Am I overloaded? 28' Bunkhouse...

[k-bl]

The trailer: Cruiser Radiance 28qbss - https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2014-cruiser-rv-radiance-travel-trailer-floorplan-r-28qbss-tr18500
The hitch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W919FL8

The Expedition is a 2014 XL, mostly stock, 2 wheel drive, with tow package.

* Hitch Weight: 745 lbs (I know that basically means nothing, and is dry)
* I never plan on driving full speed with full tanks.
* I always plan on loading it light.
* 2 Adults, 2 kids.
* Most of the stuff in the rig.

 

[Kjhawkeye1]

Looks like it is 32 feet? You'll want an anti sway bar with that hitch. Also are you an EL?

 

[B-McD]

You should be fine. I tow a 30' camper - about 33' to the ball. 6500lbs or so plus maybe 750lbs of "stuff". The WD hitch is the key. Get it set up and maybe some fine tuning adjustments you should be good to go. I pump up my tires to 40psi and trailer tires at stated max. Remember - most trailer tires are rated at 65-70mph max. Invest in some Goodyear Endurance or similar for the trailer tires.

 

[Bigfishfin]

Yes, your tow vehicle is not adequate! I tow a 25' ORV trailer and consider it the maximum I would tow both for weight and wind effects on TT surface areas...You need to jump to at least a 3/4 ton pickup, you and your family are worth it!...

 

[k-bl]

Looks like it is 32 feet? You'll want an anti sway bar with that hitch. Also are you an EL?

The hitch has anti-sway built in from what I see on their website. That was one of the main reasons I went with it.

From their website https://www.huskytow.com/husky-towing-32218-weight-distribution-hitch it reads: "Includes Sway Control With Built-In Sway Control".

 

[Bigfishfin]

If you want advice from others with extensive towing experience, Google for the several RV forums...

 

[John Kohler]

I like the "80%" rule. Stay within 80% of your max tow and you should be fine. That RV has a 7,745# GVWR which is over 80% and good place to start. BUT this RV has 2,090# payload capacity. Towing with empty tanks it's hard to imagine you'll load it down with 2,000# of gear. More than likely you'll be under about 6500# fully loaded. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to pack it full of everything you'd take and go to scale.

 

[shinysideup2]

You may find the heavy tongue weight with family in the car will make the rear end pretty bouncy. You'll likely end up with about 900-1000lb on the tongue/hitch, leaving you only about 400-450 lb for cargo in the Expedition.

I would recommend upgrading the rear suspension. Some options:
- Rancho ReadyLift (comes w/ springs & adjustable shocks which can be dialed up while towing to quell the bounce.
- SumoSprings (different for stock vs. Ranchos) to improve dynamic load (slightly higher effective spring rate)
- Hellwig 7688 upgraded rear sway bar makes it more stable with crosswinds, and as a bonus, improves handling while not towing.
- Load Range E (LT) tires to stiffen up the ride and handle heavy loads.

I tow a 2018 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2509S, sometimes with water in the front tank. 6500lb fully loaded with tongue weight between 900 to 1100 lb depending on if we're carrying water (yes, a tad overloaded). The Expedition barely does the job. I really wish I had stiffer springs and shocks all around, but the adjustable shocks definitely help. I'm not quite yet ready to go with Kings as they're quite expensive.

 

[JasonH]

The hitch has anti-sway built in from what I see on their website. That was one of the main reasons I went with it.

From their website https://www.huskytow.com/husky-towing-32218-weight-distribution-hitch it reads: "Includes Sway Control With Built-In Sway Control".

I use that model Husky and it works well when configured correctly. The biggest issue you'll encounter is that the trailer is going to chew through your payload. You'll need to add around 80 lbs to account for the WDH weight...now you're at least at 825 on the receiver. I can't tell if that hitch weight from the manufacturer is dry or weight. If it's dry that's a problem, because you have to add battery, propane, etc. There's no margin to add anything else. Also, to minimize sway, you need at least 10% of the trailer weight on the tongue, but higher is better. You won't be able to go any higher if your payload is maxed.

I suggest renting a trailer close to what you're seeking, loading it up, and visiting a scale. It's much cheaper to do that than to make a purchase and find out it doesn't work. I see people posting all the time about white knuckle trips. Some of it is probably improper loading, but I think they also purchase trailers that are too large. Try before you buy.

 

[Jamo]

My sister and Bro in Law took their 4 young kids on a camping trip from upstate NY down along the east coast and back, about 25 years ago. They rented a smaller trailer to tow behind their Chevy Astro van. When they got back, other that the good memories, he said he towed a $1500 mistake for 3,000 miles and was reminded of that with every mile...

 

[k-bl]

Prior to this thread, we ended up taking this rig through I24, during a storm, at night, between Nashville and Chattanooga. This is described as the most treacherous stretch of interstate in the United States, arguably, and by Johnny Cash, because of the sharp turning and incline/decline.

It was slow going, we kept with the semi's, but the rig actually did pretty well. We loaded very light, three changes of clothes for each family member, some light groceries, and a few tools.

