Tow in CO? Need help settling on trailer GVWR!
- Thread starter b407driver
- Start date
Boort
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[MENTION=251906]CementTRDpro303[/MENTION]
You're right to be concerned about that decent. A buddy of mine Jumped the ditch on that slide about 10 years ago while towing a pair of snowmobiles behind his pickup w/ slide-in camper. Places around there can have a b***h of a cross wind and it took him by surprise. He reacted too sharply and ended up with his sleds and gear in a yard sale on the far side of the ditch. Cost him a full day to dig it all out and load back up.
Sounds like you'll be running about 2200-2500 Lbs between the SxS and trailer. My popup is not much heavier and I'm very glad to have the brake controller. I'd recommend that you need to mind your tongue weight. this will vary based on how you load the trailer and position of the SxS on the trailer. Try to center up the weight left to right then adjust your load so you have about 450lbs on the tongue. If the load weight is too far back you'll be light on the ball and trailer will get really twitchy at speed, on descents, and when changing lanes. (I personally learned this the hard way on I-25, Still have a pucker stain in the Driver's seat of the Tacoma.)
Not sure what it will take to add brakes to your trailer but if you have a 4runner with tow package form the factory, adding a controller to the rig couldn't be simpler. Look to see if you have a 7 pin tow hookup out back. If yes than it's less than $150 and 30 mins of work to add the break controller. (I ordered from Etrailer.com picked up the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller, Mounting Pocket #7686, and Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter #3040-P)
Boort
Boort
You're right to be concerned about that decent. A buddy of mine Jumped the ditch on that slide about 10 years ago while towing a pair of snowmobiles behind his pickup w/ slide-in camper. Places around there can have a b***h of a cross wind and it took him by surprise. He reacted too sharply and ended up with his sleds and gear in a yard sale on the far side of the ditch. Cost him a full day to dig it all out and load back up.
Sounds like you'll be running about 2200-2500 Lbs between the SxS and trailer. My popup is not much heavier and I'm very glad to have the brake controller. I'd recommend that you need to mind your tongue weight. this will vary based on how you load the trailer and position of the SxS on the trailer. Try to center up the weight left to right then adjust your load so you have about 450lbs on the tongue. If the load weight is too far back you'll be light on the ball and trailer will get really twitchy at speed, on descents, and when changing lanes. (I personally learned this the hard way on I-25, Still have a pucker stain in the Driver's seat of the Tacoma.)
Not sure what it will take to add brakes to your trailer but if you have a 4runner with tow package form the factory, adding a controller to the rig couldn't be simpler. Look to see if you have a 7 pin tow hookup out back. If yes than it's less than $150 and 30 mins of work to add the break controller. (I ordered from Etrailer.com picked up the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller, Mounting Pocket #7686, and Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter #3040-P)
Boort
Boort
Very interested to hear how this tows. I have a 2006 4Runner Sport V6 4WD and am on the verge of buying an Airstream Bambi 16RB Sport - dry weight of about 2900lbs, GVWR 3500lbs and tongue weight of 348lbs.
Have heard all kinds of things and have determined it will lie somewhere between being a nightmare and barely noticing it's there! Lol.
I know Airstreams are relatively aerodynamic, have a low center of gravity, and with the exception of things like a rear view camera or bike rack they come pretty loaded up from the factory so would trust their weight claims, but still I wonder.
The dealer (Can-Am RV) and it's owner (Andy Thomson) are renowned for their knowledge of towing and have suggested brake controller, WD hitch and stabilizer which I initially assumed was typical dealer add-on junk but as I poke around the interwebs it would seem this equipment does work and is worth the price of admission.
Of note: When I was at Can-Am I noticed a 22ft Airstream hooked up to Mercedes C350 Coupe (V6), a longer one hooked up to a Jaguar XF, and yet another hooked up to a V6 Mustang convertible. I walked in thinking there was going to be a lunatic convention inside but they are actually dealer TV/TT set-ups for test-driving to show that properly chosen hitch/stabilizing equipment can make a big impact on what you can tow and how safe the set-up is.
I am not in CO so will not have that kind of terrain to conquer, but am interested to hear how it goes for you as the weight of yours is in the ballpark of the Bambi 16.
Thanks!
Have heard all kinds of things and have determined it will lie somewhere between being a nightmare and barely noticing it's there! Lol.
I know Airstreams are relatively aerodynamic, have a low center of gravity, and with the exception of things like a rear view camera or bike rack they come pretty loaded up from the factory so would trust their weight claims, but still I wonder.
The dealer (Can-Am RV) and it's owner (Andy Thomson) are renowned for their knowledge of towing and have suggested brake controller, WD hitch and stabilizer which I initially assumed was typical dealer add-on junk but as I poke around the interwebs it would seem this equipment does work and is worth the price of admission.
Of note: When I was at Can-Am I noticed a 22ft Airstream hooked up to Mercedes C350 Coupe (V6), a longer one hooked up to a Jaguar XF, and yet another hooked up to a V6 Mustang convertible. I walked in thinking there was going to be a lunatic convention inside but they are actually dealer TV/TT set-ups for test-driving to show that properly chosen hitch/stabilizing equipment can make a big impact on what you can tow and how safe the set-up is.
I am not in CO so will not have that kind of terrain to conquer, but am interested to hear how it goes for you as the weight of yours is in the ballpark of the Bambi 16.
Thanks!
