william_bufford_III
Chicago
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Joined: 06/22/2012
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I am new to the forum. I have a question about my towing vehicle and the travel trailer.
I own a 1998 Chrysler T&C van. I believe it has the larger V6 engine. My wife was gifted a 32' Palomino travel traler.
I went to the local U-Haul dealer and had them install a 'hide a hitch'. My wife & 2 children are going to take a trip through the smokey mountains for the 4th of July wknd.
I took a test drive today with the van & trailer. There is substantial 'sagging' at the hitch area. The van is difficult to steer as well.
I tried redistributing some of the pots and pans and the large panel TV,, to the rear of the trailer. That might have helped a little.
At this point in time other then shave every extra lb we can, is there anyting I can do?
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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I'm glad you joined the forums before you let your wife and two kids takeoff and kill themselves. "There is substantial 'sagging' at the hitch area. The van is difficult to steer as well" and you think moving some stuff around is going to solve this overloading problem?
This is more trailer than I'd want behind a 1/2 Ton PU. You need a bigger tow vehicle or a smaller trailer... like 20', not 32'. There is not a 32' TT built that weighs less than 6,000 lbs which is double what your van can safely tow. Sell the trailer or get a 3/4 T truck.
Found this info: 32RKDS Travel Trailer by Palomino ... Hitch Weight, 1086lbs. Axle Weight, 7107lbs and that's before you put your stuff in it or any water. Glad you made it back from your test drive.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
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usmc616
Orange County, New York
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What is the towing capacity of your TV?? Once you know that you then need to get your TT weighed.
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william_bufford_III
Chicago
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Looks like the van has:
Towing Capacity:
350 Pound Tongue Weight
3500 Pound Towing
Where can I get my trailer weighed?
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JoeyIVI
Aston, PA
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Joined: 11/02/2011
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William I think a tow setup like this is a death trap the members on this forum will be more then happy to help you decide on a tow vehicle that will pull that trailer safely but we need more info what year and model is the palomino??
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Road Phantom
pa
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Very scary. Your way underpower for that trailer. I doubt very much if that baby six cylinder can tow anything more than a pop up. I wouldn't tow that trailer with anything less than a 3/4 pu with a V8 or deisel engine.
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william_bufford_III
Chicago
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I believe the trailer is a 2006 Palomino Puma with 2 slideouts.
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Even under the best conditions, your van has no more than a 3500# towing capacity; and that's with a factory tow package.
A 32' Palomino TT is WAY too much trailer for that van.
As mentioned, get your wife a good 1/2T pickup or at least a vehicle that can handle that size TT. i.e. Newer Sequoia or Expedition.
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bcarroll
Utah
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Your trailer is too big for the T&C...I would not even attempt to tow what that TV.
You will either need to get a bigger TV or a smaller trailer.
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Skog
Copperas Cove, TX
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Probably the Puma M-31DS at 6980 pounds.
Quite a bit more trailer than the T&C can handle.
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