Early Retirement & Financial Independence Community - View Single Post - Well, I done did it

thefed · 03-22-2008, 09:19 PM

looking fun brewer...i've been trying to talk the old lady into a camper....and now that you mention the 3500 lb tow rating on the van....we have a 2005 nissan quest with a hitch already hooked up....hmmm....

does your trailer have electric brakes?? i hope so....a good brake controller goes a long way. and if you havent already,GET A BIG TRANNY COOLER...it's a must unless you are planning to use this only 2-3x/yr short distances. I hope the dealer also talked you to into a nice Weight Distributing anti sway set-up for the hitch.

I'd wonder what the thing weighs when fully loaded?? I'd guess you will be over 3000lbs (25 gal water x 8lbs each- 200lbs, propane, gear, battery, grill, bikes, etc). Take a look at the Van's GCWR rating...I guess its around 8400 lbs. Then weigh the van with your family and gear in the van as you would be to go camping. This weight is subtracted from your GCWR to tell you the actual safe TOW rating. If you do exceed this, it doesn't mean imminent death....but be careful....trailers can be tricky. The tow rating on your van likely assumes only the driver...no gear or passengers in the van. And your trailer likely weighs more than the listed weight, as most options like AC aren't included.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade...but want to make sure you guys are safe and dont ruin that van!!

Hope it all works out though....looks like a blast!!!

03-22-2008, 09:19 PM	#16
thefed Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,795	looking fun brewer...i've been trying to talk the old lady into a camper....and now that you mention the 3500 lb tow rating on the van....we have a 2005 nissan quest with a hitch already hooked up....hmmm.... does your trailer have electric brakes?? i hope so....a good brake controller goes a long way. and if you havent already,GET A BIG TRANNY COOLER...it's a must unless you are planning to use this only 2-3x/yr short distances. I hope the dealer also talked you to into a nice Weight Distributing anti sway set-up for the hitch. I'd wonder what the thing weighs when fully loaded?? I'd guess you will be over 3000lbs (25 gal water x 8lbs each- 200lbs, propane, gear, battery, grill, bikes, etc). Take a look at the Van's GCWR rating...I guess its around 8400 lbs. Then weigh the van with your family and gear in the van as you would be to go camping. This weight is subtracted from your GCWR to tell you the actual safe TOW rating. If you do exceed this, it doesn't mean imminent death....but be careful....trailers can be tricky. The tow rating on your van likely assumes only the driver...no gear or passengers in the van. And your trailer likely weighs more than the listed weight, as most options like AC aren't included. I'm not trying to rain on your parade...but want to make sure you guys are safe and dont ruin that van!! Hope it all works out though....looks like a blast!!! Last edited by thefed; 03-22-2008 at 11:01 PM.