Trailering: Anybody using Tow & Stow?

[Highbeam]

"My question wasn't about whether I could use this hitch, but will it perform at the hitch's rated capacity and how well."

I suppose if this really is your question, and you have a dumptruck to tow it with, then I would recommend that you follow the hitches rated capacity. That's why they rate them, so you don't have to guess.

But really, it is starting to sound fishy.

 

[Rolando]

Hi Thom,

Am I missing something? Why do you say this is bumper towing? The Tow and Stow is a ballmount with a shaft that slides into a 2 x 2 inch receiver hitch. In order to accomodate its maximum rated capacity, it has to be used with a Class IV receiver hitch, which I believe by definition has to be a weight distributing hitch. The Tow and Stow has a Class IV rating.

I'll say again that I wasn't asking if I could tow 10,000 with my equipment with the Tow and Stow. What I was asking was: if you have a trailer hitch that is rated for 10,000 lbs or more and a vehicle that is rated to tow 10,000 lbs or more, do you think that this product will perform adequately in towing a 10,000 lb load?

Even though this is a theoretical question, I'll add in my particular case that although my tow vehicle is only rated for 7,200 lbs, I'm buying a trailer that is rated for 9,600 lbs and if I later got another tow vehicle that is rated for 9,600 lbs or higher, I was curious if this Tow and Stow ballmount might become a liability.

 

[ronjhall]

The hitch on your truck is receiver part of a Weight Distribution Hitch.
Here is a link to Draw-Tite's site, that explains how system works. Click Here

 

[SkyPup]

The Tow N' Stow is NOT a weight distributing hitch.

You need a weight distributing hitch.

I have a 10,000 lb Class IV Hitch on my Z-71 4WD PickUp, the same as your Yukon.

I also have a weight dsitributing ball insert hitch to install into the receiver with 1,200 lb weight distributing attachments to allow our two horse bumper pull trailer to be towed safely, it has the dual cam set-up.

What you need is a weight distributing hitch to fit into the Class IV receiver on your Yukon, just like what I have on my Z-71.

I purchased mine at the R/V shop adjacent to GatorLand Kubota for $500, it is a heavy duty hitch specifically for towing large ball hitch loads like you are talking about.

Go to the U-Haul site noted above previously (the Draw-Tite site shows specifically what I am taking about) and take a look at the weight distributing hitch (which you insert into your Class IV receiver hitch already on the Yukon), this is what you need, NOT the Tow N' Stow. Be sure to get the correct electrical hookup for the electric brakes and lights too, as well as the electric brake modulator installed in your vehicle.

By "bumper pull" I mean ball hitch receiver off the rear end of the vehicle, as opposed to a GooseNeck or 5th Wheel which would be impossible to mount inside a Chevy Yukon, you need a truck bed for that..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[SkyPup]

P.S., while you are getting the electrical setup and the weight distributing system installed, be absolutely certain to get a automatic transmission cooler installed too, otherwise you will regret it when your auto tranny overheats and self destructs. Don't ask me how I know.... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Rolando]

Thom,
I already have the heavy-duty trailering equipment package on my Yukon XL. It includes high-capacity air cleaner and external transmission oil cooler and wiring harness but not the brake controller. It also includes a trailering hitch platform that I had assumed was weight distributing so that I only needed to insert a ball mount, but after reading Ron Hall's <font color="blue">Post</font>, I'm not sure. It looks like I need something else between the hitch platform and the trailer?

Edit: I just found your post of this morning that gets into the same thing. I've got some more trailer learning to do!

 

[SkyPup]

That is correct Rolando, you need a weight distributing ball hitch to insert into your receiver, just exactly as it is shown in the Draw-Tite and U-Haul weight distributing hitch setup. You also need an electric brake controller.

Draw-Tite, U-Haul, or an RV Outlet will have the equipment you need.

You DO NOT just insert a receiver hitch with a ball on it like the Stow N' Tow, it is more complicated and heavy duty than that.

Get the heavy duty 1,200 lb two cam set-up, it costs around $500-600. It works excellent leveling your vehicle and inhibiting trailer sway.

 

[SkyPup]

You will also require a BullDog weight distributing trailer coupler to be installed on the trailer so that it fits your weight distributing receiver hitch on your vehicle properly......that is on the trailer, not your vehicle, it comes with the ratchet stand to hold the front of the trailer up when stationary.

 

[Rolando]

Thom,

OK. I'm slow, but I eventually start to catch up. Thanks for the explanation of the terminology, I didn't need to waste $200 on the Tow&Stow when I would still have need something else for towing the Toolcat. Even though my 1/2 ton Yukon can only tow 7,200 lbs, my trailer will be rated for 9,600 lbs, so I want to get the 10,000/1,000 weight distributing hitch you mention, in case I get a higher tow capacity vehicle in the future.

Let me make sure I finally understand the situation. Did you get the GM trailering package on your Z-71 like I did? That being the case, I am right that what I now need is the brake controller and the weight-distributing hitch?

What brake controller did you get? I've read on other threads that the Brakesmart Controller is probably the best but not available now, and that next to that the Jordan Brake controller is best. Am I also right that the GM wiring and wiring harness included in their trailering package will accommodate the Jordan controller as is?

 

[Rolando]

Boy! This is coming fast and furious. So the weight-distributing hitch fits into the receiver platform on my truck, right?

My trailer comes with an A-Frame 2-5/16" Coupler and 1,200 lb-rated Swivel Tongue Jack. Do I still need the Bulldog coupler between the trailer and the hitch? It also has a breakaway switch with battery, by the way.