Choosing the right vehicle for a 35 foot Prime Time Tracer Breeze

[Big51810321]

Hi all,
Brand new to the forum and already loving all the info I am finding!

Was hoping to call on the wisdom of the people to help me with a vehicle choice.

As the title says, I'm looking to tow a Tracer Breeze 31BHD and I'm really hesitating when it comes to the tow vehicle...

Choices are:

2018 Nissan Armada
2019 Toyota Tundra

I've heard people talk about wheelbase being a huge plus for stability, so I'm inclined towards the Tundra which has a 146 in WB vs the Armada which as 121 in WB

I'm just really looking for the smoothest experience possible...

Both vehicles have the proper tow and payload capacity (Armada is 8500 lb, Tundra 10000 and the trailer is around 6500 lb dry)

Am I cutting it close with the Armada's tow capacity?

Has anyone noticed a big difference when switching from a full size SUV to a pickup truck?

Really looking forward to hearing from everyone..

Thanks!!!

[Chief T]

Don't take this wrong, but neither. TT is almost 35 feet long. You're in 3/4 territory now. You need to look at the tow vehicles payload capacity as well. Toyota's tend to be on the lower end.

Safe and happy travels.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Big51810321

Really looking forward to hearing from everyone..

Oh, you will be hearing from everyone. That’s for sure.

Bruce

[sugarray40]

I believe you will out weigh your axles and payload of either of those vehicles. These are 2 considerations, not looking at what they will tow.

To know the best we need the axle weight ratings as well as the payload capacity of the specific trim level you wish to buy. Are you wanting a CrewMax Tundra? 4x4 or just 4x2?

I believe a HD truck is your only option given the size of your TT.

[Big51810321]

Originally Posted by Chief T

Don't take this wrong, but neither. TT is almost 35 feet long. You're in 3/4 territory now. You need to look at the tow vehicles payload capacity as well. Toyota's tend to be on the lower end.

Safe and happy travels.

Chief T, hey not taking anything badly right now, just looking for info....

Thanks for sharing!

[SeaDog]

something to consider, a good share of folks upgrade to larger rigs from their initial purchase. Buying a TV that will handle your future RVing is something to consider. I like the big three in 3/4 or 1 ton diesel but thats just me.

[007matman]

Your 6500lb dry camper will probably be at least 73-7400lbs when loaded for camping (maybe more).

I agree with other people that you should look at a 3/4 or 1-ton.

I'm the type to buy a vehicle and hold onto it for 10 years or more to get my money out of it.

If you're the type to trade off after a few years then a 1/2 ton may do it but be prepared for some extra wear as a result.

[Big51810321]

Originally Posted by sugarray40

I believe you will out weigh your axles and payload of either of those vehicles. These are 2 considerations, not looking at what they will tow.

To know the best we need the axle weight ratings as well as the payload capacity of the specific trim level you wish to buy. Are you wanting a CrewMax Tundra? 4x4 or just 4x2?

I believe a HD truck is your only option given the size of your TT.

Wow, it's looking like the Tundra might be on the close side indeed, I'm looking at a 2019 Tundra CrewMax 4WD so payload capacity is 1560 lbs....

Just might have to look into the Titan XD which offers 2520 with the 5.6 gas V8

[azfansinnc]

I think the Armada would be marginal as that trailer is 7635# fully loaded aka gross weight. 6300# is bare. Your tongue weight should be 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight so around 750 pounds minimum.

I'm not sure of the size of your family and how much you would like to take with you will affect the load and towing capacity of your truck.

The Armada can accommodate an 850# tongue weight which must be subtracted from the 1724# max of cargo and passengers leaving 875#-975# for you and your stuff.

The truck is probably a good tow vehicle but that trailer is too large for it unless you are militant about loading and weighing.

Case in point, I have a 5200# trailer (dry) and a 2015 Yukon XL 4x4 with an 8000# towing capacity and 1617# cargo capacity. My trailer weighs about 6200# loaded. With four of us, two adults and two kids and some cargo in the back, we were recently 100# over our rear axle weight capacity (GAWR rear) and only 620# under our GCVW (gross combined vehicle weight). It added up fast and we had some sway, so I suspect the tongue was lighter than it should be as well.

You need to do the same math with the Tundra remembering that 4x4 and the different cabs will reduce the towing capacity from 10,100 quickly. You also need to keep in mind what you intend to load in the bed. It seems like that if there is room, we will find something to fill it.

In my opinion, that trailer would benefit from a 3/4 ton or better.

[ronheater70]

Dont start looking at 3/4 tons or 1 tons for that weight.. Most properly equipped 1/2 ton's of any Manufacturer should be able to tow that Fine. Because of the length, Proper WD and Sway control is a must.

[frank4711]

I usually stay away from these, I am selling my current 5ver (yes I am over payload) ordered a new smaller lighter-shorter Rockwood so maybe not best person to ask ... that said there are clearly 1/2 ton trucks that will pull and stop that TT with no issues .... My Ram has 1870 payload 11,610 max tow and GWCR 17,000 and would pull and stop that TT for sure ... and I would not tow that TT with the 2 options listed .... do a better job than I did and make sure the numbers work but there are 1/2 tons that will do it ... Best of Luck with your search

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by ronheater70

Dont start looking at 3/4 tons or 1 tons for that weight.. Most properly equipped 1/2 ton's of any Manufacturer should be able to tow that Fine. Because of the length, Proper WD and Sway control is a must.

