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Old 01-24-2011, 08:05 PM   #1
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What is correct?

Was at RV show Toronto. Was looking at a 31RSk unloaded at 7000 lbs. Told sales person I had a Tahoe rated to pull 8700 lbs would it do the job. Was told that with a class 4 hitch and special sway hitch and hitch leveller the Tahoe would be fine. Want to know if this is correct based on any user who run this TT with a Tahoe or anyone with experience with this vehicle trailer combination.
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Old 01-24-2011, 08:39 PM   #2
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Technically, it will do the job, but it's going to be marginal at best. It depends on how much additional weight you put in the trailer, how far you're going, what kind of roads, etc. The short wheelbase is the biggest drawback to the Tahoe as a tow vehicle. A half ton pickup with the same engine/tranny etc would pull better because of the longer wheelbase.
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Old 01-25-2011, 07:57 AM   #3
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They will tell you anything to make the sale..... remember you have 1700 lbs of wiggle room.... THAT INCLUDES THE WEIGHT OF ALL PASSENGERS, water, waste water, food clothes, toys, propane, options added to the trailer..,and dirt bikes etc in the bed of the truck. etc etc etc... personally I would not do it....
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Old 01-25-2011, 08:54 AM   #4
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Towing right at the limits, in my opinion, is not a good idea, or safe, to do on a full time basis. Salesmen will tell you anything to get a sale! I like good margins, therefore, I wouldn't do it!
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Old 01-25-2011, 11:03 AM   #5
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Welcome to the Jayco Owners Forum NewToTT! Good advice above! We once towed just below the limits of our tt; may be fine on short trip and flatlands but ultimately realized we weren't safe that way. I too personally would encourage you to look at a lighter tt (like maybe 7500# max when loaded) or spring for new tow vehicle with a higher towing capacity. Happy shopping and let us know what ya wind up getting. You can't go wrong with Jayco
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Old 01-25-2011, 05:06 PM   #6
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Thanks all. All information and comments are very much appreciated and will certainly guide me as I make my decision toward a smaller trailer or larger two vehicle.
This is a great forum.
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Old 01-25-2011, 06:23 PM   #7
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I agree with the others. The GVWR of that trailer alone is 9000 lbs.That would also equate to a heavy tongue weight which ideally is about 13% of loaded trailer weight. Too much trailer for the Tahoe IMO. If you use the Tahoe as your TV I would look lighter and shorter. -Lee
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Old 01-26-2011, 08:43 AM   #8
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The other thing to consider is that that you will probably get about 2 MPG with that setup.

I bought a new Toyota Tundra to haul my 26BH. Over a 10,000 lb tow rating, but it takes close to 3/4 of a tank of gas just when we go to a spot that is a whopping 3 hour round trip from my house. If I ever decide to tow that thing to Colorado, or something, it is going to cost a fortune in gas! If I had known then what I know now, I would have gone with a 3/4 ton tow vehicle. Don't know how much better the gas millage would be, but the extra power/weight/capacity/stability and other such tolerances would have been nice insurance.

Good luck with your search, and don't rush! Keep doing your research and ask LOTS of questions.

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Old 01-26-2011, 08:59 AM   #9
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Like my 02 Dodge Cummins has a GCWR of (20,000#) or a max trailer weight of (13,650#) and using both GVWR numbers TV (GVWR 8,800#) and the TT (GVWR 8,500#) I've got room to spare (Calc'd GCWR 17,300#). As for fuel mileage number I don't have much to go on yet but I can say between 10-12 MPG would be the norm...

This is a much better spread... This will not stress the vehicle not to mention stress you...

As for the UNLOADED number... This number is meaningless... I don't think you going to drag around a completely empty trailer for show? Because that is what the unloaded number is... So doing you figuring and shopping you want to add both GVWR number and see how close it comes to the TV GCWR... Like I shown above... Like in my setup I can load both to maximum weight and still be well below the limits of the TV.

As for driving home with this over 7% grades... Not a problem towed like it wasn't there... But I'm cheating compared to a Stock Dodge Cummins (235 HP/460 TQ) I'm producing (381 HP/831 TQ)... I built this truck up solely for this purpose for hauling trailers there full of firewood or my new Jayco...
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Old 01-26-2011, 09:04 AM   #10
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Gas mileage won't be better unless you step up to a diesel. Then all of the other maintenance costs and higher price of fuel negate any savings you would have gotten from higher mpg.

