Crazy_2
New Maryland New Brunswick
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Joined: 08/19/2004
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Give it a go.
I am currently using the set up in my sig.
with no issues.
No sway, not bothered by semi's either passing or meeting.
Now I'm not winning any races but that is an other story.
Try a trip and decide based on the results.
03 Nissan Xterra
Travel Star Sport XLT 24 FQB by Starcraft 3570 LBS Dry
Prodogy EBC, Reece Dual Cam WDH
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MFinCA
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
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Joined: 06/09/2004
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Tigre10 wrote:After a quick look at the link and knowing my wheelbase is 113" & the overall length hitch to...is 27'1" I am over length by 5ft.
My Total Gross Combined weight allowable is 11500 lbs. Vehicle comes in at 6001 lbs dry weight trailer 3771 lbs.(according to specs)Then load I am at the limit.
This sounds like with the anti sway & the equalizer hitch & the brakes I may still have a problem.
The TT length vs. wheelbase chart has been around a long time and most RVers (including myself) think it is way too conservative. My 'Burb has a 130" wheelbase and the chart says 25' is the max. I've towed a boat and a TT that is longer than that with no problems.
You are very close to your limits and may end of being over them. I would do as other posters have indicated and try it out. If the combination tows well for you--that is great.
A buddy of mine and I did a caravan about 3 years ago from the SF Bay Area to Reno, NV. He was towing a 7,000 lb. loaded TT with a 'Burb 1500. My TT weighs in right a 6,000 lbs. loaded.
After following for a while at 35 mph up I-80, I asked if I could go ahead of him. I traveled my usual 45-60 mph up the hill and waited for him at the summit for about 15 minutes.
About 2 months after the trip he came by to show me his new '06 'Burb 2500 with the 8.1L engine.
Now I'm the one chasing him. 
MFinCA
2004 Homestead Settler 255RS
1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2500
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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Joined: 05/05/2005
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As has been pointed out, while you APPEAR to be within the weight limits, your SUV has a short wheel base and that may prove to be a larger problem than the weight. The good news is that it will be quick and easy to maneuver in camp grounds. The bad news is that it will be quick and easy for the TT to maneuver the SUV on the highway and mountain roads. A case of the tail wagging the dog. How much you notice this will depend on many details, but the propensity for sway will be there.
About the weight of the TT. It's very common for RV's to weigh considerably more than the specs say. Our new Arctic Fox specs say it weighs 7860# dry, yet it weighed 8470# dry when we weighed it just 20 minutes after taking delivery. Likewise, our Beaver DP specs said curb weight was 22,274#, yet it weighed 24,390# empty. In both of these cases, the dry weight exceeded the specs by almost 10%. In other words, I'd factor in a 10% adjustment to the factory specs for dry weight.
Another factor to consider is that many of us have found that towing a TT that's right at max ratings is not a pleasant experience. We towed 3 different TT's with a 2004 F350 PSD crew cab. The first was low and light and a pleasure to tow. The second was about 80% of capacity and OK, albeit not nearly as much fun to drive. The third was about 105% of capacity and it was obvious the truck was working hard and it was no longer a pleasure to drive.
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
2009 Arctic Fox 29V
2005 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 4X4 Crewcab
PullRite 20K# hitch
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Terryallan
NC
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Joined: 06/28/2004
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After having towed our 27' 6000lb TT with the Expedition for a few years. I can with out a doubt tell you. It towed the TT ROCK steady. No sway period. The chart on RV tips said I couldn't do it, I have to stay underr 22'. Sorry to hurt anyone's feelings, and while there is some good info on that site. The length part is a joke. The Expe towed the TT as well as the 145" WB 04 F150.
BTW. The 116" WB 96 F150 towed it rock steady as well. Don't think 3" of WB will make that much difference. Just get your hitch setup right, air the tires, and you should be good. Give it a try. Somtimes the nay sayers are wrong.
Terry & Shay
Pioneer 23T6
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
Lazy Campers
NC
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Twins4us07
Virginia
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Joined: 09/15/2008
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We tried a similar setup at the beginning of the season. We were pulling a 25ft Coachmen with a Dodge Nitro. We had sway control and all on it. The very first trip was also the last trip. The tail wagged the dog the whole way. The Nitro has 265 horsepower and is a very strong vehicle with 3.73 gears. The wheel base is just short. The Envoy is longer but it is still a short wheelbase vehicle. I would look at the new Hensley Cub to tow that long of a trailer with a short wheelbase vehicle.
1997 GMC Yukon, Firestone Airbags,K&N Intake,Flowmaster,Tekonsha P3, Hensley Arrow,Mckesh Mirrors,VR3 Rearview Camera.
2009 Cougar 29BHS X-Lite,Kippor 3000W Generator(quiet as a Honda but cheaper).
Twin Girls who hate hotels....
