Hi all. Just got a 2012 Touareg TDI and the DW and I decided to get back into camping. Last time we camped was about 13 years ago in a pop-up when the kids were younger. We'll now be doing it on our own and looking at 25-27 foot TT's. As I'm researching and reading I see many posts talking about TV wheelbase and how it relates to overall TT length and that concerns me a little. The Touareg wheelbase is 114". I see many longer TT's that are within the TV specs, but I'm concerned about towing those lengths. My question at this point is whether or not the wide track tandem axles really help with handling or is it just hype? Thanks
It will help with the side to side stability of the trailer, but will have very little effect on the tow vehicle, if any. The longer the trailer, the higher the tongue weight. You will need to make sure hitch and the vehicle is rated for it. There is 2 ratings for you tow vehicle, tongue weight and gross weight. You can stay under the gross weight, but exceed the tongue weight. You can expect the tongue weight to be at least 10% of the gross, at up towards 20% depending on how it is loaded. Everyone and everything in the tow vehicle will greatly effect these ratings as well. The shorter wheel base will be an advantage when backing a longer trailer, but the ride will be a bit harsher as you get closer to the max capacity of the vehicle. Best thing to do, start with weighing you tow vehicle with it full of fuel and everything that you would have in it for the trip. Then add the weight of driver and all passengers, pets included. Also, weigh just the rear axle, with everything above. Subtract the total weight of the vehicle from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, GVWR. This is the maximum weight of the loaded trailer you can tow. Now take the maximum weight of the trailer you can tow, multiply it by 15%. This is the amount you can figure for your tongue weight. Add this to the weight of your rear axle. This number must be lower than your Gross Rear Axle Weight Rating, GRAWR
2010 Ram 3500, Crew Cab, Long bed, 4 x 4,Dually, Lights & Siren!
I agree with eHofler on everything in the post. Per your question about Wide track axles, yes and no. They will help keep the rig in a straight line and may help a bit with weight distribution. However, they will hinder turning and will wear out tires faster when cornering. The Wide tracks are also more difficult to work with when leveling the trailer with boards and good luck if you wish to use a between the wheels chalk.
We were just at our annual RV show. When looking at TTs, the wide track axles were a negative feature for me.
mrgeezer2u wrote: Hi all. Just got a 2012 Touareg TDI and the DW and I decided to get back into camping. Last time we camped was about 13 years ago in a pop-up when the kids were younger. We'll now be doing it on our own and looking at 25-27 foot TT's. As I'm researching and reading I see many posts talking about TV wheelbase and how it relates to overall TT length and that concerns me a little. The Touareg wheelbase is 114". I see many longer TT's that are within the TV specs, but I'm concerned about towing those lengths. My question at this point is whether or not the wide track tandem axles really help with handling or is it just hype? Thanks
You can expect your TT to drive the TV with that length. You might want to go back to a pop-up.
MM49
Thanks eHofler. I'm aware of all those limits and I agree...tongue weight is going to be the limiting factor. The Touareg is 616lbs or 770lbs, depending on who you believe. GVW and tow limit (7700lbs) will not be issues. I've found a few TT's that are around 5,200 lbs dry and have very low hitch weights empty, some under 500lbs. . I figure by the time we add propane and stuff in the front storage, I can bring that up to around 600lbs TW. Don't think we will be bringing too much as only 2 of us and will only be using full hookups so no water needed, so thinking 600lbs of stuff will be about it. That should get me to about 11% tongue weight. But what do i know...I'm just guessing at this point. Just don't want to buy the wrong trailer.
* This post was
edited 02/26/12 08:31am by mrgeezer2u *
I think your Tourag will do a good job. Just need to get the right trailer. Power is rarely the issue with most SUVs. It's wheelbase and payload.
Before I got the Expedition, I towed with a V8 Grand Cherokee. 106" wheelbase.
I towed a 26' 4200lb trailer for two years. It was fine. A really good WD Hitch would have been better for me.
