Nissan Armada - Caravel 22ft

[RileyTillman]

Hello all,

We have a 2020 22' Caravel which we love. Sadly, our Subaru Ascent is not up tp the task of towing it in a manner I feel safe. We can't use a WD hitch with the Ascent and it is at the top of the weight category so we are going to get a new tow vehicle.

I am leaning to a Nissan Armada. At 8400 total and 840 TW it seem a good match. A fellow owner in town has a 25' international with the Armada and was very positive.

Before pulling the trigger, any thought from Armada owners? We do want an SUV.

Thanks All
Chris

[wulfraat]

Both current generation (2016+) and previous generation (2003-2015) Armada will pull through 22’ just fine. (Note that these are two completely different vehicles - I don’t think they share any parts actually)

I’ve towed a 25’ with both generations for about 25k miles total. My 25’ was 7,200lbs wet with 760lbs on the tongue.

If you are shopping for a used one, you will enjoy the increased power, softer ride and improved hitch receiver strength of the 2016+.

I’ve also pulled my 30’ which is 8500 lbs wet with 990lbs on the tongue for about 5k miles with the the current generation Armada / Infiniti QX56/80 (same vehicle, different dressing).

Trailer was a bit much for the relatively short wheelbase of the armada, especially here in the Rocky Mountains. Moved to a longer wheelbase truck for the 30’ as a result.

Happy towing. Hope this helps.

[RileyTillman]

Thanks so much. How was your Gas Milage with the newer model (will get the 2020).

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by RileyTillman;

Thanks so much. How was your Gas Milage with the newer model (will get the 2020).

8-10 mpg towing.

You may consider the 2021 MY. The front and rear end are being redesigned and will launch in the NA market soon.

[0557]

I’m using a 2018 Armada SL . Once the hitch was set up properly it felt great, leveled out fine. Tongue weight on the 34 is 875 wet. I’m also using the EAZ lift hitch which Andy Thompson recommended.

[mpsgolf]

We have over 25,000 miles towing with our 2013 Armada and it is a great TV. It is also our main vehicle around town and for traveling without our AS which is another reason we bought it. Ours is rated for 9,000 lbs and we usually tow at around 7,000.

Make sure you get the tow package. With it you should be in great shape for the 22’.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by mpsgolf;

Make sure you get the tow package. With it you should be in great shape for the 22’.

Note that the current generation Armada does not have a tow package option. They all come standard with a hefty / solid class IV receiver and 7-way trailer connector. The factory receiver is permanent / welded to the frame rails vs. the previous generation which was a bolt-on affair.

The receiver and 7-way on the current generator Armada are located behind a removable piece of plastic trim on the lower part of the rear bumper.

There is also a pre-wired harness for a brake controller under the dash that you will need to dig out. You do need a 3rd party brake controller though....

[mpsgolf]

Interesting did not know Armada no longer had tow package. If I recall my tow package came with a different rear end ratio for better towing than the std ratio. What is the current ratio? Must be fine to get 8400 lbs.

I also recall something about heavy duty cooling?? And I have a trans temp gauge where I dont think the std model did back then?? I can say my engine and trans temp do not rise when towing even on the hottest days. So it works well!

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by mpsgolf

Interesting did not know Armada no longer had tow package. If I recall my tow package came with a different rear end ratio for better towing than the std ratio. What is the current ratio? Must be fine to get 8400 lbs.

I also recall something about heavy duty cooling?? And I have a trans temp gauge where I dont think the std model did back then?? I can say my engine and trans temp do not rise when towing even on the hottest days. So it works well!

Not sure the ratio but the new platform has 100+ more HP and gobs more torque. Completely different power plant + transmission + suspension. Really, the new Armada shares nothing with the original aside from the name.

You are correct in the first generation you needed the tow package - you knew you had it because of the larger trans cooler and trans temp guage on the dash.

At around 60k miles or so on my first generation Armada I did have issues with transmission cooling and the trans temp guage would rise to the top and I would have to pull over / slow down / etc despite perfect maintenance. I did buy it used from carmax so who knows what it went through prior to my ownership.

At that point we moved to the new platform at that time in 2013 (under the Infiniti brand). Nissan didn’t brand the new platform until several years later but it’s the same truck with a slightly de-tuned engine.

Nissan Armada / Infiniti QX56/80 is branded as the Nissan Patrol everywhere else in the world.