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mikejnang
Central CA
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Joined: 09/30/2008
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First of all, like to say hi to everyone as this is my first time posting. Here is my experience. Started with a 1500 Suburban with 3:42 gear and a 28 foot TT listed at 4800 pounds. Turns out that the 3:42 gear was the weak link and suffered its death on the first trip.
Yes, i was maxed out weight and lenght for the burb. It towed great as far as handling and breaking which i thought would be the biggest problem. Aerodynamic drag was a MAJOR issue though, which could be easily overlooked when maxing out with a smaller suv or half ton. In fact, that one and only trip took us down two grades (I-5 grapevine and I-58 Tehachapi). I was actually able to stay in overdrive and never once touched the brakes going downhill, never going faster than 60mph.
While i don't regret my TT purchase, i do regret the fact that it required the purchase of a new TV. I have to agree with Ken, 22' is a good lenghth for the SUV. Pushing your TV to the limit is only going to make for a bad trip full of regret. The words "Half-ton towable" make me cringe. Yes it will tow it, no you won't be happy about it.
By the way, I seem to have more sway using the "new to me" F-250 than the Burb using the same hitch and dual sway bars. I know this is just me cuz the ford steering is so much tighter and quicker than the chevy. I guess some sway can be driver induced vice the actual rig setup.
Mike
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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Towed with our Mercedes SUV for a bit over half of its current 170,000 miles. No trouble, other than expected stuff. Our tow rating is 5000# and our LOADED HTTTH is 4800#. You do need to take a bit more care of things when you are close to ratings. For example if your max tongue weight on GMC is really 500#, even with a WD hitch, you NEED A NEW RECEIVER BEFORE TOWING.
I'd bet your 3771# dry TT is over 5000# if loaded carefully. You want hitch weight of 13% or so, which would be 650#. That is WAY too much on a 500# receiver IMO. In fact you want 13% of GVWR of TT if possible. Be careful as I think nobody tows a TT at its dry weight, ie no propane, water, food, clothes, manufacturer options, dealer options, etc.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded)
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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Tigre10
BC Canada
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Joined: 10/07/2008
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I certainly do appreciate all the input here.
Came across this site my sheer accident & it is proving to be a great resource.
We purchased the V8 intentionally for towing. Had the V6 previously. Only time in RV's was in a Trail Bay 30 ft TT & most recently a Winnabego 30 ft.class A for 1 week each time & both owned by relatives. Actual knowledge on the ins & outs is very limited to ask some questions get some answers or just watching.
As the vehicle will not be changing for a few years hopefully the TT will work well with it. Friday the Reese equipment now including a friction sway bar, equalizer hitch & trailer brakes will be installed.
Living in BC the climb from the coast will be a challenge but with tips on rear tire air pressure & any further insight on packing the trailer properly here's hopingf all goes well.
If it's too much for the SUV or the driver...then close to home trips or maybe they'll give us our money back for a trade in on something else..hmm or they'll take it back!!What da think?
Will post results of the 135 km drive after the long weekend.
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canoe on top
Denver, CO, US
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Joined: 07/21/2003
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It sounds like you are going with a regular weight distributing hitch and friction sway bar. I think, with your combination, you would be much better off with a Reese Dual Cam or Equal-i-zer brand hitch. Some would recommend a Hensley. It is my understanding that a friction sway bar is marginal on a TT that size even with a larger TV. Two friction sway bars would be better than one but an anti-sway, WD hitch would be best.
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LAdams
Northern Illinois
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Joined: 10/06/2000
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Let me just add to all the comments here pro and con that a shorter wheelbase vehicle may tow a given trailer length without issue UNTIL there is a problem... The problem could manifest itself as an avoidance maneuver, emergency braking/swerving maneuver, etc...That is where the longer wheelbase vehicle will pay off... Those towing lighter, shorter trailers, particularly with heavier, longer wheelbase tow vehicles will be less prone to having problems... Those towing heavier, longer trailers, particularly with shorter wheelbase, lighter tow vehicles will be more prone to having problems...
Yeah, I know there are a lot of people that will say "I've towed for years and never had a problem with this setup"... Most who tow won't have any issues, but some will, and when you do have an issue, an emergency stop, an emergency swerve, or a similar circumstance, that is where the longer wheelbase, larger, heavier, tow vehicle will pay off...
The wheelbase to trailer length rule has been argued many, many times as to it's worth, particularly since the advent of SUV's... It is not a hard fast rule but a "guideline" and a guideline that has worked well for many years... It still has validity and is a good "guideline" to keep in mind...
I'm not going to engage in, or encourage an argument regarding wheelbase to trailer length, my mind is already made up based on decades of experience towing with many, many different setups, but it has long been a proven fact that a longer wheelbase vehicle is more stable than a shorter wheelbase vehicle when towing trailers, particularly travel trailers with their high profile and large side "sail area"...
My comments FWTW - take'em or leave'em...
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
Banks Power Pack w/Trans Command & OttoMind
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