Xanthais wrote:
We have a 2017 Nissan Armada 2WD, with a max towing capacity of 8,500 lbs, so we're thinking a 6,000 lb. TT max.
Family of 5, with two oldest boys being 17, and probably off to college and jobs within a year or two max, but right now we do need to sleep 5. Looking at bunk floor plans with pull-out dinette. I know you can sleep 5 without bunks in many floor plans, but it seems a hassle to break down the dinette table every night, or convert a couch and put sheets on it, etc. Then un-do it all again the morning. We want beds ready to go.
So far we've looked at the following, with their factory listed dry weights:
Aspen Trail 2340BHS (5,599 lbs.)
Coleman Lantern 244BHWE (5,500 lbs.)
Jay Flight SLX 242BHSW (5,335 lbs.
Salem CruiseLite 241BHXL (5,165 lbs.)
Anything I've found online in regards to most TTs, has been from dealerships, so looking for actual user-based experience with those brands, or even those specific models.
Thanks! :D
Here's a link to a calculator that may help you with the weights. Your tire / loading sticker is located on your drivers door post. It will give you a number for "max occupant / cargo weight" (AKA payload).
The calculator will give you a loaded trailer weight that will put your tow vehicle close to it's max.
Things to remember:
1. Your max towing capacity was calculated without passengers, pets, aftermarket accessories, or cargo of any kind. As you add weight to the vehicle, it's towing capacity and available payload are going down, pound for pound.
As you are loading up for a trip, your tow vehicle's available capacity is going down, while the trailer is getting heavier.
2. On average, the load of dishes, pots and pans, utensils, bedding, BBQ gear, camp chairs, groceries, and water, etc, weighs 800 - 1000 lbs. Add this to the trailer's dry weight, plus weight of propane and any dealer installed options, to get a ball park of loaded weight.
3. Tongue weight averages 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight, and it is not a constant number. It fluctuates up when you load water and groceries, and down as you use them up. Also, holding tanks can have a significant impact on tongue weight. If the tank is forward of the trailer axles, it adds tongue weight, and, if the tank is behind the axles, it takes off some tongue weight.
4. The weight of your weight distributing hitch (about 100 lbs) and trailer tongue weight, both count as cargo weight on the tow vehicle.
