Fun finder 189fds

[Cdwmg]

Im planning to buy a 2015 fun finder 189fds. I have a toyota highlander 2016 xle with tow package with 5000lbs towing capacity and 500lbs tongue weight.

Looking at the spec, my only concern is the tongue weight. Anyone knows why this TT has a 400lbs or sometime 425lbs tongue weight from the spec?

From other TT with similar dry weight, the tongue weight is normally about 10% of the dry weight, which will mean about 320lbs for this TT.

Is anyone using a suv with 500lbs tongue weight to pull this TT? If so, any issue or recommandations?

Thanks

 

[household8812]

I tow with a 2014 explorer. Never had any issues, not even heading up to Shenandoah Mountain. I do not keep water in the tanks.

 

[Woodgrain]

I used to tow my 2013 189FDS with a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (4L V6, 6k rated towing, Body on truck frame) and it was very doable with a weight distribution hitch , but not really enjoyable and averaged 6mpg here in the hilly NW. with a Highlander... seeing Toyota make a great engine, I suspect you’ll have a similar experience but with it being a uni-body id expect the Highlander will age fast.

Also... tongue weight should be 10% of the overall trailer weight, but not the dry weight

With my EcoDiesel- it’s enjoyable and average 17mpg with trailer fully loaded including water tanks.

 

[twinster2]

I tow a FF 189 FBR with a 2013 AWD Highlander. You want to be very careful about approaching the maximum weight limits with a Highlander because it is of unibody construction rather than a body on frame construction. Unibodies can be stress and distorted much easier. That being said, you should keep the trailer weight under 4000 pounds and the hitch weight under 400 pounds including tank, battery and Weight Distribution Hitch. To lessen the hitch weight, I generally tow with one full and one empty LP tank. BTW, the Highlander will let you know you are towing a trailer, so expect crappy acceleration, poor mileage, and a lot of down shifting on mild hills.

 

[Cdwmg]

Tks for All your feedback. I ended up buying a lighter trailer. I found a really clean 2011 fun finder X 189fbr that weight About 3000lbs and 250 on tongue. This will give us A better weight safety buffer vs be worry at weight each time we are leaving.

We may miss the space thst the slide was giving us but looking at the way we camp, we are barely inside with the kids. We are about 2-3 days max to each siteS, this will be a better choice for us when moving around.

 

[profdant139]

Congratulations on your new trailer! Great news. Enjoy!

 

[twinster2]

I think you made a wise decision. We were also thinking of a FF189 with as slide out but decide against it given the added weight. Turns out it was a smart move knowing how hard our Highlander works towing the 189FBR. Remember you are still going to need a WDH with spring bars rated not much more than 500 pounds. I'm using the Fastway E2 with 600 pound bars.

 

[RipVan]

Solid choice on moving to a lighter trailer! As a general "Rule of Thumb" I recommend using a trailer's GVWR (NOT its dry weight) and 10-15% of the GVWR for the tongue weight, to determine if your current truck/SUV will handle the job. Using 90-95% of your TV's tow rating will give a decent "safety buffer"! I think if everyone with a TT were to do that, sales of 3/4 & 1 ton trucks would skyrocket. Many will find that they need "more truck".