Towing Information

TOWING

Whether you are a seasoned camper or just getting your feet wet, every travel trailer and car combination is unique and has its specific dynamics while towing. There are a few things you need to know to set yourself up for a safe and comfortable towing experience.

Good decision making, thoughtful reasoning and leaning on the safe side is highly recommended when it comes to configuring your towing combo.

Below are a couple units that are very important to determine your towing vehicles towing capacity.

CW - Curb Weight is the total weight of your vehicle including standard equipment and required fluids, such as motor oil, transmission oil, coolant, AC refrigerant, and in some cases, a full tank of gas. Some people refer to Curb Weight as Wet Weight.
GVW - Gross Vehicle Weight is your vehicles Curb Weight and the weight of all the Passengers and your Cargo.
GCVW - Gross Combined Vehicle Weight is the combined weight of your vehicle, vehicle cargo and passengers, trailer, and trailer cargo. Basically, everything between the bumpers of your car and travel trailer combo.

WHATS MY VEHICLE TOWING CAPACITY

Manufacturers do not always provide a clear towing capacity for your vehicle. We often see that this towing capacity is depending on various options and features of the vehicle, i.e. rear axle ratio, trim level of the vehicle, engine, towing package, hitch rating, etc. It typically requires some research to gather all that information. In its simplest form the towing capacity of your vehicle can be found per the below formula.

Towing Capacity = GCVW - GVW

Example for 2020 F-150 SuperCrew, 3.5 L V6 EcoBoost with towing package

GCVW 18,000 lb. (found in User Manual or Manufacturer website)
GVW 7,000 lb. (found on Driver B-Pillar door sticker)

Towing Capacity = 18,000lbs. – 7,000 lbs. = 11,000 lbs.

The result shows you the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle. However, the recommendation is to stay at least 10% under that number for a safe and sustainable towing experience.

Example for 2020 F-150 SuperCrew, 3.5 L V6 EcoBoost with towing package

Recommended Towing Capacity = 11,000 lbs. – 10% = 9,900 lbs.

However,... there are more limitations..

TRAILER HITCH CLASS LIMITATION

The above-mentioned calculations of your maximum towing capacity might be lower than that because another element you must factor in is the capacity of your trailer hitch. Keep in mind that you are always limited by your lowest rated component. For instance, if your hitch can haul 8,000 lbs. but your vehicle can only haul 11,000 lbs., you're still maxed out at 8,000 lbs.

Your trailer hitch class will put another limitation on the towing capacity.

GTW - Gross Trailer Weight: Weight of the loaded trailer. To determine GTW, weigh the loaded trailer on a vehicle scale.
TW - Tongue Weight: The downward pressure placed on the ball by the coupler. To determine TW, use a tongue weight scale or other method.

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH OR NOT?

The last element to consider is whether you need a Weight Distribution Hitch or not. What exactly is a weight distribution trailer hitch? It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a hitch that helps distribute weight better and more evenly. In more technical terms, a weight distribution hitch (also called a load-equalizing hitch or load leveler hitch) is essentially a hitch designed to distribute the tongue weight of a trailer across all four wheels of the tow vehicle. It almost rigidizes the horizontal connection between towing vehicle and the trailer. Any time a trailer is hooked up to your vehicle, it puts a certain amount of weight on the rear axle, which is called the tongue weight. The job of a weight distribution hitch is to even out that weight over the entire vehicle so that both the trailer and vehicle ride more levelly. This gives you more control on the road and makes the job of towing easier on your vehicle. The rule of thumb is to use a Weight Distribution Hitch when the trailer is heavier than 50% of the towing vehicles Gross Vehicle Weight. An even safer approach is to compare trailer weight against curb weight of the towing vehicle.

Can you tow more with a weight distribution hitch?

No, you cannot tow more with a weight distribution hitch. Rather, it ensures that your vehicle and your travel trailer are level and the weight is distributed evenly. You should always follow the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle as detailed in the owner's manual.

