My husband and I are just begining to research travel trailers and I want to know what we can realistically tow with the vehicle we have. Our vehicle is a 2004 Nissan Armada 4x4. I would like to keep it under 26ft and would like a bunkhouse model. Is there such a thing and is this doable?
We are not new to towing (well my husband isn't). Ten years ago we had a 19ft TT we towed with a Toyota 4Runner. We had to sell due to financial reasons and became avid tent campers. Now with kiddo #3 on the way the tought of tent camping with 3 kids and sometimes 2 toy sized dogs makes me cringe.
Look in your Owner's Manual for the answer. Armada is in the Expedition/Tahoe class with some of the highest towing rating, maximum around 9000 pounds. But that can be qualified by the load you are carrying (that capacity is well over 1500 pounds). You have what is probably the best full-size SUV for towing, which gives you a lot of flexibility in shopping for a TT.
You can find bunkhouse floor plans under 26 feet. There are bunkhouse floorplans as short as 20 feet (in the lightweight R-Pod series) that will be under 4000 pounds, and you can find 24-30 foot bunkhouses at 6000 to 8000 pounds, even more if you want a lot of slideouts and a lot of equipment.
So whether you want a small, light TT with bunks well separated from the master bedroom, for camping, or a big heavy one with lots of living space, it is doable, probably up to about 8000 pounds.
I find that the idea you can now actually find a TT with this kind of room, lighter than the vehicle towing it (sort of the standard in Europe) is encouraging. Especially if the tow vehicle, like yours, is rated to tow nearly twice its own weight, a lightweight should be easy to handle.
tatest wrote: Look in your Owner's Manual for the answer. Armada is in the Expedition/Tahoe class with some of the highest towing rating, maximum around 9000 pounds. But that can be qualified by the load you are carrying (that capacity is well over 1500 pounds). You have what is probably the best full-size SUV for towing, which gives you a lot of flexibility in shopping for a TT.
You can find bunkhouse floor plans under 26 feet. There are bunkhouse floorplans as short as 20 feet (in the lightweight R-Pod series) that will be under 4000 pounds, and you can find 24-30 foot bunkhouses at 6000 to 8000 pounds, even more if you want a lot of slideouts and a lot of equipment.
So whether you want a small, light TT with bunks well separated from the master bedroom, for camping, or a big heavy one with lots of living space, it is doable, probably up to about 8000 pounds.
I find that the idea you can now actually find a TT with this kind of room, lighter than the vehicle towing it (sort of the standard in Europe) is encouraging. Especially if the tow vehicle, like yours, is rated to tow nearly twice its own weight, a lightweight should be easy to handle.
Wow. This certainly is encouraging! Thank you for this information. I had no idea but it is so nice to know I have such options with shopping for the TT. I am sure my husband would ask better questions but he is at work and doesn't have the time to be online researching.
I kind of know what I am looking for just didn't know if it was possible. I would like something with the bunks seperate from the master bed, possibly a living room slide (or no slide is fine too) that is 26ft or shorter. We usually do one 2 week trip in the summer and many weekend trips spring - fall and I want to be able to get in most any size site.
Most likely you will be payload limited with what you have listed.
I would take your Nissan to the scales with a full tank of gas, and subract that reading from the GVWR that's inside the door. You will probably get a number around 1,500 lbs or so. Then subtract the 5 people plus dogs, and any gear you plan on carrying in the TV. What's left will be what you can take a max tongue weight. I bet that number will be the limiter for you ....
Nights camped 2011: 13 (4 in the old popup)
Nights camped 2012: 36
Nights camped 2013: 2
2012 F-150 XLT screw 4x4 HD max tow
2012 Jayco X19H
does your Nissan have the factory tow package? if not, then your tow capacity will be much lower.
you would have to duplicate the tow package to tow the higher number.
if you have the 5.6 v-8 and the factory tow package, that'll probably get you the higher tow amount.
Dan- Firefighter, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
Starcraft no longer produces the Aruba 25RS, but, there are used units out there. I used to have one of these. Towing length was about 26 feet. Opened up it was 31 feet long.
From my experience towing with a Titan, I would shoot for 4000-5000lbs dry or no more than 6000lbs loaded and ready to camp. I think your 26ft idea will work well. I towed a 30ft TT that scaled 8000lbs loaded, it was too much.
We bought a Roo 25RS this year and love it. I swear it is the perfect floorplan for families. You get a ton of space without the weight. Its not a hybrid like the rest of the Roo line.
I reallly like the looks of the KZ Spree 220RS. I will check out the Roo25RS as well.
We are just starting to look. I wanted to come here first to find out what I could tow before shopping around. I don't want to fall in love with something and then have it be way out of our tow range. I'm not in a huge hurry so I have time to shop around a while. I want something that we will suit our needs for a long while. I am going to look at both used and new.
The new RV show near us isn't until February so I will be looking at dealerships and CL till then. Idealy I'd like something by next spring. My oldest is going on a cruise with her school group over spring break so I want to take the two younger ones and two dogs out on maybe a 4 day run somewhere within a couple hours of home. Then next summer take all the kids to either Yellowstone or Black Hills.
Thanks for all your suggestions. If you have anymore I am certainly open to them!
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, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever
, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
