Weights - Jayco Flight SLX7 195RB

[AllysonG-NY]

So I have a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox LT with V6 Engine and towing capacity of 3500lbs

Specs: GAWR 2535/2535 GCWR 8157 Curb 3602

I took 2 CAT Scale Readings:

SUV Only: Steer Axle/2300 Drive Axle/1860 Total Axle/4160
SUV + TT: Steer Axle/2160 Drive Axle/2560 Trailer Axle/3080 Total Axle/7800

So based on my understanding, I'm 35lbs overweight on rear axle, ok for towing weight and ok for total weight. I can solve the 35lbs easily (Golf clubs and cart).

Am I correct in my assumptions?

[Kim Gass]

Measured loaded or not? That is the big question. Good luck. I think your vehicle is not going to be happy towing . Usually happy vehicles tow 70percent approx of their 'tow rating". Otherwise the engine and tranny work really really hard.

I had the same TT and my vehicle was rated at 5000 lbs. It was ok of the flats less happy on hills. It worked hard and the brakes really were not up to snuff. So when we moved up to a TT that came in at 4400 unloaded with a potential loaded weight of 5500 we moved up in truck.

[AllysonG-NY]

Kim

This is fully loaded ...

I know my SUV may not like but all I'm looking at is getting 1 more year out of SUV (Its 14 years old and only has 75000 miles). My mechanic says in good order

I know the hills will tax engine a bit ..

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by AllysonG-NY

Kim

This is fully loaded ...

I know my SUV may not like but all I'm looking at is getting 1 more year out of SUV (Its 14 years old and only has 75000 miles). My mechanic says in good order

I know the hills will tax engine a bit ..

So do what you are going to do. Your choice. Hopefully trips do not involve long ascents or descents. I feel better about the weights as you are at the limit on the TT also but its loaded. With a full fresh water tank? Not applicable if you dont have to take water of course.

I found the brakes on my tow vehicle were never built to handle tow loads going downhill. We went through more brake parts than reasonable. Also check the trailer wiring for the trailer brakes. The 195 may still be wired brake wires over axle. After the sixth episode of no trailer brakes we rerouted them under the axle as they constantly got pinched and broke. due the the flexing of trailer and axle. This was never fun... the last time the wiring broke coming downhill into Newburgh.

We liked the unit very much and our Ridgeline towed it some 120 thousand miles across country several times before we itched for an eye level fridge and a couch. It was a good combo aside from the brakes.

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by AllysonG-NY

Kim

This is fully loaded ...

I know my SUV may not like but all I'm looking at is getting 1 more year out of SUV (Its 14 years old and only has 75000 miles). My mechanic says in good order

I know the hills will tax engine a bit ..

This is even more reason not to do it. Engine / Tranny and Suspension are tired. I would say you are asking for a bad time. Just my opinion of course but you asked...

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

This is even more reason not to do it. Engine / Tranny and Suspension are tired. I would say you are asking for a bad time. Just my opinion of course but you asked...

only got 75 k on the vehicle.. My concern is that the vehicle was never intended to tow very much.. You need a reserve to accelerate to get out of some situations and also ample brakes to stop as we had to when a bonehead missed is exit and backed up.. In the high speed lane.. We had to brake hard and do an evasive maneuver.

We had the old anti sway Jay Command module which worked for us. We did not have a WDH or sway bars. It was ok on our truck combo. It may have been pure luck but we never had a sway incident . These days I would add at least sway bars or the equivalent Andersen hitch.. Adds weight.

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

only got 75 k on the vehicle.. My concern is that the vehicle was never intended to tow very much.. You need a reserve to accelerate to get out of some situations and also ample brakes to stop as we had to when a bonehead missed is exit and backed up.. In the high speed lane.. We had to brake hard and do an evasive maneuver.

We had the old anti sway Jay Command module which worked for us. We did not have a WDH or sway bars. It was ok on our truck combo. It may have been pure luck but we never had a sway incident . These days I would add at least sway bars or the equivalent Andersen hitch.. Adds weight.

It's always a double edged sword when you are close to or even over what a tow vehicle is designed to pull. And I am in no way saying that older vehicles are not adequate. The new technology does add weight and helps make a better tow experience. But when you have a truck with truck suspension used as a daily driver / tow vehicle vs. an Equinox with a softer suspension which is more of a daily driver being used as a tow vehicle the suspension parts will definately show more wear at equal mileage.

My concern is that the OP is pushing an older vehicle beyond what it is capable of and the result will be an unhappy experience. I agree 100% with the TV reserves needed to react to others. There are so many Boneheads out there these days it's scary!

