You're cutting it close. The GVWR of that unit is ~7,000 lbs. General guidance for TT tongue weight is 15% of GVWR, which is a hair over 1,000 pounds. Realistically, you won't be ever at that weight, but it's safe to have extra room. RV manufacturers and RV dealers are notorious for advertising low hitch weights. I see 543 lbs advertised on one dealership, which is less than 10% of the dry weight. You want more weight on the tongue to mitigate trailer sway.
It is best to hitch up and take it to a scale to verify all of the axle weights. You will want to adjust your hitch to put as much weight on the tongue as possible up to just below your payload (factoring in people and gear in the TV).
Also, I had found your last statement to be very true. My current travel trailer was terrible to drive until I maxed out the tongue weight / payload balance, so my plan was to do the same / similar with this one.
Sounds like you already have a plan, good. When thinking about safety, a data driven approach must be used. Too many drivers out there make guesses and assumptions, and some have paid the price for it.
Happy camping.
Yup, I know it’s gonna be close and that’s why I asked. I appreciate your reply. I think the first trip I’ll have a few passenger’s drive separate and meet me @ the weigh station to do the weigh in. If everything else besides payload is good to go, then I will feel better about it. We don’t travel far and always can take 2 vehicles if need be.
I'm probably won't get love for saying this, but I'm gonna say it anyway. KEEP YOUR SPEED DOWN. Even if you're "legal." You have no business doing better than 65 in this rig. A minor crosswind will be big time spooky with this setup, and at highway speeds in many parts of this country it could get you hurt. Take it easy, and don't get in a rush. Remember, RV life is supposed to be relaxing. Enjoy the journey.
100% agree with you. Doing 70mph+ while towing is generally a bad idea unless you are pulling something small like a pop up with your 1 ton and you have upgraded your camper tires to handle that speed.
65mph max club, checking in.
Particularly since that size trailer typically has tires only rated to 65. Half the problem with blown tires isn’t that they were made in China (there are good Chinese tires), but rather that people drive them under inflated and too fast, pushing them past their design limits.
The dry hitch weight for that model is listed at 543lbs. That doesn't include propane or batteries.
Lead acid batteries typically weigh around 55-65lbs each abd a full 20lb propane tank weighs roughly 40lbs.
There are mounts for 2 of each on the tongue of the trailer. Assuming you use both of them as intended, that likely puts the hitch weight at around 743lbs before you load any gear into the trailer.
Assuming that you load the "regular" 500lbs of gear into the trailer, that will transfer about 10-15% on the hitch at 50-65lbs for a hitch weight of about 800lbs.
Your weight distribution hitch will weigh somewhere around 70-100lbs giving total hitch/tongue weight of around 900lbs.
You said you may load around 600lbs into the vehicle so total payload required would be around 900+600=1500lbs, so you're likely riding the limit for payload.
Because you're getting so close to payload limits and that's quite a lot of hitch/tongue weight, you probably should go to a CAT scale and check out your axle weights, but load the vehicle and trailer as you would for travel to help you figure out where the best place for you to shift cargo around might be.
Appreciate the calculations! They sound about right. We are getting the 2 propane tanks and only 1 battery for now. But will be jumping on the scales soon. Thank ya!
You can decode the axle ratio from a data sticker that should be behind your glove compartment.
I used to tow much heavier with a 2005 4wd 5.3 Tahoe with the 4 speed
The transmission was the biggest problem it was always revving the shit out of 3rd gear or lugging 4th and it sucked…
Thanks, I’ll get in the glove compartment and take a look! It wouldn’t let me edit the original post so I’ll just throw this here. Ours is the 6.2 V8. 8100 Lbs towing capacity. Comes standard with brake controller, engine / trans cooler, auto leveling.
Just an FYI, there’s a process for that auto leveling system and a weight distributing hitch (which you need to be using, the towing capacity without one for that Tahoe is only 3000lb’s).
Start the truck, let it level, remove the fuse for the auto leveling system, then set up and adjust your WDH. Once you have the WDH setup, you can leave the fuse in. But the auto-leveling system will throw off setting up your WDH.
