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Travel trailers
Posted on 11/4/16 at 5:37 pm
Posted on 11/4/16 at 5:37 pm
I am looking at purchasing a travel trailer for family camping trips/ maybe a tailgate once a year etc. We have done some really fun camping trips but used a tent and feel it might be time to invest in a nicer experience. I have a couple questions and hope you all could lend some advice on your experiences.
I currently have an 11 Tahoe with towing package, brake and trans cooler. 3.42 gear ratio. Rated up to 8200 lbs. have towed a 21 foot pontoon locally without any problems. Currently has 85k miles.
Would a 26 foot bunk house trailer with dry weight of 4500 lbs be too much for my vehicle? Thinking of towing it within a couple hours of Houston mostly but occasional summer haul to Colorado.
Should I be concerned with shorter wheel base of the Tahoe?
I currently have an 11 Tahoe with towing package, brake and trans cooler. 3.42 gear ratio. Rated up to 8200 lbs. have towed a 21 foot pontoon locally without any problems. Currently has 85k miles.
Would a 26 foot bunk house trailer with dry weight of 4500 lbs be too much for my vehicle? Thinking of towing it within a couple hours of Houston mostly but occasional summer haul to Colorado.
Should I be concerned with shorter wheel base of the Tahoe?
Posted on 11/4/16 at 6:04 pm to Butterfingers
No you're good. I would stay out of the mountains. Don't use overdrive.
Posted on 11/4/16 at 6:05 pm to Butterfingers
You can likey pull it, but make sure you put a brake controller on it - stopping will be your biggest issue here.
Posted on 11/4/16 at 6:24 pm to Butterfingers
OP: I sold RV's for years, no longer in the RV business though. That is an OK weight for your vehicle based on the specs you provided. Ideally you should be looking at UVW's of 3500 or less. Please, whatever you do, invest in a good weight distribution hitch and a brake controller. I can not stress that enough, please get both. Also, it is in your best interest to buy new tires for the trailer. The tires that will come with it are barely good enough for a giant wheel barrow. Check them before every trip, every time. Have fun camping
Edit: Already been mentioned but worth repeating, try not to take it up long hills. Even grades that might not seem very steep, even a little bit taxes the transmission. Also, just remembered that vehicle will probably have a "mushy" rear end feeling when towing a TT, I have seen people put adjustable air shocks or different springs in the back to remedy if you experience that.
Edit: Already been mentioned but worth repeating, try not to take it up long hills. Even grades that might not seem very steep, even a little bit taxes the transmission. Also, just remembered that vehicle will probably have a "mushy" rear end feeling when towing a TT, I have seen people put adjustable air shocks or different springs in the back to remedy if you experience that.
This post was edited on 11/4/16 at 6:32 pm
Posted on 11/4/16 at 6:26 pm to Butterfingers
Dont get close to 8200lbs. As already mentioned, brake controller is a must. I bought a new travel trailer recently and I tow with a suburban. New TT is 2000 lb heavier than previous one and I towed it one time and recently bought 3/4 ton because the suburban was lagging.
4500 lbs is going to be fine but remember to watch your GVWR of the Tahoe and the GVWR of the trailer. You will be surprised how much all your crap weighs when you start loading the Tahoe and TT.
Enjoy! Such a blast!
4500 lbs is going to be fine but remember to watch your GVWR of the Tahoe and the GVWR of the trailer. You will be surprised how much all your crap weighs when you start loading the Tahoe and TT.
Enjoy! Such a blast!
Posted on 11/4/16 at 6:29 pm to AnActualFan
quote:
Please, whatever you do, invest in a good weight distribution hitch and a brake controller.
Excellent advice. Weight distribution hitch makes a world of difference. Plus your hitch on the Tahoe is rated for 1,000 lbs of tongue weight but ONLY with a weight distribution hitch.
Posted on 11/4/16 at 7:02 pm to rattlebucket
Thanks for all the info. Definitely getting a new hitch and tahoe is wired for trailer brake.
I don't want to get a trailer anywhere near my max weight. I am looking at a forest river, Kz, or jaycie. Any recommendations?
My other concerns about switching to a trailer is accessibility to campgrounds. It seems like there needs to be a lot more planning involved with securing a site.
I don't want to get a trailer anywhere near my max weight. I am looking at a forest river, Kz, or jaycie. Any recommendations?
My other concerns about switching to a trailer is accessibility to campgrounds. It seems like there needs to be a lot more planning involved with securing a site.
Posted on 11/4/16 at 7:05 pm to Butterfingers
A friend of has basically that exact rig. His transmission failed pretty fast. He had it rebuilt and upgraded and it's been fine since.
It's a small price for having fun.
It's a small price for having fun.
Posted on 11/4/16 at 8:04 pm to Butterfingers
Most parks you can secure your site online. If possible, take sunday drives to go scout out the best spots then you have intel when you want to reserve. The website isnt going to tell you jack about whether its a crappy spot without shade or whatever.
We like to find sites that have sewer because most sites dont let you dump grey water on the ground. It'll take several days for the black water to fill up but grey water will fill up quick. At a minimum they should have 30/50 amp elec with water for you. Keep researching. You'll figure it out.
We've been doing it for 3 yrs now and really like it. Its work compared to a condo at the beach or disney but we like the change of scenery with the kids.
We like to find sites that have sewer because most sites dont let you dump grey water on the ground. It'll take several days for the black water to fill up but grey water will fill up quick. At a minimum they should have 30/50 amp elec with water for you. Keep researching. You'll figure it out.
We've been doing it for 3 yrs now and really like it. Its work compared to a condo at the beach or disney but we like the change of scenery with the kids.
Posted on 11/5/16 at 5:59 am to AnActualFan
actual fan has great points. Have your rear springs beefed up- air shocks will not do as well as stiff springs.
Brake controller, distribution hitch and add a sway bar
Brake controller, distribution hitch and add a sway bar
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