Am I trying to pull too much?

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm towing a 3500lb camper with a Sport S (Max Tow), and I'm not sure I'd want to tow much more than that. 35's and 4.56 gears.

It's no longer a max tow - you made sure of that

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[Toro34]

Thanks Fungi3. I had thoughts about being more conservative, so you've definitely given me something to chew on.

If the trailer is loaded up to 5,500 lbs that means I'm at 78% my towing capacity. And that doesn't count the strain if I've maxed out the payload as well. Based on what you are saying, I should be looking at a trailer whose GVWR is closer to 4,900 lbs. Would you agree?

I didnt see anyone else mention it, but the numbers in your original post are the generic 'factory specs' for towing. Be sure to check the weights listed for your exact vehicle as configured. You should be fine either way, but its nice to know the real world numbers specific to your truck

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I didnt see anyone else mention it, but the numbers in your original post are the generic 'factory specs' for towing. Be sure to check the weights listed for your exact vehicle as configured. You should be fine either way, but its nice to know the real world numbers specific to your truck

Towing doesn't change - payload changes and is on the door jamb sticker.
For example - all Overland are rated 6,000 pounds towing, but the payload may vary from 1100 pounds down to 9?? pounds depending on options (or lack of)

The owners manual shows tow ratings for each model because that doesn't vary, but can't show payload because of the variation.
Rubicon will always be 7,000 pounds towing, but payload will almost always be less than that 1200 pounds unless it has zero options and is a base model.

 

[Jaxmax]

You should be ok, we just went through this exercise, define your needs , set some requirements, you will be amazed the different campers out there. We set our needs at as light as possible with me wanting to be around, 3000 lbs. dry weight, I wanted tandem axles and a camper that is not eight foot wide as visibility really sucks then, loving wife wanted a rear dinette with windows on both sides and rear, and a nice walk around bedroom with a door, and believe it or not a sink in the bathroom! I really wanted tandems, and bump outs always add about 500 pounds to the weight and we eliminated that as we see the problems and leaks others have at times. The Minnie Winnie was a favorite of mine but walk around bed and rear dinette were no longer made, we looked a long time and my wife stumbled on what turned out to be perfect other then it had a single axle. Sales literature said dry weight of 2850pounds 24' total length 7'6" wide ( I really wanted 7'). We ordered a new one but she again found one nearby in Vermont that's nearby sort of, we are in Pa. Bought a hardly used 2016 with some standard features no longer offered came in at 3100 pounds dry weight including full propane tanks and 4100 GVWR. First thing we did was ordered three Hankook trailer tires that were heavier weight and PSI, I would probably do that even with a brand new camper. We spent $14,000 for a 2016 camper that fridge , and stove were not even unwrapped from factory, best deal I had gotten on a new one at $31,000 list was $25,000....we are happy.
So get your plan together add up kids or no kids how much time you really spend in the camper and go from there. I would not tow much more then the one I have with stock Mojave , fairly comfortable about 12.5 to 13 MPG towing in hilly area, and jeep works a bit., but handles the trailer excellent.
We got a Gulf Stream Vista-Cruiser 19ERD......Jack

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You should be ok, we just went through this exercise, define your needs , set some requirements, you will be amazed the different campers out there. We set our needs at as light as possible with me wanting to be around, 3000 lbs. dry weight, I wanted tandem axles and a camper that is not eight foot wide as visibility really sucks then, loving wife wanted a rear dinette with windows on both sides and rear, and a nice walk around bedroom with a door, and believe it or not a sink in the bathroom! I really wanted tandems, and bump outs always add about 500 pounds to the weight and we eliminated that as we see the problems and leaks others have at times. The Minnie Winnie was a favorite of mine but walk around bed and rear dinette were no longer made, we looked a long time and my wife stumbled on what turned out to be perfect other then it had a single axle. Sales literature said dry weight of 2850pounds 24' total length 7'6" wide ( I really wanted 7'). We ordered a new one but she again found one nearby in Vermont that's nearby sort of, we are in Pa. Bought a hardly used 2016 with some standard features no longer offered cam in at 3100 pounds dry weight including full propane tanks and 4100 GVWR. First thing we did was ordered three Hankook trailer tires that were heavier weight and PSI, I would probably do that even with a brand new camper. We spent $14,000 for a 2016 camper that fridge , and stove were not even unwrapped from factory, best deal I had gotten on a new one at $31,000 list was $25,000....we are happy.
So get your plan together add up kids or no kids how much you rewally spend in the camper and go from there. I would not tow much more then the one I have with stock mojave , fairly comfortable aboue 12.5 to 13 MPG towing in hilly area, and jeep works a bit.
We got a Gulf Stream Vista-Cruiser 19ERD......Jack

I didn't realize until recently, but you can get some decent rigs, light weight, with dual axles. I much prefer dual axles after having had both types.
Personal preference of course, but with a smaller, lighter truck, it just makes sense to me.
I always thought that under a certain weight, it was only single axles - I was quite wrong.

