rw62
Central MA
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Joined: 08/09/2008
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After renting trailers at campgrounds for the past 2 years, we have decided we like the lifestyle and would like the flexibility of owning our own rig. Now the confusion, the TV will be a 2003 Dodge Durango SLT+, 4.7L, 5 speed auto, full time 4wd and 3.55 gears. ALso, it doesn't have the tow package so I at least need a tranny cooler in addition to the receiver and harness. I went to the Dodge towing guide web site and came up with these numbers:
tow capacity: 4250
GVWR: 6400
payload: 1585
curb weight: 4815
curb weight fr/rr: 2607/2607
GAWR fr/rr: 3600/3806
GCWR: 9200
I know what every rating refers to, I don't know how to use them to determine what is safe. Safety is my main priority, because going to the White Mtns last year, a small truck pulling a trailer 2 cars in front of us started swaying and ended up in the shoulder facing oncoming traffic. It was not fun to watch, and I don't want that to ever happen to us (me, wife, 2 sons 8+5). We have been looking at HTT's in the 19' range, and while the dry weights are fine, the trailer GVW are exceeding my towing capacity. Do I need to look at a PUP instead? Any and all help appreciated.
Bob
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wcjeep
Tacoma, Wa
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Joined: 04/11/2008
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As a side note. When/if you start to feel trailer sway, back out of the gas gently. Manually apply electric brake controller. This should force the trailer to track straight behind the tow vehicle. This means the electric brake controller needs to be available in an emergency and not in a difficult place.
Personally, I thought your rig would be capable of towing a 19' TT. What's the difference between your rig vs. one with a tow package? Also, it's not necessary to run full tank of potable water.
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BenK
SF BayArea
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Joined: 04/18/2002
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rw62 wrote:snip...
tow capacity: 4250 MTWR...max tow weight rating
GVWR: 6400
payload: 1585
curb weight: 4815
curb weight fr/rr: 2607/2607
GAWR fr/rr: 3600/3806
GCWR: 9200
You'll notice that the GCWR 9,200 is around MTWR 4,250 + Curb 4,815 = 9,065
So if you load up your TV to it's GVWR of 6,400, the 'true' MTWR will
be 9,200 - 6,400 = 2,800 lb Trailer. This is the actual TT weight, not
the GVWR weight. If your TV weighs less, then the true MTWR will be
more, therefore a larger trailer would be okay.
Why I always recommend weighing the whole setup axle by axle, both
empty and fully loaded in order to know where you are in reference to
your ratings.
Too many think that MTWR (max tow weight rating) is absolute. Meaning
it applies even to a TV loaded up to it's GVWR.
Any setup can sway and it is how the whole system is put together
and setup (adjusted) that really matters. You can have the best system
in the world and if it's not adjusted correctly, it will sway.
There are ultra lights that are in the same weight zone as large PUPs
Many will advise that you 'can' tow a larger trailer and you 'can', but
not as safely.
Just remember, if that bad/worse day crosses your path...either you
have the proper sized and adjusted components/systems spot on, or you
don't. There won't be time to go back to the store for bigger/better
or to re-adjust the system. *AND* all things designed/engineered is
for that bad/worse day, not the good days when just about anything
'can' tow it...did that driver in front of you have time to go back
to the store for a smaller trailer or bigger TV or re-setup ???
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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BenK wrote:
Just remember, if that bad/worse day crosses your path...either you
have the proper sized and adjusted components/systems spot on, or you
don't. There won't be time to go back to the store for bigger/better
or to re-adjust the system. *AND* all things designed/engineered is
for that bad/worse day, not the good days when just about anything
'can' tow it...did that driver in front of you have time to go back
to the store for a smaller trailer or bigger TV or re-setup ???
This is probably the most enlightening comment on "can't tell it's back there", "tows just fine", "haven't had any problems", etc. which are all best scenario statements and not the "underwear needs changing" situations that most of us hope to never encounter.
When things really go "SOUTH" you usually don't get a second chance, so with your family at risk you should do it right and leave a little margin or maybe a lot in your favor.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974. TRAILER MODS
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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I think you should consider a bigger TV if you hiope to get a TT big enough to be comfortable in or consider a PUP for the Durango. PUP camping is a lot of fun just doesn't offer as many creature comforts as a bigger TT.
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wayne_tw
South Dakota/Georgia
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fla-gypsy wrote:I think you should consider a bigger TV if you hiope to get a TT big enough to be comfortable in or consider a PUP for the Durango. PUP camping is a lot of fun just doesn't offer as many creature comforts as a bigger TT.
This is the best advice you will receive. .
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ib516
Up here!
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Given the numbers you have provided, my $0.02 is to shop for a HTT with a GVWR less than 4500#. That should be a max in my mind. Plenty of hybrids out there that may suit you. Take the "dry weights" with a grain of salt.
2004 Cougar 301 BHS 6580# Dry, 9000# wet, 9600# GVWR)
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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There was a thread running a couple of weeks back about a family of 5 towing with a Durango that three of the members were killed because of an "experienced" driver towing way over his vehicles limits after too many hours on the road. Not trying to scare you, but a Durango is a short wheel based SUV. As such you really need to pay as much attention to the length of the trailer as the weight. Personally I would not tow anything over 20 feet long and nothing over about 5000 GVWR. And that could be pushing it depending on how the Durango is loaded.
Donn
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rw62
Central MA
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donn0128 wrote:... Personally I would not tow anything over 20 feet long and nothing over about 5000 GVWR. And that could be pushing it depending on how the Durango is loaded.
We are looking at HTT's in the 17'-19' range (would prefer 19'). The GVW of the trailers are below or just over the Durango's tow rating. Is there any "rule of thumb" for how much "stuff" (in pounds) a person brings with them? Is it better to put things in the TV or the trailer?
Bob
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