jdmoore
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Joined: 11/03/2009
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Hi Everyone.
I'm new here and I'm looking to gain some knowledge before I purchase a trailer. My wife and I currently have a coleman hardtop but have been looking at travel trailers for the last couple of years. We plan to make our purchase in the spring. I have heard lots of good things about the KZ Spree and we have decided this is what we would like to buy. The model that interests us the most is the 318 but my concern is the size of it verses my tow vehicle.
I have a 2005 Tahoe equipped with autoride. It also has the optional 4:10 gear ratio which the manual states allows a 7800lb towing capacity. The UVW of the trailer is 5830lbs, the dry hitch weight is 640lbs and the GVWR is 7300lbs. The dealer says I won't have a problem (of course) but I'm not convinced. I'd like to get some feedback from someone who has towed using this configuration. I live in the maritime provinces in Canada and for the most part will be staying in the region with maybe the occasional trip to the New England states. I'm hoping that with a good hitch and proper set-up this combination will work. Looking for some advice.
Thanks,
Darren
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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You will get lots of different opinions, a lot from EXPERTS that have been towing for a year or two.
You probably have the power, but a 31' trailer si too long for a short wheelbase vehicel like a Tahoe. In general, I do not care for the SUV class for towing very much trailer. I would look for a trailer no longer than about 25'
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with one miniature Schnauzers, one standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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rvtommy
blooming prairie minnesota
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Joined: 07/15/2004
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Yeppers ya can tow it BUT can ya stop it??? rvtommy
this is rvtommy
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ch47d99
AL
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Joined: 08/05/2008
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I will be the first of the "experts" that TXiceman mentions. I don't claim to be an expert, but I can tell you of my experience, which is what you specifically asked for in your original post. I pull a 318BHS with a Nissan Armada, and I am happy with the performance. My Armada has a slightly longer wheelbase and is higher rated than your Tahoe, but I think it is pretty close overall. The only thing I will say is that with my Armada, I am within the 80% rule of thumb which seems to be a good rule if you do not meticulously weigh your trailer. I have taken this combo around the Southeast so no extensive hills. However, some of the driving I have done in GA and over bay bridges in FL/AL has certainly exposed me to some good grades and definitely windy conditions. My 12K equalizer has done well in controlling sway, and the Armada engine has had no issue with the weight of the trailer. If you choose to go with your Tahoe, just be smart about how much and how you load the trailer.
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Draggo
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 04/21/2004
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I have pulled a 318 for 2 years now with the TV listed in my sig. I have various trailers for about 20 years and still don't consider myself an expert by any means. I do tend to agree with TXiceman, I think you will have the power (if it's the 5.3L V8) since you have better gearing than me but I would be concerned about the length. It's a VERY LONG combo once it's all hooked up and although I haven't had any problems with sway I do know enough that just because I haven't doesn't mean a situation won't arise that I will. Most of my towing is relatively flat land and not very strong winds. As for stopping it, the TT brakes are supposed to do that BUT I did have a situation a couple of years ago with our last TT where I didn't have brakes for about 10 miles and had to use the TV to stop it. It worked fine for me then but that was with a much smaller and lighter TT, wouldn't try it now.
Mike & Company
2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 Ext Cab(5.3 L V-8, 3.73 rear gear)
2008 KZ Spree 318BHS - Can't wait to use it!
Reese W/D & HP DC, Prodigy brake controller
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Gman22
Burlington, Ontario
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Joined: 07/03/2008
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Ideally being at 80% or less of your tow rating is a good place to be. It gives you some wiggle room and helps prevent pulling the heart out of your TV by towing at 100% of it's abilities.
I tow a slightly longer but lighter 324BHS (one less slide than 318) with a 8650 lb. rated Expedition. With any SUV, tongue weight and overloading your rear axle are always concerns and will require your constant attention to ensure you stay within your numbers.
The length issue is not the issue some would have you believe. If it was, why does GM (or any car maker) fail to mention TT length limits in your Tahoe manual? Short wheel base vehicles do not cause sway nor are they more likely to expereience it. The issue is that should sway occur, a heavier and longer wheel base vehicle by design is better able to withstand the forces. That said, quality hitching and sway control hardware can do an excellent job at making up for the inches lost in wheelbase
I'd expect your 318 to weigh in around 6700 lbs. or so packed and ready to camp, which will put you closer to 90% of your tow rating. Bottom line, in my humble non-expert opinion, it's do-able with careful attention to loading and your weights and quality hitching and sway control hardware. It won't be a great combination......but it seems do-able.
Or you can follow the common "expert" opinion and just buy a 3/4 ton crew cab with a Binford 10000 mega-stroke-hemi-uber-diesel  which according to many around here is the solution to all of the world's problems.
And rvtommy, there's this amazing invention these days called "trailer brakes" and "brake controllers" that most of us tow with......i.e. you don't need to depend on the TV's brakes on their own.
* This post was
edited 11/03/09 01:32pm by Gman22 *
2009 KZ Spree 324BHS (LX)
2003 Ford Expedition 5.4L V8, 3.73
Hensley Arrow HD, McKesh, Prodigy, Champion
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riverrat2601
il
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Joined: 03/10/2005
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You will be at the upper end of your limits, not really a comfortable situation, should a bad situation arise. I know I would not want to tow anymore trailer than I have now.
riverrat rockwood 2601 / chevy tahoe Z71 Equal-izer / prodigy
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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You will most likely be over your rear axle rating, as the Yukon does not a very high payload ~1600 pound typical. So with 1200 pound of tongue weight (what I would except from a trailer that long) you'd really only be able to have 2 passengers.
If you want to tow heavy, and want a new vehicle, you best bets for a passenger vehicle would be a 2500 suburban or a Ford (E150 or E350) or Chevy (2500 or 3500) full size van.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 250,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW
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skipnchar
Google Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Well there's little doubt that in the REAL WORLD SITUATION of towing a trailer you'll probably be over weight unless the trailer is left well below it's GVWR so it really comes down to "do you want to tow overweight or stay within the factory ratings for your vehicle?" You're probably not going to be overweight enough to be DANGEROUS to yourself or anyone else but you'll be putting a load on the truck beyond the weight the factory believes it'll handle. Wouldn't worry about the stopping issue as long as the trailer brakes are working properly because NO tow vehicle is designed to stop more than it's own GVWR so they ALL depend on trailer brakes to stop the trailer.
Good luck and be safe / Skip
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles)
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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jdmoore
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Thanks to everyone who has replied. I'd just like to add some specs for my tahoe. The GVWR is 6900lbs. The GCWR is 14,000lbs. The maximum tongue weight is 1000lbs with a weight distributing hitch. The GAWR for the rear axle is 4000lbs. Curb weight is approx. 5200lbs. Again the maximum towing capacity is 7800lbs and the GVWR for the 318 Spree is 7300 lbs. It seems to me that I would be within the limits if I am careful not to load anything to heavy in the front of the trailer. If I do go ahead with the 318 I'll obviously be looking for a top notch weight distributing hitch. I've got my eye on the 12,000lb Equalizer. Anyone have any reason why I shouldn't go with this hitch?
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