We just purchased a Palimino S238 Hybrid. I was pulling a Forest River PoP Up previously with no problems. I have installed weight distribution bars and will probably install a sway bar. My question is this, the trailer is 4,250lbs dry, the sportrac says it can tow 5,300lbs. I have a trans. cooler, and 410 gear. Any suggestions you can give me?? I have never towed anything this big or heavy.
Thanks,
Jim & Cindy
Jim & Cindy
2012 Palimino S-238
2007 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab W/Tow Package
4 Grandchildren
1 Morkie / dog
Welcome to the Forum.
By the time you load up the trailer (after adding propane and a battery as well) there's a good chance you will be 5000#plus.
What is the GVWR of the trailer? Using empty or "dry" weights is very misleading as that is not how you will travel.
Can your truck handle a 600-750# tongue weight?
I'd say Anti-sway is a must!
The max tow rating assumes a 150# driver in the truck ONLY, anything more will reduce your tow rating.
So, add occupants and stuff to the truck (including the WD/Anti-sway) and you will be over max tow, but probably not by much.
Just take it easy, especially on the hilly bits. You will probably not be satisfied with the performance.
Keith J.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver.
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC/SB/DA 2WD, LBZ air cleaner, 52 gal Titan tank, Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax cover, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors, TST TPMS.
Dry means dry.........and once you add all the cargo and passengers, you probably will exceed the limit your TV can tow.
What size engine do you have. I'm pulling my Palomino Stampede S238 with a Ram 5.7 engine.
I have a V6 engine, I plan on towing 200 miles max on pretty flat ground here in Indiana. My plan is to get a 1/2 ton crew cab truck next spring so we can take the grandkids and venture out of state where we would run into hilly territory. I'm thinking even with the weight distribution bars of adding heavy duty shocks in the rear. I'm assuming that I should take the truck out of overdrive when towing?
Thanks for everyones advice, we sure do appreciate it very much!!
IF that 4250 lbs, is the yellow sticker dry weight. I'm thinkin you will be close, but OK. However, IF it is the brochure dry weight, You should add 300lbs to it. Making it 4550LBs. That is in the ballpark of what propane, battery, awning, and AC will add. Will puit you right at or slightly over.
BTW. You do know that shocks don't hold up ther rear end? The WDH will take care of any sag.
i think that you'll be fine on flat ground, as long as you have a good WDH with sway control and a good brake controller.
but you'll burn it up towing through mountains, with a v-6.
the only v-6 really capable of mountain towing, is the new Ecoboost engine, in the F-150.
Dan- Firefighter, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
That is the yellow sticker, do you have one sway bar or should I have one on each side? Also, can you back up with sway bars on? I was hoping the shocks would help reduce some of the bounce on bad highways. I know we need to get a better TV, I just want to be able to tow locally short trips safely this summer.
Jimbo1954 wrote: That is the yellow sticker, do you have one sway bar or should I have one on each side? Also, can you back up with sway bars on? I was hoping the shocks would help reduce some of the bounce on bad highways. I know we need to get a better TV, I just want to be able to tow locally short trips safely this summer.
Thanks again everyone,
Jim & Cindy
One sway bar should do it. As for backing up. "Most" Sway bar manufacturer's suggest you remove it when backing, as you could possibly jack the trailer too far, and damage it.
Take it easy, set the hitch up right, get a good brake controler, and you should be Ok on the flats.
I have your same truck and have towed a 21' hybrid that weighs maybe 3500 lbs loaded. Trail Sport 21RBH, the lightest I could find. We have towed this for 3 yrs. We make out fine but the motor is the limiting factor. I'd be scared of any more weight but have never tried more either. We use an Equalizer hitch and Prodigy brake control and recommend them. Do not attempt to use overdrive. Don't be afraid to let the motor rev. Any sort of hill we climb in the 4200 - 4500 rpm range. Inflating the rear tires of the truck to 50 psi (check sidewall for max for your tires) did wonders for our stability.
I have your same truck and have towed a 21' hybrid that weighs maybe 3500 lbs loaded. Trail Sport 21RBH, the lightest I could find. We have towed this for 3 yrs. We make out fine but the motor is the limiting factor. I'd be scared of any more weight but have never tried more either. We use an Equalizer hitch and Prodigy brake control and recommend them. Do not attempt to use overdrive. Don't be afraid to let the motor rev. Any sort of hill we climb in the 4200 - 4500 rpm range. Inflating the rear tires of the truck to 50 psi (check sidewall for max for your tires) did wonders for our stability.
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, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever
, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
