How many pounds on the hitch for my Saab?

[gring]

I am wondering if I can tow a 79 Sovereign with my old SAAB 9000 turbo on a 200 miles trip. I think the engine and the transmission will do it. I will add an oil cooler for the transmission. But will the rear suspension support the load ? How many pounds will be applied on the hitch ? Can I balance the trailer to reduce the load ? What would be the minimum to tow the AS ? Automatic Cherokee Jeep ?
Thank you for your help.
Gring

[Condoluminum]

Welcome to Forums, and let me first of all urge you to learn "Search" feature in blue bar at top of screen. Search for key words like soveriegn and hitch wieght (or just hitch weights) and you'll see lots of useful information from the thousands of prior threads posted here...

Let me then be among first to suggest that 500+ pound hitch weight is probably too much for the Saab, and total weight might also be over the limit. Saab owner manual should describe what it is capable of towing, and those numbers should be rounded down, not up...

Not sure how long your trailer is (Sovereign was used as "trim level" for trailers from 21' to 31' for a while...) but Jeep Cherokee might do it if weights are within limits and hitch OK with weight distributing (WD) capability, and some anti-sway included...

If not, and this is one-time towing event to move trailer, you might persuade some other Forum member from QC or Canada nearby to help you move it for fuel reimbursement...

John McG

[wahoonc]

1979 Sovereign is a 31' and has a tongue weight between 600# and 800#. I don't think the Saab is up to it. Perhaps you could rent a truck for the trip?

Aaron

[wkerfoot]

John McG,

FYI. When Thor completely took over Airstream in 1980, they stopped using a distinct name for each length and began using some of the former length names as trim levels. My 1979 Safari is the last year that Safari meant 23', now it is a trim level. You can clearly see this on the Airstream Corporate site for the weights and GVW by year/length here: http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p.../weights-1.pdf

As wahoonc correctly states the 1979 Sovereign is a 31' trailer. That name was not used again until 1984 when it applied to the 27, 29 and 31' trailers.

Bill

[gring]

Thank you John, Aaron and Bill. Your responses were very useful for the newbee that I am. Gring

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by gring

I am wondering if I can tow a 79 Sovereign with my old SAAB 9000 turbo on a 200 miles trip. I think the engine and the transmission will do it. I will add an oil cooler for the transmission. But will the rear suspension support the load ? How many pounds will be applied on the hitch ? Can I balance the trailer to reduce the load ? What would be the minimum to tow the AS ? Automatic Cherokee Jeep ?
Thank you for your help.
Gring

You must not tow that trailer unless you have a proper rated, properly installed and properly adjusted "load equalizing hitch with a sway control", with any tow vehicle, short of a Peterbuilt.

To do so, is almost a guarantee of a severe accident, loss of control and/or fatalities.

The kind and type to vehicle is equally important.

Andy

[Alumin8]

I'm with Andy on this one. Don't be added to the list of people who think that the cartoon with Mickey and Goofy towing their trailer in the mountains really happened. If the trailer overpowers the tow vehicle, there will be much sorrow and it can happen very quickly. Don't be foolish - you did mean Saab as in car. I'm not making a mistake and not recognizing that you mean a dump truck or something?

Joe

[nickcrowhurst]

Originally Posted by gring

What would be the minimum to tow the AS ? Automatic Cherokee Jeep ?Gring

Gring, I once used my auto 4 litre Jeep Cherokee to move my 5000 pound unladen 25 foot Airstream just one mile from where I purchased it to where I was going to store it. I had fitted a properly adjusted WD hitch with sway control. It was frightening. The vehicle was totally unsuited for the task. The steering was too light, the suspension too soft, the Jeep was too light and short, etc, etc. The manufacturer's tow rating was 5000 pounds. I couldn't safely exceed 25 mph. The next day I gave the Jeep to my son, and bought a proper tow vehicle.
Nick.