Confused to Tow

[fotozeman]

I have a Nissan Quest MiniVan, rated 3500#. I went to a dealer today, and they basically told me that I would not be able to tow a Trail Manor, not even the 2619, that basically all I would be able to tow would be a pop up. I am new to trailering, so I am a bit confused what I can really tow.

In simple terms, does anyone have any suggestions for what to look for in a trailer weight that I can tow with my Quest?

Also, does anybody have any experiences of towing Trail Manor trailers, possibly the 2619, or 2720, with vehicles rated at 3500# such as mini vans?

We really like the design of the Trail Manor Trailers better than the Pop Up Trailers, but if we really shouldn't tow them with our Quest, then we will have to begin searching other options.

Thanks for any ideas or help.

 

[PopBeavers]

Whatever the base weight of the trailer is.figure about 10,000 pounds for "stuff"

My 2720, only a foot longer than the 2619, weighs about 4,100 when I tow it wet and loaded.

I can't comment about the Quest.

 

[wbmiller3]

1000 pounds for stuff?

 

[seandunn1020]

towing with minivan

I tow a 2619 with toyota sienna that has the 3500lb towing rating. I do have a weight distribution hitch and tow bars and brake control. I pull the camper fully loaded with 2 kids and 2dogs and a lot of stuff. When pulling the trailmanor, the minivan rides very low in the back, it would be nice to have an suv so it would be higher up in the rear. It does tow nicely at speeds of 65, and we get about 16 mpg. I have had to replace the front and rear brakes and the rear shocks on the minivan after i have started towing it, but the minivan had 70,000 miles on it. I have traveled about 10,000 miles cross country with the trailmanor over mountains and have not had any problems with the performance of the minivan itself. That is the reason we bought the trailmanor so we would not have to change vehicles.

 

[Bill]

I do have a weight distribution hitch and tow bars and brake control.

Serious question. I know what a weight distribution hitch is, and I know what a brake control is. I hear a lot of people refer to "tow bars", but I don't know what they are referring to. I always think of a tow bar as being the thing you bolt to the front of a small car (a "toad") so you can tow it behind a motor home, but clearly that's not what's going on here. Can you straighten me out? Thanks.

Bill

 

[Wavery]

Be sure to read the towing section of your Owners Manual very carefully. It may contain language like, "Any weight added for passengers and cargo must be subtracted from the tow rating".

Remember, ratings are "maximums". That means when you see a "Tow Rating" that rating is typically the maximum amount of trailer that the vehicle can tow with a 150# driver only. Some people actually tow that way for various reasons and therefore, the number is relevant. However, most people that pull a camper, also carry passengers and a substantial amount of cargo. Therefore, that circumstance is different and must be taken into account on most vehicles.

 

[jerrykovacs]

I just purchased a 2010 TM 2720SL and tow with a Toyota Venza with max weight of 3500lbs. With weight distribution hitch, it does just fine. I tow with my fresh water tank empty.

 

[PopBeavers]

1000 pounds for stuff?

2005 TM 2720.

Measured weight on the axle, 3,380 pounds.

Estimated total weight, wet and loaded, 4,100 pounds.

Factory base weight 2,742 pounds.

4,100 - 2,742 = 1,358

1,380 pounds of stuff. But that includes the awning, air conditioner, two full propane tanks. two group 24 batteries, over sink cabinet, 40 gallons of fresh water, charged toilet.

Anyone that has a 2720 that weighs less than that either has fewer options or doesn't take much for personal stuff. Just the food for five adults is a bit of weight. Not to mention the cold beverages of my choice.

I do have more stuff, but that is in the truck.

My 2002 Chevy 1500HD was so low to the ground that I was unable to remove the front wheel on the tongue. But instead of adding a weight distributing hitch, I just bought a 2008 GMC 2500HD and that solved the problem. This problem was caused by two motorcycles, gas for them, tools, etc.

I stand by my estimate of 1,000 pounds of stuff, but that includes optional equipment, food, water, dishes, and clothes.

If you always have hookups and very frequently eat out, then you can probably save almost 500 pounds.

 

[PopBeavers]

When pulling the trailmanor, the minivan rides very low in the back,

Does that include the front running high, meaning your headlights no longer meet specifications for aiming?

Perhaps you have air bags to compensate for the vehicle no longer being level, Or your WD hitch can get your minivan back to level.

