[Thandal]

<snip>
Bottom line - Can a tow vehicle pull a heavier trailer there than is rated for here in the US? Yes, with some provisions:

1. The closer the trailer weight gets to the vehicle weight the slower you will need to drive.


2. DO NOT exceed 65 mph with a tongue weight in the 4-7% range, this is a guaranteed way to sway and 65 is the max, go slower in regards to #1.

3. None of this takes into account crosswinds, cooling systems, hp, or braking effectiveness (or legality).

Ermmmm... Didn't you just say in 6 screens full of text what I said in one in the post immediately prior?

 

[Quickdtoo]

Ermmmm... Didn't you just say in 6 screens full of text what I said in one in the post immediately prior?

I didn't "say" anything other than share a well written, detailed article on why tow ratings are different elsewhere, did you open the link or did you actually think I'm the author?

 

[Thandal]

I didn't "say" anything other than share a well written, detailed article on why tow ratings are different elsewhere, did you open the link or did you actually think I'm the author?

Errrmmm... Your post contained 6 screens-full of text. It was not "just a link", and was not a "quote".
So yes, I presumed you were the author of the words I read in your post.

 

[Eastender43]

Hello everyone! I've been wandering the forums for the past couple days now reading posts and everything, so I'd like to say hello! I got my hybrid a few weeks ago ($32400 encase anyone was wondering). I have a lot of questions but one of the most important ones is about the towing. I've read a little information on towing and I didn't realize how limited I would be in my options.
You see, I work on the road a lot and would like to purchase something that I can tow but also have cooking and showering needs met. It looks like the max weight I can tow is 1750 which proves it difficult to get a decent camper.
Is there anything I can do with the tow installment to increase the max tow weight?

Does anyone have nice suggestions on small campers or something to tow that might meet my needs? I appreciate any help!

good luck finding a 2000lbs rv, mine is 2600lbs dry (and we are talking about a really small 16' one) about 3000lbs loaded with battery and propane. then there is the payload capacity, if you have a 800lbs, you and your stuff is 500lbs, then you add 350lbs for the tongue weight of the rv, the hitch, the weight distribution system, and you are over!

We tow a 1743 alto with A2011 Prius,see Ecotrailertraveling

They won’t let me post a link

Have logged some 12K,car has 100K,change the tranny oil,all is good..now switching to 2019 Rav4 Hybrid...but yes you can pull a nice Trailer and just use good judgement...also do not back up really steep stuff..

 

[Eastender43]

We tow a 1743 alto with A2011 Prius,see https://ecotrailertraveling.com/about/
Have logged some 12K,car has 100K,change the tranny oil,all is good..now switching to 2019 Rav4 Hybrid...but yes you can pull a nice Trailer and just use good judgement...also do not back up really steep stuff..

 

[Eastender43]

We tow a 1743 alto with A2011 Prius,see https://ecotrailertraveling.com/about/

It weighs 1600 pounds, has a shower toilet refrigerator stove water heater and tons of storage. Electric brakes,WDS,drives like a Sprinter van,no sway or wandering.In power mode I will race anybody in the campground with a big trailer!

Have logged some 12K,car has 100K,change the tranny oil,all is good..now switching to 2019 Rav4 Hybrid...but yes you can pull a nice Trailer and just use good judgement...also do not back up really steep stuff..

 

[Thandal]

All;

US and EU towing limits are very different for one specific reason. (Well, two.)

1. Different Speed Limits. In the EU, the speed limit is often much lower if towing. Usually 80km/h (50mph).

Which leads to...

2. Different Trailer Designs. The physics of towing a trailer mean the higher the speed, the higher the likelihood of uncontrolled swaying for trailers with the same center-of-gravity (CG). The further the CG is from the hitch point, the lower the tongue weight so the higher the max. tow rating for the same engine/transmission/suspension, but also the lower the speed at which swaying becomes a problem.

In the US, we want to tow while moving at the same 70-80 mph as when we're not. Hence, trailers legal on US highways have a more forward CG, a higher tongue weight, and a lower max. towing rating for the same towing vehicle than those in the EU.

[EDIT: While I'm not an automotive engineer, someone who is wrote the main article from which I derived the above. Also, it would seem to me that if the major issue is really the tongue weight, then maybe some tweaks to the suspension might... improve one's individual situation. And void one's warranty and/or insurance!]

Added by moderator: Also the actual operational CG and tongue weight can and often are adjusted by moving the load forward or aft. Such adjustments don't alter the towing limits which still need to be adhered to.

 

[Macschlep]

Tows my T@B 320-S with no complaints other than sucky gas mileage.

Hello, How is your RAV4 hybrid doing after a few years of towing a TAB 320 s?

 

[Dr. Dyno]

ST-Bob hasn't been on the forum in nearly 5 years so we have no update.