Towing question

[JeepNightHawk]

I just bought a 2025 Gladiator Nighthawk. Went way out of my way and paid more for the tow package. 6,000 pounds. I would love to purchase this camper.

https://www.couchsrvnation.com/coachmen/travel-trailer/apex-nano/208bhs

Its 4300 dry. Is this doable with my rig. I'm figuring 1k in gear. 5300. Even if its 1500 in gear . 5800 pounds.

What is everyone's' thought on this ?

Thanks

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[ScottBeach]

115 gallons of wet stuff. Water/grey/black is 900 lbs. I would guess your max weight would be over 6k. Unless you could ensure you only carry water. Which is still 400 lbs

 

[ScottBeach]

Okay. Reviewing. https://www.campersinn.com/product-coachmen-rv/apex-nano-travel-trailer/208bhs. It's gvr is 6k. So you should be fine. But your gear limit is really 700 lbs allowing for wet weight.

Some will say don't tow max rating. I say the truck is rated for it use it.

 

[Rahkmalla]

Gladiators are often (but not always) capped on their legal towing by the payload moreso than their tow cap.

Go CAT Scale your truck with a full gas tank with you in it. See how much payload you really have left. Tongue weight recommendations are 10-15% "by the book" and 10-12% by people who tow heavy (of which I am not one, just a consolidator of other's knowledge).

Let's say you've got 800lbs of remaining payload according to the CAT with you in it. Throw in a medium sized wife and 2 not-grown, not-baby kids and you're down to 500lbs. That leaves you 4167-5000lbs of trailer left before you max out payload. Make sure all the luggage is in the trailer!

 

[danimal2000]

If it were truly 4200 dry, I think you're good depending on who/whats in the truck with you. As mentioned by others, you may be limited by payload limit before often before towing limit.
Now to the actual dry weight. There's going to be a yellow sticker on that camper (usually drivers side near the front) with the actual dry weight, and in my experience it's always higher than advertised. Our camper was advertised 3800 dry, actual was 4200. It tows well and I'm happy with the setup but I know as my 3 kids get older and bigger, we're definitely hitting payload limit before towing capacity.

 

[Pliny]

Questions for the OP:

How much towing experience do you have? Is this going to be your first travel trailer?

Where are you planning on towing it? In the flat lands around your profile location of Chicago or to take the family out west into the mountains?

How miserable are you willing to be while you are towing?

As mentioned by others the payload limit is what will likely limit things first. My JTR only has a 1066 lb limit. Any modifications you do to your JT will eat into whatever limit your truck has. If you're going to keep it stock, then you'll have what is on the label on the door frame.

The weight of the weight distributing hitch itself will count against payload.

 

[JeepNightHawk]

Okay. Reviewing. https://www.campersinn.com/product-coachmen-rv/apex-nano-travel-trailer/208bhs. It's gvr is 6k. So you should be fine. But your gear limit is really 700 lbs allowing for wet weight.

Some will say don't tow max rating. I say the truck is rated for it use it.

115 gallons of wet stuff. Water/grey/black is 900 lbs. I would guess your max weight would be over 6k. Unless you could ensure you only carry water. Which is still 400 lbs

I had a f150 and towed a little before. Never owned a camper though. I'll likely only go to camp grounds with water hook up. It is possible to only pull that thing dry with no water in the tanks ?

 

[JeepNightHawk]

Questions for the OP:

How much towing experience do you have? Is this going to be your first travel trailer?

Where are you planning on towing it? In the flat lands around your profile location of Chicago or to take the family out west into the mountains?

How miserable are you willing to be while you are towing?

As mentioned by others the payload limit is what will likely limit things first. My JTR only has a 1066 lb limit. Any modifications you do to your JT will eat into whatever limit your truck has. If you're going to keep it stock, then you'll have what is on the label on the door frame.

The weight of the weight distributing hitch itself will count against payload.

Yes , I'll probably only use it in the midwest . Wisconsin / Michigan . Haven't owned a camper . Had a f150 . Towed with it a few years ago. No mods on my jeep . I like stock. Are there mods to assist with towing at near max tow? I seen people talk about adding max tow springs or air bags .

 

[audibahn]

I have this camper and really like it. It's one of the lightest dual axle trailers with a slideout. Towing it with my 2022 Sport S with max tow package (4.10 gears). Truck does okay towing up and down the inclines and elevation in Colorado. Likes to use high RPMs and low gears to get up the hills. My initial tongue weight was 750lbs to 800lbs until I shifted weight around. You'll likely reach your payload capacity quickly and will need to watch weights closely.

I came from an F150 3.5 ecoboost which was incredible at towing. The Gladiator is barely adequate in comparison. Have you looked at the Apex Nano 194BHS?

 

[JeepNightHawk]

I have this camper and really like it. It's one of the lightest dual axle trailers with a slideout. Towing it with my 2022 Sport S with max tow package (4.10 gears). Truck does okay towing up and down the inclines and elevation in Colorado. Likes to use high RPMs and low gears to get up the hills. My initial tongue weight was 750lbs to 800lbs until I shifted weight around. You'll likely reach your payload capacity quickly and will need to watch weights closely.

I came from an F150 3.5 ecoboost which was incredible at towing. The Gladiator is barely adequate in comparison. Have you looked at the Apex Nano 194BHS?

I want that apex nano because it's the lightest dual axel with a slide out. I won't be towing to Colorado. I'll be staying midwest. It sounds like I'll be right at the max with it , but really want that one.

 

[danimal2000]

Question is still just how much is in the truck? I've towed a lot with a 4200 dry weight camper. My willys handles it very well with no mods.
A weight distribution hitch, with sway control, if setup right prevents over sagging the rear. And if you don't have yet, you'll need a brake controller (annoying that the tow packages don't include one)

I think the truck is good at towing within limits. Very happy with it

 

[audibahn]

I want that apex nano because it's the lightest dual axel with a slide out. I won't be towing to Colorado. I'll be staying midwest. It sounds like I'll be right at the max with it , but really want that one.

Yep, I wanted the 208BHS for the same reasons. It served us well for the last 4 years. I added airbags to help with the rear sag and use an Andersen weight distribution hitch. Installed a RedArc trailer brake controller.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Its fine. depends on you're tolerance and towing skill for sure tho.

 

[bleda2002]

Should be fine, remember the tow ratings are up a steep dam in over 100 degrees weather fairly slowly though. The engine will scream up longer hills, you won't win any races, and you'll definitely know it's back there but it will do it just fine imo. We have a nobo 19.8 which is 4800 max weight and towed it to and back pigeon forge from Florida very easily.

 

[Janster]

Anytime you’re close to the towing capacity and/or close to or OVER the actual weight of the tow vehicle…things can get spicey in certain situations.

Sure…you can do it… but be forwarned…. It won’t be the same experience as you’ve had in the F150. Uphills could be ‘taxing’ on the cooling system (keep an eye on the temp). Going downhills are a concern….. I would think the trailer should already have trailer brakes. We used to tow 6,500 lbs with a V8 Grand Cherokee. Going downhills was a white knuckle experience (no weight distribution hitch).

Get yourself a weight distribution hitch….. be aware of what your tonque weight is, what the ‘center mass/weight’ is…… load accordingly.

And remember, you’re already driving a BRICK thru the air (Gladiator), and now you’re going to add a bigger BRICK behind you.

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