Machines | Understanding Tow Rating and Towing Capacity | Pete's RV Buyer Tips
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Once you've decided on the type of RV to purchase, the next step should be determining if it can be towed by your truck, SUV, or crossover vehicle. It's surely a bummer finding out the fifth wheel or travel trailer you have your heart set on is too heavy to tow! http://PetesRV.com Lifestyle Consultant Chad Shepard walks you through the basic steps for determining tow rating and towing capacity. The information from this short video will improve your knowledge and RV buying experience. Terms like Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW), Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), and load distribution will no longer sound foreign or technical. In fact, it's really quite simple. After learning where weight information tags are located on an RV and tow vehicle, simple subtraction is all it takes to determine towing capacity. To be 100% certain, we do recommend consulting with a qualified individual from an RV dealership's sales or service department. Chad also provides a brief demonstration on weight distribution hitches and sway control for travel trailers. Feel free to contact our sales department via http://PetesRV.com with further questions on determining if a camper you are shopping has a tow rating that meets your vehicle's towing capacity. Pete's RV Center is an extraordinary recreational vehicle dealer with locations in South Burlington, VT and Schererville, IN. An RV sales and service provider since 1952, Pete's RV Center carries an extensive inventory of Keystone, Crossroads, Coachman, Heartland, Evergreen and Forest River RV-branded campers. We can be reached at 1-888-902-9352.
Comments
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I have a 99 ford extended cab 4x4 xlt 3.0 gross is rated at 6,000 LBS what can I tow as far as a small RV trailer ?
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I have a 2006 Volkswagen Toureg it says it can tow 7700 IBS but what about length ho long can I tow?
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This is a decent video however were you left out an important part.. You stated a 5000 pound tow rated vehicle would be ideal for that trailer.. That's not true at all unless the driver leaves his family home you have to subtract but we of the family of 4 + anything they have in the SUV or pickup, what usually ends up being 800 pounds plus possibly over 1200 if they have a small pickup and have a cooler and bicycles BBQ Grill in the bed. So the actual tow capacity would be about 4000 pounds.
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Also have to realize the weight of the water holding tanks. If you have a 35 gal fresh water, 25 black and 25 grey tanks filled while traveling that adds approx 8lbs per gallon or 680lbs.
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I just want to add a few thoughts. I have towed a 3500 lb max weight trailer with a 5000 lb towing capacity vehicle (situation A) and a 6000 lb max wight trailer with a 7200 lb towing capacity vehicle (situation B). ( A ) had a gas V6 engine with a 5 speed transmission with 320 torque rating. (B) had a V6 Diesel engine with an 8 speed auto transmission with a 420 torque rating. (B) not only pulled the trailer much easier but it also required less shifting between gears and got about 35% better MPG. This allowed for fewer fuel stops on a long trip and actually saved a few dollars even with the higher price of diesel. Torque is important!!! If you are buying a vehicle to tow a trailer consider all of the factors in addition to towing capacity.
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you could pick whatever you wanted from that lot..
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A very good point indeed. Your vehicle's carrying capacity does come into play when picking the right trailer for your tow vehicle. This video is just a brief explanation on trailer dry weights and Trailer GVRW’s and shows a friction sway weight distribution hitch system. Beyond this brief overview, we always encourage consulting with qualified RV personnel to correctly pair up a towing vehicle and camper (and hitch accessories). In fact, it is one of the first things we work out w/ customers.
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This is mis-leading. A vehicle with a 5000# tow rating will likley be over on payload if you factor in 13% tounge wt of a 5000# trailer. Thats 650#. Plus the family in the vehicle, lets say 400#, your already at 1050#. Plus any gear in the tow vehicle+ hitch and acessories, probably closer to 1300#. Some 1/2 ton trucks don't have 1300#+ payload. Pay load is your limiting factor when towing a travel trailer safely.
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i was wondering if my toyota tundra with a towing capacity of 10,000 lbs would be able to tow a 5th wheel trailer with a unloaded vehicle weight of 8,879 lbs kepping in mind that it sleeps up to 10 and it is very possible for a group of that size to use this 5th wheel at once. i am also nervous about hitch, water, and luggage weight. if you have any tips on how to cut back on weight that would also be helpful.
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I have a 2010 F250 Super Duty FX ... could you look up what my vehicle would tow and what Keystone Toy Hauler would fit my tow vehicle? Thanks!