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Old 08-19-2015, 05:14 AM   #1
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Jayco 22FB towing question

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum, 1st post. My wife and I have been popup camping for over 10 years and we are upgrading to a TT. We are going to look at a 2010 Jayco 22FB tonight and was wondering if it will be too heavy and too long for my tow vehicle, 2007 Chevy Trailblazer 4x4, 4.2 votex, 6 cyl.. It says in the manual that it is rated for 5200-5700lbs. What do you guys think, I plan on using a equilizing hitch as well as a sway bar. Thanks for your help, I am really concerned, do not want to overload us and not be safe.

Tom
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Old 08-19-2015, 05:58 AM   #2
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Tom,

What are all the specs of the trailer, and trailblazer? GVWR, dry weight, dry tongue weight, payload capacity of both per the yellow sticker payload.

On average about 1k lbs is added to the dry trailer weight. And for a safe, stable tow you will want anywhere from 12-15% tw. Add about 100lbs for the wd hitch also.

How much weigh do you think you will still carry in the trailblazer?
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Old 08-19-2015, 06:05 AM   #3
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I have not seen the TT yet, hopefully tonight, but these are what I could find:
Dry weight 4120 lbs
GVWR 6000 lbs
Hitch weight 475 lbs

Trailblazers max trailer weight is 5200 lbs

Hopefully we won't be loading up a lot in the Trailblazer.
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Old 08-19-2015, 06:45 AM   #4
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similar trailer

AS you can see, we have a very similar Jayco with a dry weight of 4700#. Frankly I would not tow with less than a 5.3 V8. The 22FB has a dry weightt of around 4300 #. I think you are asking for problems. IMHO these V6 engines just are not built for much towing capacity.
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Old 08-19-2015, 06:59 AM   #5
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I guess I should also ask, does anyone tow with a Chevy Trailblazer 6 cyl and if so what do they tow and what advice do you have for a first time TT buyer. All responses are welcomed, just looking for some good advice, can't get a whole lot out of the camper or Chevy dealerships. Tom
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:08 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Tomcat View Post
I have not seen the TT yet, hopefully tonight, but these are what I could find:
Dry weight 4120 lbs
GVWR 6000 lbs
Hitch weight 475 lbs

Trailblazers max trailer weight is 5200 lbs

Hopefully we won't be loading up a lot in the Trailblazer.
I tow my 23 RB with my 2015 colorado that is tow rated at 7,000 pounds and the 23 rb is a similar weight.

It handles it but I wouldn't want to go any bigger I don't think.

I don't think your trailblazer is the rig you want to pull that trailer with.
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Old 08-19-2015, 07:35 AM   #7
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My previous tow vehicle was an '03 Trailblazer 4wd, I6 with 3.42 gears. The Trailblazer with I6 is a great tow vehicle for a trailer with a GVWR of 4000# or so. Much more than that and it makes for a mediocre towing experience. We towed a 17', 3500# GVWR hybrid for 7 years with the Trailblazer. It was like they were made for each other. Towing the X20E, GVWR of 4750# was OK, but nothing to write home about. we did that for one summer. It towed OK on the flat roads of WI, but no way would I have taken it though mountains or on trips that take more than a couple of hours.

Dry weight is a fictional number. You will never tow at it's dry weight. Adding the options like AC, awning, and other things, the trailer will weigh at least 500# more than the listed dry weight. Look for the shipped weight on the yellow sticker on the side of the trailer. When you are loaded for camping you'll be closer to the GVWR of the trailer than the dry weight. You'll be lucky to keep the actual towing weight below 5500#.

Without knowing all the specs of your TB I'll say right off the bat that you will most likely be over capacity, and even if you're not, you'll hate the towing experience with that kind of weight.

A couple of things to look at, first your owners manual has a towing chart in it. It lists things like gears and options like EXT. Look at the chart in your glove box, it has the RPO code list.

Look for one of the following:
GU6 = 3.42 RATIO
GT4 = 3.73 RATIO
GT5 = 4.10 RATIO

This will help determine your true towing capacity.

Another thing to consider is your payload. SUVs typically have a low payload. Mine was something along the lines of 1100#. You'll find this number on the weight sticker in the driver's door jamb. Let's say your loaded trailer is 5500#. Assuming a 13% tongue weight of 715# and 100# for your hitch, that leaves 385# of remaining cargo capacity. Subtract the weight of your wife and any stuff in your truck. Not much room is there?

Any crew cab 1/2 ton truck with a V8 will tow that trailer like a dream. Your Trailblazer will be marginal at best.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dougfir1 View Post
IMHO these V6 engines just are not built for much towing capacity.
The Trailblazer has an I6, not a V6. Yes, the 5.3 V8 is better for towing, but the I6 was built as a truck engine from the ground up and is nothing like the V6s made for cars but re-purposed for SUVs. It's I6 is an excellent engine, the later models made 291HP and 277 lb·ft. The issue with the GMT360/370 series of trucks isn't the I6 itself, its the torque management, gearing, and overall platform that was built for better MPGs.
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Old 08-19-2015, 10:25 AM   #8
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We only towed a pop-up with our 6 cyl. We towed our 19RD home from the dealer (empty) with a 6 cyl. -- upgraded to an 8 cyl. before our first trip. Our TT has a GVWR of 6000 lbs. which is what our 6 cyl. said it could tow but my DH said he could feel it struggling a bit. With the 8 cyl. you can't even tell it is back there.
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Old 08-19-2015, 11:01 AM   #9
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Thanks for the info, my ratio is 3.42 so I am thinking this is not the camper for me, or I will be needing another tow vehicle.

Tom
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Old 08-19-2015, 11:21 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomcat View Post
Thanks for the info, my ratio is 3.42 so I am thinking this is not the camper for me, or I will be needing another tow vehicle.

Tom
Sound decision, Tom.

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Old 08-19-2015, 07:34 PM   #11
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Does anyone have a maximum weight that I should stay under, I am thinking if I say under 3000 lbs then I will be ok,or could I go to 3500 lbs and still be ok, any thoughts from the experienced campers.

Tom
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Old 08-19-2015, 09:53 PM   #12
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4spd trans, correct? If so, you probably made the right choice.

You probably could go with a trailer that has a yellow sticker (not brochure) dry weight of about 3500lbs (includes propane). Just be mindful of what you load in the camper and trailblazer. Stay below the average of about 1k lbs that people add to a camper when they load it, and you probably will be ok....

What is your hitch rating when towing with a wd hitch? Keep that in mind as well.
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Old 08-20-2015, 10:07 AM   #13
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Tomcat, you've gotten good advice.
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Old 08-25-2015, 11:27 AM   #14
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My 2 cents based on experience says that:
1. You could tow the 22FB with the Trailblazer.
2. You don't want to tow it with the Trailblazer.

I have a 22FB that I am towing with an F150 Ecoboost. It tows great due to the engine, the trailer tow package and the wheelbase.

I have towed a similiar trailer with a Ford Explorer and it was frightening to say the least.

When I decided to get back into trailer towing I knew I had to get a new and proper tow vehicle. Don't try to make it work.

The 22FB is a great trailer - I would consider upgrading your Tow vehicle if you can.
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Old 08-25-2015, 12:05 PM   #15
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If you're going to stick with the TB, get nothing that has a GVWR over 4000#. My old Kiwi 17a had a GVWR of 3500# and as I said above, my Trailblazer was wonderful for towing that trailer.

When I first got my X20E I towed it home empty, which was the shipped weight that was under 4000#. Again, towed beautifully. It wasn't until we stocked it to camp that it became a marginal towing experience.
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