Towing related question ...

[Stevelev]

Anyone know the weight of a single axle Ramlin trailer for a 196?

Here's my dilema ... I found a 2007 196 that I'm gonna purchase (more on that later) and will need to tow it approx 8 hours to get it home this weekend (all good highway). I've got 2 choices of vehicles: 2004 Volvo XC70 (Volvo OEM hitch=class II) or 2000 Nissan Xterra 5 speed with class III hitch. From a comfort standpoint (including the 8 hr trip to get to the boat), the Volvo wins hands down but I am uncertain of the weight of the trailer and how much over if at all I am regarding the capacity of the class II hitch.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

TIA !

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Towing related question ...

The 196 weights in at 2650lbs. Add the trailer and you're well over the 3000 mark. A class II hitch is usually rated at 3500 but that's not my concern - it's the tow capacity of the vehicle. HD cooling and trans coolers come to mind. You had better check the manual on both the Volvo and the Xterra. Don't go by the hitch. I'd hate to pay for a blown trans on a Volvo!!

[Stevelev]

Re: RE: Towing related question ...

The 196 weights in at 2650lbs. Add the trailer and you're well over the 3000 mark. A class II hitch is usually rated at 3500 but that's not my concern - it's the tow capacity of the vehicle. HD cooling and trans coolers come to mind. You had better check the manual on both the Volvo and the Xterra. Don't go by the hitch. I'd hate to pay for a blown trans on a Volvo!!

Thanks. The Volvo manual states maximum capacity of 3,350 lbs ... cant find the trailer weight anywhere. :shock:

[tourpro]

RE: Towing related question ...

I vote rent a truck.

Recently I saw an over weighted vehicle trailering a camper on a 4 lane highway that had crashed. The camper started to swing back and forth outside it's own lane. The weight of the trailer was enough to swing the car around and roll both the car and the camper destroying everything including some other vehicles near by.

That incident made me realise that just because the car is capable doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Buy the boat and get home safe.

[Stevelev]

RE: Towing related question ...

Why rent and spend $1,000. when the Xterra will work fine ?

[chris196]

RE: Towing related question ...

What is the rating of the xterra with the class III hitch? Just because it has a class III hitch doesn't mean it's rated to handle the top of a class III rating.
Also, does the trailer have brakes?
If the Xterra is rated for 5000, then just use it and take it easy.

[Stevelev]

Re: RE: Towing related question ...

What is the rating of the xterra with the class III hitch? Just because it has a class III hitch doesn't mean it's rated to handle the top of a class III rating.
Also, does the trailer have brakes?
If the Xterra is rated for 5000, then just use it and take it easy.

Agreed. Pretty sure the truck is rated to 5,000 lbs but will confirm.

Thanks.

[tourpro]

Re: RE: Towing related question ...

Why rent and spend $1,000. when the Xterra will work fine ?

I just like to error on the side of safety. Hence the Denali.

Maybe you could borrow something bigger just to get the boat back home. It IS a long trip.

[jhiestand]

According to Trailer Life towing guide the 5 speed XTerra is rated for 3500 lbs, same as the Volvo. Is the hitch on it factory or was it an add-on? I'd be suspect someone added it after the fact.

http://www.trailerlife.com/downloads/00towingguide.pdf

To answer your initial question, Correct Craft used to make their own trailers and they posted a weight of 1030 lbs for a single axle Ski Nautique trailer. RamLin uses the same design as the original CC trailers so I'd guess it should be close.

[AirTool]

RE: Re: RE: Towing related question ...

I weighed my single axle ramlin 06 206 on pro scales. 4050 on the tires, 450 on the hitch. 4500 total.

Boat had full tank of gas...no gear.

Go to the website and subtract 206 weight from 196 weight and there you go. I'm thinking it is over about 1500 lbs.

Either way...too much for those vehicles you mentioned.

[jward]

RE: Re: RE: Towing related question ...

Orrrr! Just make it a 16hr trip instead of a 8hr trip. JK. Hope everything comes out alright. Be safe.

[Stevelev]

RE: Re: RE: Towing related question ...

Thanks guys !

[AirTool]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Towing related question ...

I weighed my single axle ramlin 06 206 on pro scales. 4050 on the tires, 450 on the hitch. 4500 total.

Boat had full tank of gas...no gear.

Go to the website and subtract 206 weight from 196 weight and there you go. I'm thinking it is over about 1500 lbs.

Either way...too much for those vehicles you mentioned.

p.s. my 206 has a tower

[Quinner]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Towing related question ...

If it was me, either vehicle should work fine. If either is equipped with a trans cooler even better yet.
Take it easy and drive smart take an extra hour if need be, you could always pull out the rear seat and some cushions to shed a few pounds from the trailer if it made you feel better. My guess is the manufacturers tow ratings would be a bit conservative anyways.

[TRBenj]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Towing related question ...

Either way...too much for those vehicles you mentioned.

No way. The Xterra would do just fine. Ive towed my '90 half way across the country with a similary sized Pathfinder. It had been towed to Chicago from Arizona by a Cherokee before that. A 196 on a single axle trailer should weigh in around 3700 lbs - well under the tow rating for that vehicle. Trying the same trip with the Volvo is another story, though.

Just take your time and you'll be fine.