Tow vehicle question

[Tomikasmom]

The biggest thing i have is a GMC Envoy XL V6 will i be ok to tow a 2204T until i find something bigger to tow with

 

[JackandJanet]

I think you are very close to the limit on that SUV. I'm not really familiar with the Envoy, but a quick search says it has a towing weight limit of 6000#, so if the trailer's empty, it should pull it.

Does your SUV have a "towing package"? This would consist of a trailer hitch receiver, a 7-blade electrical coupler and probably an extra transmission cooler. You will need a hitch with a 2-5/16" ball. Anything smaller will not stay connected. If your SUV does not have the 7-blade connector, you won't be able to connect the trailer stop, turn and running lights, not to mention the trailer brakes. If the SUV does not have a hitch receiver, you have no way to safely install a towing hitch on your SUV.

How far are you going to be towing the trailer to get it home? Is the trip relatively level, or are you going to be climbing hills? If there are hills, are they serious ones?

If you don't have a WDH, your SUV will be carrying ALL the trailer tongue weight on the rear axle. If your trip is about 10 miles, that's not a serious problem, but if it's several hundred, you're operating in a VERY dangerous condition.

What is the age of the trailer tires? If they are over 5 years old, they are no longer really safe and should be replaced. Again, if the trip is short, you're probably OK, but if it's a longer journey, you risk having one or more trailer tire blowouts during the drive and that can cause serious damage.

Does your SUV have a trailer brake controller? If not, you are going to be trying to stop an additional 5000+# with your SUV's brakes. You will need to drive fairly slowly in this case.

I know my questions are probably not what you want to hear, but you need to be realistic about adding that trailer to your current vehicle.

- Jack

 

[Tomikasmom]

Maybe this will help and you can tell me if you see anything

 

[Tomikasmom]

Towing 1 hour away

 

[Tomikasmom]

No. Please. You are more than helpful and i need your advice and input. I posted a question on here that i havent received a response to. The RV has been kept in the up position for years, is that ok?

 

[sam-HILO]

Never ever tow in the up position!!You will damage the HiLo

You will damage the HiLo. They are made to only tow in the down position.

 

[Tomikasmom]

Not tow. I mean store.

 

[JackandJanet]

Storing the HiLo with the top in the down position takes all the strain off the lifting cables and is generally the recommended approach. However, I personally believe they are up to the task and if I had a reason to do so, would store it with the top up. Probably, if I did this I would place four 2x4s between the "outriggers" (the things that stick out of the bottom half that the top rests on when down) and the top to provide additional support.

I have a cover for my HiLo though that fits it when the top is down, so that is the way I store it.

- Jack

 

[NDgent]

The problem in towing is not if you have sufficient power in your tow vehicle to move the trailer (although a consideration) the real problem is will you be able to haul the additional weight of your family and their stuff, go up grades without damaging your transmission or suspension AND most importantly stop the rig on hill descent and in sudden traffic conditions. The Hi-Lo 22T weighs over 6000 pounds dry and empty so if you add yourself, your family, gasoline, water, food, clothing, toys, etc you are going to be WAY over the ability of your vehicle for safe towing. In my opinion it is not recommended and potentially a hazard to tow with this combination.

 

[Freddiefreeloader]

I have a 1990 Hi-Lo the same size and owned a Ford F150 v6 at the time I purchased it. I made a couple of 400 mile trips with it and then I went out and bought a used Nissan Titan V8 and it really makes a difference. Had it a year now and would not sell it. The v6 was very slow pulling into traffic and hard to maintain 60 mph on most Interstates.I did not feel very safe or secure with a v6. The Nissan Titan is factory built to tow and it with pull like a champ. Do not think I would even attempt a trip with a v6 into real hill country and certainly not any where near mountain regions.

 

[oldcarguy]

Curious about the 2204 weight reference below - HiLo's 2004 brochure (https://www.hilotrailer.com/pdfs/2004.pdf) lists the unloaded weight for a 2204T as 3850 lbs (3390 on the axles, 480 on the hitch). I know manufacturers tend to low-ball estimated weights and that there can be significant differences between individual trailers depending on installed equipment, but it's kind of hard to imagine what options and/or added equipment could add a third more weight 2204T than it started with. Am I missing something here?

The problem in towing is not if you have sufficient power in your tow vehicle to move the trailer (although a consideration) the real problem is will you be able to haul the additional weight of your family and their stuff, go up grades without damaging your transmission or suspension AND most importantly stop the rig on hill descent and in sudden traffic conditions. The Hi-Lo 22T weighs over 6000 pounds dry and empty so if you add yourself, your family, gasoline, water, food, clothing, toys, etc you are going to be WAY over the ability of your vehicle for safe towing. In my opinion it is not recommended and potentially a hazard to tow with this combination.

 

[marcvanlecktor]

Hi, I don't think you have a V-6 in that Envoy. I believe it is a 4.2L in-line 6 cyl. You might want to check that. Your Envoy is capable of pulling that trailer. I don't think the other poster is correct on the 6000 lb weight for a 22ft. Hi-Lo. That might be the GVW but I don't think it's that much. As a word of caution both the engine and transmission in those Envoys with over 120K on them are somewhat prone to drivetrain failures. That ofcoarse depends on the maintenance they have had.

 

[RatsNest]

According to the brochure, the 2204 GVWR is 5500.

My recommendation is to have a tow vehicle that at least meets (but preferably exceeds) the GVWR of the TT. Even then, you have to consider payload (which the tongue weight consumes), max tongue, max axle weight, CGVWR, whether you’ll be crossing mountains (as each vehicle has a loss of tow capacity due to altitude), etc.

 

[RICHARD1943]

The camper can be lowered manually but only release the cap on the pump very slightly as the top may come down fast. It can also be raised by pumping with the handle in the receiver access on the pump. This definitely is worth doing as a trial.

When up I still raise mine slightly to pull the cable pin lock so I can lower the top part after making certain nothing, including the sink faucet is in the way.

I suspect cables have not been treated (I use lithium grease) if it has been in the up position for six years. Do that before lowering and towing. A mechanic's creeper is handy.

I have a 1509 Hi Lo which I have towed over 50,000 miles with my 2002 3.4 L 4 Runner which now has 293,000 miles. I live at 7,600' and go uphill from there very slowly. Trailer brakes are a necessity when going downhill from 10,000'. I do fine at 60 mph on the flat highways. This week I purchased a 2005 4 Runner with at 4.0 L engine as as soon as I get wiring and a sway bar hitch to fit this (4" taller than 2002) I am looking forward to more power.

I did not know to take my 4 Runner out of overdrive when I purchased the camper so that cost two transmissions. I have asked about which gear when pulling with my 2005 and wish I had known about this forum ten years ago. Ask away, there is nothing someone else has not asked and received excellent advice and references.