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Old 10-20-2014, 02:34 PM   #1
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Armada & 25'-25' hitch weight higher than 27'

Hello all. We've been hunting for an Airstream for quite some time and have narrowed it down to a 25', newer, Flying Cloud. What I need help with is that we had planned on towing with a Nissan Armada that has a total max hitch weight of 900 lbs, but the 25' is listed as 835 total hitch weight. What's odd, is that it's more than the 27'. Is this a mistake? Also, fully loaded, it would seem that the Armada would not be the best TV as it's at or above it's max on the tongue. I've read about others towing more, but I'm confused on the tongue/hitch weight. Thoughts?

Thanks!
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Old 10-20-2014, 03:36 PM   #2
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My 25 when hitched with weight distribution is 690 lbs. You'll be fine


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Old 10-20-2014, 04:07 PM   #3
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Tongue weight of 25

Quote:
Originally Posted by amplyfied View Post
Hello all. We've been hunting for an Airstream for quite some time and have narrowed it down to a 25', newer, Flying Cloud. What I need help with is that we had planned on towing with a Nissan Armada that has a total max hitch weight of 900 lbs, but the 25' is listed as 835 total hitch weight. What's odd, is that it's more than the 27'. Is this a mistake? Also, fully loaded, it would seem that the Armada would not be the best TV as it's at or above it's max on the tongue. I've read about others towing more, but I'm confused on the tongue/hitch weight. Thoughts?

Thanks!
Does the specification for your Armada say whether that 900 pounds is the weight with weight distribution is applied, or before weight distribution is applied? The response from Wayne&Sam assumes the spec from Nissan is for the weight after WD is applied.

I have a 2013 25FB Flying Cloud. It was ordered with no options. I did not get an exact tongue weight when it was empty, but I did get a hitched weight, and I believe the weight was close to the specified 835 pounds for an empty trailer.

Since then, I have gotten the tongue weighed with a portable scale while camping at a rally two different times: 940 and 990 pounds. (probably different amount of water in the tanks).

I also got the tonque weight once last year at a truck scale: 900 pounds.

Since then I have added solar panels and a hefty inverter. I'm pretty sure my tongue weight (before applying WD, and with trailer packed and water filled) is now over 1000 pounds. With WD distribution applied, I am at 820 pounds.

At least one person on this forum has measured his tongue weight on a 25' at over 1100 pounds.

So I think you will be over 900 pounds. Will that be a problem? I can't say. I tow with a GMC Yukon (similar size to the Armada). It's receiver weight limit is 1000 pounds. I had my receiver reinforced by a competent hitch shop (they welded two bars of angle iron to it), because the Yukon/Tahoe receivers tend to flex under load. Even with the extra angle iron, it still flexes some. The setup I have works OK, but not great, and I'm thinking of getting a different (bigger) tow vehicle for the next camping season.
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Old 10-20-2014, 09:28 PM   #4
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Thanks for the replies so far. I'm hearing "maybe" as some have said no problem and others saying its cutting it close.
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Old 10-20-2014, 10:57 PM   #5
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The 25 vs 27 hitch weight depends upon the location of the axles relative to the major components of the trailer (water tank, frame, front / rear bedroom) not just the overall length. You will always have the dead tongue weight on your rear TV connection until you connect any weight distribution. Listen to your dealership service fellows - they are the ones who will determine if you are in warranty or not - should you have an issue related to rear axle / springs overload.
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Old 10-21-2014, 12:33 AM   #6
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These hitch threads always descend into arguments with no clear answer. Most of us tow mid-size Airstreams with half-ton vehicles such as yours, and others will find reasons why you can't. Here's an earlier thread about an Armada with similar results.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...um-126244.html
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