Tongue Weight with LP/Battery3

Foxedwards

Just found specs for TW with battery and full LP for 2017/18 CS-S.  TW goes from towable 152 (or in some literature 165) to 212 lbs.  Our car is rated for TW of 165 and 3,300 lb max for trailer (CS-S is rated at 1851 with LP and battery, but not sure this includes water). Does TW of 212 lbs  mean we can't pull it with our 165 TW rated car?

Sharon_is_SAM

What kind of TV are you planning to use?

Foxedwards

2015 FWD Volvo XC 70 with 4 cylinder T5, which has not hp that their 5 cylinder turbo.

Foxedwards

More hp ..

Sharon_is_SAM

Not sure, but I wonder if a weight distribution hitch would allow  a higher tongue weight.  

Foxedwards

Will ask.  Thanks.

ScottG

Foxedwards said:

Just found specs for TW with battery and full LP for 2017/18 CS-S.  TW goes from towable 152 (or in some literature 165) to 212 lbs.  Our car is rated for TW of 165 and 3,300 lb max for trailer (CS-S is rated at 1851 with LP and battery, but not sure this includes water). Does TW of 212 lbs  mean we can't pull it with our 165 TW rated car?

I suspect the 212lbs includes full water and waste tanks. Loaded with gear but with empty water tanks, the tongue weight of my 2015 S hits ~205lbs with a full propane tank, a group 27 battery, and the ~40lb spare relocated to the tongue from behind the axle. Weight distribution is probably a little different with the CS model, but if anything I would expect the rear galley would reduce the tongue load a bit rather than increase it.

Again, I'm just speculating here. Since every situation is different, your best bet is to properly weigh your trailer tongue once your T@B is loaded for normal travel, and make your decision based on that.

Also note that I am not advocating that you tow at or near the maximum tongue (or tow) weight for your vehicle! 

Foxedwards

Thanks Scott.  It is looking like our Tundra will be the TV until we figure it out.  Was trying to avoid Tundra's terrible gas mileage!

ScottG

If it's any consolation, past discussions here suggest you will probably take a bigger MPG hit towing with the Volvo than with the Tundra, so the ultimate difference might not be quite as large as you would expect.

Personally, if I had the option, I'd tow with the truck for lots of reasons. If yer gonna' play, play big!  :-)

ericnliz

@Foxedwards , Have to agree with @ScottG. You'll find towing with the Tundra a lot better than you would expect. Ha, my old Chevy truck gets BETTER gas mileage towing than it does empty. Go figure!

Foxedwards

I think the Tundra will end up as the TV.  Unfortunately, my wife hates to drive it.  Gas mileage went fro 15.5 to 13.9, but with no water or LP.  But Volvo not an option (without a trailer, XC with T5 engine gets a combined mph of 31 +/-!).  Thanks all.

ScottG

That's not too bad of a hit, really--past discussions here indicate most people end up at ~15mpg regardless of where they start, as the smaller engines get a lot more thirsty when they're working hard. My 4.0L V6 "truckette" drops from ~20 to ~15.

Chances are if your wife doesn't like driving the truck, she's not going to be too fond of driving the Volvo with a trailer in tow, either.  :-)