Hello everyone and thank you all in advance for taking the time to give me your thoughts and advice. To start off, I am totally new to Travel Trailers. My wife and I are having a lot of the same discussions that I'm seeing in some of the posts here but most of the posts I've read have been older than 5 years so I thought I'd throw where we are at in our thinking out there and see what a group with experience would advise.As the Subject says we have a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder V6 4x4 which has a max tow of 6000lbs with a weight distributed hitch. We have 3 children ages 2-6 at present so our current leaning is towards two double bunks as the girls can sleep together (although triple bunk options intrigue us too). No pets to worry about though.We spent some time looking at Hybrid/Expandables but have been leaning towards a TT that is all enclosed with no 'tents'. I guess it boils down to a few main questions to start: 1) My understanding of what I can or should tow with my TV is limited but improving so any advice in that regard would be greatly appreciated. My current feeling is that something of a dry weight about 4200-4300 lbs should be my max. Does this make sense or can I go higher? Does it make sense to go higher? 2) We have been looking at trailers between 18 and 26 ft (without hitch). Any recommendations with this particular TV? We eventually want to upgrade to a pickup like an Ecoboost F150 but that won't likely happen for at least 4-5 years.3) Any specific recommendations on trailers? We like Jayco Jayfeather 228, Jayco Jay Flight 23MB, Jayco Jay Flight SLX 264BHW, Lance 2185. I think that gives some idea but again, the whole weight piece has me wondering what I should do more than anything.Again - thanks for the advice. I look forward to seeing what all your thoughts are.Chris HortonThe Great White North, BC, Canada

Chris,First step to see what your pathfinder can tow is to look on the certification sticker on your driver's side door jamb. It will indicate the GVW, GAW, and possibly, the maximum weight of "all cargo and passengers should not exceed..". What you need to determine is the payload weight capacity of the vehicle. Just a fast search online showed the Pathfinder to have a payload capacity of 1170-1550 lbs.From the payload capacity, an owner works backwards subtracting the tongue weight of the trailer, the weight of the weight distributing hitch, the weight of any cargo, and the weight of the passengers. If the total falls under the payload capacity, you're within the vehicle's rated towing specs. Most folks find that they run out of payload capacity before they reach the maximum towable weight rating.You should also look at how Toyota equips the Pathfinder for any optional "Towing Package" (if you don't have it). Things like tranny coolers and oil coolers, better suspension, etc. They can all make a difference as to how the vehicle tows or if it has problems without those accessories. I have no wisdom for you about new trailers. Mine is old as the hills but has been restored. Good luck with whatever you buy and happy trails to you and the family.

I would "assume" that that 6000 lbs. towing would only be with the tow package. my Highlander is 5000 lbs. with one, 2,000 lbs. without.bumpy

Hi Chris - some ICBC info & guidelines here Clicky

When we looked at the Jayco model with a Murphy bed, we noticed that it didn't have a pass through front storage area and on a smaller trailer, that's a big loss of storage. As you look at trailers, be aware that the dry weight of the trailer may not include additional items such as the awning, battery, weight of filled propane tanks, AC unit. So check weights carefully.Years ago, we had a V6 Explorer rated for towing 5K (if I remember correctly) and we towed around 3K with it. I don't think I would have wanted to tow much more if doing any traveling through mountains. I think it would be best to keep the dry weight 4K or under. With 3 kids, if you plan to take bikes and other stuff for them, your weight with clothes, food, water etc. can quickly add up. Having been a pop-up camper when our two sons were growing up, if drying out canvas when you get home isn't a problem, I think you can get more space with less weight with a hybrid or pop-up. You just want to be sure that you won't be stuck in a situation where you don't like the towing combination with the Nissan and can't afford to trade in for a different tow vehicle.

We had a 2012 Pathfinder S V6 4x2, basically the lowest optioned model available (we only had floormats added). The payload rating was less than 1200 lbs. per the door sticker, and was verified by the CAT scale. This means that every other model package has less than we did. Before getting well versed in weights I had already pulled a Jayco 26BH 400 miles through TN mountains. The experience what white knuckle, and I'm sure I was wayyy overloaded. Before the trip I had installed airbags in the rear because if you put a bag of dog food in the back of a Path it will drag on the ground, So this pic has the airbags up to 35 PSI.My advice is to either go with a pop-up or find a better TV if you want to have a TT. A Path might work, but it won't be the most pleasant experience in the world.

New to Travel Trailers - Nissan Pathfinder V6 TV

Speedogomer
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
Just another option, although they are expensive, is the Trailmanor campers.

