How close to max towing capacity?

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by Marine359

Unless I read it wrong, the payload of a Sequoia is 1,300 lbs.
The GVWR of an Airstream Classic 30 is 10,000 lbs.
You must allow for at least 12% of trailer GVWR to go to tongue weight plus 100# for hitch.
That’s 1,300 lbs. So you would be overweight as soon as one person gets in the Sequoia with no gear in it, and a WDH can’t fix that problem. The Sequoia is grossly unsuitable to tow the Classic.
If you’re dead set on the Sequoia, You may be able to safely tow a 26ft Globetrotter or Flying Cloud. Look up the trailer GVWR, apply 12% of that + 100#, and subtract that from the tow vehicle payload. That will tell you how much weight carrying capacity remains in the tow vehicle. You have to add up all gear, and all people and pets.

But just for grins, I have a 1,300lb payload pickup. And with just two people traveling, I struggle to stay under limits with our 23ft trailer that has a 600lb wet hitch weight.

This.

Always use the GVWR so 10,000 lbs not 8,000; plan on 12 - 15% tongue weight plus hitch.

As far as tow ratings, I'd suggest 80% max but 60% is better so 5712 - 7616 lbs but in this case, payload will be the choke point.

consider wheelbase of the TV when looking at towing long TT's with SUV's....

Bottom line; I agree 100% - the Sequoia is "grossly unsuitable" for this 30' TT

Dave

[carybosse]

I was somewhat surprised when I started looking at the numbers for a FS SUV in a towing capacity.

- I didn't really realize how short many of these SUVs are. Pretty much have to go with the Suburban over the Tahoe to get any length.

- Payload capacity slams you pretty quickly. Rare to find the SUV that has an equivalent payload to a similar truck.

I did find with my 2001 Tahoe, the payload number and rear axle numbers were higher for Tahoe with 3rd row seating as opposed to the 2-row only seating. I think they all are 3 row now, so expect there isn't any difference in payload. (learned this when the guy gave me the wrong rotors and pads when I did a complete rear brake job on the Tahoe, had to go back and get the bigger set. )

I have never looked at the Sequoia nor ridden in one but it seems smaller than a Tahoe to me, both width and length.

[CamperLifer]

A midsize Japanese SUV just isn't made to tow over 5000 pounds or over 20'.

[NXR]

One of the most insightful comments I ever read was from tuffr2 in this thread who pointed out that XXX lbs is not necessarily equivalent to XXX lbs with regard to published towing numbers.

An SUV may be perfectly capable of safely towing a boat on a trailer that weighs XXX lbs but not a trailer of the same weight.

The trailer will have a much higher center of gravity, a much higher wind loading due to it being a box on wheels, possibly more length behind the axle than a boat, and the front of the trailer is not anywhere close to aerodynamic.

Ray

[Brigrat]

I think the general rule if you are new to towing is that you can actually tow a lot less than what you think you can or what the dealership told you that you could. I use a spreadsheet to calculate my safe towing limits based on the vehicle and trailer/load I am towing. Final product looks something like the attached image.

All of the info comes from the door stickers, manufacturer info, math, or if available certified scales (preferred). The truck in the attached image is a 1/2 ton Ram 1500 pulling a 21' trailer with a gross weight below 5000 lbs. The dealer will tell you that you can tow 8100+ pounds, but in reality, by the time you factor in minimal in-truck payload, tongue weight, hitch weight, etc. 8100 pounds really means at best a 5500-6000 pound Travel Trailer.

[Over here]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Humm - I show you need 150" wheelbase to tow a 30' trailer.

Attachment 378933

I agree that wheelbase plays an important part in towing stability but really.
According to that chart my truck is limited to under 30’ with its 149” WB.
Whole lotta ( say many 10’s of thousands) of ram owners breaking the rules hahaha.

[ArtJoyce]

Published numbers dry weight specification for trailers all always light. First don't take into account any of the options. Things I have seen not included in dry weight have been AC units, awnings, spare tire, batteries which is normally added by the dealer, propane, propane tanks, cabinet options, etc... I would figure 400 too 600 lbs for these options.

[propchef]

Originally Posted by ArtJoyce

Published numbers dry weight specification for trailers all always light. First don't take into account any of the options. Things I have seen not included in dry weight have been AC units, awnings, spare tire, batteries which is normally added by the dealer, propane, propane tanks, cabinet options, etc... I would figure 400 too 600 lbs for these options.

Currently, Airstream is weighing each unit at completion, and that number goes on the sticker. This number includes LP and batteries. I can't speak to other brands.

[888Jay]

FYI... We went to our local Toyota dealer a few weeks ago to inquire about a new Sequoia. They said Toyota only built 5000 Sequoias for 2023 and they are all sold. Probably not building any for 2024 due to parts shortages.

"Come back in 2025", they said.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by propchef

Currently, Airstream is weighing each unit at completion, and that number goes on the sticker. This number includes LP and batteries. I can't speak to other brands.

That's actually a federal requirement in order to assure the CCC or OCCC sticker is accurate. That's why a prospective buyer should look for and take a picture of each sticker for the ones they're interested in.

If a dealer adds 100 lbs or more to a unit they're supposed to reweigh it and install an updated sticker. "supposed to".

Ray

[wildmandmc]

as for how close to max towing, i like to say it as,, how fat is your wallet. Towing is like tires, stay on the safe side. Diving with 30 min of air. Do u stay down for 20 min or 29 min.