Tow Ratings

[Neal and Bev]

I visit several RV and camper sites and I see the question about Tow Ratings come up a lot. There are several sites that offer tow ratings, this is one of the better ones.

Camping Life Magazine

I also added this to our links section to make it easy to find in the future.

Neal

 

[BandH]

Tow Vehicles research

I have general question on tow vehicles. While the manufacture(s) brochure information states their optimistic view on the expectations of a tow vehicle nothing beats the real world experience. I am pulling a Hi-Lo 2206T - 5500# GVWR. What has been the experience of others pulling a similar trailer weight with a 4.6L whether it is Ford, Toyota or the GM 4.8L engines in variable terrain (hills)?

 

[Neal and Bev]

BandH -

I have a 2010 F-150, 5.4L, with tow package, when I researched them I found that the engine size was only one factor in the tow rating. Some others were, rear axle ratio, springs, tires, body length, brakes, vehicle weight, hitch setup and the inclusion of a tow package.

Best I remember, depending on the options I choose for my F-150, the tow ratings were from as little as 5500 to as much as 10,200 pounds. I don't remember the exact numbers. With the options and model I choose, I ended up with 9,800 pound rating. Most of what I've found says that the realistic towing amounts are 75 percent of the rated amount. So for me, towing in a mixed environment, I don't want more then 7000 pounds, and part of that is going to be the cargo in the truck itself.

I know some people push the rating a lot closer, but I tend to be conservative. If you use the link to Camping Life Magazine, found at the top of this thread, it has a great tool that’ll get you pretty close to the rated amount for your vehicle.

Hopefully we'll get some input from some other members on this too. Here's something that you don't want to have happen, of course I think this guy has more then one problem.

YouTube - Small Car towing caravan crashes

Neal

 

[BandH]

Neal,

I appreciate the info on what guided you to your choice. The rule of thumb guidance of 75% along with all other things taken into account makes sense. My own research has guided me that way to. It is always useful to know what others are using in a similar application - towing a Hi-Lo, without plowing a lot of wind.

The linked video, while humorous in that we can all empathize with what can happen, it's a lesson to all of what can happen.

back to the research,
Bob

 

[stoneyp]

GVW for 21' 1992 funlite camper

I'm considering buying a 1992 funlite hi-lo camper.
Problem is I have no way of knowing what the GVW is.
I have a 2008 Jeep wrangler unlimited with the 3.8 liter.
I'm told my towing capacity is rated at 3500 lbs.
I'm concerned that htis funlite may be too much.
Any ideas as to where I can get weight specs for it?

 

[campthewestcoast]

Our 1997 Hi-Lo TowLite has the following information on the tag - which is located on the inside door of the kitchen cabinet. GVW is 2973, carrying capacity of 927 (including water), GVWR is 3900.

 

[gmbishop]

tow vehicle

Before we bought our 25ft. Classic I asked the dealer if our 94 Mercury Grand Marquis could pull it. He said that with air shocks, transmission cooler and the Reese Stabilizer Package Hitch we could, I did all that and added Air Lift Bags to the rear suspension just to be sure. My mechanic, also an RV'er said the 4.6 and the transmission could handle it. They we're both right. The only problem we have found is sway from tractor trailers on I-75. They come past you at 75 mph+. I asked a driver at one of the rest stops about it. He laughed and said they love to do it to people pulling Travel Trailers, it breaks up their day watching you fight the wheel. He also gave me some advice. When I see one coming up fast "Slow Down to between 45 and 50 mph. He said it helps break the vacume that happens when they come past you. I found that that works really well. I am at or probably a little under the proper tow vehicle axle length to trailer hitch to front axle lenght ratio but it works.
Hope this helps.

 

[PopRichie77]

I have a 95T 21 ft. that has an actual dry weight of 3400 lbs. around 37 to 3800 loaded. Weighted it. The GVW weights posted on older trailers tends to be wrong, also it is for a stripped trailer with no accessories of any kind. I towed it with a 99 Explorer with a 4.0 V6, 210 hp, with 5 speed auto and lock up torque converter. Tow rating of 4500lbs, It pulled it well but it also has the tow package V8 radiator. I towed the 95 in all kinds of terrain for around 80,000 miles. Never overheated, but the trans now has a torque converter lock up problem at 130,000 miles.
You may be pushing the limit of your jeep.

 

[Charliek-HILO]

Towing

I have been reading all the comments on towing and one thing is drastically missing in most cases. If you are going to tow it is advisable to have a transimission cooler for Automatic transmissions installed and you should also have your tranny serviced about every 10000 miles, that is if you are not up to paying for a new tranny. Even if you rig has a towing package on it the extra cooling helps keep the oil from getting to hot and from breaking down. The reason for servicing your tranny more often is it keeps a fresh filter and fresh fluid in your tranny and you can also see if there is trouble headed your way. Most filters will show if you are starting to develope problems as you will begin to see metal flakes on the outside of your filter and or around the maganet inside of the pan. I have a 92 full size bronco with the E40D transmission and after being stranded out of cell range and 10 miles from the nearest phone with an 18ft boat I decided to have my tranny beefed, $4500 later I was very happy. One of the things I had done was put in a towing shift kit. What happened was the "PLASTIC" spline finally gave out so now my tranny has no plastic in it, all the bells and whistles are there and I no longer worry. I must also admit I had 241 k miles on my tranny and I knew it could go. However the tranny cooler is one thing my tranny mech has suggested even though my boat only weighs in at 2k lbs. I also now have AAA RV+ which pays for the towing of my RV also if I have another problem.

