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Originally Posted by hwpeddie We have a SUV with the trailer pkg including oil cooler that is rated for 4500#. If we add an Equalizer Hitch, can we safely pull a 19' Safari Bambi rated at 4500 GVW?  |
The 4500# figure for your SUV is commonly called tow capacity -- it is generally calculated with only one person on board and the most favorable hitch weight possible for that load (eg, around 10% of gross trailer weight, when 12-15% is more real world). And if you happen to run across ratings for a prospective tow vehicle (TV) GCWR, these seemingly supportive numbers still won't get you safely on the highway.
You will certainly travel with full LP tanks and occasionally with the water tank full. Weighing the hitch is ideal but I would suggest getting in the ballpark by estimating 12-15% of gross trailer weight. What you need to do with this figure is go back to your TV info and find its load capacity.
I am now addressing only the TV, without consideration of any trailer for a moment. Sources for TV load capacity are either in the manual or manufacturer's website (for recent models). The difference between the tow vehicle's empty weight and its GVWR is the load capacity. For reasons of safety, maneuverability, emergency avoidance and durability, this number becomes the most stringent measure of what is a safe load. You must keep passenger weight, luggage, pets and tongue weight within this load capacity. Now .... I will bet you dollars to donuts that at full load capacity the TV figures for tow capacity and GCWR begin to look like a pipe dream.
The other issue dogging SUVs is short wheel base; eg, even the Toyota Highlander is build on a Camry chassis! You will be able to control a long, heavy Airstream load with more wheelbase. Full-size SUVs (Suburban, Sequoia, Armada) and 1/2-ton trucks would do a good job -- except even they should be avoided if a person gets stars in their eyes and lusts after a new (heavier than the old days) 25 footer.