Towing Questions

[pawprint]

I’m planning a trip and would like to pull the U-Haul 4' x 8' Cargo Trailer with my Rogue. It’s the smallest trailer available and its specs are:

• Volume: up to 142 cu. ft.• Max load: 1,650 lbs.• Gross vehicle weight: 2,500 lbs. max• Empty weight: 850 lbs.

I might go over the 1500 towing limit, and my Rogue will be loaded.Do you have any thoughts, advice or experience with a trailer and towing?

[tempest.runner]

The trailer is 850lbs before loaded? What is the distance between each point? Personally, I'd want to know the weight of what I'm towing within 50lbs. I'd also take in consideration passenger(s) weight and items I plan on bringing with me that are inside the car.

[pawprint]

It's 2,000 miles. I'm not sure how to figure out the total weight after loaded. Ideas?

[tempest.runner]

Myself, I would use a home scale provided the item isn't too large for it. Might be a little difficult if your trying to weigh a desk or something of that nature. A friend of mine took his vehicle to a weighing station for trucks. However, I have no experience with this myself. He didn't have anything to worry about because he was under, but I wouldn't do this myself. If you're over the GVWR, it is illegal and there is the chance you'll get a fine.

2000 miles is quite the trip, especially for towing. I'd did a search, and this is probably very relevant to your concerns;

zer...untry

[kerrton]

In my experience, the weight adds up in a hurry. At 850lbs, you're close to your limit before even adding any cargo to the trailer. Hopefully you've got the additional auxilliary transmission cooler, which ups your limit to 1500 lbs from the base 1000 lbs. The limit on my Rogue FWD SL is only 1000 lbs which I didn't consider prior to purchasing and which has turned out to be a disappointment on a few occaisions.

My advice is, if you're going to be cutting it that close that you need to know the exact weight of each item, perhaps the Rogue won't be able to accomodate your move? Just a thought, but of course I don't know what kind of stuff you have, do you have lots of large items like furniture? If you do, why not give yourself some breathing room and upgrade to a Uhaul truck with lots of extra space, and you won't have to worry about potentially damaging your Rogue or legal implications of exceeding tow limits?