There are very few gas motors (today) that have more power than the 5.7 in your Toyota. You wouldn't notice any better engine/tranny performance from a 3/4 ton gas setup, but it would have higher capacities, etc. All tow vehicles with a gasoline engine will get poor mileage when towing a camper.... diesels will get better, but not necessarily by much (depends on which setup you have...).
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Old 01-26-2011, 09:17 AM   #11
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Here in Eastern Virginia, diesel sells for $3.30 a gal and gas is $3.00 on average. Either way, you gotta have deep pockets to pull a camper.
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Old 01-26-2011, 09:22 AM   #12
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Here in Eastern Virginia, diesel sells for $3.30 a gal and gas is $3.00 on average. Either way, you gotta have deep pockets to pull a camper.
Don't go there... Central Idaho is $3.709...

Yes a diesel does get better MPG number over most gassers... Empty I can average 20-21 MPG and high mark of 25.3 MPG but hitch like I said before I'm not too sure yet on the TT numbers...
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Old 01-26-2011, 09:59 AM   #13
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Diesel in So. Calif. ranges from $3.59-$3.79 a gallon. I get 10-12 mpg towing 11k.
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Old 01-26-2011, 11:09 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Mopar1973Man View Post
As for the UNLOADED number... This number is meaningless... I don't think you going to drag around a completely empty trailer for show? Because that is what the unloaded number is... So doing you figuring and shopping you want to add both GVWR number and see how close it comes to the TV GCWR... Like I shown above... Like in my setup I can load both to maximum weight and still be well below the limits of the TV.
Re: Dry weight... well said Mopar!

(Regular gas on the central coast of Calif is currently running $3.30-$3.40. I hear it's supposed to sneak up to $5 by 2012)
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Old 01-26-2011, 11:29 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon The Buddha View Post
The other thing to consider is that that you will probably get about 2 MPG with that setup.

I bought a new Toyota Tundra to haul my 26BH. Over a 10,000 lb tow rating, but it takes close to 3/4 of a tank of gas just when we go to a spot that is a whopping 3 hour round trip from my house. If I ever decide to tow that thing to Colorado, or something, it is going to cost a fortune in gas! If I had known then what I know now, I would have gone with a 3/4 ton tow vehicle. Don't know how much better the gas millage would be, but the extra power/weight/capacity/stability and other such tolerances would have been nice insurance.

JTB
That's odd, I get 11 mpg with the same TT and TV?????
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Old 01-26-2011, 12:00 PM   #16
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You guy's and girl's think you have high gas and diesel prices you should come up here to Canada. The price here just sucks!!!!! Add about another buck a gallon. I thought I was in heaven being able to fill my dually for under a $100.00 When I went to Florida. Round trip from Canada to Florida and back $800.00.
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Old 01-26-2011, 12:48 PM   #17
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Gas here is about 3.06 and diesel about 3.39. I get between 10 and 11 mpg. towing.

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Old 01-28-2011, 12:29 AM   #18
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My brother in law has a Jayco 320RLDS and pulls with a Ford 3/4 ton gas. He gets 8 to 8.5 towing. We have a Jayco 330RLTS and expect to get around 12 mpg with our diesel.
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Old 01-28-2011, 07:52 AM   #19
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Re: Dry weight... well said Mopar!

(Regular gas on the central coast of Calif is currently running $3.30-$3.40. I hear it's supposed to sneak up to $5 by 2012)
Thank you...

As for $5 buck a gallon already been there once and know what to do... Just mean you camp longer in one spot...:hihi:
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Old 02-03-2011, 04:09 PM   #20
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This question of "how close to maxing out my tow capacity can I go" comes up a lot. And as usual, I'd have you consider whether you're comfortable pulling at max with your light duty brakes. If you fish around different sites you'll learn that even the makers of pickups that are intended to tow monkey around with their towing capacities, often increasing them for no other reason than the competition raised theirs. So if you're close to claimed capability, you're probably already past it, for all practical purposes. The DW drives an Expedition and I'd never pull 8000# with it. Too much stress on suspension, brakes, transmission. Even if you bought the tow package with your Tahoe, I'd never go beyond the Class III hitch that I'll bet came with it, and that has a 5000# rating. But that's just me.
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