Who’s pulling with a QX80?

[Jaymesco]

I have 4 kids and a Jayfeather x23b. Anyone out there been pulling a Jayfeather with a QX80 (and a family)? Thinking about buying one. What are your thoughts? The Old suburban 5.3L proved ineffective.

 

[Bookemdanno]

When we started in the RV world, I towed with the DW's QX56 (same as QX80) without issue. The issue was the the fuel milage was horrible and we were constantly having to stop for fuel. When towing, it killed my rear tires (24")...by killed, I mean it ate away at the tread and shortened the lifespan. Additionally, we had the full time AWD version. Our TT was heavier than the unit you are asking about, but ultimately I sold my Ford Mustang GT 500 convertible (that's a mouthful!) and purchased a HD truck to tow with. Hope my info helps with your decision! Happy camping!

 

[Jaymesco]

You shoulda sold the qx56 and not the mustang! ��

Thanks for the info. Helpful!

 

[Tunce the traveler]

You shoulda sold the qx56 and not the mustang! ��

Thanks for the info. Helpful!

X2 Ha Ha Ha

 

[Newman]

Your title is "Who’s pulling with QX80?"

Probably not many. But certainly some. And you will see similar set ups every day.

With gear, occupants and trailer tongue, I am GUESSING your payload will need to be over 1,500 pounds on that QX80. I am GUESSING tongue weight alone will be 750 pounds. Add in passengers and gear and you get to 1500 quick.

With 5 (or 6) occupants, you are limited ... but I sure prefer full size pickup trucks for towing.

 

[Jaymesco]

Purchased

I purchased the QX80! I'll let you know how it pulls.

 

[Jaymesco]

I think you're spot on. I think the math is GVWR 7500 - Curb weight 6,085?
I will have nearly 700lbs of humans inside and you're saying the rest of that is tongue weight? which i need to measure. Trailer is 4400lb dry. I'm estimating 5400 loaded?

this was my vehicle review, but he doesn't have the payload i do.

 

[Russc25]

When we started in the RV world, I towed with the DW's QX56 (same as QX80) without issue. The issue was the the fuel milage was horrible and we were constantly having to stop for fuel. When towing, it killed my rear tires (24")...by killed, I mean it ate away at the tread and shortened the lifespan. Additionally, we had the full time AWD version. Our TT was heavier than the unit you are asking about, but ultimately I sold my Ford Mustang GT 500 convertible (that's a mouthful!) and purchased a HD truck to tow with. Hope my info helps with your decision! Happy camping!

While modern SUVs are marvels of engineering, one of those marvels, the IRS, is geared for safety and stability over towing. The IRS alignment changes as the wheel moves up and down. Great for handling and not rolling over in a top-heavy SUV at speed, not so good for towing, as you noticed. That's the great thing about "dumb", heavy solid axles: no camber and especially no toe changes as the wheels travel.

 

[Newman]

I think you're spot on. I think the math is GVWR 7500 - Curb weight 6,085?
I will have nearly 700lbs of humans inside and you're saying the rest of that is tongue weight? which i need to measure. Trailer is 4400lb dry. I'm estimating 5400 loaded?

this was my vehicle review, but he doesn't have the payload i do.

Yes … you need to include tongue weight and any gear in addition to those humans. You will be close for sure. I would certainly scale it all.

Enjoy.

 

[kanarek]

IRS is absolutely better for towing than an archaic live axle. IRS has a wider stance, hence, provides more stability. Live axles are used in many towing applications just because it is simple, cheap to make and maintain type of suspension. However, if you can afford maintenance of IRS, live axle is not even close in terms of the performance.

While modern SUVs are marvels of engineering, one of those marvels, the IRS, is geared for safety and stability over towing. The IRS alignment changes as the wheel moves up and down. Great for handling and not rolling over in a top-heavy SUV at speed, not so good for towing, as you noticed. That's the great thing about "dumb", heavy solid axles: no camber and especially no toe changes as the wheels travel.

 

[kanarek]

Payload is not the most important spec when towing. It is more important when hauling cargo in the vehicle and you can distribute the load. When towing with WDH you can balance things out. Axle and tires limited are more important when towing.

I think you're spot on. I think the math is GVWR 7500 - Curb weight 6,085?
I will have nearly 700lbs of humans inside and you're saying the rest of that is tongue weight? which i need to measure. Trailer is 4400lb dry. I'm estimating 5400 loaded?

this was my vehicle review, but he doesn't have the payload i do.

 

[FashaPa]

QX80 Towing

Did the suburban have a tow package? I'm thinking not. If the Suburban didn't handle, why would you think the QX 80 will? IMO you will be right at the edge of your weights, maybe over. A Suburban is 3 times the truck that a QX80 is.