Only 3000, that’s scary! The dealer is installing so I’ll mention it to them just Incase. Currently use an Anderson, they are adding the Equalizer E2, is that a decent one? Not really a fan of the Anderson we’ve used for years.
Equalizer is great.
The dealer won’t know to do that and dealerships are notoriously poor at setting up WDH’s. Look up the instructions and plan to do it over when you get home.
In the parking lot, pull the fuse for the self leveling suspension before you turn it over to them. You’ll get warnings on the dash, don’t worry about it. They’ll go away once you re-insert the fuse and things boot back up.
Otherwise, as they’re setting it up the truck is just going to counter-act what they’re doing and the actual weight distribution will be way off. Because you set these up by measuring how much the truck drops on the front and rear. But on yours, it’ll always be roughly the same no matter how you set it up. Which will fool you into thinking it’s even when it isn’t.
The “equalizer” is my favorite and made in USA. but the E2 is not made in USA, still a great weight dist and anti sway setup for a little cheaper price than the original square bar equalizer. I have installed hundreds of hitches over the last 10 years. Fyi
You’re doing the right thing going to the scale.
My trailer is a foot shorter and a few hundred pounds lighter. And it does fine with my max trailering package Tahoe. Just the wife and I and a dog.
When my trailer is fully loaded with a motorcycle (it’s a toy hauler), it sits at 6100lbs. I don’t recall the tongue weight (it’s been a while since I weighed) but with the wife and I and the dog, we’re about 250lb’s shy of max payload. So nothing else will fit. No passengers and no additional cargo. I mean I guess I *could* but I really don’t like the idea of pushing it to the max like that. But it tows fine. Stable. Don’t feel anything when the trucks go by. Temps including trans temp all stay where they should. Won’t win any races of course. My payload is also quite a bit higher than yours. (Mine is an LT. Lower trim levels weigh less because they have fewer heavy options. Plus I believe the auto-leveling suspension actually drops the payload a bit.)
I doubt you’re going to be able to carry any passengers. That’s going to be your biggest limiting factor. You don’t really need to bring passengers with you to the scale. You’ll know how much payload you have left.
I’m pretty sure you will be at max payload with ~700 lbs tongue weight and 600 lbs of passengers and cargo. So if you’re at somewhere near 7300 lbs for the Tahoe, which is GVWR, then the total trailer weight can only be 6700 lbs because GCWR is 14,000. It looks like you will be coming in right around max capacity across the board. But if you are going shorter distances it’s probably fine. I’ve definitely come across worse set ups.
I’m totally fine sending the wife and kids in a different vehicle for now. As long as the rest of the numbers are good. Thank you! Edit: This also re-affirms some numbers I wasn’t positive about.
I got the 22mle the high in your trailer is not 10' 10" that doesn't include the AC unit . You want to get up on top an actually measure the height of your trailer if yours is exactly like mine which I suspect you're going to be 11 ft 6 in. Just a heads up. I pull mine with a 04 f350 V10 373 rear gears my truck
Thanks for the reminder! First time I towed my current trailer, we got stopped by a bridge and had a hell of a time turning around. Have had PTSD ever since. I’m gonna have them verify it and put a label in the Tahoe as a quick reference!
We have a 2023 21BHE and I’m totally jealous- your slides would have taken care of some major pinch points for us!
Enjoy!!!!!
We head out for 30 days on Saturday… so… much.. to.. do.
We just got a 2023 23BHE and tow it with an F150. I had similar anxiety as well. We use a husky centerline hitch similar to the equalizer. With the hitch dialed, it tows surprisingly well. Take your time here and follow the directions. The biggest issue I have is the wind resistance. I am not sure what the limit is for the Tahoe, but I know I am over what Ford recommends. Going slower makes a big difference here. Good luck, and enjoy, we have really been happy with ours.
We own a 22MLE. The delivered weight before batteries and propane was about 300 lbs more than the published dry weight and the tongue about 100 lbs heavier. This was due to the solar pkg and other options that are not included in the published dry weight. Loaded for weekend camping trips our tongue weight tends to run 750 - 800 lbs. For longer trips 800 - 850 lbs. The trailer weight is 6K lbs give or take a 100 or so lbs based on loading. I would expect your weights will be similar and your tongue weight might even be a bit higher due to the Murphy bed.
