Not so fast, you need more info to know if its definately too much trailer. A few more figures are needed.
Unloaded weight of trailer
unloaded weight of truck
max loaded weight of truck and trailer (GCVWR)
weight of cargo in truck (including passengers but not first 150lbs of driver)
weight of cargo in trailer
Max weight of truck (GVWR):
Max weight of trailer (GVWR): 5600
Max truck tow rating: 5500
truck max tongue weight:
trailer unloaded tongue weight:
trailer loaded to 100lbs below GVWR tongue weight
length of trailer:
wheel base of tow vehicle:
all these factor into whether or not its too much trailer for your purposes.
Just never exceed, tongue weight (but between 10% and 15% of trailer loaded weight should be on tongue), GVWR (truck, gear in truck, and people),GVWR (trailer and gear in trailer), GCVWR (truck,trailer, gear in both, and people). IF these numbers aren't exceeded you MAY be perfectly safe in towing within reasonable distances, grades, etc.
Also invest in a good (prodigy or techonsha P3) Electronic Brake Controller. Should also use a weight distributing hitch system.
Just post your #'s and let more people have a chance to see the post before rash decisions are made.
You could always upgrade the tow vehicle at a later date if you don't like it once you run it.
you still haven't mentioned what truck you have...
what ever it is load it the way you would want it for camping and go to the scales... make sure not to exceed the axle and hitch weights loaded... pay attention to actual weights and forget weight ratings, ideally though you want your actual weight to be 10 to 20% under max. ratings...
if the drive is a little heavy and the trailer axles a little under shift some cargo from the truck to the camper or leave a few things home...
make sure the tires on the truck are capable of the load and aired to the max psi on the side of the tire (all tires)... if the truck tires are old or you need tires, now is the time to upgrade them to the next LR higher...
if you get your axles and hitch right have good sway control, go camping...
remember you are not in a race, allow plenty of time for traveling, don't use OD or try to keep up with traffic on the hills... more important don't go down hills to fast either, and allow plenty of stopping distance...
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
I don't know how it is where you live, but in my neck of the woods, I have 3 business days to return the trailer and cancel the contract.
That could be an option. Then you could get the proper size trailer for your truck.
OR you can always buy a new truck!
2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab w/6.7 Cummins
2008 Palamino Sabre 31RKTS
Reese 15K Pro Series manual slide
Prodigy
Firestone Air Bags
Travel in peace...leave the M-I-L at home.
There is no reason you can`t tow that TT with a TV that has a 5500lb towing capacity. as you said the GVWR of the TT is 5600lbs. some people have quoted the dry weight at 3500lbs. the TT will likely be at approx. 4500lbs ready to travel.
You`ll be fine. it won`t tow it at 70 mph up a mountain, but you`ll still be safe and probably, depending on what type of truck you have, within manuf. specs.
Wife kim
Son brandon 7yrs
Daughter marissa 6yrs
Dog shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller,
Air lift air bags.
Better to have a bad day of
camping than a good day at work!
Dont feel bad I did the same thing . I bought a 29d Jayfeather thinking my Dodge Dakota could tow it because it had the tow package. I thought it had the 3.9 gears instead of the 3.55, Now I know it had the 3.55 . I went out and got a ram 1500. The Dakota might have towed it but it would have been over the limits and it wouldnt have been fun.
I towed a 26ft 7,300# loaded TT with a 2WD shortbody Astro, with only a few modifications a 140,000 miles about half of them hooked up... never had any problem at all...
Offline
Online
