new to pop ups and need advice, please

[kcpup]

Hello - I've been reading your forum, as we're totally new to pop ups. After a few weeks I think I'm finally ready to ask a question! Currently we camp in a 1985 Volkswagen Westfalia; we're tired of not camping because it is too hot. We don't want to get a new car, so we are looking for an air conditioned pop up that our 1995 Volvo 850 Wagon will tow in the 10 foot range.

I am having difficulty finding a pop up that can stay within my car's specifications for tongue weight. I will detail the specifics below - my primary question is whether I can go over the recommended tongue weight for the car and if so, what techniques or equipment are needed to keep from destroying my car?  Of course, safety is a serious concern as well.

My car already has a transmission cooler as standard equipment.

My car's specifications:
Max trailer load w/o trailer brakes: 1540 lbs
with trailer brakes and a 2" ball: 3300
Max recommended tongue weight: 110 lbs for trailers under 2650, 165 lbs for trailer weights above 2650

The pop ups we are looking at:
2005 Fleetwood Colonial: UVW: 1715, Unloaded tongue wt:185 GVWR: 3000

2005 Jayco 1007: UVW: 1680, UnTWt: 180, GVWR: 2300

2005 Rockwood 2316G: UVW: 1620, UnTWt: 326, GVWR: 3046

2005 Rockwood 1980: UVW: 1569, UnTWt: 219, GVWR: 2319

We have actually looked at the Fleetwood and the Jayco (so far the features, etc we like the Jayco the best). We will look at the Rockwood's this weekend. I am getting a hitch installed on my Volvo this weekend as well. They only make a Class II hitch for my car, so that's what is being installed.

Soo...NONE of these meet my Volvo tongue weight recommendations.  Must we downsize to an 8 footer? Many of those have a <165 lb tongue wt, but are very small for our family needs.

Any guidance and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Eaglecamper]

I would NOT exceed the recommendations of the manufacturer. I would however check w/Volvo to see if the use of a WDH alters the numbers. A weight distributing hitch transfers weight to the front axle of the TV. Some campers can't use a WDH due to the type of frame they have. So if the use of a WDH does give you the 'edge' you need, you then need to make sure the camper you're looking at can handle the hitch. 110 to 165 TW is pretty light and w/o a WDH you may have trouble finding an adequate camper for your family.

[dee106]

http://www.litetentcamper.com/optionslg.htm
 
  http://www.livinlite.com/
 
 http://www.trailmasterinc.com/

[AustinBoston]

Max trailer load w/o trailer brakes: 1540 lbs
with trailer brakes and a 2" ball: 3300
Max recommended tongue weight: 110 lbs for trailers under 2650, 165 lbs for trailer weights above 2650

Anybody else look at this and say "sumthin' 'aint right here?"  You should never, ever have a tongue weight that is less than 10% of the total actual weight of the trailer, so if the tongue weight ratings are correct, then the real weight limit is 1650 lbs (165 lbs x 10).

Austin

[Eaglecamper]

Anybody else look at this and say "sumthin' 'aint right here?"  You should never, ever have a tongue weight that is less than 10% of the total actual weight of the trailer, so if the tongue weight ratings are correct, then the real weight limit is 1650 lbs (165 lbs x 10).

Austin

I agree, none of the numbers seemed to make sense. I assumed (maybe incorrectly) that he was quoting from the owners manual. What bothered me is there does'nt seem to me to be a max. tow limit. It says "above 2650 and then the comment about a 2" ball w/brakes up to 3300. I can't believe that vehicle could tow 3300 (330 TW!!!!) It's seems Volvo's stats are a little confusing   :eyecrazy:  I guess we'll have to wait and see if/when he returns to post.

[kcpup]

Well, I feel a bit better, not being the only one that finds this confusing.

I did take the information out of the Volvo manual. Here is the verbatim quote:
"Recommened hitch tongue load is 110lbs(50 kg) for trailer weights below 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) and 165lbs(75 kg) for trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg). For trailer weights between 2,650 and 3,300 lbs (1,200-1,500 kg) a top speed of 50 mph (80km/h) should never be exceeded."

Also:
"Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is: trailers without brakes: 1,540 lbs(700 kg)  trailers with brakes: 2" (50mm) ball - 3300 lbs (1,500kg), 1 7/8" (47mm) ball - 2,000 lbs (908kg)"

I've searched high and low on the internet and found a number of people who are using Volvos (here and in Europe) successfully as a tow vehicle.

Thanks for any additional perspective ya'll can supply. I'm taking the Volvo to the Jayco dealer and hooking it up to the model 1007 to see how it looks and feels. With the confusing tongue weight stuff, perhaps a look at it in the physical world will provide some clarity.