New to RV, need encouragement

[garyb1st]

Wow, after reading this, the OP is probably wishing he bought a boat.

I've always wondered about the 80% rule. I used to read about a 90% rule. Is the 80% rule the new 90% rule?

Is it similar to the 5 to 7 year rule for tires?

Where do these rules come from?

Are there any facts to support these rules?

Do they have any basis in reality?

Can an insurance company deny a claim because an insured had an accident when the rule was broken?

Does the legal profession know about these rules?

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Bluesjam, you can still do tandem axles with a shorter and lighter trailer. Again, I don't have a TT, but ride, handling, and stability come to my mind when I think of two or four wheels under the box/house.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

There's no difference in the SAE J2807 standard for an SUV, car, minivan or truck.

But there is no requirement that all vehicles adhere to that standard or be tested to it. Manufacturers typically do rate their trucks & vans to the J2807 standard and pay the expense of testing, but rarely so for vehicles that are generally NOT expected to be hauling trailers regularly. Heavy duty SUVs like a Suburban, Tahoe or Expedition do get rated to the standard, but lesser vehicles usually do not.

The 80% rule of thumb is largely recognition that passenger vehicles have soft suspensions and cushy tires to provide comfortable ride.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Wow, after reading this, the OP is probably wishing he bought a boat.

I've always wondered about the 80% rule. I used to read about a 90% rule. Is the 80% rule the new 90% rule?

Is it similar to the 5 to 7 year rule for tires?

Where do these rules come from?

Are there any facts to support these rules?

Do they have any basis in reality?

Can an insurance company deny a claim because an insured had an accident when the rule was broken?

Does the legal profession know about these rules?

Any such "rule of thumb" is just a quick & easy SWAG to avoid the need for actually measuring and testing. By definition it is NOT scientific. Instead it is a rough estimate based on crowd experience. Such "rules" are intended to keep non-technical (or just plain lazy) people out of trouble. And no, your insurance company doesn't care.

One way to look at it is that if you are within the rule of thumb guideline, it's almost sure safe to skip the more scientific and provable measurements. But if you exceed the rule-of-thumb guide, you had better get out the measuring tools and do some careful arithmetic

 

[Derby6]

Ok Guys, we have started looking at other trailer options now that we are getting more informed. Let's talk axles. Looking at some trailers what's the good and bad with single axle vs double axles? It seams to me that double axle would be safer and better to have but I want to ask.

I’d try to stick with tandem axles. Less sway and easier to back.

Thanks to all, here's my math based on the Winnebago 2326RK. Dry weight of the trailer is 4510 lbs +280 lbs for water + 700lbs of gear = 5490 lbs. The 2020 Tacoma has max tow rating of 6800 lbs, using the 80% rule that is 5440 lbs. So am I safe to assume that it is in the allowable range?

You have a 1300lb buffer. From everything you and others have posted here, I personally would buy that trailer if it’s what you want. Sway bar and stabilizer bars and zoom zoom you are on your way.

 

[No cats]

You have a 1300lb buffer

He actually has more buffer than that. Remember, the tongue weight doesn't count as tow weight.

10% of 5490 lbs is 540 lbs that come off the trailer and go on the truck weight This goes against the payload limit. He actually has over 1800 lbs of buffer.

 

[Kirk]

Looking at some trailers what's the good and bad with single axle vs double axles? It seams to me that double axle would be safer and better to have but I want to ask.

This is another of those efforts to make one size fit all, but in general the tandem axle trailer will handle better than a single axle trailer of the same weight and dimensions. But they do require 4 tires to maintain versus 2 tires. I have towed both and in similar sized travel trailers and do agree that handling is better with tandem axles. It might be safer in the event of a blown tire and I believe that better handling could be considered to be safer, especially in less than ideal travel conditions. The first think that you notice between the two configurations is that when passing though wavy surfaces a single axle trailer will bounce the tow vehicle much more. The longer the trailer the more difference in bounce between single and tandem axles. Of course, the second axle also means more initial cost.

