RedandSilver said:
Did a quick search (on the vehicle you have) and saw a MAX Trailer weight of 8700lbs.
If you truly have 7-9 people with you and the MAX trailer is 8700 I'm afraid that your not going to find much that will be
large enough for that many people that you can tow.
And what ever you do - don't believe a salesman that says you will be fine and can tow that with no problems.
They need to make a sale and after you have bought it - it would be on you that you didn't check it out first.
It's Good that your asking questions now BEFORE you get something. You need to know that most vans are not the best vehicle
for towing large trailers - safely. Do your homework - get the van weighed - then you will know for sure what you can really tow vs. guessing.
First, Welcome to the Forum!
The 8700 # Max Towing MUST be reduced by every pound added to the base vehicle, including most options, all passengers (300# allowed for driver and 1 passenger) and all cargo carried in the vehicle. We are already down to 7600 # GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT.
This is why to never to believe a salesman.
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,90933.0.html
Thank you so much for asking before purchase!
There is a yellow label on the driver door latch pillar (a different label than the GVWR label) which will give the max weight THAT vehicle can carry based on GVWR and actual weight as it left the factory. Find that number, then subtract 1200 # passengers, 200 # misc and 80# for WD hitch. What is left is the maximum tongue or hitch weight you can carry. This will be 10% - 12% of the ACTUAL TRAILER WEIGHT as loaded. It has nothing to do with dry wt or hitch wt found on the trailer spec sheet. We can go into where those came from if you care, but they are worthless for determining if you can tow that trailer.
Assuming 10% hitch wt, take the max hitch wt determined above X 10. This is the most GVWR TT you can tow. Assuming 12.5% hitch wt, multiply by 8 for max GVWR.
I doubt you will like the result. Again, thank you for coming here first, and please be safe.
One other option is to take two vehicles camping, one to haul people and one to tow the trailer.
