Hello,
We have a 2005 navigator with 127k miles on it. Its got a very annoying engine tick, currently we are thinking its cam phasers. Weve budgeted out enough money to replace the motor when it dies due to cam phasers. Ive read alot of times people replace this to the tune of $4k at a dealership and the same problems come right back. From $500 less i can buy a remand engine with unlimited mileage warrenty and install it here.

Anyhow, towing with this truck. On another forum, someone told me a 2005 navigator would never be able to handle towing a 24ft 4,000lb travel trailer. This seems very wrong to me, seeing how the trucks rated to tow 8,300lbs (according to rv dealer). Also, Is towing bad on this trucks air suspension, always trying to keep up with a trailer bouncing around behind it?

Help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

You are well within the towing ability, you do need to account for gear and stuff inside the trailer, that gets you to the total weight which is what you are after. The whole idea of air suspension is for towing.

 

I probably would not listen to any automotive advice from that poster ever again... The air suspension is better for towing as long as it is working correctly. It will level the rear and compensate for any sag that might occur from the tongue weight which honestly won't be very much if the trailer is properly balanced.


A 4,000lb travel trailer is totally fine to tow and I can't imagine you'd be putting more than another 1,000lbs into it as far as storage and whatnot. Even 5 or 6k is fine for these trucks just don't expect it to go hard up a grade or anything.


Your bigger concern is going to be getting a safe hitch for your travel trailer. Just a traditional ball hitch, even one rated for the weight, can be lethal while towing. You need something with sway control so if a strong gust of wind rocks the TT it won't flip and take you with it.

 

I thought that's what the 1,000 pounds of stored items would be for...ballast.

 

Lol, in all seriousness, if you look up a video of a travel trailer getting hit by wind without a proper stabilizing hitch... it is not pretty. Imagine just tooling along like "lalalalalalala" and all of a sudden a giant grabs the back of your truck and just flings it off the road. This is why a true RV or a 5ver is so much nicer of an option that a TT but with an Expy/Navi/Excursion or some other full size SUV you are stuck with a TT.


There are some gimmicky looking things that bolt onto the frame of a pickup/SUV that you can sit a 5th wheel on tho...




I'd be worried about one of those tires blowing out honestly but apparently they work well and a 5ver is much nicer than a TT as far as just the available layout options.


With that said, there are hitches available that attach directly to the frame of your SUV that will keep a TT stable in pretty gnarly winds.