[310165]

OK, so another way to look at this is what your OM says Gross Trailer weight and Tongue Weights.
If your manual lists a GTW of over 8,000 lbs, it would mean you have a Class IV hitch.

 

[ioverton]

Thanks. I see this chart in my owners manual.

 

[ioverton]

Why I’m asking about class III vs class IV. I plan to rent a camper for vacation, here are the specs. GVW 7500, UGV 5700, tongue 725. Can I tow this camper without a weight distribution hitch as the RV store manager is telling me? Thanks

 

[4mula1fan]

I wouldn't. The stupid manager wants to make money. He doesn't care about anything else. Can you pull it? Yes. Safely? No. You also need a brake controller.

 

[dubyam]

You need a brake controller and a weight-distributing hitch. If you attempt to tow without one, you will run a very high risk of losing control of the rig and crashing.

 

[ioverton]

I wouldn't. The stupid manager wants to make money. He doesn't care about anything else. Can you pull it? Yes. Safely? No. You also need a brake controller.

Yeah. I have a break controller

 

[ioverton]

So at what weight do you need a WDH?

 

[dubyam]

Generally, for a half-ton, 5-6k trailers weight and 500-600lbs tongue weight. That is across pretty much all makes, and is stated as 5000/500 in the Titan owner's manual.

 

[ioverton]

I live in laurel, MD will be heading to VA to get Camper on Tuesday, anyone willing to rent/sale me a no drill (Per Richmond Rental) WDH like the CURT 17500 TruTrack Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control, Up to 10K, 2-In Shank, 2-5/16-Inch Ball? Thanks

 

[jmatteis]

Generally, for a half-ton, 5-6k trailers weight and 500-600lbs tongue weight. That is across pretty much all makes, and is stated as 5000/500 in the Titan owner's manual.

It’s funny, our camper is 4000 dry, tongue weight around 580, and without wdh, the sag in the backend is crazy. We have 2019 PR, and after a toe this week, noticed slight oval on one side of the receiver hitch pin hole, that’s what brought me here. Am I to assume my truck has a class 4 rated hitch? Using 1000/10,000 equalizer wdh.

 

[WiresBringIt]

Thank you guys for caring about this!
When I was younger I never thought much about it, tossed hitches that fit into my reciever and slapped a trailer on. 😒 Well one day my luck ran out and thankfully nobody got hurt. It was a small trailer but still long story short it departed completely from my truck went up a small hill and flipped back into the country road behind me. My scrap metal load now all over the place...

A great TFL Towing 101 video (sponsored by GenY but great info)

Like K and others said if you have the factory towing package you have a class IV, no way would Nissan put a reciever rated for 8k max on trucks rated to tow over 9k. If you're not the first owner and are not sure if it's the factory reciever you'll want to confirm your reciever rating (an after market one should be branded with the info).
My 2020 factory reciever looks like this:

Once you know your reciever is class IV just start paying attention to the tow rating on your hitch, etc. Get one rated for 10k even if your trailer only weighs 7,200 lbs now because in the future you might rent something/etc and not think about it since the ball is already on your truck. Don't forget about the hitch pin rating!
If you don't have a hitch yet I'd recommend getting one of these multiple ball ones (hook optional) so you've always got the right setup available, and it's much lighter than 3 seperate setup's in your tool box:

I also had a camper salesman tell me I'd be fine towing with my last truck, when their shop guys were asked to install the brake controller on my Dakota the lead guy came out and refused unless I also had a WDH installed because it wouldn't be safe. Sales guy vs technician who cared. Live and learn I did. Sold that camper, sure I "could" pull it but it was pretty awful as I had no headroom.

I've seen some other ovaling posts but I haven't had a chance to tow yet so I can't offer any advice there.

 

[dubyam]

It’s funny, our camper is 4000 dry, tongue weight around 580, and without wdh, the sag in the backend is crazy. We have 2019 PR, and after a toe this week, noticed slight oval on one side of the receiver hitch pin hole, that’s what brought me here. Am I to assume my truck has a class 4 rated hitch? Using 1000/10,000 equalizer wdh.

I'd be curious to know if that's manufacturer specs or actual measurements on a certified scale. I routinely tow a 22' wakeboat which runs every bit of 5500-6000lbs towed weight and somewhere between 450-550 tongue weight. It causes my Titan to lose the inch of rake remaining in the stance- but I'm not towing nose up, so the sag isn't too heinous. My guess is, if those are your factory specs, your actual trailer weighs a whole lot more (by the time you add propane tanks, batteries, and gear that dry 4k becomes an as-towed weight much higher than that). You may be pushing 6k or more as-towed and your tongue weights are likely in the 650-750lb range.

 

[jmatteis]

I'd be curious to know if that's manufacturer specs or actual measurements on a certified scale. I routinely tow a 22' wakeboat which runs every bit of 5500-6000lbs towed weight and somewhere between 450-550 tongue weight. It causes my Titan to lose the inch of rake remaining in the stance- but I'm not towing nose up, so the sag isn't too heinous. My guess is, if those are your factory specs, your actual trailer weighs a whole lot more (by the time you add propane tanks, batteries, and gear that dry 4k becomes an as-towed weight much higher than that). You may be pushing 6k or more as-towed and your tongue weights are likely in the 650-750lb range.

That's what I figure. I always tow with empty water, grey and black tanks, but yes, propane, as well, our through storage is right up front. We've never owned a camper before so I have no idea if this tows better or worse than others. I definitely know it's back there sometimes. It's not very aerodynamic at all, even as compared to other campers. I suspect my tongue weight is also around what you say. The ovalling is not bad at this point, but will keep an eye on it. Our local dealer is great when it comes to warranty stuff, but I notice that Nissan says they have a no hassle warranty anyhow.

 

[bderosby]

View attachment 552958
I found this example online.

Clint

Just a comment, some dealerships use a different window sticker that sometimes is not conclusive. If you can call a Nissan Dealership other than where you got the truck for instance in Tennesee and give them your VIN, they should be able to tell you. Here is my Window Sticker and it does list it.