A couple of big things I forgot to mention were the new tires and brake controller we had on the rig as well. Both substantially helped keep things rolling very well:

The tires: https://us.coopertire.com/tires/discoverer-at3-lt
The brake controller: https://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-47297-INSIGHT-Brake-Control/dp/B00C5THYIK

We ended up driving all the way down to Florida from Indiana, and back to Indiana through the mountains of South Carolina. There were a few moments of learning what the bow wave effect was on the vehicle (Semi's sucking you into their lane). Bow wave was simply handled by never going above 65 MPH (it only takes REAL effect when going 55+MPH), and staying to the far right lane, when possible. Never at any point did any trailer sway (uncontrolled back and forth motion) occur, or feeling like the rig was out of control. We as well drove through numerous storms, none of which were too bad. BUT as soon as there was ice involved, we stayed put for a few days in a hotel.

Along the trip we did find out the front struts need replaced... They were on their way out, and at the middle of the trip, were full on needing to be replaced.

There were a few times when a "bouncy" like feeling happened, but as soon as I slowed down, it cleared up. I think a lot of this had to do with the front struts going out, in addition to the heavy load, but also there were simply some bad interstates.

In the long term, we loved the trailer, and will keep it. We will probably not go cross country often, but when we do, keep it slow, and in control. But ALWAYS with a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway. Without it, the truck simply cannot handle a load this size.

 

[postwick]

* Most of the stuff in the rig.

That counts against your gross vehicle weight rating exactly the same as if the gear was in the trailer.

 

[k-bl]

That counts against your gross vehicle weight rating exactly the same as if the gear was in the trailer.

By "the rig", I meant trailer.

 

[postwick]

By "the rig", I meant trailer.

Oh LOL didn't realize that.

 

[Kjhawkeye1]

Prior to this thread, we ended up taking this rig through I24, during a storm, at night, between Nashville and Chattanooga. This is described as the most treacherous stretch of interstate in the United States, arguably, and by Johnny Cash, because of the sharp turning and incline/decline.

It was slow going, we kept with the semi's, but the rig actually did pretty well. We loaded very light, three changes of clothes for each family member, some light groceries, and a few tools.

A couple of big things I forgot to mention were the new tires and brake controller we had on the rig as well. Both substantially helped keep things rolling very well:

The tires: https://us.coopertire.com/tires/discoverer-at3-lt
The brake controller: https://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-47297-INSIGHT-Brake-Control/dp/B00C5THYIK

We ended up driving all the way down to Florida from Indiana, and back to Indiana through the mountains of South Carolina. There were a few moments of learning what the bow wave effect was on the vehicle (Semi's sucking you into their lane). Bow wave was simply handled by never going above 65 MPH (it only takes REAL effect when going 55+MPH), and staying to the far right lane, when possible. Never at any point did any trailer sway (uncontrolled back and forth motion) occur, or feeling like the rig was out of control. We as well drove through numerous storms, none of which were too bad. BUT as soon as there was ice involved, we stayed put for a few days in a hotel.

Along the trip we did find out the front struts need replaced... They were on their way out, and at the middle of the trip, were full on needing to be replaced.

There were a few times when a "bouncy" like feeling happened, but as soon as I slowed down, it cleared up. I think a lot of this had to do with the front struts going out, in addition to the heavy load, but also there were simply some bad interstates.

In the long term, we loved the trailer, and will keep it. We will probably not go cross country often, but when we do, keep it slow, and in control. But ALWAYS with a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway. Without it, the truck simply cannot handle a load this size.

Glad you had a good trip and vehicle towed fine. Would just be careful that you stay under the gross combined weight. If you were ever in an accident and found to be overweight, it could be a real bad deal to the pt thag insurance may not even help due to the liability of being over the safe recommended weight.

 

[2010ELExpy4x4]

If you use hitch mounted sway control you are supposed to turn off factory (electronic) sway control (which is always on and has to be turned off every time vehicle is started). If using factory sway control you are not to use hitch mounted.
We tow a 30 ft toy hauler Gray Wolf 22RR GVWR 7686 lb, I prefer the hitch mounted sway control(have tried both ways), I also run E rated tires, 1000/10000 WDH. Haven't had to many issues. Get buffeted behind big rigs at interstate speeds, not so bad when loaded.
Don't forget to use tow/haul mode. I also recommend Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor System.

 

[Trey Harris]

I looked for Rancho to fit my 2015 XLT but can't find a fit.

 

[k-bl]

If you use hitch mounted sway control you are supposed to turn off factory (electronic) sway control (which is always on and has to be turned off every time vehicle is started). If using factory sway control you are not to use hitch mounted.
We tow a 30 ft toy hauler Gray Wolf 22RR GVWR 7686 lb, I prefer the hitch mounted sway control(have tried both ways), I also run E rated tires, 1000/10000 WDH. Haven't had to many issues. Get buffeted behind big rigs at interstate speeds, not so bad when loaded.
Don't forget to use tow/haul mode. I also recommend Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor System.

View attachment 40594

View attachment 40593

Nice!