u4eah
Member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2011
- Posts
- 21
-
Hi All,
New to RVing, and this forum. I've read online that a good towing safety margin is in the 20~25% of max tow rating, so my wife and I are looking at TT's in the 3,500~4,000 lb range, we've narrowed it down to a Forest River Flagstaff 23LB (23 ft) bunkhouse because the sleeping fits our needs and it's the only brand the closest dealer carries. Which is the first question....
Is it important, or does it really matter were the dealer is you buy from? Would you go out of state, or +200 miles to get a trailer or buy closer to home for warranty work?
Then there's the Tow vehicle: (We just bought it so we really can't change it for something bigger)
It's a 2009 Kia Borrego V6. It took some digging (Had to wait for an answer from Kia Tech services) but here are the numbers from the "factory":
Tow hitch specs (As supplied with vehicle):
Hitch class = Class IV (4)
Max. tow weight = 10,000 lbs
Max. tongue weight = 1,000 lbs (Accepts weight distribution hitches)
Vehicle towing specs: (From manual)
Max. towing wt. (V6) = 5,000 lbs
Max. tongue wt. (V6) = 500 lbs*
* = 10% total trailer weight
My vehicle: 2009 EX, 3.8L V6, 4X4
Std. EX= 245/70-17 wheels, no sun roof, no rear A/C
4 wheel disk brakes (12.9" f, 12.8"rr)
Vehicle wt. = 4,600 lbs (Full tank of gas, no occupants. Weighed on truck scales)
Max. Vehicle wt rating = 6,063 lbs (GVWR).
Max. front axle wt. = 2866 lbs (GAWR)
Max. rear axle wt. = 3,638 lbs (GAWR)
Still trying to get the CGVWR (Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ... Max Borrego weight + Max trailer weight). Don't know for sure, but was told by several RV centers that it's more complicated than simply adding the GVWR and the max. trailer towing weight. But I don't even know if that matters so long as I'm under the max trailer weight (-safety margin). Geez, there are so many numbers bouncing around in my head I can't tell what's important or not anymore ???
I guess the questions are:
Has anyone towed 3~4k trailer with a V6? I know it won't be powerful vehicle on the road but is V6 towing passable?
Any thoughts on the FR Flagstaff TT model line?
I was thinking about getting a ProPride WD , anti sway hitch. It might be overkill but I've read only positives about the hitch.
Also thinking about the Kodiac disk brake conversion kits or are shoe brakes more than enough?
I know my questions are kinda all over the place but I'm trying to avoid a more serious and costly learning curve.
Thanks in advance
Hi All,
New to RVing, and this forum. I've read online that a good towing safety margin is in the 20~25% of max tow rating, so my wife and I are looking at TT's in the 3,500~4,000 lb range, we've narrowed it down to a Forest River Flagstaff 23LB (23 ft) bunkhouse because the sleeping fits our needs and it's the only brand the closest dealer carries. Which is the first question....
Is it important, or does it really matter were the dealer is you buy from? Would you go out of state, or +200 miles to get a trailer or buy closer to home for warranty work?
Then there's the Tow vehicle: (We just bought it so we really can't change it for something bigger)
It's a 2009 Kia Borrego V6. It took some digging (Had to wait for an answer from Kia Tech services) but here are the numbers from the "factory":
Tow hitch specs (As supplied with vehicle):
Hitch class = Class IV (4)
Max. tow weight = 10,000 lbs
Max. tongue weight = 1,000 lbs (Accepts weight distribution hitches)
Vehicle towing specs: (From manual)
Max. towing wt. (V6) = 5,000 lbs
Max. tongue wt. (V6) = 500 lbs*
* = 10% total trailer weight
My vehicle: 2009 EX, 3.8L V6, 4X4
Std. EX= 245/70-17 wheels, no sun roof, no rear A/C
4 wheel disk brakes (12.9" f, 12.8"rr)
Vehicle wt. = 4,600 lbs (Full tank of gas, no occupants. Weighed on truck scales)
Max. Vehicle wt rating = 6,063 lbs (GVWR).
Max. front axle wt. = 2866 lbs (GAWR)
Max. rear axle wt. = 3,638 lbs (GAWR)
Still trying to get the CGVWR (Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ... Max Borrego weight + Max trailer weight). Don't know for sure, but was told by several RV centers that it's more complicated than simply adding the GVWR and the max. trailer towing weight. But I don't even know if that matters so long as I'm under the max trailer weight (-safety margin). Geez, there are so many numbers bouncing around in my head I can't tell what's important or not anymore ???
I guess the questions are:
Has anyone towed 3~4k trailer with a V6? I know it won't be powerful vehicle on the road but is V6 towing passable?
Any thoughts on the FR Flagstaff TT model line?
I was thinking about getting a ProPride WD , anti sway hitch. It might be overkill but I've read only positives about the hitch.
Also thinking about the Kodiac disk brake conversion kits or are shoe brakes more than enough?
I know my questions are kinda all over the place but I'm trying to avoid a more serious and costly learning curve.
Thanks in advance