I am leaning toward the tailgater around 20k here in Nevada. whaddya think? Any other recommendations? Any to stay away from?
Thanx

 

You want to pull a 26' toybox with a Nissan Armada? Now that's pushing it pretty good. The tow rating is either 6,500 or 9,100. I guess you might be able to squeek it in there.

Closest thing to 26' I can find is a 24'. The 210RR Is this the correct trailer?

That's going to seriously test that truck.

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Tow rating for the Armada is 9100. Trailer is 5500 dry. Even loaded it should be fine. But I do plan to help it breathe better with Cold Air intake and exhaust. Anyone think this won't work?

 

I don't think the vehicle can't drag it down the highway but what if.....

you have to swerve quickly, it starts fishtailing, have to brake hard, etc
That's when the correct vehicle makes the difference. Just my $.02

 

Going off of Trasher's comments, it's not just the motor. So many people think, I'll just add more power and it will be gravy. Well, ok. Now you can get up that nasty grade easier. But what about coming back? Can you stop it? In high winds does it have enough mass to keep the "tail from wagging the dog" so to speak?

Note that that towing capacity is usually with no more than a tank of gas and the driver. No passengers. No luggage. No food for when you get the munchies.

Look for a GCWR on the door sticker. Work from that. Go have your truck weighed when it has the full complement of fuel, passengers and luggage on board when you are going to be towing. That's your GVW. Also subtract that from your GVWR to see how much you have left over for the hitch weight which will be 10-15% of the trailer weight. Also get a weight for each axle.

Take your GVW and subtract that from your GVWR and GCWR. Now it's time to look at a trailer. As you seem to be set on the trailer, remove it's dry weight from your GCWR. Now, what are you going to carry in it? Add 8.3lbs/gallon of fresh water. 7.something lbs/gallon for gasoline. Don't forget your propane. Include the propane weight (4.x/lb) and the propane tank(s) themselves. Also, get that trailer weighed. And make the dealer do it, for free. What's on the plate and what it really weighs (all gussied up) are two different things.

Now, what are you going to put in it? Quads. Add up their weights. And remember, don't just use the manufacturers dry weights. Add oil, fuel, accessory, etc. weight. Bringing an ice chest? Figure out it's weight with ice and contents. It all adds up.

Weights you need to be concerned with (with the exception of the GCWR/GCW these apply to both the trailer and truck):
GVWR (maximum vehicle weight)
GVW (what the vehicle actually weighs)
GCWR (maximum tow vehicle and trailer combined weight)
GCW (what the tow vehicle and trailer weigh combined)
AWR (the maximum weight on any particular axle)

It's not a real quick thing to figure out, but it will make your towing safer and more enjoyable. And of course, use load distribution and anti-sway devices.

Exceeding any of these increases your chance of damage to your vehicles, and effects your safety, your occupants and fellow travelers. Exceeding these rathing will probably also void your vehicle(s) warranty(ies). In the event of a collision or other event, if you have exceeded these ratings, you increase your chances of being sued as you could be deemed to be operating your vehicle unsafely.

And gonig right up to the maximum of what your truck can do will make it wear out much faster. The vehicle will need to be maintained under severe duty recommendations.

I don't know the laws in NV, but you may want to check out weight limits for towing. They do exist in CA. Though, most people don't care or don't know. And the RV Dealers don't tell people as they would lose sales. Make sure you have the appropriate license. It would really suck if you got stopped, didn't have the correct license and had to deal with that.

Good luck and happy towing.

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Great info. BW Warrior.
Here is the math I did.
The GVW of trailer dry is 6340.
Generator is 145
Water 830
Gas 140
Food, dishes TP etc. 250
Quads 1300
Total 9005

Occupants add another 300

The way I am looking at it is, I can usually locate water once I am there and if I take everything I will probably not fill the water/gas until close to my destination. I am planning on buying the extended warranty on the Armada, I figure if they are going to market it with 9100 lb. towing capacity then I am going to hold them to it. That is why I bought it. You have me thinking about going to the 21 ft. But I don't think I can get 3 quads in it.

 

You're barely squeeking it in there, if that. If I was betting, I bet you just might go over. You always end up heavier than you thought.

I just give people warnings of what to watch out for. Usually, I'm ignored. When you get everything set up, I'd be interested to know what your weight is.

Only one person I know weighed to see where he was. Dodge Durango w/ 18' Coyote came in at like 250lbs over GCWR.

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Cammer,
A general rule of thumb when it comes to towing is that you should really limit your trailer weight to no more than 80% of total vehicle tow weight. If you go to any travel trailer forum you will hear the same. Its really more of a safety issue. That would put you around 7000-7500lb max with your tow vehicle. Anything heavier than that I would only tow with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton. I just wouldn't feel safe with 9000lbs behind my 1/2 ton with my family being inside.

My $.02

 

I second the no more than 80% if your going to tow it regularly or very far. I would look into some of the lighter toy haulers first. I have towed a lot and can tell you that getting close to the max rating is hard on your rig and frustrating to pull. I had a nice half ton pumped up moter etc. I sold it for a 3/4 ton diesel because I tow a lot and the loads get pretty heavy. My buddie let the RV lot talk him into a bigger trailer tellin him how his Half ton could pull it. Well it did pull it sounded like it was coming apart to try and go up hills. We would have camp set up by the time he got there and we both left the same time. He hooked my truck up to the beast pulled it across town, next week he bought a new 3/4 ton dodge diesel. There are several manufatures of car hauler I would find the lightest that can haul your quads if your going to use the armada. They are nice rigs but I wouldn't tow more than about 7000 pounds with one at least not on a regular basis. Just my opion but I loved my 1/2 ton just didn't like towing more than 6500lbs behind it. It was rated at 8800 and like I said that motor was pumped up some too.

 

You might look into some of the custom race car trailers they can be had with living quarters and all kinds of other options. I saw one the other day at the Dunes that had a little kitchen and bathroom, two oe three flod down beds and a loft bed that retracts up against the roof. It had a air conditioner too they had a bunch of quads in it like 4 plus a couple motorcycles. It was aluminium and I think he told another guy who asking about it that it weighed less than 7000 fully loaded that thing was probably 26 to 28 feet long. Was a sweet set up I would like to have one like it. Just an option to look at.