[klink916]

Just joined this forum and am very impressed with the amount of info and great feedback from everyone.

I have a 2011 SV 4X4 CC and stepped up to a larger bumper pull travel trailer. Its 26' and 6700 lbs dry, quite a bit heavier than my previous trailer. I've got a load distribution hitch setup but the rear end still sags a bit. Wondering if I should get some airbags or not? Tongue weight is 680 lbs, what do you all think???

 

[JohnnyMac]

I can't tell from the picture, do you have the (big) tow pkg with 3.36 gearing or is it 2.94? If you don't have the lower gearing, your tow capacity is 7300-ish lbs and once you load up the trailer, you might be pushing it. If you do have the gears then your at 9300-ish lbs and all's good. I use a set of bolt on leveler leafs to give the arse end of my truck a little lift when I tow anything.

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Hellwig-988-Level-Helper-Spring/dp/B004J3AGHG/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1464899988&sr=1-1&keywords=hellwig+ez+level+helper+titan[/ame]

 

[klink916]

The owners manual for my model says I have 9300 lb tow capacity, but I don't have tow mirrors or tranny temp gauge feature. It came with a factory tow package installed, then I added the prodigy 2 brake controller.

Is there a way to tell if I have the "Big Tow" package, or see what rear end gearing I have?

 

[JohnnyMac]

I believe it's on the sticker inside your door jamb.

 

[klink916]

I just looked and I do have a transmission temp gauge, but the label behind the door just showed tire pressures and passenger rating.

 

[FishnAlaska]

Sorry to say, the tow package has nothing to do with capacity, all the tow package gives you is the 7 pin wiring harness, hitch and trailer brake wiring. 99% sure your towing capacity is 7300 pounds. You need the max or supreme utility package which gives you the gearing required to pull 9300 pounds. If you go on the highway and hit 70 mph and your RPM's are at about 1700 you have 2.94 gears and 7300 pounds (which I bet you have) if your at 70 mph and you are at about 2100 rpm, you have the 3.36 gears and 9300 pounds (bet you don't). Not having tow mirrors is a big indication that you don't have the bigger gears. Transmission temp gauge is pretty standard on all newer models regardless of the package. There should also be a tag on the rear diff that shows your gear ratio.

 

[Walrus]

As Fishn just said: go drive it.

 

[fastalkintn]

I have seen the statement about the rpm several times and I'm a little confused. I have a 2015 with tow mirrors, trans temp, and supposedly the right gears but at 70 mph I'm running 1800 rpm. Would the tire/wheel size not affect this? Or do all big tow models have the same wheel and tire package?

 

[FishnAlaska]

Unless you have significantly changed tire sizes (say 35's) there is no difference between tire sizes on trucks that have the tow gears or not. The only difference is if you have a Pro4x which typically come with tow gears, it has 275/70/18 tires, non Pro4x come with 265/70/18's. There are some slight variations with packages and model years (17" wheels, 20" wheels etc) but they are all basically a 33" tire on the wheel

 

[fastalkintn]

That's interesting. My sticker shows 3.36 gears. I'll double check my rpm in the morning.

 

[dubyam]

And, as I was reminded a while back, it doesn't matter what tire size you have on currently, as the speedo is set to the OEM size so it will read 70 at 2100 for the 3.36 gears regardless. Best play is to roll under the truck and read the diff snout sticker to be sure.

 

[JohnnyMac]

Good info Fishn. I couldn't tell if those were tow mirrors with chrome covers or not. I knew there was a sticker somewhere just couldn't remember.....

 

[klink916]

Thanks guys, rolled under the truck and I have 3.36 gears

 

[JohnnyMac]

Awesome! Glad to hear it! I'd take a look at those leaf springs. You can leave them on all the time as well.

 

[thumperpaul]

Nice trailer! I upgraded to a Forest River Cherokee 254Q from a Wildwood 21RBS, and I find that having a friction sway controller makes a big difference in towing, especially in cross winds or when being passed by semi trucks.

 

[klink916]

Yeah we just got this wildcat maxx 26fbs and it's pretty good quality. Just towed it and it could use a friction sway bar, but it was manageable without one. I do need air bags though. A gear between 3rd and 4th would be nice as well