Calculating Safe Towing Weight Limit When Installing ProPride Weight Distribution On Nissan Armada

Question:

Towing a 7100 lb flagstaff 26FKBS with a Nissan armada platinum with a tow rating of 9000 lbs. Putting on a propride hitch due to cross country driving. The hitch weighs 195 lbs. So, before we start packing, we are at 7295 lbs. What do you recommend we cap the fully loaded weight at to assure no issues with the vehicle.

asked by: Jim R

Helpful Expert Reply:

There are a few numbers that are going to be important to use when towing your Flagstaff 26FKBS with your 2015 Nissan Armada. For the trailer you will need to ensure you do not exceed the GVWR for the trailer. On your Armada you need to look at the towing capacity, trailer tongue weight, and GVWR for your Armada. Often times drivers only look at towing capacity and end up overloading their vehicle with additional weight. Looking at the information I could find online it looks like your Armada will have a curb weight around 5,841lbs and a GVWR of 7,300lbs. This allows for 1,459lbs of total cargo weight including passengers and trailer tongue weight. So with say 800lbs of tongue weight this leaves you a total of 659lbs for cargo and passenger weight in your Armada to stay within the safe weight ratings. This typically makes it safer to put more weight in the trailer than your vehicle but you need to ensure you will then not exceed the GVWR for the trailer or the total towing capacity on your Nissan. Ideally you will want to keep weights as low as possible but as long as you stay below the maximum weight ratings on your Flagstaff and Armada you should not have any issues.

You will likely need the Wiring and Safety Chain Extension Kit # PR34QR when you install the ProPride 3P Weight Distribution Hitch # PR57QR. The extension is needed if your safety chains and wiring do not extend 24" past the coupler on the front of your trailer.

expert reply by: Bud M