um...towing capacity.....

[smoecamping]

Okay....please of you need to burst my bubble go ahead. I have been reading about tow capacity and have either made myself too nervous, but someone please help with the following info.
EVERYONE "said" this would be an okay combination, but a bit of reassurance would help (or bubble bursting..ugh!!!  :% )

Tow vehicle: 01 Suzuki Grand Vitara V6
PU: 93 Rockwood (weight 2050)

I would like to know, if someone out there does know, is this a correct combination of vehicles? I read my owner's manual and it says a bunch of mumbo jumbo  :confused:  that seemed to allow for that capasity of a tow.

The reason I ask is that when we were returning from our 1st trip, the front of the vehicle squecked as we accelerated (flat surface) and we didn't know if this was from too much weight.
What figures into weight other than the pu?
Thanks for all your help..
Sara

[AustinBoston]

I read my owner's manual and it says a bunch of mumbo jumbo  :confused:  that seemed to allow for that capasity of a tow.

If you have a way of scanning & pasting that "mumbo jumbo" here it would make it a lot easier for us.  Manufacturers try to make the manual understandable to all, but when it comes to technical information like tow ratings, it can get confusing.

Austin

[fritz_monroe]

I've seen a couple web pages where it says your TV has a 3000# tow rating.  Of course, the pup is not the only thing that needs figured into the equation.  There's the weight ofthe occupants and all your camping stuff.

[smoecamping]

here's what is confusing me....it says in the manual for a 4 dr tv never to tow over 1000 unless you have trailer lights. (we do)
then it goes on too say that gross combined weight should not exceed 5600. so i guess that means that everything else less the pu should be right at 3500, correct?

now i know i could lose a few ppounds and so could my husband...lol!!!! and i figure we probably include 1 med. cooler (beverages:approx 12 ounces each), 1 small cooler with food, and clothes. We als have probably added 50 lbs to the pu with blankets, etc...

have i just gotten myself in a tissy or should i be concerned with our choice in weight??

Thanks again!!
Sara

[Peter_MA]

Uh, I think you mean trailer brakes, not trailer lights? :confused:

[smoecamping]

yep you are right...trailer brakes not lights...
thanks!!!!

[harleywolf]

You need to know what the tow capacity of your vehicle is. You can call the TV dealer and they should be able to tell you. The general rule is don

[wavery]

The general rule is don

[brainpause]

here's what is confusing me....it says in the manual for a 4 dr tv never to tow over 1000 unless you have trailer lights. (we do)
then it goes on too say that gross combined weight should not exceed 5600. so i guess that means that everything else less the pu should be right at 3500, correct?

now i know i could lose a few ppounds and so could my husband...lol!!!! and i figure we probably include 1 med. cooler (beverages:approx 12 ounces each), 1 small cooler with food, and clothes. We als have probably added 50 lbs to the pu with blankets, etc...

have i just gotten myself in a tissy or should i be concerned with our choice in weight??

Thanks again!!
Sara

Sara,

Welcome to PUT!

In your first post, you said the trailer weighed 2050#. Is that a scale weight, or a sticker weight?

If it is a sticker weight, the simplest solution might be to just load up for a trip and go to a scale and weigh the whole darn setup. It should be less than 5600# altogether.

It sounds like you will be within specs, if you have trailer brakes, and you have a properly set and wired brake controller in the cab with the driver.

Larry

[harleywolf]

"The general rule is don

[bblake]

There are several sites on the net that you might want to look at.  For calculating how much you are really towing, check out this site:  http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/weight/

Another place to look for your vehicle towing capacity is:

http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175

I couldn't find the Suzuki in 2001, but kept looking and found one in 2005, the Grand V has a tow capacity of 2000.  

IF everything were perfect, you might be ok, but there are always crosswinds, downhill stops, emergency stops, steep hills, fun things like that which could ruin your day, and possibly your TV and PUP.  You might rethink your TV.  Sorry to burst your bubble.

[cpl215]

Cars.com has the 2001 grand vitara listed with a maximum trailer weight of 3000 lbs.  That is trailer weight only and says that you can have 3000 lbs in addition to the tv loaded with cargo and occupants.  I would say that if you don't carry alot of extra camping gear you would be fine.

[wavery]

"The general rule is don

[harleywolf]

Very well said Wavery and on that note I have already started researching EXACTLY what we're towing.

Thanks!

[AustinBoston]

While I believe doing the math is important, experience has shown that two things combine to sabotage the most careful calculations.

The first is the optimistic numbers of the trailer manufacturers.  They list the dry weight without "options," and you would be surprised what they consider "options."  They may have never built this model without a water tank, but because they *can* build it without the tank, it's an "option" for weight prposes.

The second is the ability of people to grossly underestimate the weight of what they have packed.

The only reliable way of knowing what your setup weighs is to pull it on to a certified scale.  I was nearly 1000 lbs more than I had calculated, and about 500 lbs more than what I really thought.  Having that deliberate safety margin meant I was still within all of the ratings.  Close, but "legal."

Everyone should get their setup weighed at least once when fully loaded.

Austin