Towing question

[Spencer Wallman]

Hi folks,



I've got a 2002 ST (original owner) with 141,000 miles on it. I've got a Class 3 hitch and am looking at a new camper that shows a dry weight of 3900 pounds. Just wondering if I'll have any issues towing this. I've towed other stuff before (boat, popup camper, etc.), but this is the largest item I've ever towed.



Related to this, I noticed that my tow hitch has quite a bit of surface rust on it. Some of it is peeling off (top layer). Wondering if this is something to be concerned about when towing ?



Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim Mills]

 

[Jim Mills]

oops! our st's can handle it but you'll want to make sure you have good brakes on the trailer and a controller. Depending on the type of trailer (ie travel trailer) you'll want to use a weight distribution hitch. Ive personally towed a bout 5k on y 01 and you wont win any races but you'll get there just fine. Your milage will dissapear into the oblivian- but its just gas right? As far as the rust, I wouldnt be too concerned about the paint- a good can of gloss black rustoleom from O'Reilly will cure that!

 

[Gary DiPietroSr]

It should be able to pull it no problem. Do you have a weight distribution hitch, if not you should, with a brake controller.The steel should be pretty thick and the rust shouldn't matter.



Here's 5000lbs...

[Broken External Image]:

 

[Spencer Wallman]

Thanks for the replies folks.



@fastJimmy - tell me about the gas mileage. I know when towing my boat (or just about any kind of heavier trailer), I have to stop for gas about every 150 miles lol. I think it's a weight distribution hitch from what I can tell on the label. I need to check, but it said tongue weight of 500 pounds, max weight of 5000. It did mention something about weight distribution. It was installed by the dealer when purchased new.



I thought I was limited to 3500 pounds, but now I have a lot more camper options I can look at!

 

[Jim Mills]

when I tow over 4k seems my mileage drops to the 11-13 range. When I had a pop up I didnt notice much drop- of course it was only about 1500lbs. The weight distribution hitch itself is actually a separate peice. heres a pretty good description:



http://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx





haul it baby!!

 

[Jim Mills]

that a good looking rig Gary!fftopic:

 

[Scott Tanner]

You should be able to tow that, you'll know it's back there, though.... Check to see that the rust is surface rust, not rot... Some wire brushing and rustoleum couldn't hurt, either... I get 10 mpg, 200/tankfull when towing my TT. Just clicked 197000 this morning, and still tows w/o issues... I would also change out your tranny fluid before towing... pics in library...

 

[Jacob Dryer]

When I moved cross country I towed a 4500 lbs enclosed trailer with my Gen1 v6. I moved from VA to CA with a stop in CO so it went through the mountains.. I averaged 10 mpg for the trip, and the ST did fine even on the mountain roads, just had to move slow..

 

[Brandon Poorman]

I pulled an 1100 pound Yamaha Rhino on my 18 ft car hauler this weekend. Like the others have stated, your gas mileage will be around 10-11. There was about 3500 total with the trailer, rhino, and two, two man treestands. I have one axle electric brakes with a proportional brake controller so stopping is no issue whatsoever. And as the others have said, your not going anywhere fast. Make sure to turn overdrive off!

 

[Christopher Comeaux]

i tow a 27ft 5300lbs camper with no issues just put weight dist. on, sway controller is a must to and a brake controller