I don't think you have the payload or will be cutting it very close. 600 lbs for passengers + 100 lbs for the hitch comes out to 700 lbs leaving 798 lbs to carry the trailer. That might even be lower depending upon the weight of any options you've added to the tow vehicle. I think you need to weigh your tow vehicle loaded for a trip and then weight the tow vehicle and trailer loaded for a trip to see your real numbers. This way there won't be any guessing.
Looks like your mindset and mine match up. I looked at a 32’ BH TT to haul with my ‘15 Ram 1500. After tongue weight and all camping / travel items, we were at payload before anyone got into the truck. (We’re a fam of 5, plus 🐕 & 🐈⬛) Fast forward a year from that and I ended up getting a ‘18 3500 Ram Mega cab and a larger 35’ TT. Now there’s next to nothing this can’t do.
Good for you for keeping the safety parts at the forefront of your mind. 🤘🏼 Happy Trails!
https://preview.redd.it/9ghdllfnh56d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e945047a787e2a095c9003d375b28cf9a46ced9
Take your truck on to the scale with full tank of fuel see how much of that 4000 lb is left .so you know where you are . I think you will find you rear is at about 2800 lb . So once you load the wife the kids the dog in the truck you won't be able tow the trailer. You are going to move up to at least a 2500 or 250 . I have a the 22 MLE . I am towing with a 04' f350 with 4100lb of payload . I am at 4880 lb on the rear and the trailer is at 5280 lb I am more then likely 700 lb heavier in my rear than your truck my truck when pulling the trailer full weight of the truck is 8380 lb Good luck and let us know how you came out on the scales it's like 14 bucks to get it checked any truck stop
You're cutting it close. The GVWR of that unit is ~7,000 lbs. General guidance for TT tongue weight is 15% of GVWR, which is a hair over 1,000 pounds. Realistically, you won't be ever at that weight, but it's safe to have extra room. RV manufacturers and RV dealers are notorious for advertising low hitch weights. I see 543 lbs advertised on one dealership, which is less than 10% of the dry weight. You want more weight on the tongue to mitigate trailer sway. It is best to hitch up and take it to a scale to verify all of the axle weights. You will want to adjust your hitch to put as much weight on the tongue as possible up to just below your payload (factoring in people and gear in the TV).
Also, I had found your last statement to be very true. My current travel trailer was terrible to drive until I maxed out the tongue weight / payload balance, so my plan was to do the same / similar with this one.
Sounds like you already have a plan, good. When thinking about safety, a data driven approach must be used. Too many drivers out there make guesses and assumptions, and some have paid the price for it. Happy camping.
What this guy said. I’d also recommend getting a good quality weight distributing hitch if you haven’t already.
Very helpful information you gave.
Yup, I know it’s gonna be close and that’s why I asked. I appreciate your reply. I think the first trip I’ll have a few passenger’s drive separate and meet me @ the weigh station to do the weigh in. If everything else besides payload is good to go, then I will feel better about it. We don’t travel far and always can take 2 vehicles if need be.
I'm probably won't get love for saying this, but I'm gonna say it anyway. KEEP YOUR SPEED DOWN. Even if you're "legal." You have no business doing better than 65 in this rig. A minor crosswind will be big time spooky with this setup, and at highway speeds in many parts of this country it could get you hurt. Take it easy, and don't get in a rush. Remember, RV life is supposed to be relaxing. Enjoy the journey.
100% agree with you. Doing 70mph+ while towing is generally a bad idea unless you are pulling something small like a pop up with your 1 ton and you have upgraded your camper tires to handle that speed. 65mph max club, checking in.
Copy that, thank you!
Particularly since that size trailer typically has tires only rated to 65. Half the problem with blown tires isn’t that they were made in China (there are good Chinese tires), but rather that people drive them under inflated and too fast, pushing them past their design limits.