Where do these rules come from?

They are laws from above and are enforced by the RV secret police, under cover unit!

 

[No cats]

I couldn't resist making this.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Pedro, that's about as simple an explanation you'll find. Nice job.

 

[Bluesjam]

Update 4/4/25. We put a deposit down today on a new Winnebago 2326RK along with the brake controller and nice sway bars for my truck. We can pick it up April the 16th. I want to thank everyone for their help and look foward to being on the forum in the future.

 

[garyb1st]

"Even if your truck can tow the trailer, mountains, winds and other factors may not make it much fun getting there."

While this is true, it's also true for most every RV or high sided vehicle.

 

[garyb1st]

Update 4/4/25. We put a deposit down today on a new Winnebago 2326RK along with the brake controller and nice sway bars for my truck. We can pick it up April the 16th. I want to thank everyone for their help and look foward to being on the forum in the future.

Congratulations. Despite some of the comments regarding the capability of your truck, I think you'll be fine. Take your time, get to know how your truck handles during various driving conditions. Hopefully you'll remain a member of the Forum and let us know how it goes.

 

[Derby6]

Update 4/4/25. We put a deposit down today on a new Winnebago 2326RK along with the brake controller and nice sway bars for my truck. We can pick it up April the 16th. I want to thank everyone for their help and look foward to being on the forum in the future.

CONGRATS.

 

[chims]

A little late to the game here and most of this has probably already been covered. But it's a good summary I wish had when I started RV shopping.

If you're new to towing, there are a few things to consider:

1. The tongue weight: The published numbers are sometimes misleading. The manufacturers are supposed to include battery and propane weight but I don’t think they ever do (at least they didn't in my case). Once you add two batteries and propane for two tanks, your tongue weight will increase by about 170 lbs. And this is before you've even loaded your trailer. The best thing to do is confirm this number with a tongue weight scale or at a CAT scale. You will want to keep your tongue weight between 10% - 15% of your fully loaded trailer.

2. Payload: You will eat up a good chunk of your payload capacity with your tongue weight (you will gain a bit of this back with your WDH). Payload will usually become an issue before towing capacity. If you have kids, spouse, pets, etc. this will also eat into your payload. You will also have to account for any cargo you might load into the back of the tow vehicle.

3. Tow Vehicle Wheelbase: The longer the wheelbase, the better. There are some rules of thumb out there for wheelbase to trailer length, 110" for 20 ft length, then add 1 ft for every additional 4 inches of wheelbase. I don't believe this is based on any science that I've seen. Most people only use this as a guideline and will often go over by a couple of feet in trailer length. Again, the longer, the better.

4. Weight Distribution Hitch: Get a good one if you have a short wheelbase on your tow vehicle. The WDH will dampen any sway but won’t eliminate it. Important to note that a WDH will not decrease your tongue weight, it will only redistribute.

5. Trailer Weight: Most people will recommend that you keep your towing weight at 80% of your maximum capacity. If you will be towing mainly on flatlands, this won't be as big a concern. But it's good to have something extra if you're towing through the mountains.

6. GCWR: Make sure you’re not going over the rated GCWR of your tow vehicle. Always verify that the combined weight (vehicle + payload + trailer) stays under the GCWR and that the tongue weight doesn't cause you to exceed the payload capacity.

Just a few things. Happy camping!

 

[Jackiemac]

Congratulations.

You can check for one of these in your area to put your mind at ease

CAT Scale

Network of certified truck scales. Guaranteed accurate with over 1,675 Locations in U.S. and Canada. On-line and mobile scale locator.

catscale.com

Let us know how you get on. You'll have a fantastic time with your new trailer. Hope doggies like it

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

NIce job Bluesjam!

 

[workinonit]

Congrats on the new living space. I know once I make up my mind about what I want I'm pretty hard to deter.