Forum Discussion
ElementZero
Aug 09, 2015Explorer
I guess for the sake of clarity, I should elaborate a bit more on the Blue Ox 1000 lbs vs the 1500 lbs bars (in case it helps someone else).
I originally had the 1000 lb bars on there which from what the LazyDays guy told me would essentially be able to remove up to 1000 lbs of weight from the hitch and distribute it back to the trailer. All I know is took the thing to the CAT with the trailer fully loaded and my GCWR was like 16100. The NV 3500 has a GCWR of 16000 for reference. My tongue was 2100 which was waaaayyy over the 875 that the manual stated. I completely freaked out but what the LazyDays guy told me was that with the way the Blue Ox works, I had 1000 lb bars on so essentially I had 1100 tongue weight. Still over the 875. I could even tell it was too much - there was a dip in the rear wheel well and it just didn't feel right when towing. After talking with LazyDays they got me 1500 lbs bars which meant that my hitch would be 2100 - 1500 = 600 lbs on hitch if I had the bars on all the way (obviously you don't WANT the bars on all the way like this but just FYI). After this I tried with the chain on 8 and it was still too much sway, link 9 felt perfect, wheel wells are aligned, tows like a dream.
So best as I can figure, the 875 lbs in the instruction manual is still about all you want to put on the car but (at least with Blue Ox) you might need to do some calculating to take the WD into account.
That all bring said I would HIGHLY recommend the Blue Ox SwayPro with either 1000 lbs bars or if you are doing a trailer with maybe 7500 lbs GVWR or more the 1500 lb bars. NOTE I'm NOT an expert on this by any means, just what I can say from my research, discussions with LazyDays mechanics, Nissan mechanics and my own experience after towing like 5000 miles. PLEASE do your own research! Just leaving these notes as they may help someone who was completely lost with the specs like I was in January :)
I originally had the 1000 lb bars on there which from what the LazyDays guy told me would essentially be able to remove up to 1000 lbs of weight from the hitch and distribute it back to the trailer. All I know is took the thing to the CAT with the trailer fully loaded and my GCWR was like 16100. The NV 3500 has a GCWR of 16000 for reference. My tongue was 2100 which was waaaayyy over the 875 that the manual stated. I completely freaked out but what the LazyDays guy told me was that with the way the Blue Ox works, I had 1000 lb bars on so essentially I had 1100 tongue weight. Still over the 875. I could even tell it was too much - there was a dip in the rear wheel well and it just didn't feel right when towing. After talking with LazyDays they got me 1500 lbs bars which meant that my hitch would be 2100 - 1500 = 600 lbs on hitch if I had the bars on all the way (obviously you don't WANT the bars on all the way like this but just FYI). After this I tried with the chain on 8 and it was still too much sway, link 9 felt perfect, wheel wells are aligned, tows like a dream.
So best as I can figure, the 875 lbs in the instruction manual is still about all you want to put on the car but (at least with Blue Ox) you might need to do some calculating to take the WD into account.
That all bring said I would HIGHLY recommend the Blue Ox SwayPro with either 1000 lbs bars or if you are doing a trailer with maybe 7500 lbs GVWR or more the 1500 lb bars. NOTE I'm NOT an expert on this by any means, just what I can say from my research, discussions with LazyDays mechanics, Nissan mechanics and my own experience after towing like 5000 miles. PLEASE do your own research! Just leaving these notes as they may help someone who was completely lost with the specs like I was in January :)
About Travel Trailer Group
44,051 PostsLatest Activity: Oct 02, 2025