VEHICLE PAYLOAD LIMITATION

The vehicle payload weight is the total weight your vehicle can carry as cargo. This cargo includes passengers, cargo, fuel, hitch weight and the weight of any accessories attached to the vehicle (bike rack, hard cover truck bed,..).

We often see that the real limiting factor for towing is not towing capacity, but the payload limitation. i.e. FORD F150 - 2020 EcoBoost 3.5 V6

PAYLOAD

Per door sticker 1,625 lb.

CARGO

36 Gallon Fuel 65 lb.

Passengers 750 lb.

Airstream Hitch weight 550 lb. (2x Full LP + Water + Batteries)

REMAINDER CARGO

PAYLOAD - CARGO = 1,625 lb. - 1,365 lb. = 260 lb.

BRAKE CONTROLLER

Understanding Brake Controllers

If your trailer utilizes electric or electro-hydraulic brakes, a brake controller is essential. These types of brakes rely on a controller to function. Essentially, brake controllers act as a bridge between your vehicle's braking system and your trailer's brakes. When the towing vehicle applies its brakes, the brake controller engages the trailer's brakes in tandem. This device manages the braking force by sending signals to the brake actuator, thereby enhancing safety and control during braking.

The Necessity of a Brake Controller

In many states, trailers carrying loads exceeding 3,000 pounds are legally required to have a brake controller. It's crucial to check your local regulations. For electric brake systems, a brake controller is always necessary as these brakes will not engage without one. If your trailer is equipped with surge brakes, a brake controller isn't needed; surge brakes are self-contained and typically installed during the trailer's manufacturing process. Although they can be converted to electric brakes, reverse conversion is not an option, nor is it typically favored.

Types of Brake Controllers

Time-Delayed Brake Controller

This type of controller delivers a preset amount of braking power, determined by the driver based on the towed load. The trailer's brakes engage a few seconds after the towing vehicle's, hence the name. While they are a less expensive option suitable for lighter loads, time-delayed controllers can cause more wear on the trailer's braking system.

Proportional Brake Controller

Proportional controllers adjust the trailer's braking in line with the pressure applied to the towing vehicle's brakes. This synchronization reduces wear and is considered the safer choice, as both the vehicle and trailer share the braking effort evenly.

Understanding Plugs: 7-Pin and 4-Pin

7-Pin Plug

A 7-pin connector is required for trailers with electric brakes, as it provides power, lighting, and brake functions crucial for safe towing. While surge brakes don’t need a 7-pin plug, it facilitates power and lighting connections.

4-Pin Plug vs. 7-Pin Plug

A 4-pin connector manages basic lighting functions like right and left turn/brake lights, ground wires, and tail/running lights. In contrast, the 7-pin plug extends these with additional features such as a charge line, reverse lights, and trailer brakes. Though a 7-pin can be used with surge brakes, the functions for reverse lights and charge are inactive, as visualized by missing blades on the connector.

Testing 7-Pin Connections

To ensure your 7-pin connections work correctly, use a circuit tester by following these steps:

Ground the tester on the tow vehicle's frame.
Identify functions using the connector's top notch for reference.
Touch the tester to the blade corresponding to the function you want to verify.
A blinking light on the tester indicates proper functionality.

In Summary:

Trailer brakes are crucial for safe towing. The two main types—electric and surge—have specific requirements and functions. Electric brakes, considered superior for their ease and control, necessitate a brake controller and a 7-pin plug. Familiarize yourself with regulations and prioritize safety when towing.

OUR AIRSTREAM SPECIFICATIONS

AIRSTREAM 19ft Flying Cloud

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 5,000 lb.
Net Carrying Capacity 1,150 lb.
Unit base weight with battery and LP tanks filled 3,850 lb.
Hitch weight with battery and LP Tanks filled 550 lb.

AIRSTREAM 22ft Bambi Sport

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 5,000 lb.
Net Carrying Capacity 1,150 lb.
Unit base weight with battery and LP tanks filled 3,850 lb.
Hitch weight with battery and LP Tanks filled 525 lb.