Chevrolet Blazer and an Escape 19 ?

[Suregrip391]

Hello Group!
Wondering if anyone here tows with a newer 2019-2024 Blazer? My wife has a 2022 RS AWD model with the factory tow package on it, heavy duty cooling, trailer hitch and 7 pin. No brake box though. I was wondering how well something like this would tow a 19? The blazer is a 3.6 litre, V6 and rated for up to 4500 pounds but I can’t find any of the payload information. No sticker in her door jamb. Probably have to call the Chevy dealer as I can’t seem to find anything online.

 

[GinoandLinda]

You may be able to go to the Chevy website and input the VIN# to get that info.

 

[salmo7000]

In my opinion, a 4,500 tow rating is not enough to tow a 19. It’s just cutting it too close, and that’s assuming you can keep the weight of the trailer under that. My 2018 19 has a dry weight of 3,470 lbs. I’m pretty sure with 2 full propane tanks, a full water tank, and all the stuff I carry for 10+ days of camping, it weighs close to 4,400 lbs when I pull out of the driveway. The weight adds up quickly.

With few or no options on a 19, it might be possible to keep the weight under 4,000 lbs. But even so, I still think you’d be cutting it too close. My tow vehicle is rated to tow 7,500 lbs, and even then there have been times when I’ve felt the trailer has been pushing it around (e.g. getting passed by semi’s on the interstate in strong cross winds). Also, I have to watch my transmission temp when towing up long mountain grades. That’s often the weak link people seem to ignore. I get my transmission fluid changed every 40,000 miles or less to stave off any problems, but this is definitely something to consider.

After towing with my current combination since 2018, all I can say is I would never, ever want to tow my 19 with anything less than what I have.

If you really want to use your Blazer, I would look hard at a 17a, which should work well with that vehicle.

Cheers!

 

[brroberts]

My 19 is heavy by E19 standards. I don’t even try to keep it light. I’m 4600-4700lbs with 530-560lbs of tongue weight. It tows great with either truck. For me, a Blazer wouldn’t work, but people are towing successfully with vehicles like Highlanders with 5000lbs tow packages.

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

It is my understanding, the 4500lbs will be total payload/towing for an SUV. Unlike a truck, that has towing capacity of 9800lbs and payload of 1400lbs (Tundra), I can tow 9500lbs behind the trailer and fill the inside of my truck with 1000lbs of people and gear and still be under.

I wouldn't do it. Remember, you aren't the only one on the road. Just because you "can", doesn't mean you should or legally can. If you are over and something catastrophic happens, you will likely be held criminally responsible.

 

[Micheal K]

It is my understanding, the 4500lbs will be total payload/towing for an SUV. Unlike a truck, that has towing capacity of 9800lbs and payload of 1400lbs (Tundra), I can tow 9500lbs behind the trailer and fill the inside of my truck with 1000lbs of people and gear and still be under.

I know there are some exceptions but SUV towing and payload numbers typically mean the same thing as they do for trucks.Regarding your example with your truck you seem to be saying that a minimum 950 lbs tongue weight for a 9500 lb trailer would not be counted against the 1400lb payload. I don’t think that’s correct as tongue weight is counted as payload for every tow vehicle I’ve ever heard of.

OP, the best way to get your payload is to weigh your vehicle with a full tank at a scale. Payload = GVWR - scale weight.

Since you already have the vehicle, if the payload is enough and you can keep the trailer under 4500 lbs (current GVWR for a 19), I’d at least try it.

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

@Michael K.

Yes, the tongue weight would count against the payload. I didn't factor that into my example above.

Payload is everything you are hauling in the vehicle, tongue weight, passengers, vehicle mods (rock sliders, under truck armour, roof racks, canoes, etc).

I'd venture to say, most trucks are under the tow capacity when hauling a trailer but over their payload. Payload gets eaten up faster than most think.

In my case, using these numbers, ballpark, you can see how fast it disappears for my 1/2 ton truck setup.

Payload 1400
Passengers -600 (4 adults)
Dog -50
Skid plates, rock sliders, lineX,
, roof rack - 200
Canoe -50
Tongue weight 19 - 500
Aftermarket tires /wheels- 50 (over stock weight)
Straps, booster pack, air compressor, safety equipment- 30

I'm over before I add firewood, fishing gear, water, pop, cooler, misc in the truck bed. I could add those things inside the trailer and count it against towing capacity, but I'm not a fan of hauling junk inside the trailer rattling and bouncing around. Especially cases of water and bbq etc. Plus, tongue weight would go up and maybe over the recommended % of trailer weight.