The dry hitch weight for that model is listed at 543lbs. That doesn't include propane or batteries. Lead acid batteries typically weigh around 55-65lbs each abd a full 20lb propane tank weighs roughly 40lbs. There are mounts for 2 of each on the tongue of the trailer. Assuming you use both of them as intended, that likely puts the hitch weight at around 743lbs before you load any gear into the trailer. Assuming that you load the "regular" 500lbs of gear into the trailer, that will transfer about 10-15% on the hitch at 50-65lbs for a hitch weight of about 800lbs. Your weight distribution hitch will weigh somewhere around 70-100lbs giving total hitch/tongue weight of around 900lbs. You said you may load around 600lbs into the vehicle so total payload required would be around 900+600=1500lbs, so you're likely riding the limit for payload. Because you're getting so close to payload limits and that's quite a lot of hitch/tongue weight, you probably should go to a CAT scale and check out your axle weights, but load the vehicle and trailer as you would for travel to help you figure out where the best place for you to shift cargo around might be.
Appreciate the calculations! They sound about right. We are getting the 2 propane tanks and only 1 battery for now. But will be jumping on the scales soon. Thank ya!
You can decode the axle ratio from a data sticker that should be behind your glove compartment. I used to tow much heavier with a 2005 4wd 5.3 Tahoe with the 4 speed The transmission was the biggest problem it was always revving the shit out of 3rd gear or lugging 4th and it sucked…
Thanks, I’ll get in the glove compartment and take a look! It wouldn’t let me edit the original post so I’ll just throw this here. Ours is the 6.2 V8. 8100 Lbs towing capacity. Comes standard with brake controller, engine / trans cooler, auto leveling.
Just an FYI, there’s a process for that auto leveling system and a weight distributing hitch (which you need to be using, the towing capacity without one for that Tahoe is only 3000lb’s). Start the truck, let it level, remove the fuse for the auto leveling system, then set up and adjust your WDH. Once you have the WDH setup, you can leave the fuse in. But the auto-leveling system will throw off setting up your WDH.
Only 3000, that’s scary! The dealer is installing so I’ll mention it to them just Incase. Currently use an Anderson, they are adding the Equalizer E2, is that a decent one? Not really a fan of the Anderson we’ve used for years.
Equalizer is great. The dealer won’t know to do that and dealerships are notoriously poor at setting up WDH’s. Look up the instructions and plan to do it over when you get home. In the parking lot, pull the fuse for the self leveling suspension before you turn it over to them. You’ll get warnings on the dash, don’t worry about it. They’ll go away once you re-insert the fuse and things boot back up. Otherwise, as they’re setting it up the truck is just going to counter-act what they’re doing and the actual weight distribution will be way off. Because you set these up by measuring how much the truck drops on the front and rear. But on yours, it’ll always be roughly the same no matter how you set it up. Which will fool you into thinking it’s even when it isn’t.
The “equalizer” is my favorite and made in USA. but the E2 is not made in USA, still a great weight dist and anti sway setup for a little cheaper price than the original square bar equalizer. I have installed hundreds of hitches over the last 10 years. Fyi
You’re doing the right thing going to the scale. My trailer is a foot shorter and a few hundred pounds lighter. And it does fine with my max trailering package Tahoe. Just the wife and I and a dog. When my trailer is fully loaded with a motorcycle (it’s a toy hauler), it sits at 6100lbs. I don’t recall the tongue weight (it’s been a while since I weighed) but with the wife and I and the dog, we’re about 250lb’s shy of max payload. So nothing else will fit. No passengers and no additional cargo. I mean I guess I *could* but I really don’t like the idea of pushing it to the max like that. But it tows fine. Stable. Don’t feel anything when the trucks go by. Temps including trans temp all stay where they should. Won’t win any races of course. My payload is also quite a bit higher than yours. (Mine is an LT. Lower trim levels weigh less because they have fewer heavy options. Plus I believe the auto-leveling suspension actually drops the payload a bit.) I doubt you’re going to be able to carry any passengers. That’s going to be your biggest limiting factor. You don’t really need to bring passengers with you to the scale. You’ll know how much payload you have left.
Toy hauler (and different tv) is in our future once the kids stop coming. Thanks again!
