Towing 35' TT with Nissan Armada *pics*

When you weighed the Armada, was weight distribution hitch in or on the vehicle? That weight (approximately 100 lbs) also counts as cargo weight.

Average camping load (dishes, pots and pans, bedding, camping gear, groceries, BBQ grill, water, etc) weighs 800 - 1000 lbs.

Average loaded tongue weight is 12.5 percent of trailer weight. Depending on loading and tank positions (in relation to trailer axles), your tongue weight could go up to 15 percent. Tongue weight goes up and down on every trip. Groceries and water get used up, holding tanks get filled. Your 900 lb hitch weight is only a ball park figure.

Loaded, your trailer will be in the area of 9000 lbs, with approximately 1100 lbs tongue weight. Possibly more.

Your 9100 lb max tow rating does not include room for passenger or cargo weight. With many manufacturers, it only includes 150 lbs for the driver. Adding people and cargo takes up capacity from both tow capacity and payload.

When you subtract passenger and cargo (car seats, diaper bag, play things, etc) weight, your real world max tow capacity is probably down around 8700 lbs. Possibly lower. It's going to go down a little more, every day that those kids are growing.

Your max tongue weight rating (910 lbs) is what the receiver is rated to carry. That includes the weight distributing hitch and tonge weight. If the dry hitch weight is 900 lbs, you're over on your receiver rating, before you load anythng in the trailer.

I think you're not just a little too close, but, actually going to be over on more than one rating. A new hitch won't fix that.

I used to tow a 33' (7400 lb loaded) TT with a Nissan Titan. Same tow rating, payload, frame, suspension, engine, and drive train as the Armada. Windy days (didn't take much) caused a lot of white knuckle driving.

I'm a little confused by your numbers....I often am confused.

But, did you weigh your trailer fully loaded, trip ready...food, clothes, gear, pots, pans, EVERYTHING that would be in it for an average camping trip with the family?

rangerbait wrote:
Howdy Gents,

I recently purchased a new 2014 Heartland Trail Runner with the intention of using my current TV, which is a 2011 Nissan Armada with the factory "Big Tow Package" (tranny cooler, bigger brakes, auto leveler), but quickly learned there is much more to towing than the brochure's "tow capacity".

I took it over to the local public scales yesterday, and while it towed decently with the WD hitch (also getting a ProPride 3P hitch, which will improve the ride as well), and I'm still in the green in all categories (some just barely), it's a little too close for my comfort ultimately, especially with the family on board.

Here are the numbers:



The rig:

Are you saying that that the tongue trailer loaded for camping only weighs 900 lbs. That doesn't sound right. It should be 13 percent of the loaded trailer weight or at least 1200 lbs. Personally, I would not tow that heavy or long trailer with a short wheel base TV such as yours.

Isn't the Propride going to add over 150lbs to your tongue weight? How did your figure the 900lb tongue weight?

I think one of the other problems you could have is the length of trailer vs length of truck...but the propride would probably help with any sway as a result.

I would say your right on cutting it close. Nice you have a scale to weigh it at, hopefully its close. Have you loaded it up with gear yet? That would give an even better idea.

I think what concerns me the most is simply that GVWR of the trailer is 9500 and the max on your truck is 9100. So the possibility exists. I guess it exists anyways as you can put whatever you want in a trailer though.

I'm not saying run out and get new TV...but I'd be considerate of how exactly you do things.

Nice to have a scale though...mine is an 1.5 hrs away on a good day lol.

First, maybe decreasing your picture width to 700 will help.
By going one or two fewer links on your WD hitch you'll gain some on your rear axle weight margin.
I think you already know the answer "it's a little too close for my comfort ultimately, especially with the family on board." Will it work, barely and in CA you have more challenging roads than many states. I've been know to exceed the limits of my F350, but it's not with a TT trailer behind or the family in it.
Other posts should be interesting.