Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
SUVs Nissan Pathfinder Real World Towing with the Pathfinder
36 messages, Last post on Mar 25, 2009 at 4:11 PM
You are in the Nissan Pathfinder Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
|
I hope I can ask about the previous generation pathy as well. I would purchase this car because i would be buying a trailer in the near future. My alternative is getting my first choice- an 06 impreza or outback wagon- which is only no more than 3000. Not like I know very much about the subject, but I didn't see anyone mention this stuff and seeing one guy just bought a 24 footer or something- the following is some info I have learned on various info websites. Keep in my of the following because it seems extremely important. When you count the maximum tow capacity- make sure the max is the DRY weight or unloaded weight- meaning THIS IS THE TRAILER ITSELF NOT EVEN INVLUDING ANY "options". You must remember to add the car you are driving- your (driver), passenger- AND any cargo weight as well. One more thing- don't forgot the amount of people you would ever want to be riding in the trailer- their weight- lets say 200 lbs per person plus their cargo. Chances are the new weight is much, much more than the max which you may just be reaching. The person who said they want to save 1000 lbs to be safe- sounds good but you may be forgetting completely all your luggage which may be 1000lbs easily itself. I think it makes more sense AFTER you factor in all weight- give whatever the weight is ITSELF- an extra say 5-10%. The length of the trailer really just depends on the amount of room you need to move around as upon researching them- many smaller ones- and larger ones have similar weights- me I think at least to begin with I would feel safer turning- maybe reversing (yiiiiikes) in a 16-19 inch trailer. I have NEVER towed before and although the thought makes me anxious, it isn't for any other reason than I hope to be cautious and to it correctly then after getting the hang of it- there should be no reason to be- scared because I took all the necessary steps. Any advice for a first timer? Ie: more mirrors? driving at a given speed depending on the amount of total weight. Any advice involving hitches- and weight distributions, brakes (upgrades) i know NOTHING! Thanks! Fnatic
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: fnatic (Jul 24, 2007 11:47 am) That said, you would be surprised what you end up carrying especially if the trailer you select has a lot of room. Mine is a (Surveyor 24 ft. model) weighs about 3800 completely empty. I weighed it at a landscaping materials place the other week when it was fully loaded (all gear and tanks about 3/4 full) and I found I had added 1500 lbs of stuff! this meant that I missed by desired margin of 1000 lbs by about 5000 lbs. Everything works fine as long as I don't try to go too fast uphill but I am still not pleased with what it must be doing to my Pathfinder. Other things to consider beyond weight are frontal cross section (for wind drag) and length (to handle cross winds on the highway). Sometimes the owners manual specifies these and sometimes not. There is a lot of advice on the Internet on both of these. Good luck.
|
|
|
Replying to: trailerguy (Jul 24, 2007 6:55 pm) thanks for the heads up. It seems the pathfinder considering I am in a city the small size plus its capability to tow 500 lbs (pre 05) is amazing is perfect but I am a car person and i am still not sure I would be happy with the car. I may just make do with a the lightest trailer cruiser 130x at 2600 pounds and use a 2007 impreza rs wagon, 2005 outback wagon, even pacifica! If you put it your way it's scary to think no matter what you cannot in essence use the strength of the car and pull something without damage meaning the car can pull it with ease. I can't help but think that must be possible, because I do not want to take ANY chances and frankly anyone who does is just plain stupid and careless. No I won't be getting a pickup and certainly fuel economy will suffer but I will simply go smaller, or ensure there isn't any strain - unnecessarily... |
|
|
Replying to: tidester (May 30, 2007 11:34 pm) I will be towing a 3200-lb (dry) 26-ft. Trail-Cruiser 26QBH trailer to Bristol for the NASCAR race next week. 4 big guys, lots of beer and gear - should be a good test for the Pathy over mostly level ground. I'm curious whether anybody has experience adding a K&N intake kit to a vehicle to increase performance (and presumably MPG as well). The kit I'm considering is the Air Charger Performance Kit (part #63-6014), and it will allegedly add about 14 HP to the 266 that is provided by the stock Pathy. Might be worth it for $270, especially if fuel mileage improves. I can't tell that it creates any warranty issues with Nissan, either. Thoughts? |
|
|
Replying to: sphiss (Aug 09, 2007 10:54 am) Great forum... I have a 2006 Pathfinder SE, which is a rare sight in SE Michigan. In the past month, I have added a brake controller, 7-pin connector, weight distribution hitch, and a K&N air charger intake kit (63-6014) to pull my ~4000 lb hybrid travel trailer. So far, so good. We just returned from a long weekend trip out of the flatlands and into the rolling hills of Kentucky. With the exception of the poor roads in SE Mich, the trip was great. The Pathfinder had no problems pulling the trailer at 65 mph on the expressways and through the rolling hills of Kentucky, averaging ~ 10.5 mpg for the entire trip. Does anybody else have experience pulling a 4000 lb trailer with a 60 sq. ft. frontal area with the Pathy. I am curious how my mpg compares to others that have not done the cold air intake upgrade yet. Jeff
|
|
|
Replying to: wohlyzep (Oct 19, 2007 4:59 am) Thanks, Kip
|
|
|
Replying to: kipk (Oct 19, 2007 5:49 am) |
|
| I have a 2001 Pathfinder. I need to add a brake controller. A. are there any pre existing connectors under the dash to connect the controller? B. Where can I find a how to wire a brake controller in guide or video? | |
I'm looking to purchase a boat with the idea of staying reasonably within my towing capacity. With a GCWR of 11,133 and curb weight of 4716 plus a tank of fuel and a few passengers, it appears that I'm left with 5500 to 5600 left over despite the listed 6000 towing capacity. Does that seem correct? A decent sized family boat and trailer with fuel and water will come in right around 5000. Is this too close? Anyone with similar experiences? Thanks
|
|
|
Replying to: hmpl809 (Mar 16, 2008 8:26 am) I currently tow with a Suburban and while it handles the weight much better, I can honestly say it doesn't have any more towing power. Those Nissan powertrains just rock. What you'll need to watch is tongue weight. Most boats are in the 5-10% of gross weight for tongue weight. You'll need to make sure your not overloading the rear axle, which can cause some handling issues. Get the boat and have fun. Being that close to the GCWR, I'd recommend not towing real far.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
SUVs Nissan Pathfinder Real World Towing with the Pathfinder
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Nissan Pathfinder
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
