Hello from Billings, Montana

Junglejim · 03-26-2023, 03:09 PM

My wife and I just took delivery on a 2022 Springdale 260tbwe , we're towing for now with a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder.

Years ago we owned a 32' class a and enjoyed that.

We now have 3 teenagers so the bunkhouse is great ! We're avid tent campers but looking forward to the TT experience we have 6 3-5 tripes planned this summer already.

Very open to any advice.

Happy camping to you all
Ben

**sourdough** · 03-26-2023, 03:42 PM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the trailer! Lots of good folks here with tons of knowledge and willing to share. Unfortunately,

I hate to be a downer but as soon as I saw what the tow vehicle was red flags went up in all directions - it isn't up for pulling that trailer either physically or safely.

Your trailer is a 7500gvwr trailer and 29' long!! That's more than an Armada should have behind it and a BIG load for a 1/2 ton truck with a tow package. I could go into weights but there really isn't any need to, that trailer is way too big for the Pathfinder and trying to tow on the highways and byways will put you, your family and everyone else out there at risk.

Junglejim · 03-26-2023, 04:30 PM

Sourdough I appreciate the concern for sure and I plan on purchasing a truck in the not to distant future. So I have the R51 pathfinder with a 6k factory tow package and airlift airbags.The trailer has a dry weight of 5100~ lbs , we plan to lot fill the tanks for now untill we have a larger tow vehicle. The furthest trip we have planned is about 200 miles away and an easy drive. I'm hoping that by staying under our max tow weight we should be able to accomplish
Our planned trips untill we purchase a 3/4 ton truck. What are your thoughts with the more complete picture?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the trailer! Lots of good folks here with tons of knowledge and willing to share. Unfortunately,

I hate to be a downer but as soon as I saw what the tow vehicle was red flags went up in all directions - it isn't up for pulling that trailer either physically or safely.

Your trailer is a 7500gvwr trailer and 29' long!! That's more than an Armada should have behind it and a BIG load for a 1/2 ton truck with a tow package. I could go into weights but there really isn't any need to, that trailer is way too big for the Pathfinder and trying to tow on the highways and byways will put you, your family and everyone else out there at risk.

**chuckster57** · 03-26-2023, 05:19 PM

Welcome to the forum

Tow ratings are not what you should be worrying about. One issue is how much weight can your vehicle CARRY. Dry weight is only applicable when the trailer comes off the assembly line. Add propane, battery and hitch and I bet your over the weight limit for your truck. What does the tag say in the drivers door?

**JRTJH** · 03-26-2023, 05:52 PM

Not only is the trailer pushing the absolute limit of the tow vehicle, you said in the first post that you have 3 teenagers... That's another 500-600 pounds by the time you add their "gear that has to be in the truck with them and their snacks"... In other words, with 5 people in your pathfinder AND that trailer/hitch behind it, even removing the spare tire and running no more than a quarter tank of gas and you'll still be "at or over your pathfinder's GVWR.

It's all on the two stickers on the driver's door pillar. Payload, GVWR, axle ratings....

Also remember, all the automobile manufacturers have an extensive "how to tow" in the owner's manual. One of the first notes is that ALL of the maximum ratings must be followed... It's not a case where you can "pick one, get it under the max and you're OK".... I'd really be surprised if you're not over on rear axle weight rating, maximum receiver weight rating, payload and maximum trailer frontal area size.

**sourdough** · 03-26-2023, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junglejim

Sourdough I appreciate the concern for sure and I plan on purchasing a truck in the not to distant future. So I have the R51 pathfinder with a 6k factory tow package and airlift airbags.The trailer has a dry weight of 5100~ lbs , we plan to lot fill the tanks for now untill we have a larger tow vehicle. The furthest trip we have planned is about 200 miles away and an easy drive. I'm hoping that by staying under our max tow weight we should be able to accomplish
Our planned trips untill we purchase a 3/4 ton truck. What are your thoughts with the more complete picture?

