Another "can my vehicle tow XXX" question - Escalade + 2007 Outback 23RS

[jrhoads23]

I am not sure if this question is best for the Travel Trailers forum, Towing forum or Tow Vehicles forum.

We have a 2007 Outback 23RS. Normally I tow it with my Silverado 1500. We have 2 family members coming into town which puts us one more than what my Silverado seats (2 adult male, 2 adult female, 2 toddlers). I would prefer not to take two vehicles. Our only other option is the wife's 2011 Escalade. Not sure if that is more than what it could swing.

According to my brochure, the Outback is 5010 shipping weight, 1990 carrying capacity and 550 hitch. My door sticker from the Escalade shows GVWR 7300, GAWR FRT 3550, GAWR RR 4200 (I can post it if that helps)

Bad idea? In Wisconsin so pretty much flat highway (no mountains or anything)

[chuckster57]

So how much does your trailer actually weigh? If you don’t have the scale ticket use the GVWR of the trailer. Then figure 15% is the tongue weight.
Are you going to use WD/sway? If so add another 100 Lbs to the hitch weight.

What is the GVWR of the Escalade? How much does it weigh? How much weight will all the passengers and gear add?

[jrhoads23]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

So how much does your trailer actually weigh? If you don’t have the scale ticket use the GVWR of the trailer. Then figure 15% is the tongue weight.
Are you going to use WD/sway? If so add another 100 Lbs to the hitch weight.

What is the GVWR of the Escalade? How much does it weigh? How much weight will all the passengers and gear add?

I have never scaled my rig, but I posted the numbers from the manufacturer / door tag. I am guessing all passengers weight is around 725. I do have a WD/sway. I would guess we have the normal amount of crap in our trailer but this might be my excuse to remove a bunch if it gets us to a point where we could swing it with the Caddy

[sourdough]

Without actual weights you kind of shoot in the dark and go for the safest route.

You need the payload/carrying capacity of the Escalade on the sticker inside the driver door. That's a 7000lb.+ trailer and the SUV is a grocery getter but look at that number and see where we go. GAWRs are good to know but without specifics for them they don't do much good.

[jrhoads23]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Without actual weights you kind of shoot in the dark and go for the safest route.

You need the payload/carrying capacity of the Escalade on the sticker inside the driver door. That's a 7000lb.+ trailer and the SUV is a grocery getter but look at that number and see where we go. GAWRs are good to know but without specifics for them they don't do much good.

My original post says Caddy door tag shows GVWR 7300... is that what is important? Attached is a pic of it as well. Thanks!

[notanlines]

Jeff, there should be another sticker in the vicinity of this sticker listing the carrying capacity of your specific vehicle, a label on the inside of the driver’s door jamb.

[sourdough]

GAWR can be used but only with a vehicle weight. Payload should be listed inside your driver door (mine is black/white/yellow). Is that inside your driver door? I will note that the OEM tires rated at 32 psi are definitely not meant to carry a trailer of any size. See if you can find that number.

[JRTJH]

Does your Escalade have a brake controller ??? If not, chances are that the price of installing the necessary equipment (for a one trip use) would be more than the cost of using two vehicles for that trip.

[wiredgeorge]

Payload sticker is in the door frame and is yellow/white and says "Combined Weight..."
There are MANY threads detailing where the sticker is and show examples; look in the towing forum.

[jrhoads23]

Ah gotcha. Here is that sticker. Looks like combined weight is 1608 lbs.
The Escalade does not have a brake controller and as far as tires go, I was going to swap the wheels with my Silverado for the trip as I figured those would be better

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by jrhoads23

Ah gotcha. Here is that sticker. Looks like combined weight is 1608 lbs.
The Escalade does not have a brake controller and as far as tires go, I was going to swap the wheels with my Silverado for the trip as I figured those would be better

You may be close on your 1500 PU. So, take that 1608 and subtract ANYTHING you have in it is. anything that wasn't in it at the factory. I'll bet that's a lot on a truck that age, so things like floor mats, tools, jumper cables, aftermarket GPS or upgraded speakers, all the stuff in every storage compartment including the center console.