Thank You

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Big51810321

Wow, it's looking like the Tundra might be on the close side indeed, I'm looking at a 2019 Tundra CrewMax 4WD so payload capacity is 1560 lbs....

Just might have to look into the Titan XD which offers 2520 with the 5.6 gas V8

I agree that a SUV with their soft suspension, is not a ood choice for a 35' TT.

Now, big mistake that newbies make, is using fictional dry weights. Those numbers are based on a stripped-down version of the trailer. So please post the model number or the trailer's specs so we have some numbers to work with.

The payload numbers you posted, look to be brochure numbers or did you get them from the actual driver's door yellow sticker?

[itat]

For me, and based on my experience, the limit for a 1/2 ton towing a TT is around 6500-7000#. I know I'm more conservative than some here.

As was mentioned, its not the towing numbers, its about payload for a 1/2 ton.

If the actual weight is going to be over 7000#, I would strongly consider moving to a 3/4 ton gasser. The heavier curb weight of the 3/4 ton will be better than the lighter 1/2 ton for dealing with such a long trailer and probably have similar fuel economy as the Toyota's very thirsty 5.7L.

That said, if you choose not to go with a 3/4 ton, get a pickup with as much payload as you can and get LT tires. Do not get an SUV for that size of TT. I think Ford still offers a heavy duty payload package on the F-150. You are obviously looking at Japanese manufacturers. I always buy Japanese when I buy cars and SUVs even though I live next to a GM town, but I've been quite happy with the 2 Ford pickups I've owned. Pickups are their bread and butter vehicles so they are highly competitive in their offerings.

[Blucruz]

I would say neither. Paper is just that Paper. What they say it will pull and what it actually will pull in real world situations are not the same. It's no fun pulling a 6% grade in 2nd or 3rd gear at 5500 RPM being passed by loaded semi trucks. It's also ridiculously hard on your transmission, not to mention the terrible gas mileage you are going to get towing that thing. I went 3/4ton diesel and would never go back to gas for towing period. My opinion but I've been there. Truck manufacturers tow ratings are all on flat ground in optimal conditions. Real world is not flat ground in optimal conditions. Do lots of research and see what is best for you but I would never push things as close to the ratings as you are going to have to with the Titan or the Tundra for that trailer.

[finally retired]

Hi there! For what i's worth we also have a 35 foot Windjammer that we tow. We have a 2016 F250 Super Duty Lariat with the tow package. We just completed a 3,250 round trip journey through the mountains of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and flat Kansas & Nebraska. I was super impressed with not only the power on inclines but also the engine breaking on steep declines. Good Luck and enjoy!


Mike & Kathy

[IsleDog]

you already know to look at 10-12% of your trailers max weight as tongue weight. remember to subtract about 100lbs for a WDH/Sway control hitch from your payload, as its hanging out past the back bumper. There should be a payload sticker on all of the vehicles you are looking at. the options package of a truck will greatly affect your payload numbers. I have an F150, crew cab, 6.5ft box, MaxTow package and 3.73 gears. but because it is a king ranch, the payload is quite a bit lower. just be careful of the payload numbers listed online. they are usually for a bare truck, no options, 2WD.

Good for you for researching here before trying to justify a completely wrong tow vehicle! I agree that a properly equipped 1/2 ton will tow that trailer fine, but you may just like the added stability of a 3/4 ton.

[Big51810321]

Alright, so I think that I might have to look at something like a 2018 Silverado 1500...

I will keep the Tundra in mind, but the 1500 gives me 2000 lbs in payload with the 5.3...

I would love a diesel, but they simply aren't in the budget and I'm not willing to go much older to make it fit...

I might be able to squeeze an F-250 gas, but it might require some longer searching..

Realistically, I would like to stay around 45-50 grand

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Big51810321

Alright, so I think that I might have to look at something like a 2018 Silverado 1500...

I will keep the Tundra in mind, but the 1500 gives me 2000 lbs in payload with the 5.3...

You still haven't answered where you're getting these payload numbers.
Rarely does the yellow sticker payload number, that ends in 000 or 00.
This is third payload number you've posted, that look like brochure numbers.

[007matman]

Originally Posted by Big51810321

Alright, so I think that I might have to look at something like a 2018 Silverado 1500...

I will keep the Tundra in mind, but the 1500 gives me 2000 lbs in payload with the 5.3...

I would love a diesel, but they simply aren't in the budget and I'm not willing to go much older to make it fit...

I might be able to squeeze an F-250 gas, but it might require some longer searching..

Realistically, I would like to stay around 45-50 grand

You could get a sweet fully bulletproofed Diesel, do the upgrades to get you most of the toys like a backup camera, etc for way under that and it would haul your camper without breaking a sweat for 500k or more.

You'd do all of that getting better fuel economy and with less maintenance too.

I don't know about your particular situation but it would be a no-brainer for me.