tow ratings

[bkcasa161]

We will pick up our 2010 Octane ZX 161 Friday afternoon. I am concerned about tow ratings. I drive 1994 Dodge 2500 4WD with Cummins power plant with tranny cooler and electric brakes. Our trailer will come with a stabilizing bar (?) with the trailer hitch. This seems like my PU will be fine tow vehicle.
Is it that I am new or is caution a good thing. I don't know my tow rating. I have seen formulas that confuse me. Am open to comments or suggestions. Also the hitch is something I have never used one like this. Someone will walk me thru my questions Friday. Is there things I need to look for or ask aboutin regards to this setup ?
THANKS for your inputs.
Maybe we will sleep in the trailer Saturday night. LOL

[Heady]

Best way to know for sure is to hit the scales.

[Jmooney]

Take your time, bring a note book and take good notes. I felt the same way, but after the first few hookups, it's was second nature

Looks like its a 16 ft TT. With your cummins engine you won't even know it's there.

I had a 20 ft TT ( 3800 lbs dry ) behind my dodge 6.7 and it screamed up the rocky mountains

[Jmooney]

Also search the site for threads on WDH. ( weight distribution hitch ) and you will find lots of opinions and feedback on proper leveling, weighting, etc..

Congrats on the time of your life!

[Rustic Eagle]

Welcome to JOF

I agree, I feel confident that your TV will be more then capable of towing the ZX 161.

In case you don't have them, here are the published specifications for the 2010 Octane ZX 161:

WEIGHTS:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs.) 4,065
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs.) 625
Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs.) 7,000
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs.) 2,935

MEASUREMENTS:
Exterior Length 20' 7"
Exterior Height with A/C 127"
Interior Height (living area) 81"
Cargo area length 8'-0"

TANK CAPACITIES:
Fresh Water Capacity (gals.) includes water heater 37
Gray Wastewater Capacity (gals.) 28
Toilet/Black Wastewater Capacity (gals) 32.5

The important thing about a tow hauler is getting the load balanced correctly so that your "loaded" tongue weight is 13% to 15% of the TH's "loaded" weight, confirming this may take a visit to your local CAT scale.

CAT Scale "how-to": http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3871

Yes, a properly sized/adjusted WDH (weight distribution hitch) is a must. Since you will be towing with the TH under loaded conditions most of the time, the WDH will have to be re-adjusted once you have both your TV and TH under loaded conditions.

Feel free to report back and ask for any clarifications after picking up your TH.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[msnyder755]

I tow a 161 with a 2007 F150 with two sportbikes generators and racing supplies with full food and supplies. No wdh or sway control with absolute no problems. I end up at about 6200 trailer weight. You should fine pretty easily

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by msnyder755

snip..... No wdh or sway control with absolute no problems.....snip

Just curious, did you upgrade your F-150 OEM receiver hitch to one with a higher Weight Carrying mode capacity?

Bob

[msnyder755]

Yes i did cant recall exactly which one but its rated well above the 161 needs. Fully loaded with my normal carry load my tongue weighs out right at 600

[Rustic Eagle]

msnyder755,

Thanks for the follow-up.

The reason I asked was that my BIL had a 2006 F-150 and his OEM receiver hitch had only a 500lb Weight Carrying limit and a 990lb Weight Distribution limit......, he had to up-grade to a higher Class rated receiver, but still remained within his GVWR with his TT.

Bob