Giving up on an Escape 19...

[float5]

[QUOTE=Brian B-P;23007]Close, but not quite. Neither the tug nor the trailer needs to be loaded to its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),

Brian, if you look again, I told him how to get his actual weight in a vehicle, if he wants to do that. I think it's a given that you don't have to load to the max. You miss the point completely since you are familiar with the numbers. Many people are unaware that such numbers exist and that they should actually consider them and become familiar with their own situation. I'll bet you could ask quite a few people towing fiberglass trailers about their GCWR and they wouldn't have a clue.

In addition, I referred to FiberglassRV for actual weights that owners have had since many people think they will be loaded a mere 500 lbs. above their dry weight. That's not what we have seen.

You talk about the worst possible case but in fact what we very routinely see is the best case or not-real-world scenario given time and again, resulting in overweight towing.

Also, I did not mention that it is often recommended not to tow over 80% of the towing capacity. Many don't care about that and don't mind being at their max weights, or even knowingly exceeding them. Some others want to make sure that they do not exceed them.

[Brian B-P]

I was only interested I'm discussing factual information, and that's not where this weight capacity discussion is going, so I'm out. My apologies for any confusion that this may have introduced.

[dave macrae]

These type of discussions do seem to take some twists on peoples different theorys. This is why I personaly like to have what many will feel is over kill on a tow vehicle to not have to worry about these things, a couple pounds either way makes no difference if you have lots of wiggle room. But hey thats just my take on it.

[dbailey]

I kind-of agree with dave... When I'm building anything for myself, I overengineer it by a significant margin. But when I'm buying something in this litigatious society, I figure the manufacturer has already built in a lot of margin. So I'm more inclined to push things.

I'm fairly certain that my existing tent trailer and all the stuff we hauled to Yellowstone exceeded our RAV's towing capacity. And we took it over some good mountains, including the bighorn range. Slow and easy, and no worries. Yeah, slow going up the hill. I'm not too worried about slow, as long as it's safe.

I kind of get Brian's response. We're arguing religion here, and such arguments are mostly pointless. On the other hand, since I believe the manufacturers pad their numbers, it means we don't have any real facts to base our arguments on, so what's left?

[Burloak]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I was only interested I'm discussing factual information, and that's not where this weight capacity discussion is going, so I'm out. My apologies for any confusion that this may have introduced.

Brian, as a professional engineer (mechanical) I really appreciated your post and your point.

[dbailey]

In case anybody is curious...

I put a deposit down on a 2012 Nissan Frontier this morning. v6, so plenty of capacity to pull an Escape 19.

Right now Nissan is trying to clear out the 2012s. Either they over-produced last year or it was just a bad year for them, but I got a pretty amazing deal (roughly 10K off MSRP) -- good enough that I figured I'd better grab the deal right away.

Is it an ideal vehicle? No... The smaller trucks have been disappearing, and those that are left are looking a little dated. I'm still annoyed that you can buy a full-sized truck for less money than a smaller truck. But I'll get over it...

[Jim Bennett]

Well, there is one less decision to mull over, Doug. It will be a more than adequate tow.

[dave macrae]

Good for you Doug , I know a few people with that truck and they are all happy with them. It will tow a 19 ft nicely

[DonM]

Good for you Doug. I did the same thing - bought another Nissan Xterra 2012. Awaiting delivery.

[LeonardS]

Hope this doesn't disturb the sleep of this old thread...but I just had to say this forum alerted me to the fact that Nissan had leftover 2012's still on their lot and were selling at quite the discount. I don't think I got 10K off MSRP as Doug reports, but there was enough of a rebate that the Frontier is now mine. 4wd, v6, king cab, 5 speed auto, and "tow package" which was mainly the class IV receiver and 7 pin plug set up. And a giant "Frontier" decal that will likely get removed.

I was all set to max out the tow capability of my (wife's) Subaru Forester...skirting right up to the tow limit, but now with the Frontier's 6300 lb rating, I can stay comfortably below this and look something other than 13's. The Subaru's saggy butt suspension was probably the deciding factor against using it, although we probably could've made a 13 work.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by LeonardS

Hope this doesn't disturb the sleep of this old thread...but I just had to say this forum alerted me to the fact that Nissan had leftover 2012's still on their lot and were selling at quite the discount. I don't think I got 10K off MSRP as Doug reports, but there was enough of a rebate that the Frontier is now mine. 4wd, v6, king cab, 5 speed auto, and "tow package" which was mainly the class IV receiver and 7 pin plug set up. And a giant "Frontier" decal that will likely get removed.

I was all set to max out the tow capability of my (wife's) Subaru Forester...skirting right up to the tow limit, but now with the Frontier's 6300 lb rating, I can stay comfortably below this and look something other than 13's. The Subaru's saggy butt suspension was probably the deciding factor against using it, although we probably could've made a 13 work.

Hi: LeonardS... Well now you can go straight to the head of the class at Escape. You'll love the Frontier...I do if I can get the keys from my wife!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[dbailey]

Kind of funny that this thread got resurrected today... It's definitely a reminder of how fast things can change.

A hair over 3 months ago I was pulling my hair out over the tow vehicle decision, and had decided the size of the trailer had to give a little. Today, in about 4 hours (I hope!) I go pick up my new 19'.

[cpaharley2008]

pictures, we want pictures......good luck

[LeonardS]

PIctures please!

And, since this started out as a Tow Vehicle thread, maybe a few details on how it tows, your set-up, etc.

Hope the delivery went smoothly (can't imagine it didn't).

[dbailey]

Define "smoothly"...

Shouldn't be surprised, I suppose, but it's delayed again... Heavy traffic through Toronto and lineups at the scales... Current ETA is 6pm -- an hour from now. The delays are getting shorter and shorter, so as long as Zeno was wrong, it *will* get here in finite time.

And, yes, I'll post pics when it gets here.

[escape artist]

Hi: dbailey... ZERO HOUR!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie