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Old 02-07-2014, 08:23 PM   #1
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Can I pull the 27' or 29'?

This will be our first trailer for our family, now with two kids (age 4,1) My parents and all have trailers so now were looking for one that fits our needs. We like the 29ft toy hauler bc of the way the bed is set up compared to the 27ft. We also like the rear door is in front of the rear beds.

Now a couple of questions...

1-Why dont many people have the 29ft trailers? Is it because they just came out with the 29ft this year?

2- I have a 2008 Nissan titan without the big tow package. I added the towing hitch already, and also researching the towing gears for towing the trailer. Right now the sticker says 7200# towing cap. and with the lower gears that come in the big tow models from what I read I can tow 9200-9400#'s. Will the 9400#'s be enough for the 29ft?

We dont have big toys, just two 50cc dirt bikes and thats it. So that about 500lbs together.

The 29ft just seems so much nicer with the front bedroom setup. I dont want a generator with the trailer ( I know thats not included in the weight but I wont be adding it )

I know I will probably need helper springs or air bags along with the sway/equalizer bar hitch.

The campgrounds that we will be attending are only 1.5 hours away and all flat ground. 1 bridge and thats it. Every now and then maybe a 4 hour trip to the beach but maybe once every other year.

So with the big tow gears, weight distribution hitch, and helper springs will the 29ft be reasonable?
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Old 02-07-2014, 09:12 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamull2852 View Post
I have a 2008 Nissan titan without the big tow package.
Right now the sticker says 7200# towing cap. and with the lower gears that come in the big tow models from
what I read I can tow 9200-9400#'s. Will the 9400#'s be enough for the 29ft?
You have the answer to your question. If you look at the shipping weight and add your toys, and stuff if you don't exceed the 9200 plus it will be borderline. For short distances on flats I think it would be ok but only YOU can decide the final answer.
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Old 02-07-2014, 09:19 PM   #3
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what about using a non-toy hauler trailer and putting the dirt bikes in back of truck? Would be much lighter. Either way, I think you would be OK after the gear change, as long as you are towing on flat areas like you said.
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Old 02-07-2014, 09:19 PM   #4
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The weights are gonna be close if not over but the length of that rig may play hell on your tow vehicle. If your careful and stay local you may be ok. Get some winds or mountains and you may not like the way you pucker up.
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Old 02-07-2014, 09:44 PM   #5
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I am first starting off by saying I do not have a toy hauler. I do however, have a Nissan Titan with the Big Tow package. The only major difference from the Big Tow and Non-Big tow package was the gearing. The other differences are tranny temp gauge which I suggest in maybe looking for an aftermarket gauge or using an app such as Torque to monitor your transmission temps. It also has the bigger mirrors. Again, all things aside it's your gearing that you need to look at.

I have a 2006 Flagstaff 831RLSS. Loaded for camping it comes in at 7200lbs. I've been in some pretty good "East Coast" mountains and it has done great for the truck. I'm very pleased with the way it pulls. The gas mileage however, is as expected terrible but, again that's expected. My trailer is 33ft long and alot of people would say it's a long truck for the wheel base of the Titan. I wouldn't disagree with them however, I have a really good hitch setup and I feel very comfortable towing it.

There is of course alot of recommendations either way and you'll get all kinds of advice on here. There are two things to remember, one is making sure the trailer is within the weight limits of the truck and aside from that, you need to feel comfortable as well. There is nothing worse than white knuckling all the time while pulling the trailer.

If you get the towing gears and something to monitor your transmission temp, I think you'll be fine staying within the 9200lb limit. However, the length you'll have to judge for yourself.

I know some dealers or most will let you do a test tow. Can you find a dealer that will let you do this to see how the truck handles it and see if you are comfortable with the length behind the wheel base of the Titan?
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Old 02-07-2014, 09:50 PM   #6
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IMO, that toy hauler- even with some weight in the back is going to be over 1,000 pounds tongue weight.

Once you have you, your family, your stuff, your hitch, are you going to have anywhere near that amount of payload available?

Try these two calculators:
#1) Finding your actual available payload + equivalent trailer size ranges (if you're going to stay within ratings):
Towing Calculator based on Truck's Payload/CCC - Towing Planner

#2) Finding estimated tongue weight based on dry weights (I have the caveat that it isn't terribly useful for toy haulers since they can vary based on how heavy you load the garage- but you're not talking about putting much back there):
Estimating Tongue/Pin Weight from Dry Weights - Towing Planner

How much of a delta is there between these two numbers?
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Old 02-07-2014, 10:18 PM   #7
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When I was looking the 29hfs was not out yet or that would have been my choice.

Will your Titan pull it, yes. Will it struggle up hill when fully loaded, most likely. A good hitch and sway control will be a must. Sounds like a gearing change will be mandatory.

There was a recent thread about a forum members experience towing a 27hfs with a half ton truck. Interesting information.

I pulled mine with a 2010 Toyota Tundra 5.7 extended cab and it towed fine. But no comparison to my 3/4 ton.

We really enjoy our 27hfs, but wish the 29hfs had been available.

