Roof top load

[Dangerousdad]

Were is the best place to mount your roof rack for bicks etc?
Front back or middle?

[wavery]

Were is the best place to mount your roof rack for bicks etc?
Front back or middle?

The best place may be on your TV (tow vehicle). What is the make/model of your PU and your TV. Does the PU have AC?

[Dangerousdad]

The best place may be on your TV (tow vehicle). What is the make/model of your PU and your TV. Does the PU have AC?

I have a Fleetwood Sun Valley 12ft the TV is a Ford Escape I carry 3 bikes and a luggage carrier  on the roof rack. Last year I had it at  the back or the trailer but I think it was causing a lot of sway. Was thinking I would move it to the front.

Your thoughts?

[Viking from ME]

I have a Fleetwood Sun Valley 12ft the TV is a Ford Escape I carry 3 bikes and a luggage carrier  on the roof rack. Last year I had it at  the back or the trailer but I think it was causing a lot of sway. Was thinking I would move it to the front.

Your thoughts?

That is a lot of weight for your Escape.

[Dangerousdad]

That is a lot of weight for your Escape.

Yes it is pushing the limit for an Escape but it handled it good last year other then the sway problem.

[wavery]

You may want to check out all of the load limits on your TV and your trailer.......especially the GCWR (gross combined weight rating)  and tow rating on the TV.

If you put the bikes on the front of the PU or get a hitch extender for a bike rack, you may exceed the limits for your tongue weight on the hitch and/or the TV. My guess is that your tongue weight rating may only be 200# and you may be exceeding that already. If you have a special tow pkg or your vehicle is rated differently than the one that I found, that will change.

Some people have made bike racks for the top of the PU and been fortunate enough not to damage the roof. I'd do a lot of research and do it right the 1st time. If you don't have AC and are careful about how much weight that you put in the PU, you may be OK.

Putting any weight on the back of a PU is a no-no. For some reason, the manufacturers place the axle close to the center-line of the PU.that gives you extra capacity for storing weight forward on the PU but absolutely zero capacity for anything back of the axle.

It is important to maintain between 10-15% of your total (loaded) trailer weight on the tongue of the trailer. Anything less than 10% will cause trailer sway.

This is what I came up with for a 2008 Ford Escape V6. Your vehicle may be different so check your owner's manual:

Curb weight   3,387 lbs.  
Front curb weight   1,999 lbs.  
Rear curb weight   1,304 lbs.  
GVWR   4,500 lbs.  
Front GAWR   2,380 lbs.  
Rear GAWR   2,175 lbs.  
Payload   1,040 lbs.  
Front axle capacity   2,480 lbs.  
Rear axle capacity   2,400 lbs
Front spring rating   2,440 lbs.  
Rear spring rating   2,400 lbs
Towing capacity   2,000 lbs.  
GCWR   7,080 lbs.


If you take your curb weight (3387) and add 3000# for the trailer (loaded) and 1000# for passangers, cargo and fuel, the above vehicle will have a combined weight of 7387#. That 2000# tow rating may be different on YOUR vehicle but I doubt that it is over 3000#. The Escape seems a bit under-rated for towing. It may be due to a lack of braking power.....be very careful.

[flyfisherman]

Could it be possible for a front mounted bike rack on that Escape   ?

That way you could study the road looking between the handle bars and such! Might even help a tad with countering the trailer's tongue weight.

Just a whimsical thought.



Fly