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Old 10-02-2009, 07:57 AM   #7
Bill
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,088
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Rottimom -

You're asking a good question, and it looks like you have done some of the research. Let's be sure we are clear on a couple things.

First, TM does not give tow ratings. Car manufacturers give tow ratings - no one else could do it. Whether you believe those tow ratings is a different question. However, Trailer Life magazine gathers all those manufacturer's tow ratings into a magazine article each year, and the TM web site simply references that article.

Second, you mention "dry weight", and that's good. That's part of the research. But are you sure that you understand the full meaning of "dry weight"? Dry weight does not include several rather heavy factory options that you will usually find on a TM. I'm thinking particularly of the air conditioner and the awning, but there are at least half a dozen others. So the actual weight of an empty TM, sitting in your driveway before you add any of your own stuff, will be substantially greater than 2915 pounds.

Wayne says that most people add about 1000 pounds of "stuff" to their TM. My own take would be a bit lower, say 500 to 1000 pounds, but in the same ball park. As he says, you don't have to add that much weight - you can pack lighter - but no matter how light you pack, there is still some basic stuff that you will want to have. Think dishes, bedding, food, clothes, a few tools. And how about the equipment and food and stuff for the dogs? So you can't down-pack all the way to zero.

Finally, you need to ask how many people will be in the tow vehicle. And how much stuff you will carry in the tow vehicle. The weight of these must be directly subtracted from the tow rating of the vehicle. If you are going out alone, that's one thing. But if you will have hubby and two kids and two big dogs, that's another.

As you can tell, I am in the camp that says a 3500 pound rating isn't enough. But as you also see, we have members who regularly tow with a 3500-pound vehicle, though often in the flatlands, not the big mountains. So the choice is yours. Your vehicle will move the trailer, and will stop it. It will struggle on long upgrades. On long downgrades - well, you better drive in such a way that it doesn't struggle, or the situation will deteriorate quickly. You must maintain your vehicle extremely well, and probably expect a few extra repairs. And, oh yes - pack light.

Good luck, and welcome to the world of TM. You'll love it.

Bill
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