Good luck
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Old 02-07-2014, 10:21 PM   #8
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I pulled an 08 Flagstaff 831RLSS (33') over 35,000 miles and now a 12 Flagstaff 8528RKWS 5er with an 05 Silverado 1500 Ext. Cab with a 5.3L and a 3.23 rear gear with no problems. I tow 60-65 mph and have been in the Appalachian Mtns, Ozark Mtns and all thru the Smokeys. I just get in the truck lane and stay right with the semis or pass a few. I don't win drag races, but am not worried one bit about overloading the truck. I have air bags and LR E tires on the truck.

If you have P tires on the truck, I would change them to a LT LR E tire and go for it. The P tires are too soft in the sidewalls to tow an rv trailer in the 25' or longer range.
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Old 02-08-2014, 10:29 PM   #9
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Do what you want, but a 1/2 is not enough truck for the xlr29hfs. It is not enough for the 27. Will it pull it? Yes but it will struggle and put strain on your trucks drivetrain. Just my honest opinion.
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Old 02-09-2014, 08:02 AM   #10
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Thanks everyone!!

I know either one will be a struggle and of coarse safety is a concern. I will def. feel safer in a bigger truck. We will be going to a local camper show within a month so we will be able to check our a bunch of different models. Something smaller than 27' just don't do it for us, we could make it work without a doubt but if I'm spending my money it's going to be something I won't regret and enjoy. So if not I guess we will wait until the Titan gives out and I can get a diesel, truck only has 60k on a 2008 so it's hard to trade it in right now. If all else fails and the wife still wants one right now I can prolly talk her into a lighter travel trailer with a toy hauler and just put the dirt bikes behind the truck. Thanks again
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Old 02-09-2014, 08:59 AM   #11
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Have you looked at the 24hfs? The Titan will pull this one much easier anywhere you want with the dirtbikes in it.

Hyperlite Toy Hauler Travel Trailer by Forest River
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Old 02-09-2014, 09:00 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot View Post
I pulled an 08 Flagstaff 831RLSS (33') over 35,000 miles and now a 12 Flagstaff 8528RKWS 5er with an 05 Silverado 1500 Ext. Cab with a 5.3L and a 3.23 rear gear with no problems. I tow 60-65 mph and have been in the Appalachian Mtns, Ozark Mtns and all thru the Smokeys. I just get in the truck lane and stay right with the semis or pass a few. I don't win drag races, but am not worried one bit about overloading the truck. I have air bags and LR E tires on the truck.

If you have P tires on the truck, I would change them to a LT LR E tire and go for it. The P tires are too soft in the sidewalls to tow an rv trailer in the 25' or longer range.
X2 for OldCoot
We have over 25K miles pulling a 08 Cougar 291RLS all over the Rockies and into Washington state in the Cascade Mtns. Now pulling a '14 8289WS Rockwood with the same truck. Cougar GVWR 10.3k, Rockwood 9.3K both 5rs. Air bags and E tires a must.
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Old 02-09-2014, 09:24 AM   #13
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Towing the 29hfs he will be going over his trucks weight limits. Sure it will pull it, but I would not recommend going over his trucks tow limit.
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Old 02-10-2014, 11:58 AM   #14
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Maybe an Outback Terrain 230TRS would work for you and be way easier to handle, camping is about fun and pulling a house behind you will not be fun.
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Old 02-10-2014, 10:41 PM   #15
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I have the ecoboost f150 and I would want no more than my 24 xlr. The tongue weight on mine is barely more than half of that 29. I just recommend upgrading your truck if you really want that floor plan.
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Old 02-11-2014, 12:34 AM   #16
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I'm pulling a 29dsbh with a 2003 expedition and 3.73 gears. It can pull it fine but when it comes to hills and stopping, it doesn't do so well. I would also suggest a 3/4 ton rather than tossing money towards new gears in your Titan.
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Old 02-13-2014, 12:50 PM   #17
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We have a 27HFS and pulled it with a F150 5.4 4 speed with 3.55 ratio. Power was not a big problem as long as you are patient but I started getting rear end shudder after about 9 months of towing when turning a corner from a stop. I traded for a 2500 HD and have never been sorry. The half ton would pull the trailer nicely but when we got the heavier truck, we realized just what a stable pull feels like. Don't make the same mistake I did. As 10X says, "not enough truck".
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Old 02-18-2014, 11:10 PM   #18
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I had a Titan with big tow. Pulling an XLR 23fbv. Added air bags, e rated tires. Never felt comfortable pulling the trailer. But I got the camper to the campground. Came across a deal on a 2010 F350 SRW. 6.4 Powerstroke. I couldn't pass it up. I know how fun that Titan is to drive. Just feels like a sports car. I had a Bully Dog tuner on it to. I brought the 350 and sold my Titan For $1000 Less Then I owed. Not to mention all the aftermarket parts I put on it. It was very hard for me to let that truck go. I can now drive with one hand on the wheel and I'm relaxed when I get to the campground. Took a trip through the Rockies last summer with the 350. I would not want to do that with the Titan. Titan has the power, drinks the gas, just isn't heavy enough to control the trailer.

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