Tow vehicle selection & performance
To start, we're strongly considering purchasing the Grand Design 2400bh but we need to upgrade our tow vehicle as well. Bottom line up front: We're a military family that moves frequently and I want to be sure the tow vehicle comfortably pulls the 2400 in all conditions (mountain driving/flat/etc) without excessive strain on the vehicle. I've been doing a fair bit of research and am hoping someone can provide some insight on whether my assumptions are correct? We're new to RV'ing so everything below is based on my research as opposed to experience. We are considering a large SUV vs. a truck primarily because the tow vehicle will also be the vehicle for my wife and kids. Based on my calcs concerning GVW/GCWR/GTWR/etc, my assumption is that a truck (F150'/Tundra/Chevy 1500) would be more than sufficient to tow the 2400bh but the large SUV we're considering has lower numbers and therein lies my concern before pulling the trigger. My concern grew when we rented a 3500lb trailer (+500lbs cargo) and my V6 4Runner struggled to pull it. Additionally, I plan on using a weight distribution hitch. What I'm interested in finding out is how those of you with way more experience think our selected tow vehicle will pull the 2400. If the margin is too tight, then we may consider going the truck route but I'd really like to stick with the large SUV for several personal reasons.
Trailer assumptions/estimates-
UVW: 5595 (+ dealer options?).
Hitch: 505
GVWR: 7495
Fresh water: 52 gal/435 lbs.
Gas/battery: 135 lbs
Cargo: 700lbs (best guess)
GVW: 6865 lbs
2017 Nissan Armada (Tahoe/Yukon has similar #'s)
5.6L V8, 7 spd xmsn, final ratio 2.97, 4x4
GVWR: 7500 lbs
GCVWR: 14700 lbs
Tongue cap: 850
Tow cap: 8500 lbs
GVW: 6387 (curb wt + pax + cargo)
Adj. Tow cap: 8313 lbs (GCWR-GVW)
*tow package + self leveling rear suspension
6685 + 6387 = 13,072 (GCW). This number is 12% less than the Armada's 14,700 GCWR.
Based on what I've read, it seems to be a recommendation that one should keep the GTW roughly 20% below the adjusted tow capacity (?) of the selected tow vehicle- or should the GCW be 20% less than the tow vehicle's GCWR? Is this based on safety and tow performance?
Using the above numbers, the loaded trailer is sitting at approx. 18% of the adjusted tow cap for the vehicle/GCW is 12% less than the GCWR. Using these numbers, I seem to be within the weight/towing capability of the Armada/Yukon but am I missing anything? My understanding is that I may be within its capacity but is there enough vehicle performance to comfortably tow the trailer on mountain roads/hills/etc? With the year-end deals happening now, our plan is to purchase the SUV and subsequently the trailer. So, I want to make darn sure I make the right decision on the tow vehicle.
I'd really appreciate any insight you can offer, something I've missed, or anything that you'd recommend we consider. It's a lot of $$ to spend and I'd hate to go pick up the trailer and realize I've made a huge mistake with tow vehicle selection. We currently live in FL but there's a possibility that we'll soon be moving to a place with a lot of mountain camping and I can't think of a way we can practically test the performance of the tow vehicle with the 2400 without all this guessing. Thanks in advance for the help!
Trailer assumptions/estimates-
UVW: 5595 (+ dealer options?).
Hitch: 505
GVWR: 7495
Fresh water: 52 gal/435 lbs.
Gas/battery: 135 lbs
Cargo: 700lbs (best guess)
GVW: 6865 lbs
2017 Nissan Armada (Tahoe/Yukon has similar #'s)
5.6L V8, 7 spd xmsn, final ratio 2.97, 4x4
GVWR: 7500 lbs
GCVWR: 14700 lbs
Tongue cap: 850
Tow cap: 8500 lbs
GVW: 6387 (curb wt + pax + cargo)
Adj. Tow cap: 8313 lbs (GCWR-GVW)
*tow package + self leveling rear suspension
6685 + 6387 = 13,072 (GCW). This number is 12% less than the Armada's 14,700 GCWR.
Based on what I've read, it seems to be a recommendation that one should keep the GTW roughly 20% below the adjusted tow capacity (?) of the selected tow vehicle- or should the GCW be 20% less than the tow vehicle's GCWR? Is this based on safety and tow performance?
Using the above numbers, the loaded trailer is sitting at approx. 18% of the adjusted tow cap for the vehicle/GCW is 12% less than the GCWR. Using these numbers, I seem to be within the weight/towing capability of the Armada/Yukon but am I missing anything? My understanding is that I may be within its capacity but is there enough vehicle performance to comfortably tow the trailer on mountain roads/hills/etc? With the year-end deals happening now, our plan is to purchase the SUV and subsequently the trailer. So, I want to make darn sure I make the right decision on the tow vehicle.
I'd really appreciate any insight you can offer, something I've missed, or anything that you'd recommend we consider. It's a lot of $$ to spend and I'd hate to go pick up the trailer and realize I've made a huge mistake with tow vehicle selection. We currently live in FL but there's a possibility that we'll soon be moving to a place with a lot of mountain camping and I can't think of a way we can practically test the performance of the tow vehicle with the 2400 without all this guessing. Thanks in advance for the help!
