New member from Mass

Snowfam78 · 02-22-2021, 04:35 AM

Good morning everyone,

after a few years of toying with the idea and researching everything under the sun. Me and my wife went out and bought a Springdale 1760BH. pretty excited being its our first RV. the kids are even more excited!!! we looked at so many models, prices, sizes it was almost overwhelming but in the end we wanted it the most affordable BUT within a very comfortable size for my Grand Cherokee to tow. i didnt want anything long, to much weight etc. and the price was nice. We got lucky and found one, brand new on the lot the next state over. we dont pick it up till the end of next month because the weather sorta of stins anyways and its free storage till then....pretty pumped...ill be busy diggin thru the forums here finding out everything i can lol

gregrc75 · 02-22-2021, 05:20 AM

Welcome from Fairhaven!

**sourdough** · 02-22-2021, 06:06 AM

Welcome to the forum! Lots of good, knowledgeable folks here and tons of information. Our kids were extremely excited when we got our first trailer (over 40 years ago). It will open up so many ways to enjoy camping.

Sounds like you've done some homework on the Grand Cherokee and the trailer combo. As the time gets closer, or maybe sooner, look into ways to make the GC more stable towing. The suspension is soft for comfort as are the tires. Even the 1760 will want to push it around. At the very least I would upgrade the tires to LT to minimize the "squish" and lateral movement. Get a good weight distribution hitch with sway control (I recommend Equalizer). Most unibody vehicles don't allow them but I believe I just read in another thread that the GC does.

Northofu1 · 02-22-2021, 06:12 AM

Congrats and

Snowfam78 · 02-22-2021, 06:12 AM

Thanks!!!

Thankfully with the tow package from the factory it has load leveling rear shocks as well as some other "upgrades". I purchased the Recurve R3 for the GC. the tires though i for sure will look into, great call on that. i know its different and weight as well but i tow my smaller center console with the Jeep and its like its not even there. mind you its lighter but lol...at some point in the future i wouldn't mind an upgrade anyways on the the tow vehicle lol ...

Gumby52 · 02-22-2021, 07:39 AM

Welcome to the forum from down south in CT.

Congrats on the new trailer, you'll find great folks here and lots of helpful advise.

**sourdough** · 02-22-2021, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowfam78

Thanks!!!

Thankfully with the tow package from the factory it has load leveling rear shocks as well as some other "upgrades". I purchased the Recurve R3 for the GC. the tires though i for sure will look into, great call on that. i know its different and weight as well but i tow my smaller center console with the Jeep and its like its not even there. mind you its lighter but lol...at some point in the future i wouldn't mind an upgrade anyways on the the tow vehicle lol ...

Keep in mind towing a boat can't compare to towing an RV. The boat (towed many) does not pick up all the side wind, buffeting etc. like an RV so doesn't push the tow vehicle around.

Snowfam78 · 02-22-2021, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Keep in mind towing a boat can't compare to towing an RV. The boat (towed many) does not pick up all the side wind, buffeting etc. like an RV so doesn't push the tow vehicle around.

oh ya completely agree, ive had my CDL class A for 15years. and everyday at work drive either M915A3 with tankers or Hemmets. ive been a mechanic and wrecker driver in the Army reserves for 21 years and work for the DoD as a mechanic inspector for 16 years. But ya even now, i havent brought it home yet....its going to be a whole different feeling when its my money and home away from home behind me lol

travelin texans · 02-22-2021, 09:22 AM

Just so you're aware!
If you post the yellow/white tag from inside the drivers door of the GC we will help confirm that you're good to go, can't hurt if for nothing else but peace of mind.
That rv has a 4500lb GVWR & with a family I'd bet you'll be at that weight sooner than later. At that weight you're at 560lbs tongue weight + plus the weight of the WDH, what's the receiver on the GC rated for?

spicercars · 02-22-2021, 10:14 AM

Welcome from northern MN.

