Hi, I'm a new owner since nov. Have an 09 panel...want to tow my teardrop trailer down to new mexico this june. It weighes 590 lbs with the heavy camping stuff loaded.80 lbs on the tongue....tows just fine around town. Has anyone done a long distance trip...(2000 miles)...and is it necessary to have a separate tranny cooler for this little trailer? opinions?? experiences??

 

HHR rated for 1000lbs gross. That includes the total trailer load including hitch and the load put into the car.
I think you will be fine.
Watch your temp gauge on hills and passes.
Slow down on downgrades early to save your brakes.
Don't forget to check your rear tires for proper psi.
I would use 32 psi cold in the front and rears for 16"
I would use 37lbs cold in the front and rear for 17"

SF

 

Trans cooler is only about $50, DIY. Just cut the rubber hose and spliced it in, because nobody (including the MFGs) could, $10-$20 tell me if the adapter they sell that looks right is right, and it is too expensive for me to experiment with. Only one skinned knuckle.

 

80 pounds of tongue weight on that small trailer is too much. Shouldn't be over 50 and 40 would be better if the trailer was lower at the hitch by an inch.

 

Good point... He can probably just shift his load around to get less weight in front.
Otherwise it's move the axle time.

 

Actually his 80 lbs tongue weight falls within the 10-15% of the gross weight which is the general guidelines for trailer towing. That 10-15% for 590 lbs equates to 59-88 lbs.

Here is a link to a handy guide for towing:
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-trailertowtips.aspx

 

Absolutely Correct ..... but I have found that in these small liteweight applications the 10% is usually the best unless you have a larger vehicle with more capacity.
Personally I would shoot for 60lbs.
Also makes it easier to lift off and onto the ball if you do not have a trailer jack.

 

True about that lifting comment. I know I usually run too much tongue weight on my cargo/tent trailer behind the bike - and moving it around the campsite, or hooking/unhooking it can be a @itch at times. So I often put the cooler on the tongue once it is all hooked up. It's easier that way, rather than throwing the beer out!

Even with the extra tongue weight I've found it stable at high speeds, but I do keep an eye on it. Wide Radial tires seem to really help as well.

Cheers