Towing travel trailer with a Tremor

[BA73]

Hello everyone, wife and I purchased a new travel trailer yesterday and was hoping to get a couple sets of eyes on the numbers before I drive her home next weekend – more or less double check that my math calcs out and she’ll be safe on the road.

2021 Tremor with Tow Package
-GVWR: 7,000lbs
-GVW: 5,451lbs
-Payload Capacity: 1,549lbs
-Tow Capacity w/ WD Hitch: 11,600lbs
-Tongue Weight Capacity w/ WD Hitch: 1,160lbs
-GCVWR: 17,100lbs

Trailer is a 2022 Grand Design 200MK (25')
-UVW: 4,796lbs
-Cargo Capacity: 2,199lbs
-GVWR: 6,995lbs
-Dry Hitch Weight: 480lbs
-62g water: 517lbs
-(2) batteries: 95lbs
-(2) 20lb Propane tanks: 75lbs
-All of which brings a wet weight of 5,483lbs. I know from my last trailer my average gear/grocery/tools/misc weight is 300lbs, so she will be rolling down the road at a total 5,785lbs. Lighter than the truck which is always positive.
-At this weight, I am estimating a tongue weight of 695lbs (12%) with the weight distribution hitch.

Tow Capacity: 5,785 on 11,600 = 50%, good to go.

Payload/GVWR of the truck…this is where it gets tight.
-Me: 200lbs
-Wife: 130lbs
-Line-X Bedliner: 50lbs
-WD Hitch: 55lbs
-Dogs: 170lbs
-Tongue Weight: 695lbs
-Totals 1,300lbs. 250lbs to spare, but running at 85% of the truck’s cargo capacity.

The ONLY way to significantly impact/reduce this is to reduce tongue weight, but even my last 19’ trailer had a 560lb loaded tongue weight, so were only talking 135lbs/8% reduction. Doesn’t look like I’ll be putting the dirtbike in the bed of the truck when camping…bummer.

GCVWR of 17,100lbs.
-Loaded Truck = 6,750lbs
-Loaded Trailer = 5,785lbs
-Total weight = 12,535lbs – 73% of capacity, 4565lbs to spare, good to go.

The only place I am concerned is the payload of the truck itself. 1,549 felt good up front but sure got used up quick. I know that adding firmer shocks/springs/bags, etc does not increase the capacity, but seeing as I am at 85% of the payload capacity, and 96% of the GVWR, I definitely think that some adjustable/tow specific shocks would be a safety measure worth installing.

I know that was a bunch to read – Any thoughts/comments welcomed and appreciated. Thanks!

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[UGADawg96]

I think you'll be okay. The trailer should have a paper with it with the actual tongue weight. We have a GD Imagine 2250rk that is spec'd below, but the paper from the factory said the actual tongue was ~625 lbs. I don't have it in front of me, but it was between 600-650. We just got our F150 a few days ago and our payload is 1523. We need to go down to storage and grab the TT and run it across the scales before getting line-x and a tonneau.

https://www.granddesignrv.com/showroom/2021/travel-trailer/imagine/floorplans/2250rk#specs

 

[UGADawg96]

I would recommend LT - E load tires.

 

[BA73]

Thanks UGADawg96!
Doing this math has deterred me from a tonneau for the time being. Gorgeous trailer! Yes, tires are also now on the list. Thanks again!

 

[UGADawg96]

yeah, I'm debating between the Retrax XR pro and the bakflip X4s, but need to get to the scales before making that call. We need to find a way to carry our kayaks with the TT. Yeeesh!!!

 

[Rod507]

Looks like you’d have to consider leaving either the wife or dogs behind ?

 

[BA73]

Looks like you’d have to consider leaving either the wife or dogs behind ?

As soon as that comes out of my mouth, I'll be the one left behind as she loads her bike in the bed

 

[BA73]

Agreed. Scale trip for sure. Man, it sure does.

I see these Powerboost w/Max Tow pkg door jam stickers here on the forums with 1,100-1,200 payloads and I'm flabbergasted. The tongue weight on that 10-13k trailer would eat up the entire payload capacity.

 

[EatDirtFartDust]

Mount the dirt bike to the rear bumper of the camper.
good to go.

 

[UGADawg96]

Mount the dirt bike to the rear bumper of the camper.
good to go.

Would need to seriously fortify the TT bumper first. They are usually thin steel only held on with a couple tack welds with barely enough strength for a spare tire or a bicycle, not ~500 lbs.

 

[Rod507]

Would need to seriously fortify the TT bumper first. They are usually thin steel only held on with a couple tack welds with barely enough strength for a spare tire or a bicycle, not ~500 lbs.

would this increase your tongue weight?

 

[UGADawg96]

would this increase your tongue weight?

It would decrease it if you add weight behind the TT axles I would think.

 

[pkinneb]

Would need to seriously fortify the TT bumper first. They are usually thin steel only held on with a couple tack welds with barely enough strength for a spare tire or a bicycle, not ~500 lbs.

I nearly tore a bumper off a 5th wheel we had by putting 4 bikes on it
Definitely needs to be reinforced or frame mounted.

 

[EatDirtFartDust]

It depends on the TT. Mine has a solid 4”x4” bumper welded to the longitudinal beams. I have a hitch added to mine for a bike rack, but I would feel comfortable towing a few jet skis with it.

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