The Pathfinder was never meant to tow anything other than a small utility trailer. Looked at them many times as well as the Armada. They are not tow vehicles. Narrow, lightweight and short wheelbase = bad towing experience.

Air bags do not increase tow capability, they offer some assistance in weight leveling but that's it. In fact, the weight of the air bags themselves are deducted from the payload capacity listed inside your driver door - what is that...11-1300lbs. (guessing)? Safety has to be the top priority.

Gary R. · 03-26-2023, 09:27 PM

Hi Ben, and welcome to the forum!

Congrats on your purchase of the new Springdale!

Good luck on your search for a more suitable tow vehicle, too.

Take care and have fun!

spicercars · 03-28-2023, 03:40 AM

Welcome from northern MN.

dutchmensport · 03-28-2023, 04:10 AM

Welcome to the forums and congrats on the purchase of your new Springdale. Our second camper was a 31 foot Springdale. I towed it with a 3500 diesel long bed, crew cab dually. We started with a gasser 3500 dually and then had 2 more diesel dually's after that. Our campers just kept getting longer and longer, and heavier and heavier until we ended up with a fifth wheel.

I also am in the same camp as the other posters above about your choice of current tow vehicle for all the reasons stated above.

One thing that concerns me the most about your statement above is saying, you plan on towing no longer than 200 miles and that is on acceptable roads. The fact is, it doesn't matter if it's 2 miles or 20,000 miles, towing is towing. What's the national average? Actually, the possibility of something happening is greater the shorter distance you travel from your home.

This from Progressive Insurance:

"Back in 2001, Progressive insurance conducted research with over 11,000 people & found that over 52% of reported crashes occurred within five miles from home and 77% of accidents occurred within a 15-mile distance. Two decades later, the latest accident statistics from the NHTSA paints a pretty similar picture."

The most important thing, after all the weight police have chimed in, is the question, "Can your tow vehicle actually STOP your rig in a panic stop." What happens if the brakes go out in your trailer (which has happened to us 4 times now in the last 30 years of RV ownership). I was thankful for a hefty tow vehicle that was capable of stopping both truck and trailer. Of course it was hell on my truck brakes, but the truck did it.

I know you already have your camper and you are planning on getting a different tow vehicle that is more suitable. I hope you do this quickly. It is possible the first time you pull out your driveway, there is no guarantee you'll reach your destination, no matter how close to home it may be.

I coined a quote and you are free to share it. Think about this. The more you think about it, the clearer it gets:

“You really need to think in terms of what is the ultimate extreme usage you'll be experiencing with your tow vehicle, not what is the lightest usage and hope it's OK when the extreme happens."

And I coined one more ... something else to really think about:

“Once on the road, your tow vehicle and trailer are not a game or a toy any more. it's reality. And reality does not give you a second chance if you screw it up.”

travelin texans · 03-28-2023, 07:59 AM

Forget the NISSAN, at the very minimum get a 3/4 ton truck. With a GVWR of 7525lbs with 900+lbs of tongue weight, 30' long full of young girls & their required stuff it's way beyond the weight limit of the Nissan & at the very limit on most 1/2 tons.
Personally if looking at a truck get the SRW (single rear wheel) 1 ton, very little more $$ than the 3/4 ton, same ride, same mileage, same engines available, same options, same size, but considerably more payload for a future rv upgrade. Believe me your 1st rv won't be your last, ask most everyone on here!
The 2 numbers that should NEVER be used to pair a rv to a tow vehicle are the max tow rating of any vehicle & dry weight of any rv, both of these are meaningless for that calculation.

msubobcats · 04-02-2023, 07:46 AM

Welcome to the forum from Northern Idaho.

Please take heed in the advice. It can take just nano seconds for something bad to occur.

Two things to remember, do not listen to the salesperson when they say you can tow that and won't even know it's back there AND hello, I am from the government and am here to help you.

Enjoy that rv and enjoy those memories.

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