It's definitely a balancing act.

 

[Mike G]

My 19 is heavy by E19 standards. I don’t even try to keep it light. I’m 4600-4700lbs with 530-560lbs of tongue weight. It tows great with either truck. For me, a Blazer wouldn’t work, but people are towing successfully with vehicles like Highlanders with 5000lbs tow packages.

Doesn't your E19 have a GVWR of 4400 lb? You're 'fessing up to exceeding the load capacity?

 

[brroberts]

Doesn't your E19 have a GVWR of 4400 lb? You're 'fessing up to exceeding the load capacity?

No. 5000lbs.

 

[Mike G]

No. 5000lbs.

Sorry, I guess my memory must be off. Current rating is 4400. What years had an increased capacity, and do you know what was changed since then to lower it?

 

[brroberts]

I think they changed it in 2022, but I’m not sure. As far as what I know from the forum, nothing actually changed on the trailers except the sticker.

 

[Chamberman]

Sorry, I guess my memory must be off. Current rating is 4400. What years had an increased capacity, and do you know what was changed since then to lower it?

Here's a thread on the subject of GVWR reductions.

 

[Cathleen Shea]

Our 2018 Toyota 4Runner (V6) had a max tow capacity of 5,000 lbs. We traded it for a 2021 Toyota Tacoma (V6), as it has 6,000 lbs. max tow capacity. This will ensure we can load the gear we need... aaannnddd still maintain the 20% buffer on towed weight.

I refuse to bargain with safety on the road. As much as I loved that 4Runner... I love my wife, and dog more. I plan to keep us, and other drivers safe on the road.

We pick up our E19 on 7 Oct. Full-time nomad life, here we come.

 

[campisfortis]

Hello Group!
Wondering if anyone here tows with a newer 2019-2024 Blazer? My wife has a 2022 RS AWD model with the factory tow package on it, heavy duty cooling, trailer hitch and 7 pin. No brake box though. I was wondering how well something like this would tow a 19? The blazer is a 3.6 litre, V6 and rated for up to 4500 pounds but I can’t find any of the payload information. No sticker in her door jamb. Probably have to call the Chevy dealer as I can’t seem to find anything online.

We have the same vehicle as the Suregrip391. According to the owner's manual the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) is 9,215 pounds. Meaning the weight of the Blazer, the Escape and everything contained it in must not exceed 9,215 pounds.

Curb weigh for the Blazer RS AWD is 4,079 (this counts a full tank of gas and all fluids). Escape says dry weight for standard E19 is 3150, my test build sheet shows 3385, and I plan to budget 900 pounds for stuff.

The big question for me is do we need to conform to the often quoted suggested limit of 80% of towing capacity, or can our vehicles actually tow 4500 lbs.

While I have zero experience towing anything behind a vehicle, I have done a fair amount of internet research on this topic. During this research, I have been unable to find any official source for the 80% claim, it seems to be more of a rule of thumb repeated until it becomes authoritative. I do have years of experience driving a Ford E450 based Class C, so I expect that will help me adjust to towing.

The internet does have a number of references from people with vehicles like a 2021 Toyota 4 Runner (4.0 V6). The 4 Runner engine is rated at 270 hp, has 276 ft-lb of torque and has a 5 Speed transmission. Our Blazers have 308 hp, 270 ft-lb of torque and a 9 Speed transmission. The wheelbase and curb weight for both vehicles is also similar.

I expect that the 4 Runner is equipped with a transmission cooler, and maybe TSC sway control, as our Blazers are. I do know that in this case, the 4 Runner was equipped with a trailer brake controller a weight distribution switch with some sway control feature (made by Anderson). The owner made a YouTube video documenting his happiness with this setup.

I do appreciate that the Escape 19 loaded with gear is close to the rated limit, but I also consider that I will not be driving 75 on the freeway, and I live in Michigan, which is basically flat.

Interestingly, the transmission in our Blazers is a GM9T65, which is by itself rated for a max trailer weight of 5,452 pounds.

I am very much interested in other people's real world experience. We do not plan to pull the trigger for several years, so we have time to mull on this decision. We may end up with a 17, but I really would prefer a 19, for the larger front dinette, a larger fridge, oven option, and the slightly larger bathroom.

Finally, I do appreciate having a larger, more capable vehicle would give a better driving experience.

Finally, we love our Blazer, it does not wallow like so many SUVs do, it has great performance, drive characteristics and electronics (including a hitch-cam!).

