Towing 28 ft TT with 2005 4x2 KC SE w/o BT

[melhow]

Originally Posted by Shane06fl

I didn't catch that but the class 3 hitch is to small for that TT. The WDH may be for 10,000lbs but the hitch on your truck is only 5000 pounds. May want to give Uhaul a call and find out why they put a hitch on your truck that won't even match the trucks tow rating.

Man, I wish we were going to me in the mountains earlier than our September trip - I am envious! About keeping an eye on the tranny temp gauge, I totally would if we had one visible. Without the BT package, Nissan still seems to "install" the gauge, however it remains hidden under the dash. We will most likely buy an aftermarket temp gauge and install per some posts I have seen on this site.

The tow rating sticker that reads 10K using a weight distributing system is actually on the UHaul hitch itself, on the same sticker as the 5K standard tow rating. While I could not find info directly on UHauls site about this hitch, apparently there are two kinds of Class III hitches out there, one for straight pulling without using a WD system (5000K) and one for either a straight pull or to use in tandem with a WD system (10,000K). I have found more info regarding this on various sites, including the Draw-Tite site:


Class III

1. Class III hitches are weight carrying (WC) and also are weight distributing (WD) depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.
2. Not all Class III hitches are rated to be both. See the specific hitch for that information.
3. Class III hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 6000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 600 lbs.
4. Class III hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lbs.
5. A Class III hitch usually has a 2" square receiver opening.
6. A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.
7. Class III hitches attach to the vehicle frame only.


When I typed for a hitch search on UHaul using our truck specs, here is the result:

Hitch# Type Class Max weight Max distribution weight Finish Price
78216 Round Tube Rec. 3 6000 10000 Black $159.95

We had this hitch installed prior to our TT - it was originally for pulling our ATV. I will still call UHaul to confirm.

Hope that you have an awesome TN trip!!!

[Shane06fl]

If Uhaul stands behind that hitch and say it's ok then don't worry about it. I have never heard of that style class 3 hitch before, learn something everyday. BUT I would do some double checking just to be sure. 7500lbs busting loose behind you can cause a world of hurt.

No trany temp gauge, that stinks. If you can get a aftermarket gauge and install it that would be a great. But honestly I have been towing for years and this is the first time I ever had a trany temp guage in a 1/2 ton vehicle.

We are trying to reserve a place at Fort Desoto for late July.

September in the Mountains is great. June is hot but it's the only time we can both get of work at the same time.

[melhow]

Originally Posted by Shane06fl

If Uhaul stands behind that hitch and say it's ok then don't worry about it. I have never heard of that style class 3 hitch before, learn something everyday. BUT I would do some double checking just to be sure. 7500lbs busting loose behind you can cause a world of hurt.

No trany temp gauge, that stinks. If you can get a aftermarket gauge and install it that would be a great. But honestly I have been towing for years and this is the first time I ever had a trany temp guage in a 1/2 ton vehicle.

We are trying to reserve a place at Fort Desoto for late July.

September in the Mountains is great. June is hot but it's the only time we can both get of work at the same time.

We just reserved at Fort Desoto - the earliest we could get a site waterfront was October 24th. If you are looking for a site that isn't facing the bathrooms, book now. We did have some friends who were able to book next weekend by calling and inquiring about cancellations - that might be the way to go for July.

The campground that we frequent in the Smokies is Elkmont - really nice. We stay in the C loop, and it looks like our favorite site in that loop can handle out TT, so we are really excited.

And even July is awesome in the mountains. Thanks for all of your advice, and have a great time!!!

Mel

[Shane06fl]

Yeah we are trying for a cancellation. If not then oh well. I have 2 really nice state parks real close.

We are stay at the happy holiday Rv park. It's nice quite full service park. If I amdragging a TT that far I want creature comforts LOL. At Elkmont I would be just fine in a tent.

http://www.happyholidaycherokee.com/Index.htm

travel safely and have lots of fun. You will enjoy the TT.

[Tiggrrr]

You did mention that you have the Prodigy brake, so good for you there! The one thing I didn't notice in any of your posts was sway control. You have a WD hitch, but does that hitch include sway control. If not, I would add this 1st thing. That is the one thing that will take the white knuckles out of the driving.