Newbie needs advice :-) (first time of many, I'm sure!)

[CanineCaravan]

Hello, again

I got such a warm, fuzzy welcome, that I decided to go ahead and post my first neebie question to y'all!

I am sooo confused----I need someone to break this down, all easy-like and explain something to me...

My TV is a Ford conversion van with a 6600lb stock tow capacity/6900lbs with the tow package that it has. It has a V8 Triton 4.8L engine with heavier after-market shocks. (I currently tow a 3500-4000lb steel, two-horse trailer, and a much smaller utility/work trailer with it). I've reduced the van's weight by several hundred pounds by removing automatic-folding queen-sized bed/back row seating.

Soooo, in shopping for my first RV, I looked at tow ratings, floor plans, and livability. I thought I had it all worked out...we saw a Starcraft Autumn Ridge that was well within our price range that we loved, and planned to make our purchase in June. I loved this unit because of the layout/attention to detail/construction/bunk beds and because the company is owned by Jayco (would love to have bought a Jayco, but can't find one within 400 miles of here---but that's another story... Anyhooo, The Starcraft has a dry weight of 2895lbs and a gross weight of 6000lbs. The CC is 2105---a weight I doubt we'll ever come close to reaching, but well, there it is.

Prior to seeing (and settling) on the Starcraft, I'd made an appointment for anther dealership for this past weekend. I had already decided on the Starcraft, but realized that I'd learned something new from every dealership that we'd gone to, and being the student of life that I am, figured it wouldn't hurt to expand my newbie knowledge with yet another dealership trip.

Well, the salesman showed me the Coachman Freedom Express 230BH. I loved the extra footage/space and layout/design. I asked about its towability and it's rated 3750 dry weight (the delivery weight was posted as 4027 on the sticker on the door) and had a CC of 2705. So the numbers are much higher...and before I knew what the CC was, I ask him; "Are you SURE my van can tow this comfortably?" He responds, "yes, absolutely."

Okay...never one to trust a salesperson at their word alone, I did some online research, discovered the CC, and I posted the weight connundrum in my other RV forums. I was told (and I agree), that the weight of the Freedom Express was most likely too heavy for my van). However, my confusion lies in how come the manufacturer advertises that this trailer can be pulled by a vehicle with a tow rating much less than my own? I found this on thier site:

"Tow Class: 4000 lbs to 5500lbs

• Tow Vehicles: Light Sport Utility, SUV, 1/2 ton Truck..."

Is this outright false advertising (for which I'll feel the need to speak my mind--or what's left of it), or am I missing something??

I'll be perfectly happy with the Starcraft if my vehicle isn't suited for the Coachman...but I'm the kind of gal who needs to know "why" before I can move on about something, ya know? Any comments/advice so that I can move on and plan my purchase would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[mitch5252]

Kimberly, I'm certainly no expert at this, but here's a website based trailer weight calculator that might help you...

http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-tt.shtml

[CanineCaravan]

Thank you, Mitch

I was getting so confused (and really worried) by so many different opinions.

I spoke to my (very trusted) mechanic today and showed him the trailers and all the numbers. The dealer, others on the RV forums, AND my mechanic (seperately) said that the CC weight calculation is really (unrealisitcally) high on this unit, and there's no way that we'll ever carry that much "stuff" with just me and Sarah. I don't plan to carry water in my tanks (much less fill them), haul firewood, or anything like that.

My mechanic also pointed out that I'm already hauling as much weight (if not more) with my horse trailer and says that my van will be more than able to handle this trailer, because there are no stabilizer bars/weight balance on horse trailers as there are with RV's; and I've done just fine...the RV should haul easier than what I'm already hauling. From his point of view, I have the extra tow package (which brings up my tow rating), I've eliminated a lot of weight by taking out all the mechanics/bed/ and rear seating from the van, AND I've he's going to be working his magic under the hood before I haul anything.

However, Just to be sure (and to rest my mind at ease), we told the dealer that I would only consider purchasing the rig if my mechanic comes down with me, and we hook it up and take it for a drive to make sure that my van can handle it comfortably.

Thank you for the link----I'll keep you posted!

[CanineCaravan]

Mitch;

According to the link you gave me, I can haul 7400lbs.

[mitch5252]

When I was looking at the numbers, I thought you'd have enough ooomph, but I'm not so experienced (SHUT UP, Vickie)...

[CanineCaravan]

Well then, I guess that's why my van does so well pulling---I had the numbers wrong---figured the stock weight, not the "dressed up" towing package weight :-} Thank you!