JoeyIVI
Aston, PA
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Joined: 11/02/2011
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William I see one trailer that meets the description that you have given and that is a m31ds it has a dry weight of 6980 that would be what the trailer weighs empty with no water propane, a/c, awning, or any of the other stuff you may put inside the trailer. If your wife was gifted this trailer how about trading it in and getting something smaller that you could safely tow?
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ch-ta
MN
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Joined: 06/11/2012
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The trailer has to be over 6500lbs empty. I wouldn't even think about towing it with the van. Love to see a picture of the combination!
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD CC 4WD LTZ
2013 Keystone Sprinter 266RBS
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william_bufford_III
Chicago
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Joined: 06/22/2012
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OK, I will drive down to my local RV dealer tomorrow and get a replacement / tradein
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FoCoNoCo
Fort Collins, Colorado
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Joined: 04/24/2011
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Check the weight rating label on the front left lower corner of your trailer. You will need to know the GVWR of the trailer to make any educated assumptions about the tow vehicle. A minivan certainly will not tow that trailer. There may be a few options in the 1/2 ton range, but they would be HD models, such as the Silverado/Sierra HD twins or possibly an F150 Ecobost with maw towing and max payload package. Another possibility would be to trade in the trailer (assuming you have a title) and invest in a pop-up or small hybrid (that may even be pushing it) to tow behind the van, or trade in the trailer and van, and find something more suitable. There are some hybrid trailers that are towable behind a mid-size truck, which may also be an option. I also would not tow that trailer with a minivan. Don't believe the F250 to tow a Zodiac inflatable boat reasoning, but you do need to know the max weight of the trailer you will be towing, figure out the tongue weight, and find a vehicle that will tow the various weights without exceeding it's payload capabilities, towing max weights, etc.
I only mentioned possible trading in both the van and trailer, depending on your budget, and you may be able to find a smaller trailer, and a more capable tow vehicle and still maintain a reasonable budget.
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ibyers
Calgary, AB, Canada
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2011 Trailmaster 265BHS by Gulfstream
2005 Silverado 1500HD 6.0L/4.10 4x4
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william_bufford_III
Chicago
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Thanks everyone for your help.
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wmoses
Houston, Texas, USA
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William
As others have opined, the minivan is WAY overmatched by that trailer. There is no need to run any numbers on this particular combination. It simply will not work and is not safe.
I am in the Pigeon Forge area as I write this and there are also 6 & 7% grades involved getting here.
Since your wife was gifted this trailer there is likely nothing you can do about getting another trailer for this trip as some have suggested. Either you get a properly equipped 1/2 ton truck or a 3/4 ton truck or call off this particular mode of travel. Sorry.
Regards,
Wayne
2010 Jayco Jayfeather EX-Port 17Z | Tekonsha Prodigy P3 brake controller
2010 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L Vortec V8 6-speed with Power Pack Plus Package | Hypertech Max Energy tune
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JoeyIVI
Aston, PA
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William if you do head to the dealer tomorrow don't but anything without doing your homework or come back to the forums for some opinions dealers will sell you anything and are mainly concerned with how much money they can make the people on these forms want to see you and your family making great memories in a nice safe package there are a lot of people on here that have either towed or tow with mini vans there rigs tend to be on the smaller side or a nice size pop up
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Mafman
Qc
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Joined: 06/09/2010
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Hi William
Congrats on your gift, welcome to the world of RVs. As youve seen, there are plenty of kind folks here who know a lot about RVs and trailering, we're glad you took the time to get informed.
Ill agree with everyones statements here: your vehicle is not capable of safely towing this trailer. puma trailers are on the high side of heavy due to their construction. your current vehicle could perhaps tow an small ultra light hybrid trailer at best.
Whatever you do, dont be fooled by greedy salespeople who tell you your van will do fine with whatever he sells you. Do the math.
Lastly, en sure you have the proper equipment required if you do get another trailer, and that would include torsion bars if you use a weight distributing setup, a brake controller and that your hitch is properly setup by the dealer.
Whatever you do, dont give away your current trailer! Check out prices on used RV websites to get an idea of value before you go in.
2013 Avenger 28BHS
2009 Puma 19FS
2012 GMC 2500 6.0L- 3:73
2009 GMC Sierra 5.3L - 3:42
EAZ Lift - proStar Ultra
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Mafman
Qc
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ibyers wrote:
U think?
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