The passengers, 4 adults and 2 toddlers. What's that weight? The "old number used to be 150 lbs/adult as an average guess. Americans are much heavier, and I think even a 170 lb/adult may not be accurate but let's "guess" at 160 lb each for 640 lbs. Add what for the 2 kids & car seats? 100 lbs? So 740 lbs or close to 1/2 the payload and we don't know what else is in or going in the vehicle . Two little ones? Diaper bags? Formula? Food/drinks? Toys? Lot's of unknowns and the weight accumulates quickly.

The loaded hitch weight is most likely around 700 - 750 lbs on that trailer when loaded. Add another 100 lbs or so for the WDH and you're up to 800+ lbs to hitch up. So, the 1608-740=68 lbs. Remember, that's without know many variables so it's most likely over by a fair margin.

Oh yes, remember, that 1608 number was when it was NEW. How's those 9 to 10 year old springs, shocks, bushings, and other suspension and drivetrain parts? Changing tires will help with handling but not weight capacity. For a one time experience take 2 vehicles. I wouldn't drive that setup much less put children at risk.

JMHO

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by jrhoads23

Ah gotcha. Here is that sticker. Looks like combined weight is 1608 lbs.
The Escalade does not have a brake controller and as far as tires go, I was going to swap the wheels with my Silverado for the trip as I figured those would be better

Here's your dilemma, and it might be the same with the pickup depending on that payload; payload of the Escalade is 1608, passengers 725 (conservative), wdh/sway hitch, 125 and tongue weight 910 (7000 x .13). That totals 1760 which puts you in the overloaded category not to mention possibly your gawr rear and gvw. To compound that you will have a 25' slab sided wind catcher behind a short wheelbased SUV with a suspension never meant to carry that. Also with that group in the Escalade there is no way that there won't be additional weight in the vehicle for all the "stuff" everyone wants to bring and have on hand in the vehicle.

With friends and family I figure your biggest priority is safety. Now when I was in my 20s and didn't know, or care, about weights and numbers I would have just thrown caution to the wind and said "let 'er rip"; nowadays , now that I'm done with my "hey y'all, watch this" moments, I would just take 2 vehicles. Another thing to check that just came to mind is the receiver on the Escalade, it might very well be limited to 500lbs. vs the 910 you could be throwing on it. It should be on the receiver.

Edit: Looks like Marshall and I were typing at the same time.

[JRTJH]

Without a brake controller, the simple answer is DON'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO TOW A 7000 POUND TRAILER !!!!!

The "easy fix" for a single trip would be "guys in the truck towing the trailer" and "ladies and kids in the Escalade" following behind.

The very last thing you "should" want to happen is an emergency situation and putting the lives of family, friends and children at risk"....

Just take two vehicles, avoid the possible/probable risks involved in trying to make a single vehicle trip in an overloaded/unsafe rig with no braking capability for the trailer.

[sourdough]

OP, John is 100% correct. When I read the statement about no controller I assumed one would be installed. If, for any reason, there was any consideration to attempt towing that trailer with the Escalade without one that should be a NO GO before the thought ever starts.

[flybouy]

I thought John's post #8 covered the brake controller but I guess I should have stated the obvious.

[travelin texans]

With both your current vehicles technically neither are enough tow vehicle for your rv due to low payloads regardless of what advertised max tow weights may be.
As others have already stated the SUV is definitely not the one to use due to no brake controller. Even if it did you would need to reset the WDH to match up with the SUV as well to properly tow it.

[jrhoads23]

Thanks for all the replies. I won't try to pull it with the Caddy.
After being a member of this forum for some time and reading all of these kinds of topics that come up I had a hunch that even my 1500 may be at its limit with this trailer.

We will make sure to play it safe and take two vehicles. Thanks!

[david.johnson.758737]

Setting aside the question of weights for a moment, I have 2007 and 2012 Yukon XL Denali’s, and installed a Tekonsha P3 brake controller in the 2007 in about 20 minutes. The pre-wiring is all there and etrailer has the video that gives you all of the details. Your Escalade has the air suspension in the rear, so it will level the load well.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by jrhoads23

Thanks for all the replies. I won't try to pull it with the Caddy.
After being a member of this forum for some time and reading all of these kinds of topics that come up I had a hunch that even my 1500 may be at its limit with this trailer.

We will make sure to play it safe and take two vehicles. Thanks!

Great choice. Everyone here was nice and explaining. The short answer would not have been "no' but 'Hell no!".