[Armada4midlife]

I have been thinking to trade my 37' Motorhome in on a toyhauler. Just wondering what experience those of you who are hauling ones currently are having with thier Armada. I know we' re rated for 9100lbs but just wonder if anyone is out there pulling that much or More? What length trailer are you pulling with yours. What is the performance like and how hard does towing with an Armada hit your gas mileage. Do you get better results not towing in "D" and how does using the tow mode on the Armada help. Finally, Do these things come from factory to run the brake controllers for trailer or did you have to go aftermarket on that?

ciao.............Armada4midlife

 

[92TripleBlack]

I wouldn't break 9k with ours or any other 1500 rated vehicle including F150 etc. They just aren't made for it. If you want more, get an F350 or Excursion.

 

[Cillyone]

I have been thinking to trade my 37' Motorhome in on a toyhauler. Just wondering what experience those of you who are hauling ones currently are having with thier Armada. I know we' re rated for 9100lbs but just wonder if anyone is out there pulling that much or More? What length trailer are you pulling with yours. What is the performance like and how hard does towing with an Armada hit your gas mileage. Do you get better results not towing in "D" and how does using the tow mode on the Armada help. Finally, Do these things come from factory to run the brake controllers for trailer or did you have to go aftermarket on that?

ciao.............Armada4midlife

First let me agree 100% with Triple Black. Next, I think the Armada is the premier 1/2 ton tow vehicle on the market today. But it is only a 1/2t and speaking from experience 9k lbs is too much. You have to take any manufacturer's embellished weight ratings and examine them very carefully.
I am currently towing a Ragen 2124cLX, 21ft body and 24ft overall (6.2k dry). Toyboxes (well made ones) are much heavier than a same length travel trailer, and combined with a much higher payload they can overload your tow vehicle quickly. I have had mine loaded to the mid-high 8k range and won't do it again. You want to keep the loaded/wet weight south of 8k. You can't expect much for mileage at this load level, about 8mpg. I pull my toybox in 4th gear and my loaded utility trailer in "D". I have not notice a big difference with the tow mode on or off. I am currently looking at a 3/4t pickup to deal with the toybox as I think towing it with the Armada will wear it out prematurely. I would recommend for pleasant, easy towing that you stay around 7.5kmax loaded/wet. The Armada has plenty of power, it is the high tongue loads to steer clear of. The Nissan tow package includes the electrical "pigtail' to make installation of a brake controller painless (I like my Prodigy).

PS. dirt bikes weigh ~250Lbs ea
sport atvs weigh ~400Lbs ea
utility atvs weigh ~600Lbs ea
water 8lbs/gal
propane and gasoline 7lbs/gal
12v batteries 40 - 50lbs each

My toybox can hold 100gal H2O, 14gal propane, 32 gal gas, 2 batteries = well over a 1200 lbs and I have not put in food, drink, chairs, riding gear, clothing, the weight of the WD hitch, etc.. or any toys yet, and how much payload capacity is left for passengers and gear in the Armada after tongue weight is subtracted from the payload rating.

 

[Armada4midlife]

Cillyone, Thanks for your very informative info. I am curious how many of those ATV/dirt bikes can you fit in that 21' box?

Also, if you are telling me that it is 6.2K dry, and I add the 1200lbs for water/gas/batteries and stay under the 8K advised it sounds like there is only enough capacity to handle hauling one ATV (600lbs)? When you are out running how many toys do you put in that box that you feel is managable for the Armada?


ciao................Armada4midlife

 

[Cillyone]

Cillyone, Thanks for your very informative info. I am curious how many of those ATV/dirt bikes can you fit in that 21' box?

Also, if you are telling me that it is 6.2K dry, and I add the 1200lbs for water/gas/batteries and stay under the 8K advised it sounds like there is only enough capacity to handle hauling one ATV (600lbs)? When you are out running how many toys do you put in that box that you feel is managable for the Armada?


ciao................Armada4midlife

Yes, you can see how I got to a high 8k number with 1 utility ATV and 3 bikes, won't do it again. Now if I know that my destination has water available I fill up there, if not I only put 40 or 50 gal at home and in either case I carry at least 25 gal of gas (way behind axles), which helps offset tongue weight. I can save 400lbs with a half load of water which offsets nearly two bikes and I store my second(spare) battery in back behind the trailer axles rather than on the tongue box which helps reduce the tongue weight. This trailer has a 10k GVWR which I will never be able to fully use as long as I am towing with the Armada. The trailer weight is not the main problem, it is the tongue weight. I installed a friction type anti-sway device and raised my WD hitch height as well as more preload on the WD bars which has cured any problems with the handling.
As far as toy capacity, I most I have had was the previously mentioned combination. I probably could have fit one more bike. Two ATVs and a bike would have been easy too, maybe even a second bike. One ATV pretty much = 2 bikes space-wise. To cut to the chase - 3 ATVs max or 6 bikes max. Myself, I either carry 1 ATV + 3 bikes or just 4 bikes. All depends on what the wife wants to ride.
This trailer is pretty much all the Armada can handle and then some, I certainly would not go any heavier, preferably about 1,000 lighter would be best. I love the trailer though and have a buddy with a pampered 3/4t diesel that he will sell me as soon as he decides on his new truck, but he is not sure what he wants so he is taking his time.