TIO M
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2011
- Messages
- 403
- Reaction score
- 3
- City, State
- Copperas Cove, Texas
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2011 LTD X/Platinum 4wd
Well....my fears are gone!!
So......I asked for help when it came to a weight distrubution hitch. Due to my inexperience of towing and pulling a trailer or boat trailer on top of that. I'm very used to towing HUMVEEs and 1/2 and 3/4 ton trailers for the military. But when it comes to civilian vehicles it was all new.
So what I thought I needed I had all along. When I read the manual over and over it doesn't clearly state that the Class III hitch in wiring is all you need to tow up to 5,000lbs. I thought we needed an additional hardware known as a weight distrubuition "KIT." So I called Camper World and a couple of different boat trailer manufactuerers.
So since I ordered my X, I checked the box for the Class III hitch and towing package. All I needed was a male hitch arm, 2" ball, and a 7 to 5 way connector for the trailer wiring. By the way the 7 to 5 way connector was for the surge type disc brakes.
Another thing I was stressing was the GVWR which for the X w/ 4X4 is a total of 10,125 pounds. I knew that the boat and trailer together would be between 4300 to 4400lbs. I took the X over to certified weight scales with only the truck....I had my wife, my son, and two nieces in it and some luggage. Total weight w/o me was 5400lbs with me probably 5600lbs since I was out of the truck when the lady called the scales, keep in mind it was down pouring so I don't know if the rain would have cuased an error in weight at all.
Does 5400lbs sound right with baby and car seat my wife 110lbs, my son 27lbs, my twin nieces combined about 250lbs. I have the X with the 301a pack with tow and dual sunglass on top, is that really plausible that it could weigh 5600lbs with me in it.
So I was really worried about the boat weight, before I purchased it I hooked it up to the X and it only dropped maybe between an 1 to an 1 1/2 in rear which when looking at it wasn't very much. Then I connected everything and no issues with lights or backing with that specific trailer. If I didn't have the 7 to 5 wiring harness connector the trailer would not back up and allow the trailer wheels to move back.
Well we ended up purchasing the boat and I hooked up the trailer and started to drive toward Lake Okeechobee from Ft. Myers Florida an hour and a half drive.
WOW! I didn't even feel the trailer out back, I hit the tow button and it would grip very well when taking off. The brakes on the trailer worked harmoniously well with the rest of the vehicle and the X didn't even seem to brake a sweat during this 250 mile trip back to Miami, FL.
I did drop about 13mpg down to an average of 10-12 mpg when towing the trailer. Has anyone else dropped this much or what is your average mpg when trailering?
Needless to say my X looks bad ass with the 2011 Sea Doo Wake 210 behind it and they match w/o even trying!!
Your thoughts and opinions are highly sought for the lifespan of my engine towing this amount of weight and long term affect on the suspension.
Here are a couple of pics for you to enjoy....cheers and I'm proud to be an
Tio M!
P.S. I love the fact that I don't need a ground guide to back the X to the trailer...the center marker lines on the screen line them up perfectly. A one man deal w/o breaking a sweat to attach the boat to the X!! I didn't even need a brake controller, but in time will pick up one of those tranny devices that measure heat. But in all honesty I don't even think I need it as it pulls very well and the engine temp didn't even go up...knock on wood.
So......I asked for help when it came to a weight distrubution hitch. Due to my inexperience of towing and pulling a trailer or boat trailer on top of that. I'm very used to towing HUMVEEs and 1/2 and 3/4 ton trailers for the military. But when it comes to civilian vehicles it was all new.
So what I thought I needed I had all along. When I read the manual over and over it doesn't clearly state that the Class III hitch in wiring is all you need to tow up to 5,000lbs. I thought we needed an additional hardware known as a weight distrubuition "KIT." So I called Camper World and a couple of different boat trailer manufactuerers.
So since I ordered my X, I checked the box for the Class III hitch and towing package. All I needed was a male hitch arm, 2" ball, and a 7 to 5 way connector for the trailer wiring. By the way the 7 to 5 way connector was for the surge type disc brakes.
Another thing I was stressing was the GVWR which for the X w/ 4X4 is a total of 10,125 pounds. I knew that the boat and trailer together would be between 4300 to 4400lbs. I took the X over to certified weight scales with only the truck....I had my wife, my son, and two nieces in it and some luggage. Total weight w/o me was 5400lbs with me probably 5600lbs since I was out of the truck when the lady called the scales, keep in mind it was down pouring so I don't know if the rain would have cuased an error in weight at all.
Does 5400lbs sound right with baby and car seat my wife 110lbs, my son 27lbs, my twin nieces combined about 250lbs. I have the X with the 301a pack with tow and dual sunglass on top, is that really plausible that it could weigh 5600lbs with me in it.
So I was really worried about the boat weight, before I purchased it I hooked it up to the X and it only dropped maybe between an 1 to an 1 1/2 in rear which when looking at it wasn't very much. Then I connected everything and no issues with lights or backing with that specific trailer. If I didn't have the 7 to 5 wiring harness connector the trailer would not back up and allow the trailer wheels to move back.
Well we ended up purchasing the boat and I hooked up the trailer and started to drive toward Lake Okeechobee from Ft. Myers Florida an hour and a half drive.
WOW! I didn't even feel the trailer out back, I hit the tow button and it would grip very well when taking off. The brakes on the trailer worked harmoniously well with the rest of the vehicle and the X didn't even seem to brake a sweat during this 250 mile trip back to Miami, FL.
I did drop about 13mpg down to an average of 10-12 mpg when towing the trailer. Has anyone else dropped this much or what is your average mpg when trailering?
Needless to say my X looks bad ass with the 2011 Sea Doo Wake 210 behind it and they match w/o even trying!!
Your thoughts and opinions are highly sought for the lifespan of my engine towing this amount of weight and long term affect on the suspension.
Here are a couple of pics for you to enjoy....cheers and I'm proud to be an
Tio M!
P.S. I love the fact that I don't need a ground guide to back the X to the trailer...the center marker lines on the screen line them up perfectly. A one man deal w/o breaking a sweat to attach the boat to the X!! I didn't even need a brake controller, but in time will pick up one of those tranny devices that measure heat. But in all honesty I don't even think I need it as it pulls very well and the engine temp didn't even go up...knock on wood.