Newbie - + towing safety

[Bug Slinger]

OK, first off I am brand new to PUP's. So thanks in advance for any and all advise.
My wife and I have been looking at a variety of brands and models and had yet to make a decision. However, I am going to pick up a 2004 Jayco Eagle 14SO that I am getting from a relative for WAY under NADA. We are planning a trip to
FL from IL for Christmas. That being said, my first and main concern is that it is too large (heavy) for our TVs. We have a Kia Sedona (minivan) and a Jeep Wrangler 4D (with tow package)(anemic power). Both vehicles have 3500lbs capacities. The PUP comes in at 2675 (UVW) and 3330 (GVW). My big question is can we tow it safely (at least to pick it up - a few hour away)?
Again, thanks in advance for any advise, as I'm sure I will be asking plenty more.

[wavery]

OK, first off I am brand new to PUP's. So thanks in advance for any and all advise.
My wife and I have been looking at a variety of brands and models and had yet to make a decision. However, I am going to pick up a 2004 Jayco Eagle 14SO that I am getting from a relative for WAY under NADA. We are planning a trip to
FL from IL for Christmas. That being said, my first and main concern is that it is too large (heavy) for our TVs. We have a Kia Sedona (minivan) and a Jeep Wrangler 4D (with tow package)(anemic power). Both vehicles have 3500lbs capacities. The PUP comes in at 2675 (UVW) and 3330 (GVW). My big question is can we tow it safely (at least to pick it up - a few hour away)?
Again, thanks in advance for any advise, as I'm sure I will be asking plenty more.

IMHO, you are correct. Both of those vehicles are under-rated for towing that PU and the load that you will be carrying in your TV.

For picking it up and bringing it home, be sure that you have the correct trailer wiring hook-up on the TV to be compatible with the trailer. Also, be sure that you have a functioning "Brake Controller" in the TV. If you don't have one, you will need to purchase one and install it. There are many brands on the market, most of us here have the Prodigy and are happy with it. Anything less, you may find unacceptable and a waste of $.

[Bug Slinger]

wavery,

Thanks for the confirmation. Now I need to figure out about trading it down on a
smaller model. I have looked at the formulas but am still not sure what weight
(UVW or GVW) I should be considering.? Any help?

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT and the word of PU camping.  Is the trailer going to be loaded or unloaded when you tow it home?  The unloaded weight usually does not include any options the camper may have (air conditioning, furnace, etc).  Does the trailer have surge or electric brakes?  If it has electric brakes you will need to have a brake controller to tow it safely.  I think you would be ok towing it home.  Any chance of getting a different TV and keeping the trailer?  Good luck with finding the right PU for you.

[Bug Slinger]

I'm trying to decide on the TV. I love my Jeep, but it is very limited when it comes to towing. I'm considering a Toyota 4R V8 as a replacement. Not as much fun, but a lot more powerful.

[tlhdoc]

Good luck on what ever you get.

[wavery]

I'm trying to decide on the TV. I love my Jeep, but it is very limited when it comes to towing. I'm considering a Toyota 4R V8 as a replacement. Not as much fun, but a lot more powerful.

You might want to be sure that you have about 5500# tow rating. The most important thing is NOT the pulling power. It is the stopping power.

[mudfish67]

You might want to be sure that you have about 5500# tow rating. The most important thing is NOT the pulling power. It is the stopping power.

How do you know what the stopping power is? The 4runner (v8) is rated at 7000lbs - I figured that should give me plenty.?

[wavery]

How do you know what the stopping power is? The 4runner (v8) is rated at 7000lbs - I figured that should give me plenty.?

Ya.......I'd say that's PLENTY. :sombraro:

The stopping power is part of the tow rating formula from the factory. I'd say that you're good to go.

[harleywolf]

We pull a heavy, large PUP (3400#, 19

[sacrawf]

Welcome. It sounds like a great trip to take your Pop-up to Florida for Christmas.  I have considered doing the same as my Son lives in Florida, but with the variability in Illinois weather haven't attempted to made the trip yet and have flown down instead when visiting.

I pulled a light popup (Rockwood 1610) with  GVWR of 2,287 lbs. and Base/Dry Unit Weight  1,574 lbs. with a Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4 rated at 3300 pound towing capacity.  It did well, even in the mountains, but I always had to be careful not to over-pack.  I certainly wouldn't have wanted to tow anything heavier with it.

Due to an accident, I had no choice but to replace the Santa Fe and went to a new vehicle with nearly 7000 pound towing capacity.  I certainly lost a lot of gas mileage, but now I don't even know that the trailer is back there, and don't have to worry about the extra weight of an extra lp tank, trolling motor, extra ice chest, firewood, and have the space to put it.  

Besides the towing capacity, look at the roof rack capacity of the tow vehicle as well in case you might want to also add a cargo box, bike racks, kayak rack, or cargo basket in the future. Local Yakima dealers have catalogs that show the capacity, as it isn't often available on the manufacturer's website.

Beside the 4-Runner, vehicles with the size towing capacity that you are considering without going to a full-size pickup are the V-8 4x4 Nissan Pathfinder, and the V-8 4x4 Ford Sport Trac.

OK, first off I am brand new to PUP's. So thanks in advance for any and all advise.
My wife and I have been looking at a variety of brands and models and had yet to make a decision. However, I am going to pick up a 2004 Jayco Eagle 14SO that I am getting from a relative for WAY under NADA. We are planning a trip to
FL from IL for Christmas. That being said, my first and main concern is that it is too large (heavy) for our TVs. We have a Kia Sedona (minivan) and a Jeep Wrangler 4D (with tow package)(anemic power). Both vehicles have 3500lbs capacities. The PUP comes in at 2675 (UVW) and 3330 (GVW). My big question is can we tow it safely (at least to pick it up - a few hour away)?
Again, thanks in advance for any advise, as I'm sure I will be asking plenty more.

[Bug Slinger]

Thanks for the responses! Well, I did go with the 4Runner V8 and am having the Prodigy controller installed in a few days. As far as sway control, is that something that is always a good idea or does it depend on the PUP/TV combination?

[wavery]

Thanks for the responses! Well, I did go with the 4Runner V8 and am having the Prodigy controller installed in a few days. As far as sway control, is that something that is always a good idea or does it depend on the PUP/TV combination?

It Depends on the combination in most cases. However, there are a few PUs out there that have the axles mounted too far forward and they require a sway control.

You'll know when you tow it home. If you can tow it at 70mph without swaying, you should be in good shape. The first time that you do it, be prepared to activate the trailer brakes manually. That will slow the rig down and eliminate any sway immediately.

[Bug Slinger]

It Depends on the combination in most cases. However, there are a few PUs out there that have the axles mounted too far forward and they require a sway control.

You'll know when you tow it home. If you can tow it at 70mph without swaying, you should be in good shape. The first time that you do it, be prepared to activate the trailer brakes manually. That will slow the rig down and eliminate any sway immediately.

Thanks!

[wavery]

Thanks!

BTW......I should have added......"The first time that you do it, be prepared to activate the trailer brakes manually. DO NOT HIT YOUR TV BRAKES as this could be dangerous . That will slow the rig down and eliminate any sway immediately.