 

[marykays1]

Newbie Here

Hi folks,

We're newbies at the whole RV thing! I know diddly!

We bought a 1994 - or was it a 95? 24 ft.TowLite and we need the whole thing to be looked over and I'm going to contact the guys at J&R.

We have a Toyota Mini Van that does not have a towing package (Is front-wheel drive) and it says that it can haul 3500 lbs and our TowLite says it's 2440, so with all our gear, I think we could do it.

We don't even have a trailer hitch on our vehicle yet.

We bought it so that while our house is being remodelled, we can actually live in it for approximately five months. We're going to do this next summer and pitch a couple tents next to it too. We figure we'll have it for years and years for lots of camping fun with our currently 8 1/2 y.o. twins.

In the meantime, we want to take it on a small vacation right after Christmas, as it's the only time we can get away. Would we really blow it if we took it on a salted road?

What's the best kind of trailer hitch to get? Where?

Why does the non-working freezer smell like ammonia? I've heard that old freezers actually used ammonia.

ANY advice about ANYTHING related to our story will be carefully perused.

Thanks,

Mary Kay in Ohio

 

[PopRichie77]

A 24 ft TowLite weights well over 4,000 lbs. My 21 ft 95 weights 3,400 lbs dry weight no water ect. had it weighed. My 22ft 2209 weights 3860 Dry weight. With 30 gals of water at 8.3 lbs per gal add another 249 lbs. plus full propane tanks, food, bedding, clothes, etc. it weights well over 4,000 lbs.
The weights marked on some of the older trailers was wrong, my 21ft 95 TowLite was listed at 2400 lbs also.
There is no way a 24 ft Hi-Lo can only weigh 2400. Get it weighted and you will see.
There is no way your mini van should pull that trailer.

 

[Jeff H-HILO]

Welcome to the Forum! I'm afraid that this trailer is just too much for your mini-van. You should ideally tow about 80-85% of your tow vehicles rated towing capacity. If you had a vehicle that was rated at 5000 lbs, that would be sufficient.
The ammonia smell indicates a leak in your refrigerator somewhere. RV refrigerators use ammonia as the refrigerant instead of Freon or the Freon replacements used in automobiles, etc.
Hope this helps!

Jeff

 

[JMDoering]

Hi Mary Kay,
Ditto the above entries.
Regarding salty roads... You can do it, just get under there and clean as soon as possible. Leaving the exposed portion of the hydraulic ram, cable, pullies, and other related hardware coated with salt residue and corroding would be very bad. The above components should be inspected and lubricated periodically even if not pulling through winter salt.
Jim

 

[PopRichie77]

With an ammonia leak you should not turn the fridge on, this will cause it to leak more and ammonia gas is very harm full. I would say that you should not stay or sleep inside the trailer until the leak is fixed or the fridge is removed.

 

[sam-HILO]

Transmission coolers

charliek,your comments about automatic transmission coolers and changing the fluid are very truye advice. Our 97 Ford F250 came with everything Heavy Duty and set up for towing. We baby our truck and get the tranny fluid changed every two years,depends on miles. Get your rear end differential fluid changed also.as per your operators manual.Don't forget if your truck is 4x4 to have your transfer case fluid changed. At the price of a new truck these small investments of $ pay big dividends in the long run. Take care of your truck and it will take care of you!!!!

 

[charlesbrian]

Automatic transmission is usually the best choice for towing service . A manual is okay but only for experienced, careful shifters. With automatic, just remember a few precautions: make sure your vehicle has a transmission cooler, keep a gently throttle foot when possible, and remember to always disable overdrive to prevent excessive wear.

chicago towing | towing chicago

 

[RichR]

And remember, it is no embarrassment to slow down and shift down on those steep hills. Shifting to a lower gear helps to keep the engine and transmission cooler by them not having to work as hard.

 

[bbaker1983]

Can I tow it?

I have an 1989 HiLo 22', and can I tow it with a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer 4.6 V8 All wheel drive? It does have a class 5 tow package on it. Thank you.

 

[RichR]

Look here and you will see what Trailer Life says about your vehicle: http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Trailer-Life-Towing-Guide-2005.pdf I think it may handle it. It would be best to consult your owners manual and see what it has to say.

 

[C317414]

I have an 1989 HiLo 22', and can I tow it with a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer 4.6 V8 All wheel drive? It does have a class 5 tow package on it. Thank you.

Remember that you also should not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating. Once you load up the tow vehicle, you may find that this is the limiting factor instead of the trailer tow rating.

Its possible that Ford has a Mercury towing guide here:
https://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/OwnerRegistrationPage

Raul