A couple of towing questions

[Ray364]

Hi,

I have a GMC Canyon (midsize pickup) that has a max tow rating of 4000 lbs, and I had a couple of quesions:

1. What would be the max weight of a travel trailer I could buy that would be safe for me to tow?  Is there some rule of thumb on this?

2. Would I need a transmission cooler (or any other special tow eqpt) to tow this size of a trailer? I already have a hitch (class 2, I believe) that tows my popup camper, but I want to step-up to a larger travel trailre.

Thanks for your help.

[jim]

Welcome aboard Ray.

The general rule of thumb is to try and stay around 80% of your capacity (4000 lbs).
That being said, the other major factor is the wheelbase of your truck (longer is better).
With a Canyon, I would say you're limited to as short as possible on a travel trailer.
I'd look at some Hybrids in the 16 to 18 foot range or even better look at some trailers in the R-Pod line.
The R-pod's are both light and short.

As far as an oil cooler and hitch and stuff, that'll depend on which trailer you choose and where you are towing it.

Glad to have you here at the forum. Feel free to ask all the questions you like.

[Hitch Itch]

Like Jim said 80% rule, so 80% of 4000lbs is 3200lbs
Here is an example for you
http://www.jayco.com/php/products/lite.weight/floorplans.php?id=200

Good Luck and Welcome

Ken

[Ray364]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the welcome and the replies.  Also, I like that Jayco Feather Sporty -- nice rig!

Can I bother you with one more question?

The salesperson at the RV place said that with a trailer that's only around 3000 lbs, I probably would not need a sway bar setup. She said that it keeps the hitch/coupler from lowering too much toward the ground too much.  Does that sound right?  I was thinking that sway bars helped keep the trailer from fishtailing, etc.?

Thanks again, guys!
Steve

[jim]

The sway bay (If you use a friction sway bar) does keep the trailer from fishtailing or swaying from side to side.

A weight distributing hitch will help keep the rear end of the truck from sagging or dropping too much with the weight of the trailer on it.
Some weight distributing hitches such as the Equalizer brand or the Reese Dual cam also have built in sway control so that you don't need a seperate sway bar.
One of the drawbacks of a weight distributing hitch is that they generally do hang down lower from the trucks receiver and eat up valuable ground clearance. It's not usually enough of a drop to be a problem and about the worst I've ever seen is people scrape the bottom of the hitch when pulling into a gas station with a steep entrance. usually not a big deal.

with a Canyon and something like the Jayco, I would recomend either the Equalizer or the Reese Dual Cam. That way you have both weight distribution and sway control covered.

[rubrhammer]

Glad you found us Ray. I agree with all that Jim told you. I think the salesperson was referring to a WDH (weight distributing hitch). I absolutely would use one. Another thing to consider is that a dual axle trailer tows better that a single axle. It does add weight but the benefit is worth it.
Hybrids in my opinion are a very small step from a pop up but do offer more storage space than a PU. They can be a good move to for someone to get experience towing a hard top until a larger tow vehicle can fit into their budget.
 Do you frequent any forums regarding the truck you have? If not here is a place to start. Dedicated areas to Colorado as well as Silverado so you can compare comments on both.
Bob

[Ray364]

Hey Hitch Itch,

I really like that Jay Feather 165.  Do you know much about them?  I mean, are people generally happy with them?

I'm anxious to go see one around here soon.

Thanks.

[Ray364]

Glad you found us Ray. I agree with all that Jim told you. I think the salesperson was referring to a WDH (weight distributing hitch). I absolutely would use one. Another thing to consider is that a dual axle trailer tows better that a single axle. It does add weight but the benefit is worth it.
Hybrids in my opinion are a very small step from a pop up but do offer more storage space than a PU. They can be a good move to for someone to get experience towing a hard top until a larger tow vehicle can fit into their budget.
 Do you frequent any forums regarding the truck you have? If not here is a place to start. Dedicated areas to Colorado as well as Silverado so you can compare comments on both.
Bob

Rub, yes I do visit some truck forums, such as the Canyon/Colorado owners forum. They're very helpful.  I do like that Jay Feather 165 TT.  What do you pull?

[Hitch Itch]

I don't know to much about them, but allot of people really like them, there supposedly well mad and very light, We own a 08' Keystone Cougar X-Lite 29fks

sorry couldn't be more help

Ken

[rubrhammer]

I have a 27' Outback RBS with one "double" slide. The couch and dinette both are in the slide. I pull it with a 1500 Silverado.
Looks like I forgot to put in the link(again)
http://chevroletforum.com/forum/index.php
Bob