Snowfam78 · 02-22-2021, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Just so you're aware!
If you post the yellow/white tag from inside the drivers door of the GC we will help confirm that you're good to go, can't hurt if for nothing else but peace of mind.
That rv has a 4500lb GVWR & with a family I'd bet you'll be at that weight sooner than later. At that weight you're at 560lbs tongue weight + plus the weight of the WDH, what's the receiver on the GC rated for?

Its a class IV receiver, payload is 1320....my family total weight is 500....tow capacity is 6200 and hitch weight 620

Gegrad · 02-22-2021, 11:10 AM

Welcome from Pennsylvania!

dutchmensport · 02-22-2021, 11:15 AM

Congrats on the new camper. I certainly hope you have great success and have many great adventures with your new camper.

I do have a feeling though, you'll be getting a new tow vehicle shortly after you take possession of your new camper. Keep your mind open. Numbers and statistics look good on paper, but reality is almost always a different matter.

Remember, when figuring the load capacity of your tow vehicle, you not only add the weight of the trailer, but all the contents inside the tow vehicle.

And one more thing you absolutely need to consider: the tow vehicle may be able to pull the camper, but can the tow vehicle STOP the trailer if the trailer brakes fail.

Gary R. · 02-22-2021, 11:35 AM

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Enjoy that new Springdale!

Have fun and take care.

travelin texans · 02-22-2021, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowfam78

Its a class IV receiver, payload is 1320....my family total weight is 500....tow capacity is 6200 and hitch weight 620

At those weights, 560 tongue weight + 100+/- WDH + 500 for people + anything else in the GC that wasn't from the factory, you're at 1160+ lbs subtracted from that 1320 payload so you're right at the limit of the GC.

Snowfam78 · 02-22-2021, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

At those weights, 560 tongue weight + 100+/- WDH + 500 for people + anything else in the GC that wasn't from the factory, you're at 1160+ lbs subtracted from that 1320 payload so you're right at the limit of the GC.

Ya with the 520 hitch weight of the camper I’m pretty close. GC is stock other then tow package from factory nothing extra.

travelin texans · 02-22-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowfam78

Ya with the 520 hitch weight of the camper I’m pretty close. GC is stock other then tow package from factory nothing extra.

That 520 hitch weight from the brochure typically tend to run on the lightweight side, in fact most any/all brochure/literature weights run light. Figure 10-15% the GVWR (13% is a good average) of that rv for tongue weight, which is where I came up with the 560lbs.
Also that 6200 max tow rating would possibly apply to towing your boat, but RVs tend to run tongue heavy so at 6200 lbs in a rv the tongue weight would be over 800lbs eating up a big chunk of your payload.

Snowfam78 · 02-22-2021, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

That 520 hitch weight from the brochure typically tend to run on the lightweight side, in fact most any/all brochure/literature weights run light. Figure 10-15% the GVWR (13% is a good average) of that rv for tongue weight, which is where I came up with the 560lbs.
Also that 6200 max tow rating would possibly apply to towing your boat, but RVs tend to run tongue heavy so at 6200 lbs in a rv the tongue weight would be over 800lbs eating up a big chunk of your payload.

My boat is little Wellcraft 160ccf on a 20ft trailer....I lift it on sometimes when I don’t feel like cranking it up lol

travelin texans · 02-22-2021, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowfam78

My boat is little Wellcraft 160ccf on a 20ft trailer....I lift it on sometimes when I don’t feel like cranking it up lol

Wouldn't recommend trying that with the 20' TT!!!

Snowfam78 · 02-23-2021, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Wouldn't recommend trying that with the 20' TT!!!

SO after reading all your posts, i went crunched all the numbers and your absolutely correct. i called the dealership today and canceled purchasing that particular model. Salesmen went to another told him the scenario and was like umm ya that's to damn heavy. young salesmen, but both him and i learned a lesson in double checking numbers before i signed anything lol..

So im going to look at a Gulfstream Conquest 199DD, hitch weight is 340lb, vs 520 lol....no slide but its ok it is still is fine for us.

Thanks again for making those comments on weight etc, i appreciate it!!

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