We're looking at purchasing a 2014 Wildcat Maxx 26BHS. I'm wondering if this trailer is too heavy for the Armada to pull? The armada is rated at 10,000/1,000 according to the manual and sticker, but the websites and forums report 9,100/910.The dry weight is 6200lbs with a hitch weight of 705lbs. We live in the Rockies so I'm concerned with the weight and grades of the mountain passes we will be traveling through. I'm planning on using the Equalizer 10k hitch. I believe I'm well within the recommended towing capacity, but wanted to hear from the experts here. I've spoken to a few dealers and they've all said I'm fine, but know they just want to make a sale. I want to be safe on the open roads. I figure we will be between 7k and 7.5k loaded (we would leave the water tank close to empty until close to the destination). More than anything I'm concerned about the hitch weight when loaded. The other item I should mention is that the GVWR is a whopping 10,865lbs on this TT (something I'll never even come close to, but thought I should mention it). I believe the size is okay as I've seen a lot of Armada users with 29' trailers (some even with 32'+).Thanks.

I think you will be closer to 8K loaded than 7. IMHO you are right to ignore that the GVWR exceeds your capacity as you are being careful not to load it to that.bumpy

You may be ok but you're really going to have to pay attention to the weights. Bumpy is right that you'll be more in the range of 7500-8000lbs. That's a heavy TT for 26'. At that weight you'll be pushing 1k of tongue weight. Add in the weight of the hitch and you'll be very close, or over, the reciever rating.You also don't mention what your payload capacity is or what you plan on carrying in the Armada. Once you add in your passengers do you have enough payload capacity left for 1000lbs of tongue weight?

What is the payload capacity of the Armada and how many passengers are you carrying.

Thanks, guys.Here is what I've got on the sticker.GVWR: 7299GAWR FR: 3699GAWR RR: 4299Combined weight of occupants should never exceed: 1433lbsI pulled the information below off of a website:Weight InformationCurb Weight 5,841 lbsGross Vehicle Weight Rating 7,299 lbsMax Payload 1,458 lbsI've got a total of 5 occupants. The total weight of the occupants is less than 600lbs.

You will probably be overloaded by a couple hundred pounds by payload and receiver ratings... 1000 lbs TW, 100 lbs hitch, 600 lbs people is 1700 lbs, plus you always have more stuff with you in the truck. I would look at a lighter weight TT, or a bigger TV.Edit: Other things to consider...Kids grow, so your 600 lbs weight for five will also grow.Another thing is to get the Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) from the typically yellow sticker on the trailer. This will give a better starting point for weights since it is the weight of the unit as shipped from the factory. The brochure weights often are missing many standard (but labeled optional) features such as the awning, batteries, etc.Tongue weights will vary by trailer, but a good stable towing trailer typically has between 12-15%. So an 8000 lbs trailer could have a 960-1200 lbs TW.

Towing: Wildcat 26BHS with Nissan Armada | Good Sam Community

APT
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
There are lighter versions of that floorplan. If you like Forest River, check out the Rockwood 2502S and 2702SS. Plenty of other choices out there closer to 5k dry.
Hyper_lite
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
camp-n-family wrote:
I think I've got this figured out (sorry I'm a towing noobie). The MAX is 1433 minus 600 for passengers leaves us with horrible 833 max tongue weight, correct? The trailer is 705 (dry), plus an Equalizer hitch at 100lbs would make it 805lbs. Leaving us 28lbs for any water, batteries and propane before we even add anything into the trailer, correct? Realistically it sounds like the Armada could only support a 500lbs hitch MAX. With a WDH wouldn't that number increase the capacity because some of the load could be pushed to the trailers axle instead? What are the dangers of exceeding that 1433 load, but under the 9000lbs towing capacity? It sounds like most Armada towers would pretty much always exceed that capacity. I think ultimately we would get the trailer, but would would need to sell the Armada and get a GMC 2500 or 2/3 ton truck. It doesn't sound like any SUV could handle this load.

You're getting it figured out. Welcome to the world of 1/2 ton towing. This is why tow ratings are pretty much fictional numbers. You'll almost always max out payload and other ratings way before reaching the tow rating.

A WD hitch changes the capacity for the reciever but not the trucks capacity. A percentage of the effective tongue weight will get transferred back onto the trailer through the WD hitch but if you need that little amount to stay in limits then you usually need a bigger truck.

A little over payload won't hurt anything. Question is how much is ok? A couple hundred pounds? 1000lbs? Nobody wants to take the liability to answer that, that's why the manufacturers have ratings. Personally I wouldn't be too concerned with being a couple of hundred pounds over payload as long as you remain well within the axle, tire, and reciever ratings.

It sounds like I need to be concerned with the axles more than the GVWR which is the payload, correct? If that is the case I would like be a little over on the hitch weight, but under maximum axle weight with a WDH installed it should evenly distribute the weight to the axles.

I'm not sure how the payload factors in but, I figure fully loaded the trailer would be about 7600lbs and GAWR equals 8,000 leaving me about 300lbs without the payload factored in. If I factor in the payload (1458) then I clear by about 1900lbs right?
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
That's a lot of weight and frontal area for an SUV IMO. I would be more concerned with sway if it were me. Add in the 80# for the propane and tanks, plus 35# for one RV style battery.

Nope you should be looking at a Suburban or pickup. I have seen more SUV's laying on their side towing then I have pick-up's or full size SUV's. And No the Armada size SUV's are not full size no mater what the manufacturers say.

Don
APT
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
Payload is GVWR minus whatever the truck weighs. GVW is anything the truck's axles/tires/suspension handles. This includes as this sticker says the weight of occupants and cargo. Cargo includes trailer tongue weight.

I do not recommend exceeding the receiver rating by 200+ pounds. Payload by 200 pounds? Maybe. Not receiver. That's my recommendation.

The Armada is between short wheelbase and long wheelbase half ton SUVs in size and wheelbase like Expedition/EL and Tahoe/Suburban. Frontal area is not a problem as the shape offers better aerodynamics for TT pulling than pickups without caps. The engine is pretty strong and trans gearing ok. But that 1400 pounds of payload plus larger families and RVing is a tough mix. That's how I got into 3/4 ton Suburban from a half ton crew cab pickup.

Forum Discussion

Towing: Wildcat 26BHS with Nissan Armada

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Tow Vehicle Nissan Armada

Any towing with a Nissan NV3500?

Nissan Titan?

Nissan Titan XD

Nissan Titan