When it comes to towing there are two numbers you need to know about your proposed Tow Vehicle:
First, you need to know the "Towing Capacity" of YOUR SPECIFIC VEHICLE, NOT, what you look up on the internet, but what your Owners Manual states is the Towing Capacity for YOUR VEHICLE.
Second, you need to know the "Tongue Weight" limitations (again, for your specific vehicle).
If you can't find the information in your Owners Manual, then you can get the information from your Dealer (again, make certain the information is for Your Specific Vehicle).
As you have read previously in this post, a low tongue weight limit can eliminate a vehicle from being able to pull a Scamp even though the vehicle has a 6 cylinder engine (see page one regarding the Subaru Outback).
Towing with a vehicle that has a "Factory Installed Tow Package" would be the preferred vehicle over that same vehicle without a Factory Installed Tow Package. This is because a Factory Installed Tow Package includes more than a pre-mounted hitch and a trailer wiring harness. Many Factory Tow Packages include items such as; heavy duty suspension (springs and/or shocks), heavy duty alternator, beefed up transmission, Pre-wired Brake Controller wiring harness, selectable Towing Mode, etc. Almost all Factory Towing Packages include a Transmission Cooler as part of the package.
If yor proposed Tow Vehicle does not have the Factory Tow Package, then you want to make certain you install a transmission cooler before you start towing (Note: your vehicle may already have a transmission cooler even without having the Factory Tow Package).
As far as not having towed before, none of us had any towing experience before we towed for the first time. Towing a trailer is simply a learned skill just like driving. If you find a safe area to practice your turns and backing, then you will be ok. Don't let the idea of towing a trailer become too intimidating to you.
You can read this post to give you some helpful tips on backing a trailer:
When you ask about "Brake Assist" I am assuming that you mean "Do I need a Brake Controller?"
The answer is yes, if the Scamp you purchase has Electric Brakes you will need a Brake Controller. By-the-way, I STRONGLY recommend you get a Scamp with Electric Brakes, especially for mountain driving.
Thank you. Great information. We were seriously thinking of a Honda Pilot or a Toyota Highlander but used ones are hard to find around here unless very, very old, so re-thinking the F-150 idea. But again, those are also hard to find used and not too old.
Gary and Diana
2006 16' (New to us 2016)
2010 Ford F-150 (Harley Davidson model)
When it comes to towing there are two numbers you need to know about your proposed Tow Vehicle:
First, you need to know the "Towing Capacity" of YOUR SPECIFIC VEHICLE, NOT, what you look up on the internet, but what your Owners Manual states is the Towing Capacity for YOUR VEHICLE.
Second, you need to know the "Tongue Weight" limitations (again, for your specific vehicle).
If you can't find the information in your Owners Manual, then you can get the information from your Dealer (again, make certain the information is for Your Specific Vehicle).
As you have read previously in this post, a low tongue weight limit can eliminate a vehicle from being able to pull a Scamp even though the vehicle has a 6 cylinder engine (see page one regarding the Subaru Outback).
Towing with a vehicle that has a "Factory Installed Tow Package" would be the preferred vehicle over that same vehicle without a Factory Installed Tow Package. This is because a Factory Installed Tow Package includes more than a pre-mounted hitch and a trailer wiring harness. Many Factory Tow Packages include items such as; heavy duty suspension (springs and/or shocks), heavy duty alternator, beefed up transmission, Pre-wired Brake Controller wiring harness, selectable Towing Mode, etc. Almost all Factory Towing Packages include a Transmission Cooler as part of the package.
If yor proposed Tow Vehicle does not have the Factory Tow Package, then you want to make certain you install a transmission cooler before you start towing (Note: your vehicle may already have a transmission cooler even without having the Factory Tow Package).
As far as not having towed before, none of us had any towing experience before we towed for the first time. Towing a trailer is simply a learned skill just like driving. If you find a safe area to practice your turns and backing, then you will be ok. Don't let the idea of towing a trailer become too intimidating to you.
You can read this post to give you some helpful tips on backing a trailer:
http://www.scampowners.com/forums/training-backing-trailer
Also read this post about "How to Learn to Tow":
http://www.scampowners.com/forums/how-learn-tow
When you ask about "Brake Assist" I am assuming that you mean "Do I need a Brake Controller?"
The answer is yes, if the Scamp you purchase has Electric Brakes you will need a Brake Controller. By-the-way, I STRONGLY recommend you get a Scamp with Electric Brakes, especially for mountain driving.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Thank you. Great information. We were seriously thinking of a Honda Pilot or a Toyota Highlander but used ones are hard to find around here unless very, very old, so re-thinking the F-150 idea. But again, those are also hard to find used and not too old.
Gary and Diana
2006 16' (New to us 2016)
2010 Ford F-150 (Harley Davidson model)
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