 

[Jaxmax]

Yes ,Bill the Minnie’s are an example….But an extra axle with brakes and two tires is more weight, one problem a lot of campers have is the tires are the cheapest the factory can find and looking at the weight rating it is either at max or just about, the tires I changed to were a much higher PSI, great square shouldered shape, much more capacity, I felt the difference, probably cause I spent so much !
I look at it this way, I can buy two tires every few years to be safe, redo the single axle brakes and bearings that much easier and bump outs, axles, too much camping gear all adds to it, every couple hundred pounds adds up quick when your goal is 3,000. There was the next size down model still had the rear dinette, and weight was speced as 2580 pounds I tried it was three feet shorter also, but no walk around bed, and wife was right it is nice to walk around instead of climbing in.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

one problem a lot of campers have is the tires are the cheapest the factory can find

True of almost every trailer or camper I've ever owned - cheap tires, often marked Made in China on the side.

Yes, it's added weight, and for a camper, it's more intrusion into the interior.
i just like how much nicer 2 axles tow. and the weight is spread across 4 hubs/bearings and 4 tires so each tire has less load. Blow a tire on a single axle it's a nasty deal. One dual axles, not as big a deal and like I did with my car hauler, you can still pull it on 3.

Pros and cons. Gotta go with what's most important and if it's weight, there's a bit deciding factor (costs, intrusion into the inside of a camper, etc.)

 

[RubiCrusHehr]

I just got a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 4x4, 8-spd automatic with the 3.6L V6, that also has the Trailer Tow Package (Class IV Trailer Hitch and Heavy Duty Engine Cooling). I’m trying to pair this with a travel trailer and while I’ve done the math, I’m worried that I may be pushing the limits with my trailer choice. I would like others opinions/feedback.

The Jeep Gladiator towing specs show:

• Curb Weight -> 5,050
• GCWR -> 12,450
• Max Gross Trailer Weight -> 7,000
• Max Trailer Tongue Wt -> 700
• Payload Capacity -> 1,200

I’m looking at the Winnebago Micro Minnie or the Micro Minnie FLX. I’ll give the specifics for the FLX while the numbers are a tad more demanding.

• Dry Weight -> 4,330
• Dry Hitch Weight -> 462
• GVWR -> 5,500

Subtracting out the dry hitch weight, that means I can carry 738 pounds including passengers in the truck.

Again, it seems like I’m within the numbers, but I don’t know if I’m pushing the limits or not. I plan on getting WDH, Sway Controller and a Brake Controller.

What do you guys think? Am I pulling too much?

Same kind of numbers for me Flagstaff 21FBRS you’re ok if not too much mountain passes. Now I have the Ecodiesel pulls better

 

[aprez27]

It's no longer a max tow - you made sure of that

Why, still have the alternator, transmission cooler, and wider axles? Gears put me back to pretty much stock with the 35's.

 

[Jeepin' On]

Thanks everyone for all the information and opinions. It's been a great help. If you care, I've decided I'm going to be looking for a little lighter trailer. I'm hoping to find one that still has dual axles.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Why, still have the alternator, transmission cooler, and wider axles? Gears put me back to pretty much stock with the 35's.

Because it's lifted - higher center of gravity, and you've added the mass of larger tires and more rolling resistance and less braking capability. (larger tires = lowered braking ability)
Check the many threads on the topic - once you lift and change tires, the max tow bit goes out the window. It's only truly max tow with 32" tires and the height it came with from the factory.
There's also educational videos on YouTube from truck accessory specialists explaining why lifted trucks and trucks with larger tires no longer keep the factory tow ratings.
It's not a max tow any more, and that's how it goes.

 

[Bonanza]

I tow a #3400 (dry) trailer behind my lifted formerly-max tow on 37s and 4.88s. It can tow it, but it isn't a fun experience. If I continue to tow more than I wheel, I'm considering trading to a full size.

 

[aprez27]

I tow a #3400 (dry) trailer behind my lifted formerly-max tow on 37s and 4.88s. It can tow it, but it isn't a fun experience. If I continue to tow more than I wheel, I'm considering trading to a full size.

Sheesh, in the beginning we weren't allowed to say Max Tow, now we have to say formerly max tow?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

if a talented young R&B/funk/rock star can be known by a "formerly known as........" name, your Jeep can, too.

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