They are hard sided pop ups, and very light for their size. You'd be able to have the best of both worlds, small enough to tow, big enough to live with.

Still, you could always just get a pop up. Honestly, I had just as much, or even MORE fun in tents and pop ups as kids. Sure when it rains and you're in a thunderstorm it's not fun, but when I look back, those thunderstorm nights are the ones I remember most.
eluwak
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
APT wrote:
I don't think you'll be happy towing any high walled TT with the V6

Well, I didn't really feel it was the V6 that was this issue at all. I tossed it in 3rd and after about 30 minutes you get used to the engine screaming at you. It seemed to do fairly well through the hills. Going op a decent grade might be another story, but I don't think it would do much worse than a lot of gassers in that situation.
APT
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
Get your truck first. I don't think you'll be happy towing any high walled TT with the V6, and that's assuming you can keep it under all it's ratings. Buy a used popup, save your pennies.
Mike_Up
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
xteacher wrote:
with 7 adults in 3 seats

Wow, that means one person had 2 adults on their lap. Wow, I would think that 1 person was overloaded. :)
Arizona_Kid
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
My opinion, get a different TV.
With the wheel base of the Pathfinder, you want to stay under 20' total length.
I have a 2011 V8 Pathfinder, 7,000 lb TC, with factory tow package. Almost the same drivetrain as the Armada. It was specifically purchased to tow a Lance 1685, with a GVW of 5,400, and a total length of just under 20'. This was as much trailer that I felt comfortable towing with our Pathfinder.
xteacher
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
Yes, my AR-ONE 14RB is only 7 feet wide. The Pathfinder has a very low frontal area limit - 60 square ft., if I remember correctly. A PUP would be a much easier tow with your family and all the stuff you'd be bringing along.

BTW, I have driven my Pathfinder completely full, with 7 adults in 3 seats, and it drove fine (I did feel sorry for the 2 in the third row - lol!). However...I would not want to load it up AND tow my TT.
rexlion
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
If you buy a TT, get one that's under 3500 lb loaded, less than 20' or thereabout in length, and with the smallest frontal area possible (7' wide and under 100" high if you can). A trailer at the maximum of those numbers will probably have a loaded hitch weight of 500 lbs or more, I kid you not.

My advice: if you can't trade tow vehicles right now, look for a decent used popup for now. Go camping, have fun, make memories. In 4 or 5 years you can sell the popup at a relatively small loss and buy the new tug and TT.
Mike_Up
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
Pathetic

Weak, Torqueless V6, Short Wheelbase, super soft suspension, and low payload with the Pathfinder I owned. Always hit the suspension bump stops on potholes or bumps with 4 people riding, just driving around town thanks to the soft weak suspension. Now with no one in the Pathfinder, but with my Pop Up's tongue weight on the hitch, it's riding a wheelie with the headlights blinding everyone.

I will say with 2 or 3 people, it did offer a good ride with good comfort and features and why a reason I bought it. Obviously I never drove it full, meaning all 3 rows of seats full.

As a SUV and the utility that is suppose to be offered, it was useless.

With some air bags, you could correct the suspension problems, but the short wheelbase, low payload and lack of low rpm torque can't be helped to easily.

The 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac replacement vehicle was just awesome. I could load the truck up to it's full GVWR and still have a better ride and better handling thanks to it's better suspension and longer wheelbase.

The Sport Trac was a great tow vehicle. Handled my Jay Flight 19BH and the Pop Up just great. I had the 4.6L 3 valve engine which had good low rpm torque especially next to the gutless Nissan 4.0L which was rated only 9 ft lbs less.

Live and learn.
xteacher
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
I tow a 2014 Starcraft AR-ONE 14RB with my 2010 Pathfinder. The camper only weighs 2517 lb. (dry) and has a 312 lb. tongue weight. I would definitely NOT pull much more than this with it. The suspension on the Pathfinder is super soft, and even with my WDH, it sags some. I need to get air bags to help out. With the WDH, it pulls well. I have an additional sway bar, so it is still okay when passed by semis on the interstate.

If you need a small camper that is very light, check out this one:
Palomini 179BHS.

We wish we'd gotten the Palomini instead. It has a bike door and the top bunk can be raised up to transport bikes on the floor where the bottom bunk mattress goes. The slide makes it feel much bigger than it is.
Whiskeyjack44
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
Listen to the advice you are getting, because you also live in a very bad region to be towing with any marginal tow rig.