Weight Distribution System Recommendation for 2011 Nissan Armada
Updated 05/12/2016 | Published 05/11/2016
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
I have a 2011 Nissan Armada 4wd. From Nissan Site: Curb 5,558 lbs. GVWR 7,300 lbs Tow capacity 9000 lbs. Tongue weight 900 lbs. I have a 3 horse, slant load, 20 ft box by 8 wide all aluminum trailer which I guess to be 4000 lbs. I believe the manufacturer puts it at a little less but I added some cabinets. Fully loaded 3 horse and gear I approx. the weight at 8000 lbs. My best guess is tongue weight fully loaded at 900 lbs. This Nissan has self leveling, I have added Firestone ride rite helper springs rated at up to 1000 lbs. for the pair as I noted that the Nissan was putting its nose up a bit with just the self leveling when fully loaded trailer was hooked. Addition of helper springs basically leveled out trailer but it took about 40 psi which is 5 psi above recommended max and should correspond to a lift of about 1500 lbs given the bags diameter of 4.75 inches. I cant really explain this as trailer hitch weight should not be that high My question is should I add weight distribution hitch with anti sway say a 10,000 lb, 1000 lb., trunion and anti-sway ? If I add the distribution hitch, that alone is probably increasing 70 lbs. over my current hitch load to the tongue weight. Posts seem to indicate that max tongue weight does not necessarily increase with weight distribution so do I net improve the situation ? Do you know if the stock Nissan platinum Armada 2011 hitch is weight distribution compatible ?
asked by: John P
Expert Reply:
I checked with Nissan and they actually recommend the use of a weight distribution system if the trailer you plan to tow weighs more than 5,000 lbs. The weight of the WD system does not need to be considered as additional tongue weight either.
The Reese Trunnion Kit part # RP66542 would be a great choice that your tongue weight would fall in to it's range.
For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286. You would need to inflate your air bags first before setting up the WD system, but you would not need nearly as much air pressure. In fact, with the system properly set up you shouldn't need the bags at all.
