Need Help figuring out what TT I can Tow

[tjh1023]

We just moved to Las Vegas and have discovered all the great areas to go camping around here. We have a 2008 Trailblazer and are looking at Light weight 18 feet and under travel trailers. I have been reading a lot on here about figuring out the weights and TV capability. Our TV has a total combined weight of 10,000 Max LBS, Max Trailer limit of 5200LBS per the manual. The yellow sticker on the door jam says the total weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1060LBS. AM I understanding correctly that what ever we put in the TV plus the Tongue weight can not exceed this number. I have put together a crude spread sheet and run many scenarios taking trailer weight multiplied by .13 to get tongue weight. It is just my wife and I plus our three dogs. A new TV is not in the financial cards right now. In all my scenarios I have run I have about a ten percent margin from Max Total of 10,000LBS and 14 percent of max trailer weight of 5200LBS.

[wiredgeorge]

A lot of the question's answer depends on how many folks are you carrying in your tow vehicle. Do you need a bunkhouse model? ETC. Just over half ton payload means likely a Passport: https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-trailers/passport/specs/ - Figure the tongue weight will be 13 percent of the gross trailer weight then add weights for the folks in your tow vehicle and other stuff in the tow vehicle. Its going to be challenge finding a camper than be safely towed with your vehicle.

[tech740]

A 5200lb trailer is about 625lbs hitch weight. Then 100 for the hitch itself. You seem to understand the formula. If you max the trailer out, which is ALOT for a trailblazer, means you, the wife, and the dogs cant exceed 335lbs along with anything in the SUV.

[flybouy]

I wouldn't recommend towing more than a popup with the Trailblazer. It's a small SUV designed to haul children to soccer practice. I had a Chevy S 10 some 50 years ago with a V6. It pulled a popup just fine. We bought a 21' Cabana hybrid and it was too much for that truck. The truck would actually downshift going downhill if there was a headwind.

While I realize they have come along way since then but the reality is that it's still a small SUV that's not designed for towing. An 18' sail behind that will jot end in an enjoyable experience.

[notanlines]

I also agree with the popup idea. A 13 year old vehicle like yours could get you in serious trouble with any single axle hard bodied RV. You just couldn’t buy enough sway control.

[tjh1023]

These are the 2 we have seen so far and like to layout.
https://www.keystonerv.com/product-finder/compare/?l=31805,27632
This one I really want to get a look at, it is significantly lighter prior to adding the batteries propane tank etc.
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/rockwood-geo-pro/G19FBS/3573
I know that I won't be able to tow much, But Just looking for 2 adults plus our dogs. I more then likely go with the water tank empty or minimal to last a night. We for the most part we plan on staying at KOA etc...... style camp grounds with service hook ups.

[flybouy]

I've been in Vegas during some nasty wind storms. I wouldn't put my dog, much less my wife or myself in that SUV with any hard sided 20' trailer behind it. Don't go down that "we'll travel light, we won't carry water, we'll only go short distances road. Those are false arguments to rationalize a bad decision.

The wind, large trucks passing you, an emergency maneuver, none of that knows that you're only going a "short distance" or camping in a KOA. The "we won't take much" argument is not rational either. Think about what you will actually need and want in that camper. Food?, something to prepare that food like pots, pans, skillet, ureansile? How about sheets and blankets? Pillows? Towels, toiletries for the bathroom? How about a water hose? Waste water drain hose? Leveling blocks? Maybe a grill? How about a mat or rugs? Maybe annice chest with drinks?

NONE of that stuff is included in that empty weight and that's a SHORT LIST for most folks. Not trying to rain on your parade just presenting the reality. Most of us have been thru this and made the mistake.

You've been given good advice by experienced folks. Do what you will with it.

[Ken / Claudia]

I recently sold my 2002 trailblazer. It had 1000 lb payload. I puled my 3800 lb boat a few times to local ramps less than 1 mile away. I quit pulling with it wondering if the tranny was going to overheat. I turned off the OD to tow, with it on it was difficult to get the combo going. Bottom line the vehicles mirrors are not tow mirrors, P tires are to light wt. I did run heavier LT tires. Suspension is not up for towing as a full size truck or SUV. Without better tranny cooling and no temp gauge for it. I would not use it for towing a full size RV.
BTY, I got it with a blown transmission otherwise the vehicle looked almost new with less than 150,000 miles. They towed with it, I do not know what type or wt. of trailer. Local repair shop bought it as the owner would not pay for a new tranny. The timing chain had stretched beyond limits before 200,000 miles. I cannot say towing caused it or not. But, once that was replaced it was good at 268,000 miles on it when I sold it. New owner shipped it to his condo in Hawaii. Thats how good he thinks of it.

[BrooksFam]

Tear drop trailers would work also...……...

[sourdough]

I'm sorry to chime in but a 21' trailer behind that Trailblazer is asking for trouble. I pulled a 24' trailer behind a full size, long bed 1/2 ton and the wind would do a number on you. I can't imagine being in that vehicle towing a full size trailer of any length.

Not what you want to hear but realize that your Trailblazer is just about everything you don't want in a tow vehicle; short wheelbase, a basic automobile suspension, lightweight auto tires and on and on. No matter what you put on as a sway control the vehicle itself won't be able to control those forces. As well, look at the receiver on the vehicle. I suspect the max load on it is 500lbs. which would limit you to approx. 3800lbs gvw on the trailer at 13% - and probably still too big if a full sized travel trailer.

[Javi]

16 foot Scamp Deluxe

[tjh1023]

On the hitch with weight distribution 900 LBS, 400 None