rangerbait wrote:
I realize at that weight the trailer will be approaching the max per the Armada's tow rating (9,000lbs), but curious as to why you say it's exceeding its capabilities? I'm looking at the ProPride hitch system as an option if the sway is unruly, even with the friction sway bar. I'll be taking it out on the road for an evaluation ride in a few days, and will report back.
I think he's suggesting that you'll be pushing or exceeding your capabilities not because of the tow rating (which will be close in it's own right), but because you'll likely end up very close, or over, the payload capability of the Armada.
Payload capacity on the Armada varies from about 1300lbs to about 1700lbs, probably depending on trim package, 2wd vs 4wd, etc.
So if you run the numbers for your trailer, you'll see how quickly you can approach your payload max.
That 7400lb dry weight trailer may weigh a few hundred pounds more, as dry weight usually doesn't include options. But we'll use 7400 weight anyway. Add 1000lbs in gear, as an average. We add less, but most people add more. That makes 8400lbs, assuming you travel with completely empty water/sewer tanks. If your hitch weight is 13% (fairly standard), that's 1092 lbs. Add 75-100lbs for your weight distributing hitch. You're close to 1200lbs already out of your 1300-1700lbs of cargo.
And that's an empty tow vehicle, aside from the driver. How many passengers will you have? How much will they weigh? As little as one 100lb passenger COULD put you at your limit. Or, over, if your TT is actually more than 7400lbs, or you add more than 1000lbs of gear to the trailer, or you want to carry water with you.
This is a pics thread, not a weight police thread, so I'll leave it at that. Just run ALL of your numbers very carefully, get some accurate scale weights rather than guestimating and put a LOT of attention on payload/cargo capacity of the Armada, more than overall towing capacity. Keep it safe for you and your family.
