Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck?

phum · **Posted:** Thu Aug 09, 2018 5:33 pm

Infinite_Karma wrote:

I've been towing and camping with my 19-foot R-Vision Trail-Lite Bantam (Hybrid travel trailer) for about 5 or so years now. I know it is actually kind of wide and big for my little rig, but the engine can take it no problem. I just don't take it on really long windy roads or drive fast with it more than 4-5 times a year.

Pretty much like this one: https://www.rvusa.com/rvs-for-sale/2008/r-vision-trail-lite-c19-travel-trailer-used-indianapolis-indiana-46203-2185041

I could use some Air-Lift-Bags in back to support my OME heavy springs, when it's all loaded up, but I down't tow this beast around every day.

My little KJ CRD does tow it easily, and I've also added lots of things to make it better.

Feel free to peruse my Album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151564526516208.1073741825.508521207&type=1&l=02cf849fdf

Looked at your facebook photos, you have done a ton of work and photographed it nicely, well done

danoid · **Posted:** Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:35 pm

Appalachian mountains = slow but doable.
Rockies = No.

5600# 26' Surveyor. Air Lifts in the rear coils, load range D or E tires.

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mass-hole · **Posted:** Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:46 pm

Squeeto wrote:

mass-hole wrote:

I didnt see a huge bump from the 4.10's.

You are running bigger tires for this gearing?

Yes, i am on 265/75R16 Duratracs. I've towed the trailer with both the 3.73's and 4.10's on these tires.

Grotsoldaat · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2018 3:53 pm

Squeeto wrote:

Due to wild fire closures and a few other reasons, we cut our trip short.

So we are back and I want to report about the Malahat and Highway 19 North of Parksville drive.
The transmission cooler worked so well!

The temperature was more consistent and stayed around 70C (158F).
The only time the temperature reached 90C (194F) was accelerating from stop to highway speed and only for a few seconds until torque lockup.
Ambient temperature 32C going, 36C returning (90F, 97F).

The engine temperature went 1/2 mark past 12:00 a few times on the long hills but this is okay. Still that 11 blade fan upgrade might be quite beneficial too.

Grotsoldaat, flash7210 thanks for info and advice. I kept my ego in check and kept the speed around 85-90kph (53-56mph). Everybody past me except one dude in an ice cream truck doing 49mph until I past him.

Glad to here your trip went fine. Ice cream truck must move slowly, otherwise the friction of air stream will heat it up and melts the whole cargo... :roll:

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:29 pm

Way back in the long long ago, when I was a teenager, a ice cream truck showed up at a street race.
He must have made a wrong turn.

He turned on the silly music and mashed the throttle against a ‘88 GNX.

Needless to say, the ice cream survived :-)r

Squeeto · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2018 11:48 am

I bought a stronger torque converter.

Made by VW

This is the 3.0l Touareg diesel. The last year made here was 2015 but they are more rare. We picked up a 2014 with low kms, leather and memory seats.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2018 12:18 pm

Sweet! What is it rated to tow?
Guess you will be modding it? :lol:

Squeeto · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2018 12:26 pm

Thx.
It is rated for 7716lbs.
Wife was reading that it can go 1000km on a tank.
Mods, probably yes.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2018 5:26 pm

Squeeto wrote:

I bought a stronger torque converter.

Made by VW

This is the 3.0l Touareg diesel. The last year made here was 2015 but they are more rare. We picked up a 2014 with low kms, leather and memory seats.

good call. That 240 hp will make a world of difference. With a tune it will be SWEET.

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:47 pm

Nice choice. Actually last year of the TDI Touareg in NA is 2016. Q7 was 2015.

You should get 1000 km on long drives not towing. My Q7 was doing that with ease on the last long drive on the highway in the mountains.

You won't even known that trailer is behind you. And you can manually shift the 8 speed transmission.

Also you need to buy a VCDS scanner. This is a must for Volkswagen/Audi vehicles if you want to stay away from the stealership. About 500 bucks Canadian.

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

Grotsoldaat · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:46 am

Squeeto wrote:

I bought a stronger torque converter.

Made by VW

This is the 3.0l Touareg diesel. The last year made here was 2015 but they are more rare. We picked up a 2014 with low kms, leather and memory seats.

You are approaching the original idea... :seuss:

Squeeto · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2018 1:49 pm

Just wanted to pass this on to anyone considering a Touareg.

This is my weight distribution hitch with the trailer but without the bars.
Over 1-1/4" drop in the back (at the wheels) and 1/2" rise in the front.

VW says NOT to use a WD hitch on this vehicle. Note it doesn't have air suspension.
They won't say why even when they have been asked. Most believe that it is due to the oem hitch design.

