RV Accident
2006 Tahoe vs. Travel Trailer

The following towing capacity results provided by

RV Tow Check 3.0 (RVTC)

Passenger weight includes two persons and animals. Based on RVTC and RV dry weight, the RV cargo carrying capacity (CCC) is limited to 496 pounds.

It is important to know any tow vehicle's true towing capacity. All too often, RVers mistakingly accept the word of an uneducated salesperson or the published tow limits, as fact. Take the experience of this couple, Scott and Heather, who encountered troubles on January 14, 2015.

Towing a 2014 Forest River Classic Super Lite, using a Chevy Tahoe as their tow vehicle, throughout the states of Florida and Georgia, always using the interstate highways, they knew instinctively that they were somewhat underpowered, but since there had not been any issues, they were quite comfortable towing on relatively flat countryside. They chose not to travel through any mountainous areas.

One bright, sunny, windy day they were traveling on Interstate 75 heading to Ft. Wilderness. Coming upon the Micanopy exit, they moved into the number two lane to allow oncoming trucks to merge onto the freeway. Towing downhill, a wind gust caught the trailer and it began to sway. Not quite sure how to control this unexpected occurrence, Scott sped up and then slowed down, at which point the Tahoe and the trailer flipped, the trailer landing on its side and they landed upside down in their Tahoe. In shock, it was some time before they realized what had happened and, in fact, they Googled their experience when they arrived home to figure out what could have been the cause.

Thankfully, Scott, Heather, their two dogs, and the pet guinea pig, although shaken up, lived to tell the tale.

Scott's and Heather's rig was completely totaled, so they have chosen to get a tougher tow vehicle and a fifth-wheel. Even though they had a tow package and a sway system, these alone were not enough to prevent what could have been a greater tragedy. In their words, "We found out the hard way that paying close attention to how much your vehicle will tow safely and how much everything weighs is very important."

Note: Scott and Heather never did weigh their rig before the accident. They had plenty of time afterward to evaluate the towing conditions, and they were confident that their trailer was near its GVWR. They also became aware that towing a 34'9" trailer behind their SUV with a short 116" wheelbase was a contributing cause of not being able to control the situation—a situation commonly called "The tail wagging the dog."

Do you have a true story to share? Please Contact Dave.

One's ability to tow a trailer does not prove exceeding the safety ratings is okay.

Their New Rig