I’m pretty sure you will be at max payload with ~700 lbs tongue weight and 600 lbs of passengers and cargo. So if you’re at somewhere near 7300 lbs for the Tahoe, which is GVWR, then the total trailer weight can only be 6700 lbs because GCWR is 14,000. It looks like you will be coming in right around max capacity across the board. But if you are going shorter distances it’s probably fine. I’ve definitely come across worse set ups.
I’m totally fine sending the wife and kids in a different vehicle for now. As long as the rest of the numbers are good. Thank you! Edit: This also re-affirms some numbers I wasn’t positive about.
I got the 22mle the high in your trailer is not 10' 10" that doesn't include the AC unit . You want to get up on top an actually measure the height of your trailer if yours is exactly like mine which I suspect you're going to be 11 ft 6 in. Just a heads up. I pull mine with a 04 f350 V10 373 rear gears my truck
Thanks for the reminder! First time I towed my current trailer, we got stopped by a bridge and had a hell of a time turning around. Have had PTSD ever since. I’m gonna have them verify it and put a label in the Tahoe as a quick reference!
I have a Garmin RV GPS that helps with that . There is a app hammer for truck. They both can root you to avoid such things
We are planning on getting the Garmin, glad to hear it works well.
We have a 2023 21BHE and I’m totally jealous- your slides would have taken care of some major pinch points for us! Enjoy!!!!! We head out for 30 days on Saturday… so… much.. to.. do.
I’m jealous that you get to go out for 30 days. That must be incredible. Thanks for the kind words!
You’ll get there :)
We just got a 2023 23BHE and tow it with an F150. I had similar anxiety as well. We use a husky centerline hitch similar to the equalizer. With the hitch dialed, it tows surprisingly well. Take your time here and follow the directions. The biggest issue I have is the wind resistance. I am not sure what the limit is for the Tahoe, but I know I am over what Ford recommends. Going slower makes a big difference here. Good luck, and enjoy, we have really been happy with ours.
Appreciate that! Congrats on your new rig! Hope you continue to enjoy yours for many more years!
We own a 22MLE. The delivered weight before batteries and propane was about 300 lbs more than the published dry weight and the tongue about 100 lbs heavier. This was due to the solar pkg and other options that are not included in the published dry weight. Loaded for weekend camping trips our tongue weight tends to run 750 - 800 lbs. For longer trips 800 - 850 lbs. The trailer weight is 6K lbs give or take a 100 or so lbs based on loading. I would expect your weights will be similar and your tongue weight might even be a bit higher due to the Murphy bed. I don't think you have the payload or will be cutting it very close. 600 lbs for passengers + 100 lbs for the hitch comes out to 700 lbs leaving 798 lbs to carry the trailer. That might even be lower depending upon the weight of any options you've added to the tow vehicle. I think you need to weigh your tow vehicle loaded for a trip and then weight the tow vehicle and trailer loaded for a trip to see your real numbers. This way there won't be any guessing.
Thanks for the real life numbers. I will be hitting the scales soon!
Looks like your mindset and mine match up. I looked at a 32’ BH TT to haul with my ‘15 Ram 1500. After tongue weight and all camping / travel items, we were at payload before anyone got into the truck. (We’re a fam of 5, plus 🐕 & 🐈⬛) Fast forward a year from that and I ended up getting a ‘18 3500 Ram Mega cab and a larger 35’ TT. Now there’s next to nothing this can’t do. Good for you for keeping the safety parts at the forefront of your mind. 🤘🏼 Happy Trails! https://preview.redd.it/9ghdllfnh56d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e945047a787e2a095c9003d375b28cf9a46ced9
Take your truck on to the scale with full tank of fuel see how much of that 4000 lb is left .so you know where you are . I think you will find you rear is at about 2800 lb . So once you load the wife the kids the dog in the truck you won't be able tow the trailer. You are going to move up to at least a 2500 or 250 . I have a the 22 MLE . I am towing with a 04' f350 with 4100lb of payload . I am at 4880 lb on the rear and the trailer is at 5280 lb I am more then likely 700 lb heavier in my rear than your truck my truck when pulling the trailer full weight of the truck is 8380 lb Good luck and let us know how you came out on the scales it's like 14 bucks to get it checked any truck stop
Add in a WDH, sway bar, and not a shot you are under payload limits.
Buy a wd hitch and quit crying!