The problem is that we wouldn't have been able to bring the trailer home from the dealer without a WD hitch or signing a "I accept all responsibility for doing this" affidavit.

Problem 2:

VW also wants the top of the ball below the ball mount release pin.
This would put the trailer over 10" lower at the front.
VW must not consider the height of North American "off-roading" trailers.

VW uses terms like "permitted", "warning", "risk of loss of vehicle control".
If I set up the trailer like VW wants, the trailer will be so tipped forward that it will amplify the look of the vehicle slumped in the back.
The first cop that sees this will surely pull me over and call in a tow truck.

The easy fix is to just use the WD hitch but some may not feel comfortable going against the warnings.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2018 3:08 pm

When vehicle and camper are fully loaded, hitched, and setting on level ground. they both should be relatively level.
Don't understand why they don't want a load leveling hitch unless they feel that their vehicle mounted receiver is not strong enough to handle the additional stress. :shock:

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2018 4:28 pm

I would compare how robust the VW towing parts are to the jeep and make my decision about using the bars on that. With careful towing on smooth roads I would be less worried.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2018 6:09 pm

What the hell is The touregs maximum weight carrying tongue weight?

Even my 157” wheelbase, 6200 lb F150 is limited to a 500 lb tongue before I gotta go to WDH.

Squeeto · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2018 6:18 pm

mass-hole wrote:

What the hell is The touregs maximum weight carrying tongue weight?

Sticker says 616 lbs.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2018 6:20 pm

Squeeto wrote:

mass-hole wrote:

What the hell is The touregs maximum weight carrying tongue weight?

Sticker says 616 lbs.

I’m impressed. Might wanna get some airbags lol.

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2018 6:22 pm

mass-hole wrote:

What the hell is The touregs maximum weight carrying tongue weight?

Even my 157” wheelbase, 6200 lb F150 is limited to a 500 lb tongue before I gotta go to WDH.

More....I think it is at least 650lbs or more..700lbs sticks in my head for some reason...tow rating is 7700lbs.

Edit...I see Squeeto posted 616lbs.

I am pretty sure VW never actually tested any WD setups and are erring on the side of caution. I used a WD with no apparent ill effects. I have not read of any actual failures. If one is worried about it, there is a fix called the Can-Am where they weld structural supports to the hitch.

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mass-hole · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2018 7:33 pm

WolverineFW wrote:

mass-hole wrote:

What the hell is The touregs maximum weight carrying tongue weight?

Even my 157” wheelbase, 6200 lb F150 is limited to a 500 lb tongue before I gotta go to WDH.

More....I think it is at least 650lbs or more..700lbs sticks in my head for some reason...tow rating is 7700lbs.

Edit...I see Squeeto posted 616lbs.

I am pretty sure VW never actually tested any WD setups and are erring on the side of caution. I used a WD with no apparent ill effects. I have not read of any actual failures. If one is worried about it, there is a fix called the Can-Am where they weld structural supports to the hitch.

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

I don’t think they use WDH in Europe so I wouldn’t be surprised.

Grotsoldaat · **Posted:** Sun Sep 02, 2018 9:00 am

mass-hole wrote:

WolverineFW wrote:

mass-hole wrote:

What the hell is The touregs maximum weight carrying tongue weight?

Even my 157” wheelbase, 6200 lb F150 is limited to a 500 lb tongue before I gotta go to WDH.

More....I think it is at least 650lbs or more..700lbs sticks in my head for some reason...tow rating is 7700lbs.

Edit...I see Squeeto posted 616lbs.

I am pretty sure VW never actually tested any WD setups and are erring on the side of caution. I used a WD with no apparent ill effects. I have not read of any actual failures. If one is worried about it, there is a fix called the Can-Am where they weld structural supports to the hitch.

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

I don’t think they use WDH in Europe so I wouldn’t be surprised.

No, WDHs are not used in here, at least I haven't seen them. Trailers are designed a bit different way, double axle is common over 750kg gross mass ones and most of countries have speed limits issued for towing. From RVNET forum:

Posted By: carringb on 08/22/13 08:11am

Their trailer are designed with a lower polar moment of inertia. In other words, heavy items are al placed over the axles and not at the ends. Like a boat trailer, where the engine sits almost over the axle, it will be inherently more stable even with less tongue weight. And yes center of gravity matters too, as does total lateral stiffness of the tire/wheel/hub/axle assembly. Automakers know this. European trailer makers know this. US trailer makes don't care because pennies matter most. Every dollar spend on better dynamics would be a dollar less to spend on corian countertops. The wow factor matters most in the RV world since few trailer buyers would even consider a "test" drive of a trailer.

Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck?

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