What do I need for this trailer?

I don't think I have any sort of towing package. I had to add an after market hitch.

BTW, the comment saying why would anyone add disc brakes to a 1997 Mallard... why is that a question? (I don't know the answer, curious!) Are you inferring it should not be necessary?

livemusic wrote:
I bought a 1997 Mallard 24' travel trailer. GAWR all axles is 2695 lbs. Can anyone give me insight as to what size truck/specs I need? I see brake discs on the wheels of the dual axle trailer. Is a 3/4 ton 4wd truck enough? I would think a tow package is warranted, bigger mirrors.

I have a 2008 Nissan Titan 2wd. It'll pull it but I figure it's not enough for long-term.

I think I do want a crew cab like my Titan. New or used, I don't really care but if I could find something low mileage, I'd prefer used, as these new ones are crazy high.

Insight into what is needed would be great!

You should have plenty of truck. IF you have the towing package. But I'm wondering WHY someone added disc brakes to a 1997 Mallard.

If you max out your axle ratings and your tongue weight is 15% your total trailer weight will be 6,341#. I towed a 25 ft. trailer at 6,000# with my 2008.5 Titan and it did OK, plenty of power. I used a Reese SC hitch and never had any sway. It did squat about 3" in the rear with the trailer hooked up which I brought to within 1" with the hitch bars. I installed air bags which I ran at 40 psi to bring it level. I had to really wind it up to maintain speed on grades but it did it without complaint.

Like you, I felt like it wasn't going to last long. The brakes were suspect and the rear diff was the size of a soccer ball with an axle ratio under 3 if I recall. Mileage was pretty bad averaging a little over 9 for each trip. Mine was 4WD Pro4X and towing was real tough on the OEM tires as they were shot at 30k. I was a rookie and can't say if I was within the truck's numbers. I upgraded/downgraded to an older RAM.

If the GAWR is 2695 per axle, you'll be fine with your Titan. I tow a 7000# GVWR
Trailer with my Titan. Have been all across the US. No problems except for the screw I picked up in one of the truck tires. Mine is 4WD, but I have never used the 4WD for towing. I suspect you will do even better than I do, since your Titan should have a bit more payload, being 2WD.

mhamershock wrote:
F350 dually minimum. Maybe a 450 just to be safe.

...and a diesel too.

bigorange wrote:
There’s a saying to buy a truck for your next trailer...I’d personally go 3/4 ton with standard bed you could put a 5th wheel hitch iin when you decide to upgrade. This from someone who went from 23’ TT to a 5er after about 4 years...on my second truck since the first wasn’t enough. :D

Ha... I'm still on my very first TT that I bought back in 2002! Towed it with a 97 F150 with 5.4 when I first got the trailer and now have a 13 F150 in the sig... Still don't know why I need a new trailer yet? ;)

(I've modded this trailer over the years to work for just the two of us.. No kids, no pets that travel with us, really don't care to camp with other's, except for a few family trips now and then, but they all have their own RV's too.. Not even close to full time or long vacations.. Just long weekend trips, so don't need much more.)

Mitch

If your Titan does not have a transmission cooler, you should add one.

Did your Titan come with a receiver style hitch from Nissan? If so it should have any expanded cooling for the engine and tranny. If so fresh fluids in tranny and rear end, brakes, shocks ( Bilstein or Rancho) a weight distributing hitch and have fun.

But yeah I think you’ll probably be fine with the Titan for a while...brake controller, mirrors, and consider WD hitch and sway bars. May not be fun especially climbing hills, but it will work.

There’s a saying to buy a truck for your next trailer...I’d personally go 3/4 ton with standard bed you could put a 5th wheel hitch iin when you decide to upgrade. This from someone who went from 23’ TT to a 5er after about 4 years...on my second truck since the first wasn’t enough. :D