, but we're talking about a small and relatively light travel trailer, not some enormous 5er. The Traverse happens to be a very good match to the 2101. Yes, you need to take care when towing, but that is always the case.

TXiceman · 04-22-2014, 09:06 PM

One thing everyone has forgotten...ignore the dry weight unless you never plan to add anything to the trailer. The brochure dry weight is a fairytale. It does not include any item listed as an option...things like the awning, microwave, TV, a/c unit, batteries, full propane tanks, etc. A trailer can weigh 500# to 1000# more than the dry weight before you add any supplies.

Also, since you do not know the weight of the vehicle, use no more than 80% of the manufacturers tow rating to pick a loaded weight trailer and you should not go much over the vehicles ratings for GCWR and GVWR.

Ken

MBS · 04-22-2014, 09:57 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

TXiceman--the curb weight is 4646 lbs, the GVWR is 6411. The dealer says the hitch they'd use is about 75lbs, and I'd want to add an anti-sway bar. I'm not sure how these numbers help me understand the tow rating, though. Does it have to do with the Traverse's GCWR (which I don't know, and can't find on the net)?

For what it's worth, Winnebago lists the awning, microwave, TV, and a/c as standard equipment. The battery and gas for the LP is not included. So would that mean that those things listed as standard would be included in the dry weight?

taken--probably a stupid question, but I'd like to know, did your family member towing the snowmobile trailer have the factory towing package?

Again, thanks all.

taken · 04-23-2014, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

Really? Because my German crossover has a v10 diesel with 650ft-lbs, four wheel self leveling airbags and weighs more than a Suburban. I've towed thousands of miles with it and also own a long wheel base 3/4 ton HO Cummins which I directly compare it to with the same trailer.
Who are you to judge other's real world experience on this topic??

I'm all about towing safety, but we're talking about a small and relatively light travel trailer, not some enormous 5er. The Traverse happens to be a very good match to the 2101. Yes, you need to take care when towing, but that is always the case.

Thank you very much for making my point. Neither of your tow vehicles have ANY relevance to how a Traverse can tow the trailer in question. You have NO real world experience towing with a Traverse so you have nothing to ad to this conversation. I have towed something much lighter than the trailer in question with this exact vehicle and it was a horrible experience. I think you theorizing is much less helpful to the OP than someone posting what they actually experienced but hey, if it makes you feel good posting your theories, go for it!

taken · 04-23-2014, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

Um, I posted in that thread so thanks for the link.

I agree the tranny will be the weakest link, but you don't need a 3/4 ton for a 4-5,000lb trailer!!

No, and no on said you needed a three quarter ton. So, again, READ the other thread for good suggestions. Better yet, since you haven't thusfar and likely won't, her it is AGAIN. Go for a Grand Cherokee with a V8 or Durango with a V8. Or, any other SUV with the correct drive train for towing...

taken · 04-23-2014, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS

Thanks for all the replies.

TXiceman--the curb weight is 4646 lbs, the GVWR is 6411. The dealer says the hitch they'd use is about 75lbs, and I'd want to add an anti-sway bar. I'm not sure how these numbers help me understand the tow rating, though. Does it have to do with the Traverse's GCWR (which I don't know, and can't find on the net)?

For what it's worth, Winnebago lists the awning, microwave, TV, and a/c as standard equipment. The battery and gas for the LP is not included. So would that mean that those things listed as standard would be included in the dry weight?

taken--probably a stupid question, but I'd like to know, did your family member towing the snowmobile trailer have the factory towing package?

Again, thanks all.

Yes, they did. All that ads is a tranny cooler and the hitch though so it won't really address the soft shifting or being very underpowered for the job. Like I said before, it's not that the car can't do it. It's that it will be working very hard to do so. Things will break and you'll be stressed. These are basically cars with a SUV body. The drivetrain is setup to be a people mover, not to tow. The tow package would be great for towing a small utility trailer to Home Depot or something to that effect but not a 5k trailer long distance. And, don't trust the dealer when they tell you your car can do it. They are always telling people that to make the sale.