Towing advice please

[ginabone]

Folks,we are new to this so sorry if this is redundant but, would like to know if our '02 Nissan Sev 6 Crew Cab 4x2 will tow a 16' Safari. It supposedly has a 5000# towing capacity but I suspect that in reality it will feel like a sewing machine when it comes to crunch time. Am I wrong to think this way?


Thanks for your advice.

John

[vinstream]

I dont see why it would be a problem. Watch how you load it so that you dont get to much wait in the front end. Heavier things you may want to put in the back of the truck (forward in the box)... Have FUN!

[ginabone]

I think I'll also see about renting a comprable size trailer and go out for a test ride, hit a few hills etc. if all goes well, there might be a Safari 16 sitting in our car port soon.

Thanks to all.

John

[safari 28]

Your truck sounds fine but the big question is what is the possible, even at this moment very remote chance you will need a larger a/s? A 16 seems real cute and easy to tow, but it gets cramped quickly. My only advice is to buy used unless this little bambi is your life long dream. Purchasing and selling new trailers can be very expensive indeed. Try to buy a 2-4 year old at or around nada pricing. That way if you change your mind, and most do, your exposure is limited.

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by ginabone

I think I'll also see about renting a comprable size trailer and go out for a test ride, hit a few hills etc. if all goes well, there might be a Safari 16 sitting in our car port soon.

Thanks to all.

John

If your comparable size trailer is not an Air Stream you won't be gaining any useful information. Totally different towing characteristics.

[flitzwhopper]

There will soon be many posts to your questions. There are a variety of opinions on this but the only real way of knowing about the compatibility of a TV and a camper is to hook up and drive around.
Just remember that even if you find that your current TV is adequate, the closer your load is to the capacity of the vehicle, the quicker you will use up the expendibles. Brakes, transmission and engine have a lifetime. If you take mainly short runs on relatively flat ground, the lifetime of your expendibles will be reasonable. If you go on long trips with lots of inclines, you will stress the expendibles and encounter premature maintenance needs.
My general rule of thumb is to have a TV with twice the capacity of what you are going to tow.
I agree with the previous poster - by used for your first camper - by airstream because they last longer and if you're lucky like me, you'll get the right one the first time. If not, you get a second chance because used airstreams hold their value if purchased wisely.

hope this helps

[moosetags]

First of all, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

I think that your proposed TT/TV combo is doable, but it might be slow going on steep grades with the 6 cylinder.

Brian

[ginabone]

Very good advice. I did have a sneaking suspicion that my truck was a bit on the weak side.

John

[Tarheel]

Welcome aboard. I pulled for 75,000 miles with a too small truck engine. It did the job and I never went backwards on a grade. I now have twice the horsepower of the first truck and boy do I love it. Take your time and it will do the job, more horses eat more hay. What precentage of your time will be spent pulling with this unit? With my new truck that answer is about 90% so the increased horsepower and fuel loss it worth it to me.

[axmender]

I have been pulling a 29' 71 airstream with a 2001 expedition. The engine is a 5.4 liter. I get 10 mpg, should I expect more or better performance?