Picking a tow vehicle

JackyGleason

I checked the tongue weight on my 2024 Tab 400 and it was 480 pounds dry so I put about 100 pounds of stuff on the bed and it came down to 464 and then I filled the fresh water tank and it came down to 452. I was shocked that it came down with the water full, that tank must be behind the axle.

RemoLyn

We've towed our 2022 Tab400 Boondock for over 14,000 miles Coast to Coast around the country, over and through the Rockies and into the deserts with our Honda Ridgeline [rated for 5000lb towing] I really like our Ridgeline, it tows just fine [we use an Andersen WDH] and we never had a problem towing with it at all. I usually do a double weigh at the CAT Scale to calculate tongue weight, overall rig weight and the individual weights on all three axles to be sure I'm under the rig limits of all the variables measured. That is all well and good. Next year we'll be purchasing a new tow vehicle [the Ridgeline will have 170,000 miles on in by next spring.].

I'll be purchasing a heavier capacity full size pick-up and here's why: I recently came to learn something about the physics of what is happening as a rig gets out of control. I've never actually hit a perfect storm on the road that put me out of control but that being said, here's an example of one situation that can put you in a very bad spot: Towing 60mph on a mild downward slope as an 18 wheeler approaches on the oncoming lane at an extra high rate of speed just as I unknowingly approach a "wind gap" between the hillsides on both sides of the road that funnels an extra strong burst of wind that catches my rig just as I'm getting past the trailer's swirling gust; the Tab starts swaying. When and if that occurs the ratio of the weight of my tow vehicle to the weight of my trailer is a factor that is going to determine how many seconds I have to correct the impending outcome of a swaying trailer getting more out of control. A heavier tow vehicle equals more seconds to straighten things out. When and if that ever occurs I know that I and my family will be much safer with a heavier larger tow vehicle giving me more time to do what needs to be done to come out of the sway.

Which brings up the next question: how do you come out of a sway? You can neither slow the truck down or speed the truck up that will only make matters worse. You need time to get to the trailer brake module and slowly apply the trailer brakes to slow down the trailer. The heavier tow vehicle gives you more time to do that because what is actually happening in a sway is that the tow vehicle is pushing the truck because the trailer is actually traveling faster than the truck when it is swaying. A lighter truck that is at or over it's load limits is going to go out control faster than the heavier truck. The physics of the sway explains what is actually happening; the truck and trailer are connected hence the trailer must be traveling faster because it is traveling a greater distance [i.e., the swaying adds distance travelled] in the same amount of time that the truck is traveling a shorter distance. So the only safe way to regain control is slow down the trailer before it over takes the truck pushing it totally out of control. All this will probably never happen [but it does happen to some folks sometimes] and if it ever happens to me I'll be relieved I have more truck than less truck to help me straighten things out.

dlb

If you are replacing your tow vehicle look for one that has an onboard power inverter. We have 7.2 Kw of power on ours. No need for a generator. It’s a F 150 with the hybrid engine (Powerboost).

Siggy

I tow the TAB 400 with a GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Duramax 3.0 Diesel. Truck comes with all necessary towing equipment and cameras standard. Allows for integrate trailer tire pressure and temperature monitoring. No weight distribution hitch mess is required. With head wind I get 15 mpg in tow hall mode and 18-19 mpg under normal conditions towing at 65 mph. Without trailer on the highway I consistently get over 30 mpg. Range with trailer is about 300-400 miles, which was my main motivation going for the diesel. Carrying capacity is ~ 1600 pounds. I wished it would higher. Truck is 2 WD, but so far have not had problems boon-docking on the beach at the TX Gulf coast. Just be careful and pack a shovel etc. While fuel consumption is impressive, a diesel is with today’s fuel prices more expensive to run than a gas engine. However, DEF consumption is not a problem. The truck still fits barely in my standard garage. I agree that the truck is overkill for a TAB 400 but it gives me piece of mind and easier towing experience. - Anyway, with an appropriate tow vehicle enjoy your new TAB 400 and go to great destinations.