[Old and soft]

After 40 + years of working with my hands for a living, one thing I have learned is that engineers are
proud of their s+×t. Works good on paper on a perfect world. I have yet to find that perfect world.
Most people seem to run out of cargo capacity before max tow rating. That is you, your passengers, your cargo, tongue weight, and wd hitch.

[jeffmcpa]

At the very least get a good Weight Distributing hitch and get some of that weight back to the steer axle and off of the drive axel. As it is your headlights must be pointing at the treetops.

[WestSlopeScott]

I hope OP is simply not looking for validation to move ahead; and, is open to the sound advice. The 70% of capacity mentioned earlier is solid advice. Where I like to camp, 50-60% is the target. Anyone towing at or near capacity of a vehicle that is not designed to be a tow vehicle (an Equinox is not a proper tow vehicle) is a hazard.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by WestSlopeScott

I hope OP is simply not looking for validation to move ahead; and, is open to the sound advice. The 70% of capacity mentioned earlier is solid advice. Where I like to camp, 50-60% is the target. Anyone towing at or near capacity of a vehicle that is not designed to be a tow vehicle (an Equinox is not a proper tow vehicle) is a hazard.

I agree but I sense they are going to do what they are going to do.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by jeffmcpa

snip.......get some of that weight back to the steer axle and off of the drive axel.......snip

X2

Originally Posted by AllysonG-NY

snip........ I took 2 CAT Scale Readings:

SUV Only: Steer Axle/2300 Drive Axle/1860 Total Axle/4160
SUV + TT: Steer Axle/2160 Drive Axle/2560 Trailer Axle/3080 Total Axle/7800........snip

(2,300lbs) - (2,160lbs) = 140lbs Removed from TV front axle (effect of tongue weight placed on hitch ball).

To minimize compromising TV steering, braking, and suspension characteristics when "hitched"......, maintaining (return) the TV "only" front axle weight when "hitched" is highly recommended.

Bob

[Jagiven]

OP, Do you have a weight distribution hitch (WDH)? I ask as you stated you only took two CAT scale readings. Also your steer wheels got lighter with the TT connected. I suspect not.

I would strongly recommend adding a WDH. This will take some of the load off the back axle and transfer it back to the front axle. This will level out your ride, you will also be in better control as you will add more weight back onto to the steering wheels again.

[MontanaRick]

I tow my 195RB with a 2014 4Runner, using an Andersen WDH, 5000 lb rated. I would not tow with anything less. What you are suggesting leaves no room to spare and I personally think it would be very unsafe. You've indicated you want to get more out of your vehicle, but what is your life (and the life of your family and others) worth? Sorry if that's too blunt, just my opinion, and because I care.

[ALJO]

Even the weight ratings says you can tow it, it will not be a happy experience taking wind considerations. It would be OK for the engine, but not for the AWD gear box.

[Murff]

The not having enough braking is so true. We towed with a 2009 Explorer Sport Trac. Replaced the brakes after several those miles and rotors were warped.

Guess they got a little heated.

Murff

[DocBrown]

The age of a vehicle can be as much of a factor as mileage. It may only have 75k on it, but at 14 years old it's not going to deal with the stresses of towing as well as something 5 years old. Towing a box into the wind is hard enough on a vehicle that's got more available capacity than yours. I'd be more concerned about the transmission temperatures than anything else.

[RichCarter]

Keep your eye on your engine temperature gauge and consider changing the rear end differential fluid to synthetic. Also keep your fingers crossed.

[Camper_bob]

Is that year Equinox a Unibody or body-on-frame?

I ask because many Unibody constructed vehicles cannot use a WDH? Or at least it's not recommended in the manual?

I'll also add that in my experience, just because it works on paper does not mean it works in the real world. When the rubber meets the road, you'll know it when you're at the margin. And that's not even taking into account any emergencies.

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

We towed our 3500# trailer with a 6 cylinder Trailblazer. By the numbers it was a good match, but reality took a big bite out of that. It worked fine except in headwinds and up hills. It really faltered at altitude in Colorado where you lose about 3% horsepower for every 1,000 feet above sea level. Eventually our Trailblazer left us stranded in beautiful Santa Rosa, New Mexico for a week while I had it assessed in Albuquerque as dead as a doornail and found a 5.3 Tahoe to take its place. Waaaaayyyyy better!!!

I highly recommend Santa Rosa Campground and RV Park and Bozo's Garage and Wrecker Services. They both treated us really well!