Towing question - RV-Dreams Community Forum

DeltaRon · RV-Dreams Community Member

Towing question

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ron,

We'll need more information to really answer your question. Using the weight ratings on the door sticker, you'll need to calculate your remaining payload (after the Tahoe is fully loaded) for tongue weight. You'll need to give us the specs for the trailer (GVWR, loaded tongue weight, and the weight of the WD hitch you plan to use). With a 1/2 ton chassis, you'll likely run out of payload for tongue weight long before you max the towing capacity. I tried to quickly find the weight specs on the trailer but could not. I assume the Tahoe has the 5.3 Vortec, but you didn't state. I pulled many things with my 2005 Tahoe with the 5.3 and tow package - from boats to loaded U-Haul trailers to our current travel trailer. The WD hitch will be a must and, depending on the loaded weight (GVWR of the trailer - not dry weight), you may find the 5.3 struggling on grades and/or in the mountains - especially at elevation. Get some more information for me and I'll crunch the numbers for you.

Rob

-- Edited by Second Chance on Sunday 8th of June 2014 08:32:07 AM

-- Edited by Second Chance on Sunday 8th of June 2014 08:32:42 AM

DeltaRon · RV-Dreams Community Member

Rob, thanks. Probably don't have all info you need but her egos.

Airstream trailer : Unit Base Weight: 5,503 lbs

GVWR: 7,300

Hitch Weight with LP: 837

Have not chosen hitch yet; Suggestions

2015 Tahoe with HD trailering package: Max Trailor tongue weight: 12,000 lbs. Don't have door sticker as I'm not taking delivery until tomorrow.

Ron

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ron,

It's probably a typo in your last post - there's no way that the Tahoe is rated for 12,000 lbs tongue weight - perhaps 1,200 - but you'll need to get those specs off the hitch and the door sticker. There will be two ratings on the hitch - one for "regular" towing and one for towing with a weight distributing hitch - and that's only the hitch capacity. As I said before, you'll exceed your payload limit before you reach hitch or maximum towing capacity. The payload you have left over for tongue weight is the GVWR of the truck minus the actual (scale) weight including all passengers, fuel and gear to be carried in the Tahoe. Depending on how many people you carry and how much gear, you may not really have 837 lbs left over (and that 837 for the trailer is just with LP - not with the "basement" full of stuff, water tank filled, and all your food, clothing and fun stuff loaded.

I use an E2 WD hitch with anti-sway like this one and have been very happy:

http://www.amazon.com/Fastway-94-00-1000-Series-2-Point-Hitch/dp/B0071L3IFK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402247488&sr=8-1&keywords=e2+hitch

You will find as many recommendations for WD hitches as there hitches. Just go with a known brand and enough capacity for your rig.

From what you have given me, you may or may not end up over the payload/tongue weight capacity of your vehicle. With two passengers and loaded lightly, you may be OK. I wouldn't want to pull that combination through the mountains, though - especially on a 6% or greater grade. Going down the back side would be as scary as going up the front side would be slow. Really nice trailer, though.

Anyone else on the forum want to chime in?

Rob

DeltaRon · RV-Dreams Community Member

Rob does this give you what you need?

http://www.unhaggle.com/compare/2014-Ford-Expedition-vs-2015-Chevrolet-Tahoe/

DeltaRon · RV-Dreams Community Member

Rob, key on a Chassis tab

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

DeltaRon wrote:
Rob, key on a Chassis tab

Ron,

Not sure what this means (above). The link isn't what's needed - we need the GVWR, GCVWR, GAWR Rear, and the scale weights for the tow vehicle with passengers and cargo on board. You can get everything except the scale weights from the sticker on the driver's door or door jamb.

Rob

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ron,

If this is anything like yours (2014 Airstream 25FB), it has a GVWR of 7300 lbs. In that case, with a towing weight on the Tahoe at 8600 lbs, you've got about 1300 lbs of "leeway." However, you really want the Tahoe's weights as Rob is asking for, because one doesn't want to go by the manufacturer's "tow weight" rating. You want the GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicular Weight" for the Tahoe and then you need to know the "practical" weight of the Tahoe with full fuel, all passengers and pets included, as well as any other cargo you would have in the Tahoe. Then, you want to take that practical weight and add it to the 7300 lbs GVWR for the trailer and make sure it does NOT exceed the Tahoe's GCVW.

As Rob stated, you will probably want to make sure you have both a weight distributing hitch system and an anti-sway device.

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ron:

Welcome to the Forum.

Well, “easily” is relative. As a long time (too long) Airstream guy, Airstreams are as good as it gets as a tag trailer towing wise and the weight vs. the Tahoe with the HD towing package should be OK. But I’d stay with the 25 footer. Going beyond that I’d recommend a Suburban or full size pickup for the additional length and perhaps power. But it should be “OK.” As Terry said, you do have some leeway according to the ratings and Airstreams are not like “box trailers” as to wind resistance.

As has been commented you MUST have a load equalizing hitch and sway control. This distributes the trailer’s tongue (hitch) weight over both the front and rear axles of the tow vehicle. This is CRITICAL to safety. It is also very important to have the ball height of the Tahoe - without the trailer attached - installed at the exact height of the Airstream hitch when the Airstream is level front to back. Assuming Airstreams haven’t changed over the last 50+ years that’s 19” above the ground. Then when coupled the equalizing bars of the load distributing hitch will make the Tahoe and trailer perfectly level. The reason for all this is to make sure the front wheels are solid on the pavement and are not raised. If the front wheels are raised steering and sway control is seriously compromised. (“Ask me how we know this from 40 years ago.”)

Many Airstreamers have gone to this hitch made by Hensley for improved sway control over other systems of which there are several. Naturally it is more expensive – but it works well.

http://hensleymfg.com/

Running level and having good sway control are the two most important elements when towing a tag trailer like an Airstream; especially with a “shorter” tow vehicle such as the Tahoe. (It’s just physics and tow vehicle length and has nothing to do with brand.) Passing semis will make poor hitch installation heights and bar adjustment evident very quickly.

Happy Airstreaming

Bill

DeltaRon · RV-Dreams Community Member

Rob, thanks for your help. The GVWR on the Tahoe is 7,100. GAWR Rear is 4,300; Front 3,200. Do not have GCVWR. Does this help? We will have max towing pkg and proper axel ratio. I will add the Hensley hitch system.

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ron,

This helps some, but we would still need the actual (scale) weight of the Tahoe (especially the rear axle) with the vehicle loaded with people and gear. That's the ONLY way to know what your remaining payload for tongue and hitch weight is. Sorry. Did you say you were supposed to be picking up the trailer today?

Rob

DeltaRon · RV-Dreams Community Member

Rob, GCWR for my new Tahoe is 14,000 lbs. according to manufacturer.

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

no problem at all.. Rock and roll..

my .02

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

DeltaRon wrote:
Rob, GCWR for my new Tahoe is 14,000 lbs. according to manufacturer.

Ron,

Now that you have that, once you get the "practical" weight of the Tahoe with full fuel, passengers and cargo, add that to the 7300 lbs for the trailer. As long as you are under the 14,000 lbs (which I suspect will be the case), then you will definitely be good to go. Just be sure to also have the weight distributing hitch and the anti-sway bar.

Terry

DeltaRon · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you all for your help.

green69 · RV-Dreams Community Member

RE: Tahoe/Airstream Towing question

DeltaRon · RV-Dreams Community Member

RE: Towing question

jlb27537 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ron,

A excellent tow rig set up. If you go out west, coming down the hill you will wonder why you ever considered something with out a exhaust brake.

Jim