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I called etrailer.com and they said they had never heard of a trailer coupler so low to the ground.  They suggested getting bigger tires.  The trailer coupler and the hitch difference is 11 inches and right now, the drop on the mount I have is 8 inches.   So, they thought the back of the trailer would be too low and effect the brakes.  As for the axle adjustment, I was, also, told by the dealership service dept. to have the axle springs changed as you indicated, but for a higher price.  I'm glad to see you have a more reasonable price, so I will shop around.  I'm going to take it to them tomorrow for some other repairs and let them know what I found out.  Thanks for your help.  Appreciate it.

I wonder why KZ manufactured these trailers so low to the ground.  DH's reasoning was that they are marketed to smaller vehicles (SUV and minivans) which are naturally lower.  When we were towing with our Vue, the hitch was level with the tongue.  When we upgraded to a pick-up truck, it was MUCH higher!

We just returned from a 7300 mile trip with our 16BH towed by a 2003 GMC Savana 1/2 ton with a 5.3 and 3:73 gears. For the most part, I didnt even know it was back there, BUT with a heavy head wind and lots of uphill pulls, overdrive was out of the question. I dont know what mileage we got but we burned about 1700 dollars worth of fuel, a little more than my wife planned for! I did notice that the trailer bounces around more since I put the axle on the other side of the springs ( a good move cause we would have bottomed out the whole trip) so I'm going to look into some form of axle snubber much like what is on my van, or possibly adding shock absorbers. This shouldnt be a difficult fix as it is a simple suspension design. Switching the axle also helps in the whole drain hose thing as the outlet is now 5 inches higher so tank drainage is much more efficient. Anyways, I will post more about the trip in another place . Mitch.

I have done a lot of research on this topic and I can honestly say that you should not tow the 19BH with a sienna minivan.  Your minivan is rated for 3500lbs as long as you have the towing package!!!. Your classic 19BH weights 2540 lbs. You must first deduct about 700lbs off the 3500 lbs right off the bat as a safety buffer. Now your towing capacity is reduced to 2800lbs. So now if you deduct the weight of your camper (2540lbs) from your towing capacity (2800lbs) you are left with 260 lbs of towing capacity. Now you must add all your gear, cooler, suitcases, beer, pop, food and a couple of extra people and you will be well beyond your towing capacity. Rule of thumb is add about 500 to 800lbs for people and equiplment. I would not even tow the 16BH with a minivan. You will most certain blow your transmission or your engine towing that kind of weight. I myself am debaiting on whether my 2001 Chevy Venture is adequate for the 14RB which only weights i little over 1900 lbs. Hope this helps you!!!      toplot

WOW, a lot of risky folks here towing their trailers with small vehicles.  HOnestly I'd never tow anything more than 2500k without a full size pickup and v8 and good stopping power.  Yes minivans, small 4cyl trucks etc can "move" that heavy of a load but it won't do it safely.  THink of this. If something were to run in front of you are you confident your vehicle can swerve out of way, with a trailer in tow and back on track quickly enough and safely enough? what about a full on hard break? etc. going downhill?  Yes these trailers are light, but thats dry weight, no holding tank water, propane full, add in extra batteries, food items, storage, maybe an ice chest, etc and it adds up.  Then theres the weight thats actually IN YOUR CAR! if your carrying lots of passengers, and luggage that adds up. 

I know its overkill but i was planning for the future. I tow with a Chevy' 2007 2500HD 4×4 Diesel w/Allison 6speed transmission. 

Karsty said: I am toying with the idea of having the a dealer installed tow package installed as well. Just not sure if it is really necessary. I will be doing a lot of towing though … and it may be helpful going through the mountains?? I understand that it has all the pre-wiring etc ready to accept a tow package as well. Thanks for the information Steve … all very helpful.

Hi Karsty,

We're looking at a 19SBT and will be towing with a 2010 Sienna.  We too purchased just a few months before deciding we'd like to invest in a trailer, and did not get the tow package at purchase.  All my research has shown that on the 2010 Sienna, not all the "towing package" options are available from the dealer – they are only factory installed options.  At this point I'm planning on having the RV dealer install a Class III hitch, wiring harness/brake controller, and 3rd party transmission cooler.  

Good luck with your purchase, have fun and tow safe!

Al

I tow a 2011 16RBT with a 2001 mazda tribute V6.  I tow at 60mph with overdrive off and average 16 miles per gallon.  The truck pulls this trailer much better than the 2002 coleman niagara pop up we used to have.  I have had no problems with rear sag and I use an anti sway as a precaution.