2204T Weight
 

Hello, had a chance to weigh my 2204T. Without water and without a bunch of things i removed, this includes . . .

-the air conditioner
-one 30 gallon propane tank (kept one)
-no awning
-no bunk
-no overhead cabinet over toilet
-no overhead cabinet above dinette.
-removed one seat/booth
-removed both batteries and replaced with two lighter Li batteries.

Overall total weight was a 4,025 pounds. If I fill with water add 249 lbs.

I mechanic friend of mine keeps saying it's WAY too big for my frontier that has a max of 6500 lbs.

Just thought I'd share. I believe the sticker on the unit states a weight of 3850 lbs. Not sure why they stamp this when I took off all that stuff and still was over 4k lbs.

The 2004 brochure shows 3850 lb. weight without any options, and a gross weight of 5500 lb.

Go to the brochure page in the forum library and look at all the options and see what you have left out.

My trailer weighs more than it is supposed to also. I personally think they understate the weights of these trailers on the sticker.

Regarding your Frontier pulling it - the trailer weight is not the problem (unless you are pulling it uphill on a long stretch like the ones out of Camp Verde in the summer), but the tongue weight is likely too much. I suspect even with a Weight Distributing Hitch (WDH), you are overloading one or both of the truck's axles and wheels.

You should take your truck and trailer to a CAT scale and get the axle weights. Compare them to the limits shown on your door sticker. You'll be better informed then and can make a sound decision.

- Jack

Thanks for the info guys. Jack I'm gonna try to get those numbers on the axles sorted. The numbers off on the sticker kinda make me think the numbers might be off on my tow vehicle as well!

I think trailer and truck manufacturers are somewhat "optimistic" about their products. The axle limits shown on your Frontier's door stickers are correct, but I suspect you'll find your truck weighs more than the listed curb weight. This is due to options that are installed.

The upshot of all this is that your truck really can't safely tow the load it is supposed to be able to. This is especially true if you've got passengers, luggage, camping supplies etc., in either the truck or the trailer.

I even have to be careful in loading with my F150 pulling my "little" 17 footer.

- Jack

I'm towing my 2206 with a Toyota Tacoma which is also rated at 6500lbs and has a V6 like the Nissan
Been towing this set up for 12 years without any problems , even towed thru the Rockies and a 12,000 foot pass in Colorado
The only thing is I had to do is add a oversized transmission cooler

Les, I'm interested - when you towed your rig over the pass in Colorado, what gear were you in? I used to have a 6-cyl Frontier too, and when I towed my 3500# 17 ft trailer over those passes I was in first gear all the way, bouncing off the rev limiter trying to maintain a semi-safe speed so that I didn't impede other traffic. It would NOT pull the trailer up those grades in 2nd gear. And yes, I knew it needed a better transmission cooler (and probably a better radiator) when I pulled that trailer up the long 6-7% grade out of Camp Verde in Arizona - things were getting rather warm.

Now, with my EcoBoost, I pull those grades in 4th gear! Much more comfortable!

- Jack

Never had a water temp problem even running a/c
Transmission heat is ,added the largest cooler that would fit and made my own brackets
Never towed in overdrive always in 4th or 3rd but down hill I have used 1 st for engine braking along with brakes in the Rockies
Never felt l impend traffic while towing

That's interesting, Les. I think my old 2002 Frontier was somewhat underpowered, which is why I traded it. I definitely impeded traffic pulling uphill. I'd be over in the third truck lane and couldn't keep up with them. I DO like Toyota's better. Like you, I shift down on downward slopes.

- Jack

weight
 

I tow my 2204t with an S-10 4.3 liter v6 have had no problems.

Howdy Jack. Interesting to see a Hi Lo owner here in AZ. We have been refurbishing and enjoying a 1985 model. Hopefully see you out there sometime.
Dean

Hi Dean - there are several of us scattered about the State. I used to live in Tucson, but moved to Pine about 7 years ago.

- Jack

I towed my 2204T with my 2008 Tundra (5.7 liter) full loaded with extra tanks, lots of camping stuff, generators and dog to Alaska and back to MD thru Rockies without any issues.

Hey Les, you towed a 12000ft pass in CO? That wasn't Trail Ridge Road was it?

We did it about a year ago, with my (old and worn) Ridgeline pulling a modest hybrid camper. Whew, I have no need to do that again. Though what an amazing drive.

Edit: FYI, everyone , read your owners manual. They should have a chart or formula for calculating your loss of towing capacity at altitude. At 12k feet, the Ridgeline was down about 20%. Meaning I could tow 6000lbs - 20%, or 4800lbs. (From memory, could be wrong on any of those numbers).