Towing with a Roadtrek 210 Popular?

[rriver]

Hello all-

I have this idea of towing a lightweight toy hauler (jayco octane 161 4300 lbs dry, 5500 lbs. with two motorcycles) with a 210 Popular. I see in the brochure that the 210 can tow up to 7650 lbs. Has anyone towed anything that heavy with their Roadtrek 210 Popular? Just want to get a feel for what's a realistic weight to tow with a 210... Thank you!!

Dave

[booster]

That is a very large tow for a 210. Gross combined is 16000# but in reality you will overheat the engine and transmission badly if you come close to that weight and are on anything but flat or downhill. There is one poster on Yahoo who tows heavy, I think around 5K, and he has done lots of work to keep his cool, with auxiliary coolers, fans, etc. I think he has a 190, though. With the extended rear on the 210, tongue weight and sway can get to be issues.

Most Roadtreks seem to not like more than 3500#, and even then will need some modifications, from what I have heard. 2000-2800# is fairly common in light trailer pulling.

Not saying impossible, but definitely not a hook up and go.

[rriver]

Originally Posted by booster

That is a very large tow for a 210. Gross combined is 16000# but in reality you will overheat the engine and transmission badly if you come close to that weight and are on anything but flat or downhill. There is one poster on Yahoo who tows heavy, I think around 5K, and he has done lots of work to keep his cool, with auxiliary coolers, fans, etc. I think he has a 190, though. With the extended rear on the 210, tongue weight and sway can get to be issues.

Most Roadtreks seem to not like more than 3500#, and even then will need some modifications, from what I have heard. 2000-2800# is fairly common in light trailer pulling.

Not saying impossible, but definitely not a hook up and go.

Thank you, booster! Excellent info...and I hadn't thought of the issues with the extended body regarding sway and tongue weight.

Dave

[WJones]

Dave,
If you haven't done so yet, I would also have your RT weighed fully loaded (each tire if possible). You might already be close to the maximum capacity of your rear tires. Your trailer would probably have at least 500 or 600 lbs on the hitch. Without considering the leverage because of the overhang, that would add 300 lbs per tire.
Also, a small suggestion. It would be best if you indicated the model year of your RT. The 210 has two very different versions and drivetrains depending on the model year. I'm sure you mean the newer one with the 6.0L engine.
William

[rriver]

Originally Posted by WJones

Dave,
If you haven't done so yet, I would also have your RT weighed fully loaded (each tire if possible). You might already be close to the maximum capacity of your rear tires. Your trailer would probably have at least 500 or 600 lbs on the hitch. Without considering the leverage because of the overhang, that would add 300 lbs per tire.
Also, a small suggestion. It would be best if you indicated the model year of your RT. The 210 has two very different versions and drivetrains depending on the model year. I'm sure you mean the newer one with the 6.0L engine.
William

Thanks WJones! That's a great idea re, tire weighing. Important to consider! 2014 RT 210.

[snicker70]

I have a 1993 roadtrek 210 popular. Just bought it from someone. They towed a small Jeep on a flat bed trailer with no problems. Gas mileage went from about 14mpg to 8mpg towing Hope that helps!

[prfleming]

We have a 2016 210 6.0 L, and pull 2 trailers, a horse trailer, 6000 lbs loaded with 800 lbs tongue wt, and 2 bike harley hauler, 4500 lbs loaded with 600 lbs tongue wt.

We use a weight distribution hitch, trailer brakes, and the tow mode button and have been on many trips with no problems. We get approx 10 mpg towing.

[Ron J. Moore]

On the '16 210, do you have a Scan Gauge or anything giving you an idea of the transmission temp or water temp? I have a '15 was just wondering how those two read. Ron

[prfleming]

I watch the water temp dash gauge, never seen it over the normal 210 F. Don't have a tyranny temp gauge.

Also watch tire pressure, especially the rears. I have onboard 12v air and never start without checking / adding air as needed, especially if temps have dropped overnight.

[prfleming]

The ScanGauge sounds like a great idea. Does anyone know if tyranny temp is supported in the Chevy Express 6.0L codes?

[booster]

Originally Posted by WJones

Dave,
If you haven't done so yet, I would also have your RT weighed fully loaded (each tire if possible). You might already be close to the maximum capacity of your rear tires. Your trailer would probably have at least 500 or 600 lbs on the hitch. Without considering the leverage because of the overhang, that would add 300 lbs per tire.
Also, a small suggestion. It would be best if you indicated the model year of your RT. The 210 has two very different versions and drivetrains depending on the model year. I'm sure you mean the newer one with the 6.0L engine.
William

Weighing is always a good idea with a 210, as most are close to gross weight all the time.

Besides the engine size changes over years, there is the swap to the 6 speed transmission in 2010(?) that might be even more significant than the engines. We don't seem to be getting as many complaints of running hot with 6 speed models, compared to the 4 speed ones. Perhaps GM wised up and did something about both the transmission and engine cooling capacities.

The Scangauge for sure supports the 4 speeds, and likely the 6 speed trans temps.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by prfleming

The ScanGauge sounds like a great idea. Does anyone know if tyranny temp is supported in the Chevy Express 6.0L codes?

Yes, Scangauge II has this feature in the Xgauge program:

https://www.scangauge.com/x-gauge-commands/gm/