I would recommend nothing over "26" in the model number and go ultra light. Get an Equal-i-zer or Reese Strait Line hitch minimum.
How heavy? Take your towing capacity x 80% then subtract 1000 lbs. That number would be the max dry weight to shop.
As for the wide track axles? I don't know if they make a difference because there are so many variables. My passport tows very well at 33'. I never towed it with "narrow axles".
I don't have tire wear issues. You sure can see how the tires get worked over when turning sharp but I haven't lost one cheapo factory tire to date.
bicyclemark wrote: I agree with eHofler on everything in the post. Per your question about Wide track axles, yes and no. They will help keep the rig in a straight line and may help a bit with weight distribution. However, they will hinder turning and will wear out tires faster when cornering. The Wide tracks are also more difficult to work with when leveling the trailer with boards and good luck if you wish to use a between the wheels chalk.
We were just at our annual RV show. When looking at TTs, the wide track axles were a negative feature for me.
Just my 2 cents
Thanks. Never thought of that. Guess I'll have to decide which is more important to me.
eric james wrote: I think your Tourag will do a good job. Just need to get the right trailer. Power is rarely the issue with most SUVs. It's wheelbase and payload.
Before I got the Expedition, I towed with a V8 Grand Cherokee. 106" wheelbase.
I towed a 26' 4200lb trailer for two years. It was fine. A really good WD Hitch would have been better for me.
I would recommend nothing over "26" in the model number and go ultra light. Get an Equal-i-zer or Reese Strait Line hitch minimum.
How heavy? Take your towing capacity x 80% then subtract 1000 lbs. That number would be the max dry weight to shop.
Thanks. You have confirmed much of what I've read. Only problem is that we like the rear living trailers and many with 27 in the model number. I know that's pushing it which is why I'm asking about the wide axles. Trying to stay around 5,200 lbs dry. Either way, we will use a good WD and sway control hitch.
eric james wrote: I think your Tourag will do a good job. Just need to get the right trailer. Power is rarely the issue with most SUVs. It's wheelbase and payload.
Before I got the Expedition, I towed with a V8 Grand Cherokee. 106" wheelbase.
I towed a 26' 4200lb trailer for two years. It was fine. A really good WD Hitch would have been better for me.
I would recommend nothing over "26" in the model number and go ultra light. Get an Equal-i-zer or Reese Strait Line hitch minimum.
How heavy? Take your towing capacity x 80% then subtract 1000 lbs. That number would be the max dry weight to shop.
Thanks. You have confirmed much of what I've read. Only problem is that we like the rear living trailers and many with 27 in the model number. I know that's pushing it which is why I'm asking about the wide axles. Trying to stay around 5,200 lbs dry. Either way, we will use a good WD and sway control hitch.
I don't think 26-27 should be a deal breaker. Your VW's wheelbase is 5" shorter than my Expedition. I towed that pictured trailer with the Expedition effortlessly. Now the Passport is the max I can handle.
mrgeezer2u wrote: Thanks eHofler. I'm aware of all those limits and I agree...tongue weight is going to be the limiting factor. The Touareg is 616lbs or 770lbs, depending on who you believe. GVW and tow limit (7700lbs) will not be issues. I've found a few TT's that are around 5,200 lbs dry and have very low hitch weights empty, some under 500lbs. . I figure by the time we add propane and stuff in the front storage, I can bring that up to around 600lbs TW. Don't think we will be bringing too much as only 2 of us and will only be using full hookups so no water needed, so thinking 600lbs of stuff will be about it. That should get me to about 11% tongue weight. But what do i know...I'm just guessing at this point. Just don't want to buy the wrong trailer.
Sorry I missed this post.
7700 x 80% = 6100 lbs max loaded trailer
6100 x 13% = 790 lbs tonge weight at max
Looks like you need to find something pretty light weight.
My big Passport is 5800-6000 lbs loaded. It's possible.
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