Hoosier RVer
Indiana
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Joined: 09/17/2005
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My wife and I are just starting our search on what kind of Travel Trailers we could pull with our Trailblazer, it is a 4wd with a 6 liter engine, our owners manuel says we could pull up to 5600 lbs. Max. Trailer Wt.
We were wondering if there are anyone on this site that are pulling a TT with our type of tow vehicle and could tell us what type you are pulling and what recommendations you would have for us.
Thanks for any and all of your help.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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If the Trail Blazer still has the 4L60 transmission make sure you never tow in a gear higher than third. 4th (OD) and towing do not mix I learned with my 2002 Blazer.
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RV Lifer 1952
Victoria, BC
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Joined: 03/24/2008
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I drive a 2003 GMC Envoy XL. Mine is the 6 cylinder and I pull a 2006 Zeppelin 25ft. My tow limit is 5400 lbs and my trailer loaded is 4600-4800 lbs. Always tow in 3rd gear. I have the Equa-l-izer 4 point sway control (it's great).
Good luck
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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Full size pickups have wheel bases from 156" to 172". Your TrailBlazer has a 113" wb. Aside from the weight of the TT matching up to the ratings of the TrailBlazer, just as important are the length of the trailer and the frontal area of the trailer. Honda RidgeLine for example often gives separate weights for allowable trailer towing, with less weight being allowed with a TT, and more with a boat...as a boat is more aerodynamic compared to a blunt, flat front end of a TT. And if the length of the trailer is too long, the handling of your short wheelbased TrailBlazer may be affected in a negative way!
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Rathrbflyn
Kokomo, Indiana, USA
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Joined: 04/15/2004
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Using the "rule of thumb" of 20 feet for 110 inches of wheelbase and an additional foot for every 4 additional inches, you can compute close to what length TT you can tow. You probably shouldn't exceed a gross weight of 5600 lbs and/or a dry weight of 4000 lbs.
A good place to start looking is in the "Beginning RVing Forum" and going to FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions). There is a wealth of information there. We tried (due to some bad salesman's advice) to tow our 28 foot TT with a short wheelbase Envoy and it was very scary. We traded up to the longer wheelbase Envoy XUV and it made a world of difference plus the V8 engine towed it easier.
2004 GMC Envoy XUV 5.3L V8
2002 Sunline Solaris T-2753
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Crazy_2
New Maryland New Brunswick
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Joined: 08/19/2004
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We tow with the set up in our signature,
I will admit it's not by any means a great set up.
But it's working for now.
We don't set any speed records, I stay below 55/60MPH.
MPG is around 10 out of over drive.
I got the biggest Transmission cooler I could jam in.
Reece Dual cam WDH and a Prodigy EBC.
It does work but, Next year I see a small truck like the frontier will be in order.
03 Nissan Xterra
Travel Star Sport XLT 24 FQB by Starcraft 3570 LBS Dry
Prodogy EBC, Reece Dual Cam WDH
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spepi
Mansfield MA
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Joined: 01/11/2006
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I used to tow a 32' Rockwood 2701SS with the Reese Dual Cam, and it was not fun...of course my TT was too long to begin with, but I had no choice. I used to tow a Rockwood 23RS prior to that and it did great...
DW, 2 Teen's, 2 Dogs
05 Chevy Trailblazer (I know...its small)
3.42 Gears
Prodigy Brake Control
Reese 800lb Weight Dist Bars
Dual Cam Sway Contol
2008 Rockwood 2701ss
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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Take a look at TrailManor the largest of which weighs about 3500 lbs. www.trailmanor.com
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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pamvanw
southeastern pa
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Joined: 03/17/2005
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We towed a 17' 3500 lb. Sunline QUE with our TrailBlazer and were not happy with it. It towed, but it struggled, and our mileage was 9 to 11 mpg highway depending on terrain and wind. We were constantly stopping for fuel. IF you are only making short local trips then it would be OK. Otherwise, I agree with Dick B that you should take a look at a TrailManor, Hi-Lo, or a PUP. Our 2000 lb. PUP towed great with our TrailBlazer.
Pam
2006 Sunline 2753
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 D/A
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Campfire Time
Wisconsin
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Joined: 07/20/2007
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6.0L engine? You have an SS? Get an aux transmission cooler. Keep it cool. The only real issues with the 4L60Es are when they get too hot for too long. BTW, the SS does not use the same version of the 4L60E transmission that the other TBs use. A useful web site for Trailblazers is http://www.trailvoy.com/.
My mom and her husband tow a 24ft TT with a short Trailblazer. He has a lot of sway issues. Granted I think he's not set up right, but I don't feel towing more than a 21/22 ft TT with one is optimal. Unfortunatly they don't make the EXTs anymore.
Our TB tows our 17ft HTT most excellently. We've towed through the mountains in Montana and Wyoming a couple of times and I'm really pleased with the performance. If a TB struggles to tow a 17ft TT, there is something wrong with it. Ours is an I6 with 3:42 gears. And yes, when you tow a box, mileage will suck. Still, we can get as good a 13 on flat roads with minimal wind.
Chuck D.
'03 Jayco Kiwi 17a, '03 Chevy Trailblazer EXT, Garmin Nuvi 200 GPS
Photography is my obsession: http://coldwater.smugmug.com/
“Adventure is just bad planning.” - Roald Amundsen
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