Date: Sat, 27 Jul 2002 15:02:44 GMT From: John Davies <johndaviesNOSPAMnopsam.net> Subject: Re: Towing with 9-5 SE
On Sat, 27 Jul 2002 02:24:24 GMT, "Camfam" <jmcameronnopsamSPAMadelphia.net> wrote: >Hi! Does anyone on the list have any experience towing a small camper >trailer with a 9-5? I know that the manual says 3500 lbs is the max weight. >Does anyone know what the maximum tongue weight is? The hitch says 350 lbs >hitch tongue weight. Did you use the load levelling shocks? How did they >work. Thanks for any replies! > >Jim >2001 9-5 SE. > I haven't towed anything with my Aero Wagon, but I believe that a load equalizing or "weight distributing" hitch would be absolutely essential with this car if the tongue weight is much over 100 pounds or the trailer is over 1500 pounds loaded. You need to keep the tongue weight at 10% to 14% of the trailer's total weight - don't lighten the tongue weight too much below this range or you will get into trouble with sway. With an equalizing hitch I don't think the Saab load levelling shocks would be necessary - this function is very nicely handled by the hitch, which doesn't just raise the back of the car, but actually transfers nearly half the tongue load to the front wheels, maintaining steering control. If you want opinions on hitches, post a message on rec.outdoors.rv-travel or alt.rv.pop-up-trailers. Here's a hitch that comes highly recommended, though I have no personal experience with it: http://www.reesehitch.com/weightdist_lite.html John Davies Monroe WA USA 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon 2000 Audi A4 quattro 1.8T 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4
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