Properly Matching a Tow Vehicle and Trailer

Mark,

I found your RVeducation101 website and read the short chapter about Properly Matching a Tow Vehicle and Trailer.
http://www.rvuniversity.com/staticpages/index.php/Matching_Tow_Trailer_101

But I have some questions I hope you can direct me to (get them) answered rather quickly.

We got the RV bug this past weekend and have already put a contract on a travel trailer (supposed to finalize the papers in less than a week) that we now fear cannot be safely pulled by our car, a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder automatic transmission with a 3.5 liter V-6, 240 hp engine. It states that it has "5000 lb towing capacity", and we thought we were being conservative by staying at around 4000 lb. (First instinct was to keep it under 3000 lbs.) However, our salesman assured us that the Dutchmen Kodiak series of ultra-light trailers were made just for the SUV market, and that we should be just fine with towing this 24ft, 4100 lb (dry weight per the sticker inside) trailer. The Pathfinder owner's manual states a GCWR rating of 9500, and the sticker in the SUV states the GVWR for the vehicle is 5050.

We just added a transmission cooler to the SUV and have ordered a weight-distribution hitch and sway bars for the trailer, but we are still unsure.
The panic we feel at the moment is also being fueled by well-meaning friends who have told us that we need a larger vehicle to tow this trailer, despite what the sales people have assured us. We are NOT planning on towing water, since the site we would be going to has water hookups.

At this point we are planning to weigh the vehicle at our earliest opportunity to start the estimates of how much towing we can actually handle with the vehicle, but wonder if there is anything else we can do to put aside these fears? If our estimates tell us that the vehicle indeed cannot handle the weight of the trailer when loaded and carrying passengers (just us and two dogs), what recourse do you think we can take for not fulfilling the purchase contract? Or is this another "buyer beware" situation?

Any advice you can give us is MUCH appreciated!!!

Jane Adams
---------------------------------------------------- Jane,

Unfortunately scenarios like this happen everyday. A couple of things you will need to look at are how and where you plan to use the travel trailer. Most tow ratings for vehicles take into consideration the weight of the driver but not any passengers or cargo. If we are conservative with an estimate let's say that with one passenger, two dogs and limited cargo you add 200 pounds to the tow vehicle. This in affect takes 200 pounds from the tow rating putting it at 4,800 pounds. Now consider the trailer. By the time you add cargo, personal belongings, food, aftermarket add on equipment etc., being conservative again, lets say (200 lbs) the dry weight increases to 4,300 pounds. This leaves 500 pounds before you exceed the maximum tow capacity of the vehicle. You would need to weigh both the fully loaded vehicle and fully loaded trailer to get an accurate Gross Combined Weight Rating.

Could it tow the trailer? Possibly, but this is what I refer to as a borderline situation. Any increase in weight to the trailer, or tow vehicle above what is in our example would put you even closer to the limit. Depending on how and where you plan to tow the trailer is crucial too.

In a perfect world the ideal situation would be that the tow vehicle has a tow rating capable of towing the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the trailer. So, if the trailer was ever fully loaded to the max the tow vehicle could still tow it. This is seldom the case though.

Keep in mind too, that it is absolutely essential that you use the proper hitch work, to include: a weight distribution hitch, sway control and electronic brake control. (Electric brakes – Trailer brakes are electric and are activated when the tow vehicle brakes are applied by means of a brake controller installed in the tow vehicle.)

If you should decide to look at lighter or smaller trailers you should not be bound by the paperwork unless you actually signed a contract. Call your salesperson and voice your concerns and it's possible they can help locate a trailer more suitable to the tow vehicle and still meet your needs.

My e-book or DVD on towing, weights hitchwork and backing would also be able to offer more information.
http://rveducation101.com/detailedinformation.asp?ID=1431

Mark Polk
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Mark,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

We weighed our vehicle with the two of us on the scale and we weighed 4420 lbs, leaving us 5080 to be able to tow, included the items loaded. The trailer sticker (so it includes options) was 4100 lbs, leaving us 900 and change, and we are not carrying water. We have ordered a weight-distribution hitch, the trailer has electric brakes and a double axle (important according to Nissan manual), and the hitch is being installed by the dealer. Since this is for weekend camping, primarily local areas within "easy" driving distances from Houston, TX (so the terrain will be pretty flat to a few moderate hills at best), would it still be a borderline scenario? My husband called the sales manager (not the salesman), and he was very adamant that these trailers are designed to be towed by this size vehicle, and that they wouldn't risk law suits by selling trailers that weren't safe to tow.

Thanks again for all your help, and for the e-books!

Jane and Rick Adams



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Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk owner of RV Education 101


RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books.http://www.rveducation101.com/

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