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newfiejeff · 05-15-2006, 05:24 AM

I have a brother in law purchased a trailer last year new. I checked the weight of the trailer on the brochure and it says 3707lb dry, he adds 50gallonss of water, 130lb generator the waste tank is probably half full, 2 batteries and 2 propane tanks and other regular gear. He is using a chev venture and has no problem towing, he tows it about 5 km from his house to the campsite. What do you make of all of this and what are the implications if any on this?
Jeff

newfiejeff · 05-15-2006, 05:24 AM

I have a brother in law purchased a trailer last year new. I checked the weight of the trailer on the brochure and it says 3707lb dry, he adds 50gallonss of water, 130lb generator the waste tank is probably half full, 2 batteries and 2 propane tanks and other regular gear. He is using a chev venture and has no problem towing, he tows it about 5 km from his house to the campsite. What do you make of all of this and what are the implications if any on this?
Jeff

charliez · 05-15-2006, 05:35 AM

what's the capacity of the venture? is it a van?

newfiejeff · 05-15-2006, 06:40 AM

It's a chev venture 3.4l minivan. Also I said 50 lb's of water it's 50 gallon's of water.

Jeff

charliez · 05-16-2006, 03:52 AM

Just an empty 3700 pound trailer will need 370 pounds minimum on the hitch to keep it from swaying. That's not adding anything else. Empty weight mean before appliances and options on the sticker. Real weight is somthing diffrent. It's a marketing tactic. Empty, he would most likely be over his hitch capacity. Sounds like way too much trailer for a minivan.

knute · 05-16-2006, 04:16 AM

Your BIL is seriously overloaded.

I had a Chevy Venture ninnivan with a 3.4L. Max tow capacity is 3500 lbs. I pulled a 2500 lb popup with it. I wouldn't add 1500+ lbs to the rig.

His trailer is over 3500# before he attaches the ninnivan to it or adds the "stuff".

He will likely kill the tranny very early in the Venture's life. The rear suspension can be heavily damaged. There is a host of other things that could die on the van.

Now, he will say, "I only go 5km..." During that distance the trailer will be in control. Stopping could become an unpleasant experiance if he has an emergency...say like a kid suddenly appearing chasing a ball....

A blow out on van or trailer would prove to be interesting. Does he use brakes on the trailer and a brake controller?

Does the van have a tow package or the required towing add-ons? Like tranny cooler, oil cooler, large radiator. Heat kills engines and trannys fastest.

Technically, a 8 HP lawn mower could pull the trailer, if geared correctly. I wouldn't recommend that and I don't think your BIL has a good situation for towing.

Urge him to get a proper tow vehicle for his trailer.