Armada to Pull 33' Lightweight TT

jbnery6465 wrote:
2008 Armada LE AWD w/Tow Package.

I've done a lot of reading on this forum related to this topic as we're looking to become first time TT owners. Woohoo! Our intention is to have few trips a year with long extended stays. Some trips will make yearly to Oregon and to Arizona, from San Diego. It could also serve as a temporary home until our house is built on some land we own - thus why I'm looking at the longer range.

The topics that I've read related to how long of a TT an Armada can safely pull are more than 4-5 years old, and the focus quickly shifted away from length and focused on weights. But there are new trailers today that are in the 31'-33' that have a dry weight of 5800lbs - 6400lbs, and hitch weight in the mid-700's. I did a whole spreadsheet not only with "estimated" dry weights, but also what I think our loaded weight would be (2 adults, 4 kids, gear, empty tanks). So hypothetically assuming if all my weights are within range, loaded properly, have the right WD hitch, drive in Tow Mode in 4th, etc, can I safely pull these trailers? They are dual axle, not sure if that makes a difference.

Thanks for hearing me out, I'm looking forward to learning from you all. Thanks in advance for the input!!

Way too much vagueness. Give us an example or two of the trailers you are looking at.

A 31-33ft trailer is likely going to be pushing at least 8000lb loaded for a family of 6.
- Empty weights are completely irrelevant. Better to use the GVWR if you don't know for sure.

According to edmunds.com, your truck has a payload of 1500lb. Problem is that assumes pretty much empty with no add on equipment (running boards, roof racks, hitch, etc...)
- Assuming 150# for each parent and 100# per kid, that's 700lb of payload just in people.
- Let's say 300lbs for hitch, cooler and other misc stuff in the truck.

That uses up 1000lb of your payload before you hook up the trailer.

An 8000lb trailer should have a hitch weight of 1000-1200lb. Conservatively, you are likely over payload by 500-700lb.

You might also check your RAWR. The hitch weight hits the back axle hard, so that is likely over also.

Now as others have said, a relatively small weak short wheelbase truck is likely to be a tail wagging the dog situation.

For a family of 6, I would suggest a full size body on frame van in the 3/4 or 1 ton range. That will give you the payload and the mass to handle a big trailer. If you were talking shorter trips, a 4 door pickup would be an option but that will get cramped for cross country stuff.