woodlander
Texas
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We are about to upgrade our travel trailer. We currently are pulling a 27 foot ultralight (4300 lbs) and it pulls fine with a low end weight distribution bar and friction sway bar. We are about to purchase a 33 foot model tomorrow but have some concern about the length. The trailer has a uvw of 5890lb. I found a Hensley arrow hitch and plan to install it on the new trailer. The Tahoe has a 116 inch wheel base.
What do you think? Am I pushing the limits of our tow vehicle?
Thanks for your help.
* This post was
edited 05/12/08 08:06pm by woodlander *
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NHguy
NH
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If that 5900 is TT GVWR you'll do fine with a Hensley.
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CampinHappy
Early, Texas (Central Texas)
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yes....I took an outback 24bhs out for a test "tow" with my 1/2 ton suburban (6,000 empty weight) and was shocked that I had a hard time getting up to cruising speed (65). I towed the trailer for about 10 miles on the interstate and decided that "yes I could pull this", but I want something that won't hold me back when I need to go up in the mountains etc... so I went back to a lighter 4100 empty weight, so I can stuff about 1,000 lbs of "stuff" and still manage to "yank" it down the highway.
So I think you're asking too much of the tahoe, unless you plan short trips on level ground with the wind at your back both ways down hill. Wait...down hill on level ground ;( I'll have to think about that!
Good luck! See if the dealer will let you take a test tow BEFORE you buy the trailer! Mine did!
I noticed someone posted right before me and believes you'll be fine. All I say is take a look at his signature and all of the stuff he's added to his TV. My suburban is stock with a tow package and I did get a WD hitch and sway bar, but other than that...just a regular unmodified burb.
CampinHappy
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downtheroad
Tumbling Waters, Washington
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Woodlander, Welcome to the Forum.
You certainly will not win any races and you will struggle in the hills. Your trailer will probably weigh around 7000+ fully loaded before you leave the driveway. No doubt the Hensley will help with sway and control...good choice there.
My concern would be the payload of your Tahoe and tongue weight. You are looking at somewhere around 1000 lbs of tongue weight plus the weight of the heavy Hensley.
How many people are you carrying in the Tahoe? Pack as light as possible and give it a try. Consider upgrading to LT tires if your Tahoe is running P's.
You certainly have picked a very nice trailer. Have fun.
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d schmincke
Manchester md
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 i have a 33 ft it dont sway with a 1/2 ton
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gillguy
Valdosta, GA
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It'll pull it but I'd have to say it's a little to long for the wheelbase of the TV. The Hensley will help, but your TV will get upgraded before to long.
Mine did.
Bobby (USAF Retired)
2007 Chevy 2500 LBZ Duramax C/C, S/B 4X4
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Kenneth
Washington, the state
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No hitch or other device makes the forces that cause sway to go away. You will find that when a gust of wind hits the side of that big trailer, instead of a pivoting sway, you'll be moved straight sideways due to the Hensley hitch. This is far better than the pivoting sway, but you have to deal with these forces. The side windage area of a trailer that big is very significant.
Yes, get the Hensley. Yes, start saving for a tow vehicle with a longer wheelbase and more weight.
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mgb74gt
Lake Jackson, Texas
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We have pulled the combination below over 20,000 miles in the last 15 months. I pulled 10 passes in one day across Nevada and Colorado without a problem. Loaded I come in just over 7500#.
gig'em Aggies
Chuck and Jan
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kile44p
Aiken, South Carolina
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I towed several times my 2008 Sunset Creek 297 (6620 dry)with our 05 Tahoe. It wasn't the horsepower that made me upgrade my TV... it was the short wheelbase. It was setup properly by the dealer and towed great with a Husky weight dist. hitch and dual sway bars at 55-65mph. But every now and then I could feel the Tahoe twitch a little, especially going down steep hills. Nothing scary though. Short trips, you should be fine with the proper setup. But in the long run, you will see the benefit of a longer wheelbase - safety.
Two Happy Campers
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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You will get a lot of fairly new Rvers towing rigs that size with short wheelbase SUV's...personally I would not. Been there and done that and towing is a lot more pleasant with the proper size tow vehicel. There is a lot more to towing than the weight and the horsepower to pull it. When you hook up a big flat sided box, it will try to overload and control the tow vehicel...it tail wag the dog.
You will notice staments like "I towed several times ", you need to listen to the folks that have been towing fro many thousands of miles and many years.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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