You didn't say how you overcame the sagging rear problem.

 

[PopBeavers]

I just purchased a 2010 TM 2720SL and tow with a Toyota Venza with max weight of 3500lbs. With weight distribution hitch, it does just fine. I tow with my fresh water tank empty.

40 gallon fresh tank, 6 gallon water heater, plus perhaps 1 gallon for the toilet is 47 gallons. That just shaved off 390 pounds from what I travel with.

I have gone to county parks and found out that they did not have potable water. When traveling dry, call ahead to be sure that they have potable water available when you arrive.

 

[Wavery]

I just purchased a 2010 TM 2720SL and tow with a Toyota Venza with max weight of 3500lbs. With weight distribution hitch, it does just fine. I tow with my fresh water tank empty.

The Venza has a 2200# tow rating unless it has the factory tow package.

Also, see this note in your "Owner's Manual"........"The maximum weight of a loaded trailer that the vehicle, as equipped, is rated to tow. This assumes that only the driver (68 kg / 150 lbs) and no extra cargo is in the tow vehicle."

If you have a 150# passenger and 350# of cargo (including fuel) in your TV, your tow rating is reduced to 3,000#.

Most of us have found that the actual scale weight on a 2720 (loaded for camping) is ~4,000+#.

 

[Redhawk]

Besides the tow rating, I'd be just as concerned with the tongue weight.

 

[Bill]

Tongue weight limits are at least partially derived from rear axle load limits. That's why you will commonly see two numerical limts, a lower one for weight-carrying, and a higher one for weight-distribution. If you decide it is OK to use the weight-distribution limit, but without a weight distributing hitch (WDH), you may be asking for trouble.

Bill

 

[[email protected]]

They are kind of small, but it seems pretty much anything short of a motorcycle could pull a Trailmini. The mini is much nicer than any pop-up I've seen.

 

[mkayers]

We pulled an Elkmont from Michigan to Martinsville, VA with a Chevy Equinox w/ 3500# rating. Didn't have any problem. Of course had the WDH & brake controller. Also added a external tranny cooler to be safe.

 

[wbmiller3]

Wayne,
I thought you meant 1000, but you typed 10,000 in post #2 of this thread. That is what I was pointing out. 1000 or 2000 sounded more reasonable to me.

 

[PopBeavers]

Wayne,
I thought you meant 1000, but you typed 10,000 in post #2 of this thread. That is what I was pointing out. 1000 or 2000 sounded more reasonable to me.

Be sure brain is engaged before putting a forum post into gear.

 

[ED-n-KEL]

We pulled an Elkmont from Michigan to Martinsville, VA with a Chevy Equinox w/ 3500# rating. Didn't have any problem. Of course had the WDH & brake controller. Also added a external tranny cooler to be safe.

Just curious.... question to any of you that are posting that you are currently "successfully" towing with a 3500# TC TV.... Have any of you actually weighed your loaded trailer, cargo, etc??
Without knowing the true facts, condoning a potentially illegal and dangerous action of towing beyond the legal capacity of your TV without actually knowing what your trailer weight is, is a bit irresponsible, don't you think?

It's like saying I shoot my gun out my back door and haven't killed anyone yet, so it's "no problem".

If you all feel that you're doing this "without a problem", I invite you to call your auto/Rv insurance company and tell them, and then call the local chapter of the State Police and explain it to them as well. See if they tell you "it's not a problem".

I personally would not put my family or the families around me on the road in that much danger.

I don't mean to be rude, but what I'm reading scares the hell out of me.
It's NOT ok to tow over the capacity of your TV.

PS: WDH, brake controllers, tranny coolers, etc, do NOT increase your tow capacity. Please understand this.

 

[Scott O]

PS: WDH, brake controllers, tranny coolers, etc, do NOT increase your tow capacity. Please understand this.

Well put. These do not increase your stopping power either...

 

[rumbleweed]

In addition to the safety items listed in the two previous posts, Even with an aux transmission cooler you are really stressing the transmission and setting yourself up for early trans failure. I certainly would not tow a TM with a 3500 lb rated vehicle, but if I did , I would want a transmission temp gauge to confirm that. I tow a 2720SLwith a Silverado 2500 HD ( with trans temp gauge & 12000 lb tow rating) and there is a noticeable temp difference in trans temp when towing in hills and mountains.