chrisclash wrote:
If I take the Armada as an example, I think we would meet all of the limits in the specs, at least number-wise. It's things like sway on the highway and bogging down going up a hill that I'm worried about, and stories from actual users are the only way I can find out about those issues. For numbers:
TT dry weight = 6400 lbs.
TT fully loaded with my stuff = 7400 lbs.
TT dry tongue = 701 lbs.
TT tongue + hitch = 800 lbs.
2012 Armada SL 4WD (example car) towing capacity = 9000 lbs (>7400 lbs)
Curb weight = 5732
Vehicle weight + family + stuff = ~6300 lbs.
GVWR = 7150 (>6300 lbs)
Max tongue = 910 lbs. (>800 lbs)
Numbers-wise, everything looks okay to me. I think I would find similar results with the other three vehicles. The "too much sail" comment is what worries me, but again I point specifically to the successful stories from Armada owners with good WD/ anti-sway hitches (and not so much owners of Tahoes and Expeditions).
Otherwise, I'll have to convince my wife to buy another truck... Cuz my Frontier definitely won't cut it...
You have 850 lb left for trailer tongue weight. If your loaded trailer weighs 7400, you need 7400 X 0.12 = 888 lb
You will be slightly overloaded in your tow vehicle, more than slightly if your tongue weight goes higher.
Don't THINK you would find similar results on the other vehicles. Do some research and get hard numbers.
In any case, you MUST have a really good WD/anti-sway hitch, correctly set up, adequate tires, and correct tire pressure in your tow vehicle.
You would possibly be OK for shorter trips without much climbing. But I would not take the combo on a really long trip or to the mountains.
