The dry weights I noted above are the dry weights taken from the sticker inside each trailer and Im working on the understanding that this is the weight of that particular trailer as it stands including any options. That's what the RV salesmen were saying !!
I agree that you will be over weight and according to the Trail Cruiser brochure Trail Cruisers in the 21 ft range probably have a GVWR between 5 and 6K lbs and you will not have a pleasant towing experience. Until you actually weigh your TV most often people serious under estimate the actual weight when loaded for towing. With a dry wt. in the neighbor of 3K and a dry hitch wt of around 12% the Trailer Cruiser brochure clearly states that these dry wts. "are approximate and based on standard features, optional equipment not included." Thus one battery, two full propane tanks and say an AC will probably add between 100 and 150 lbs hitch wt. and anything you take will most probably increase that hitch wt. to in excess of 500 lbs requirng a WDH.
It would have really helped if you had give the actual model and yr of the Trail Cruiser along with your TV. A 3500 max tow capacity if really small. IIRC even my 1986 Volvo Station Wagon was rated to tow in the neighborhood of 3,000 lbs.
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
The dry weights I noted above are the dry weights taken from the sticker inside each trailer and I'm working on the understanding that this is the weight of that particular trailer as it stands including any options. That's what the RV salesmen were saying !!
When you see a salesman's lips moving, you are hearing what He/She wants you to hear, very seldom the truth. The stickers you saw are generic for that model and are based on the basic weight of the base model with no options or full tanks, unless an item or option is specified as included.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 FMCA #F203528 '05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra LT, CC Z-71, the pusher '07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher - Our Current Location
vcorkett wrote: Thanks for the comments, my tow vehicle is a Mitsubishi Endeavour so its a mid-sized SUV - does that make a difference ?
In this case no.. looking at the Mitsubishi web site in order to obtain the 3500# tow capacity you have to have the factory tow package which includes the transmission cooler and tow hitch. Sometimes you can add a tow package to get more than the basic 3500# which is standard on a lot of vehicles. In your case the tow package is required to even hit that amount.
To add to the earlier comments and other postings.. looking at the Mitsubishi web site I think the limitation of the weight you can pull is due to the Mitsubishi's all wheel drive system for your vehicle. I wouldn't want to pull at the max for your vehicle for any length of time. You're sure to wear your transmission out faster than it needs to be. That particular SUV appears to be designed more for comfort and mild cargo capacity and not towing.
The site I looked at listed the Endeavor as an SUV "crossover," meaning it probably has a car chassis, not a truck. Therefore, Jay is right - you should definitely not exceed your maximum tow capacity, and even towing at max could pose a problem for your tranny. I'd vote for a smaller popup myself here.
Incidentally, we started out 2 years ago towing AT our Explorer's max capacity (5000#, with a trailer that weighs about 4800# loaded for camping). It was NOT fun. And that was in mostly flat country. Decided to trade up to a much more capable TV before we caused any real damage to the Explorer, and have been very glad we did.
Go over to the Fun Finder group on Yahoo. People there tow with Chrysler cars, Saturns, a few Caddys, lots and lots of mini-vans with 3500# ratings, and mini-suv's and trucks. If you have your heart set on a TT and not a PUP don't let people here discourage you, you can find several TT's that you can tow loaded.
how about 5 years ago a sales man sold us a 27ft trail cruiser, said dh could pull it with his ford ranger.called ford they said sure you can pull it. went out on one trip. thought we'd be killed. dh said had to up grade to a 150 truck to be safe. the camper #3400 . a lot of time and money in the past 5 years , if i'd have the good advice from this forum i'd still have my money in the back. check check check and be SAFE
I agree with many of the concerns expressed by posters on this thread. But when I hear statements that begin with the words, "When you see a salesman's lips moving - - - ," the implication being that every salesman is a liar bent on fleecing the customer, I automatically eliminate that post from any serious consideration. That's inflamatory baloney. Am I a salesman? Far from it. Sure there are a few salesmen that fit that profile, but I've encountered a majority of salesmen who are entirely legitimate & are out to benefit the customer as much as himself. Why must we engage in this kind of derogatory smear? This kind of innuendo is not helpful.
2001 Ford Excursion V 10
2003 Jayco Designer 31FKS
Twin Honda Eu2000 gen sets
vcorkett wrote: Thanks for the comments, my tow vehicle is a Mitsubishi Endeavour so its a mid-sized SUV - does that make a difference ?
I own this vehicle. The only thing we pulled with it was a Fleetwood Sun Valley PUP (about 3000+ lb. loaded, which did ok, but then again, it had a low profile). I could feel it behind us, and wouldn't want to pull any more - definitely NOT a TT. Consider adding about 500 lb. for wind drag for a TT in addition to its actual weight, due the height of a TT. Remember, you're dragging a sail down the road when you're towing a TT.
Me ('57)
DH ('55)
3 kids (17, 20, 23)
Chipper (lab, 11) and Duke (boxer, 5)
2007 Dodge 1500 V-8/HEMI; 3.92 axle; WDH with Dual Cam
2007 Keystone Passport Ultralite 285RL
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