 

[kanarek]

Shorter rear overhang, lower center of gravity, likely better suspension. Just a few reasons why QX80 may be a better tow vehicle.

Did the suburban have a tow package? I'm thinking not. If the Suburban didn't handle, why would you think the QX 80 will? IMO you will be right at the edge of your weights, maybe over. A Suburban is 3 times the truck that a QX80 is.

 

[Russc25]

IRS is absolutely better for towing than an archaic live axle. IRS has a wider stance, hence, provides more stability. Live axles are used in many towing applications just because it is simple, cheap to make and maintain type of suspension. However, if you can afford maintenance of IRS, live axle is not even close in terms of the performance.

Stance/track is 100% a function of exterior design package, not suspension type.

Not better if both tires toe out as the suspension squats. Yes, if it's correctly designed/set up for it the right IRS can be better at towing. Blanket statements like saying [all] IRS is better at towing is as shortsighted as saying IRS or solid axle is better at off-roading (to which I would compare a jeep to a supra making the point that more than just suspension matters). Most IRS dials a little steering outward with body roll to improve handling performance... empty it's phenominal but load the whole axle so both tires articulate and they toe-out, eating tires. Now, if you change the design to add airbags or other load-adjusting aspect to keep from squatting, you still benefit from the articulation magic without the squat problems. So again, if it's correctly designed/set up for towing, it can be better. The OPs Infiniti is clearly not.

 

[kanarek]

I heard this from a car engineer - if you were to install IRS or live axle on the same car, the IRS will have a wider stance due to different mounting design.

Small squat is fine and doesn't change significantly tires alignment. If you have significant squat, it means that the car is not properly set up for towing (e.g. too heavy tongue weight, no weight distribution, no airbags, etc.). It is difficult to compare incorrectly set up tow vehicle with IRS to a vehicle with live axle. However, I would agree that live axle is more idiot proof.

Why OPs Infiniti is "clearly" not designed/set up for towing?

 

[Bookemdanno]

...The OPs Infiniti is clearly not.

Why? I towed with my 2011 Infiniti QX 56 (same as the 80) with the family and TT in tow for 2 years without any issues. It had full time AWD and air suspension.

 

[Russc25]

I heard this from a car engineer - if you were to install IRS or live axle on the same car, the IRS will have a wider stance due to different mounting design.

Small squat is fine and doesn't change significantly tires alignment. If you have significant squat, it means that the car is not properly set up for towing (e.g. too heavy tongue weight, no weight distribution, no airbags, etc.). It is difficult to compare incorrectly set up tow vehicle with IRS to a vehicle with live axle. However, I would agree that live axle is more idiot proof.

Why OPs Infiniti is "clearly" not designed/set up for towing?

sorry, second poster ate their tires. Because the tires were eaten.

Why? I towed with my 2011 Infiniti QX 56 (same as the 80) with the family and TT in tow for 2 years without any issues. It had full time AWD and air suspension.

Air suspension is what I specificially listed as making things OK

 

[kanarek]

sorry, second poster ate their tires. Because the tires were eaten.

Please read what I already wrote above. If somebody has incorrect alignment, the tires would be eaten while towing or not towing. Is this the proof that Infiniti is not set up for towing? Let's be serious.

Air suspension is what I specificially listed as making things OK

Air suspension usually is masking the problem when the hitch is not set up correctly. Properly set up weight distribution is much more important than air suspension.

 

[Jaymesco]

Followup: First QX80 Trip in the Books

Took the 2023 Infiniti QX80, 4 kids and the Jayco X23B out on her maiden voyage. We traveled 45 miles up into the foothills, about an hour and twenty minute trip. Small, curvy roads and all. She handled very well. I didn't experience any issues. Two things I forgot to mention above is I have the Premiere trim level, which has 22" tires. And all QX80 packages have auto rear leveling. This is a sweet feature for towing. If anything changes with its performane I'll keep this thread notified for future reference.

 

[Jaymesco]

Did the suburban have a tow package? I'm thinking not. If the Suburban didn't handle, why would you think the QX 80 will? IMO you will be right at the edge of your weights, maybe over. A Suburban is 3 times the truck that a QX80 is.

The Suburban i thought handled fine, but the transmission was slipping. I thought the Suburban would be very tough based on the stereotype but the more you look into it..No, the Suburban LT 1500 not as good at towing as you might think. 4WD LT does not have good towing capacity. I think Bono sums it up...The shorter length, lower center of gravity, engine actually is more powerful at 5.7L, smarter suspension and gearing. Suburbans I've come to find out really need either 2WD (which is wild who would buy a suburban in 2WD!) and the "Max Trailering Package" which is rare, really needs special order for that.