Okay so enough pondering, I will just ask the experts. We are currently in a pop up and are looking to make the leap up to..? We found the TT that is for us...I hope. Let me give you the stats on the TV and the TT and see what you have to say.
TV=2003 Trailblazer V8 3.73
GVWR=6400
GCVWR=12500
Wheelbase=129
Tow Capacity=7000
UVW=5150
Now for the TT
Rockwood 2501ss
UVW=4700
GVWR=6300
TW=450...not sure on this one
Length=27
I will be getting the henseley arrow which helps with the extra two feet over the recomended 25 ft with the 129 wheelbase.
My Dad towed with this vehicle a good bit over 7000...way too much but said that it was never a lack of power but control(that's why he got the hensely..cleared that right up) Anyway I like to worry and have been going back and forth in my head with this. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.
IMHO, that's too much trailer for your tow vehicle. Others may disagree, but if you subtract your loaded TV weight from your tow capacity you will be right at the margin. I also believe that's too long a trailer for a short wheel base SUV.
Husband: Derek
Dog: Bucky
RV: 2000 Aerolite 19RB TT
TV: 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 6 cyl. 4WD
This car used to be our toad, now is our TV!
We have the same truck, only with the 3.42 rear end. We started out towing a 22' Hybrid TT, we currently tow a 25' TT, which is approx 4700lbs. loaded. While it does a good job for what we currently tow, I am not sure I would feel comfortable towing anything longer or much heavier with it.
Just My .02
Chuck Roder & Family
'07 Surveyor SV-235RS
'03 Chevy TrailBlazer EXT LT V8 High Springs, FL.
After towing a 27' 6000lb TT with a 119" WB Expedition. I don't consider 129"WB short. And The Expe did great with the 27' TT. No sway at all.
Also don't know where you got the WB to length "recomendation". But in truth. there isn't a reliable formula. Most don't take into account the most important measurement. Which is the rear over hang. Short rear overhang makes towing much better.
And with the Henseley. you may not know the TT is even there.
IMOP I think it's too much weight and a little too long.I'm pulling 4350lbs with pretty much the same rig except for the rear gear(3.42 vs 3.73).I couldn't imagine adding another ton of weight and 6 feet of box.No matter what YOU decide on,get an aux. tranny cooler and stay out of overdrive when towing.Good luck.
TerryAllan wrote: you may not know the TT is even there.
OH PULEEEEEZ!!!!!!!! - don't use that term... If you don't know a #6000 TT is behind you I submit you shouldn't be pulling anything!!!
The length/wheelbase guideline has been around for many many years and it has some validity... A long overhang will surely provide more leverage and possibility instability, but don't think just because you have a very short overhang that all other guidelines and tried and proven towing methodologies can be thrown by the wayside...
ALL these things enter into the equation for a safe and stable setup and all need to be considered... Yes the Hensley will stabilize the setup but it's not a cure all for an improperly setup hitch or trailer with improper tongue weight...
Run the numbers for your Trailblazer - GVWR and GCWR and see where they fall... If you are close or even over the GVWR or GCWR for your combination, you should probably look at other options...
I have never been a fan of towing with SUV's except perhaps for the 2500 Suburban or Excursion but it can be done safely if you follow the guidelines established over the years...
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
Banks Power Pack w/Trans Command & OttoMind
2006 Nomad 3150 Double Slide (Bunkhouse)
Hensley Arrow
Jordan Ultima 2020
TerryAllan wrote: you may not know the TT is even there.
OH PULEEEEEZ!!!!!!!! - don't use that term... If you don't know a #6000 TT is behind you I submit you shouldn't be pulling anything!!!
The length/wheelbase guideline has been around for many many years and it has some validity... A long overhang will surely provide more leverage and possibility instability, but don't think just because you have a very short overhang that all other guidelines and tried and proven towing methodologies can be thrown by the wayside...
ALL these things enter into the equation for a safe and stable setup and all need to be considered... Yes the Hensley will stabilize the setup but it's not a cure all for an improperly setup hitch or trailer with improper tongue weight...
Run the numbers for your Trailblazer - GVWR and GCWR and see where they fall... If you are close or even over the GVWR or GCWR for your combination, you should probably look at other options...
I have never been a fan of towing with SUV's except perhaps for the 2500 Suburban or Excursion but it can be done safely if you follow the guidelines established over the years...
Les
Yep, that was a stretch, as far as power goes especially. But I stand by the fact that there are no reliable WB to length formula. According to the formula. Our Expe, could only tow a 22' TT. That is a joke. All that has been taken into account by the manufacturer, and if it is inside your weight limits. You can usually tow it.
Next time you see a 70' mobile home going down the road. Look at the short WB truck towing it. It's not on a 5th wheel, but tag along. But has almost no rear over hang. Also notice. Ford, and Chevy, Have started putting the rear axle closer to the rear bumper. could it be they figured it out? Im thinkn yeah.
GVWR=6400
GCVWR=12500
Tow Capacity=7000
Wheelbase=129
Tow Capacity=7000
UVW=5150
Now for the TT
UVW=4700
GVWR=6300
Here's your key. GCVW is the max that both the TT and TV can weigh. If you subtract 6400 (TV GVW) from 12,500 (GCVW) you get 6,100. A better idea of what you should actually be towing. In this case the Towing Capacity listed is 350 lbs of people and stuff in the Explorer which you would know if that would be possible.
My guess would be that's a bit long. But only because I hear a lot of stories about Trail Blazers being the dog wagged by the tail on here.
I think my trailblazer is setup similarly, 2004 though.
It's also the EXT (extended WB) version.
My TT has GVWR of 4840 and is 26 foot.
As setup, our Trailblazer probably could pull more ... but I personally wouldn't go any heavier or more importantly, longer.
Thanks guys for the info. I knew I would be right there with the weight. One other guestion in regard to the TW. So when you take your TW....let's say 700lbs I know they say to add that to the TV but when using a WDH do you add only...I don't know 50% to the TV since the principle of the WDH is spreading the weight forward and backward? If that is the case, technically you should be subtracting 350lbs from the TT since the UVW normally has the TW included.
Am I thinking about that right? You wouldn't want to double count the TW and it doesn't seem right to add the whole amount to the TV since it is being...well distributed.
With this set up my main concern was the GVWR. That's the one that seems to be biting me. The length although over should be held in check with the hensely. That thing is amazing...at the handeling part anyway. I had first hand experience with my Dads setup without and then with....man what a difference. Anywho, if I didn't have to add the full TW to the Trailblazer that could buy me some precious lbs.
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