 

[Mike G]

Be sure to consider the hitch weight. A 4300 lb (loaded for camping) trailer is quite likely to have a tongue weight in the 500-600 lb range. What is the hitch receiver's rating? Keep in mind that a weight distribution hitch is weight on the receiver (even though it's distributing weight over the axles, it's applying torque to the receiver and its mounting bolts), and WD hitches range from 65 lb to 100 lb (or maybe more).

 

[Suregrip391]

Also keep in mind the blazer (like most cars) is a unibody and not a full frame like a truck would have.

 

[zephirus]

Highest tow capacity I found was 4,500 pounds for Blazers. If the 80% capacity guidance is followed, that would mean a loaded trailer should not exceed 3,600 lbs. 10% of that would suggest a tongue weight of 360lbs. The other big factor often ignored is the TV wheelbase. Guidance is 114" wheelbase = 21' TT. Other factors are the size of the brake rotors, transmission coolers, and suspension. These are all just safety suggestion that can be found - Certainly YMMV. I asked Chatgpt to generate a list of safe towing "rules" with references. See attached - hopefully this is helpful - its guidance remember ...

 

[salmo7000]

My 2018 E19 weighs about 4,400 lbs fully loaded for travel. I don’t carry a lot of stuff. Heavier options on the trailer include the air conditioner, blown in insulation on the bottom, and the oven. The weight of water, propane, food, beverages, bedding, kitchen items, personal gear, and other items can add up quickly.

I would never, ever consider towing this trailer with a vehicle rated to tow 4,500 lbs. Your vehicle will be working very hard, and towing will take its toll on brakes, suspension, and especially the transmission. Whether you can tow safely is another question entirely.

There are plenty of folks here who tow a 19 with SUVs rated for 5,000 lbs and report this combo works for them, so you may be able to make the numbers work for you. But, if you’re set on using this vehicle, I would be looking at a 17 instead.

 

[Selkirk]

I would never, ever consider towing this trailer with a vehicle rated to tow 4,500 lbs. Your vehicle will be working very hard, and towing will take its toll on brakes, suspension, and especially the transmission. Whether you can tow safely is another question entirely.

There are plenty of folks here who tow a 19 with SUVs rated for 5,000 lbs and report this combo works for them, so you may be able to make the numbers work for you. But, if you’re set on using this vehicle, I would be looking at a 17 instead.

I agree!

IMHO, the smallest TV that should be considered for an E19 would be a properly spec'd mid-size "conventional" SUV (4Runner, Grand Cherokee, etc) or a mid-size truck with minimum 5000lb tow and 1000lb payload ratings.... but preferably in the 6000lb-7500lb tow and 1400lb payload range.

Personally, I am considering an upgrade to a full-size truck as a TV for my 19.

For FWD-based/AWD crossover-style SUVs, I would be inclined not go any larger than a 17' Escape, but would probably lean towards something in the 13'-15' molded FG size range.

 

[salmo7000]

I agree!

IMHO, the smallest TV that should be considered for an E19 would be a properly spec'd mid-size "conventional" SUV (4Runner, Grand Cherokee, etc) or a mid-size truck with minimum 5000lb tow and 1000lb payload ratings.... but preferably in the 6000lb-7500lb tow and 1400lb payload range.

Personally, I am considering an upgrade to a full-size truck as a TV for my 19.

For FWD-based/AWD crossover-style SUVs, I would be inclined not go any larger than a 17' Escape, but would probably lean towards something in the 13'-15' molded FG size range.

I towed my 19 for 8 years with a mid size pickup rated to tow 7,200 lbs, and it did a perfectly good job.

But, it came time to trade it for a new one last June, and I ended up with a full size Chevy Silverado 1500 rated to tow 9,000 lbs. All I can say is the towing experience between the 2 is like night and day, and that’s comparing the new truck to a mid size with plenty of capacity for a 19. The biggest point I would make here is towing with the new truck seems effortless, and I arrive at camp not exhausted or stressed out, even on the long drive days. I no longer worry about transmission temps, having enough power for those steep mountain grades, or stability in crosswinds. Among other things…

Has this experience tainted my advice to the OP regarding towing a 19 with an SUV rated to tow 4,500 lbs?? I’m sure it has. But I stand by my previous comment.

My advice to you is, if you’re thinking about upgrading to a full size pickup, don’t wait too long!! My only regret is I did… I thought I didn’t want to drive a full size pickup. It turns out I was wrong about that!!