[A/S] Re: Towing

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings David!

While what you propose is probably within the factory limits, I 
would recommend EXTREME caution before proceeding.  Remember that 
you need to subtract from the trailer tow rating the weight of any 
gear and passengers carried in the Expedition - - even with very 
careful packing of both vehicles, it would be fairly easy to meet or 
exceed the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight rating for your 
Expedition.  The reason that I have my current '99 K2500 Suburban 
with a 10,000 pound trailer tow package is that my previous tow 
vehicle was right at its Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating with 
my Overlander - - the previous tow vehicle was a K1500 Club Cab 
pickup with 6,500 pound trailer tow rating - - my Overlander has an 
empty weight of 4,475 pounds and a loaded weight of between 6,000 
and 6,100 pounds.  With the tow vehicle that was at its maximum 
Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the following issues developed:

1.)  No reserve power for emergency situations - - passing, 
accellerating onto freeways, etc.

2.)  Marginal braking from tow vehicle - - and deficiency in trailer 
brakes was quickly noticed as the truck's brakes were working as 
hard as they could.

3.)  Be prepared to be the SLOWEST vehicle on grades - - the 
deciding factor in my switch was a trip through the Rocky Mountains 
on I-70 when I was down to 20 MPH in low with the accellerator to 
the floor in low gear on the approach to the Eisenhower Tunnel - - 
even fully loaded logging trucks were passing me.

In addition, it often (especially on the Interstate) felt like the 
trailer was dictating to the tow vehicle - - an uneasy "seat-of-the-
pants" sensation that the trailer wanted to sway but was being 
controlled by the Strait-Line Hitch.  When I made the switch to my 
current tow vehicle, my minimum shopping criterion was to have at 
least 20% more towing capacity than my maximum trailer weight.  I 
ended up going with almost 40% more capacity than I needed, but have 
no regrets - - same or better fuel economy than with the smaller tow 
vehicle; and was able to tow the same grade on I-70 at 55 MPH in 3rd 
gear without incident.  With the larger tow vehicle, I have never 
experienced any quams about freeway entrances or other situations 
where reserve power is needed which has really increased travel 
pleasure.  The brakes on the larger tow vehicle also are less likely 
to be overworked - - my pad/shoe life has been increased by over 30%.

I will admit to insisting upon having a greater power reserve in my 
towing vehicle than many find acceptable.  As a Free Wheeler, I 
don't like to have to worry about whether my vehicle will be able to 
handle a particular situation, and the power reserve is my security 
blanket.  My travel destinations usually take me into mountainous 
terrain as well as hilly terraing so that definitely requires 
reserve power as well.  In a typical year, I will tow one or the 
other of my trailers around 8,000 miles.

Good luck with your decision!

Kevin

Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible