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9
2011
NISSAN TOWING GUIDE
The 2011 NISSAN Towing Guide provides information for currently available 2011
NISSAN vehicles. This publication will be amended as new vehicles are introduced.
Table of Contents
Introduction _____________________________________________________1
Towing Equipment ______________________________________________2
What Is Right for You ___________________________________________3
Preparing Your Vehicle _________________________________________10
Towing Safety __
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INTRODUCTION SAFETY IS PRIORITY ONE Obviously, your first concern should be safety. Your vehicle was designed to be used primarily to carry passengers and cargo. Always remember that towing a trailer places additional loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, suspension, steering, braking, and other systems. Therefore, be certain that your vehicle can meet the demands of the towing application you have in mind. Rent or purchase only the highest-quality towing and safety equipment you
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It is also a good idea to discuss your towing requirements with either your NISSAN dealer or a professional supplier of towing equipment before you equip your NISSAN vehicle for towing. Finally, there are state and local laws on towing that you should review to ensure compliance with all regulations. TOWING EQUIPMENT RENTING The first thing to keep in mind when renting a trailer is to rent only from professional companies that specialize in towing and towing equipment. More than
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PURCHASING If you are buying a travel or boat trailer, be sure that your NISSAN vehicle has the towing capacity to pull it. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for detailed information regarding the towing capacity of your specific vehicle. Your vehicle owner’s manual should ALWAYS be referenced before making any towing decisions. Naturally, you will want to buy the highest-quality equipment you can find for maximum towing safety. And if you plan to tow often, consider convenience. Quic
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Installing an aftermarket hitch may affect the rear crash performance of your vehicle. Be sure that the hitch does not interfere in any way with the vehicle’s impact-absorbing bumper. Regularly check to see that all hitch-mounting bolts are securely fastened. For receiver-type hitches using a ball mount, the ball mount should be removed when not towing. If you install a hitch yourself, remember that it must be securely attached to the frame or underbody, according to the manufactur
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Weight-Distributing Hitch System – This type of system uses a “load-leveling” or “equalizing” hitch. The weight-distributing feature helps shift trailer tongue weight to all trailer tires and the tow vehicle front tires. For Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder and Titan vehicles, a weight-distributing hitch ball mount (Class IV) is recommended if you plan to tow trailers with a maximum weight 5 over 5,000 lbs. This ball mount includes a 2 /16” hitch ball rated for up to 10,000 lbs., and i
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5th Wheel or Gooseneck Hitch – 5th Wheel Hitch Mounted in the bed of a pick-up and designed for heavy-duty applications, these types of hitches are not available from NISSAN but can be purchased from a professional supplier of towing equipment.* A 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch is usually installed and adjusted to meet the requirements of a particular trailer, but two basic rules hold true in every case. First, Gooseneck Hitch the hitch should be mounted a minimum 2 inches forward
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Like ball mounts, hitch balls are available in a number of weight capacities and sizes. Always make sure the hitch ball selected has the proper shank diameter and weight rating for the ball 7 mount as well as the coupler on your trailer. Using a 1 /8” hitch ball in a 2” coupler, for example, could result in the trailer separating from the tow vehicle. The diameter of the hitch ball shank must be matched to the ball mount hole diameter. The 1 shank should be no more than /16” smaller than
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will allow the chains/cables to drag on the ground. Do not use S-hooks for attaching, as they may become un-hooked and are illegal in many states. To avoid damage to the bumper and chains/cables when making a sharp turn, do not attach the chains/cables too close to the coupler. Consult your trailer manufacturer for the proper location of the chain/cable attachment to the trailer. REAR VIEW MIRRORS In many cases, a trailer can block your rear vision when you are using only the standard
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converter” must be used, as a converter of this type creates only minimal additional electrical demand (draw) on the vehicle lighting circuits, which helps to ensure protection for the vehicle’s sensitive electronics. Always check for correct operation of the taillights, stoplights, and turn signal lights every time you connect a trailer for towing. Never replace vehicle fuses with fuses of a higher amperage rating than the original. NOTE – Improper or poor quality trailer harness wiring m
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NOTE – Improper or poor quality trailer harness wiring may affect your vehicle’s electrical system. Use only a NISSAN approved wiring harness, or consult your dealer or a professional supplier of towing equipment for compatible equipment. SWAY CONTROL DEVICE Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buffeting caused by other vehicles can affect trailer handling. Sway control devices may be used to help control these effects. If you choose to use one, contact a reputable trailer hitch supplier t
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MEASURING VEHICLE WEIGHT The key to safe, efficient towing has to do with weight. Your vehicle — SUV, crossover, truck or passenger car — is capable of carrying and towing only a certain amount of weight. You must compare your vehicle’s tow weight ratings with the combined weight of the vehicle, trailer, and their contents. This will help ensure that the total weight does not exceed any of your vehicle’s tow weight ratings. There are four weights to consider when towing: Gross Vehicl
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F.M.V.S.S. Certification Label On all NISSAN vehicles, the GVWR is shown on the MFD BY NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (F.M.V.S.S.) DATE GVWR certification label located in the driver’s-side door area. GAWR FR. TIRES WITH RIMS AT PSI To avoid overloading the vehicle, be sure COLD SINGLE GAWR RR. to include the trailer tongue/king pin load as a WITH TIRES RIMS AT PSI COLD SINGLE part of the cargo when determining how much weight TH
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GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT (GCW) The Gross Combined Weight (GCW) is the total weight of the tow vehicle with all passengers, cargo, and fuel, plus the total weight of the trailer and all its cargo. To determine the GCW, simply weigh your vehicle when fully loaded and ready to tow, and add in the weight of the loaded trailer. The GCW you come up with must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for your vehicle. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to view the
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For example, to determine the proper trailer tongue load for a 1,500-lb. trailer, multiply the weight of 1,500 lbs. by 10% to arrive at a figure of 150 lbs. 5th wheel and gooseneck trailer king pin load must be kept between 15-25% of the actual trailer weight, within the limits of the king pin load allowable. Some trailer types may require different trailer tongue loads for safe towing. Always follow the trailer manufacturer’s recommendations for proper trailer set-up and trailer tongue lo
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TOWING SAFETY Towing can significantly alter the handling and performance characteristics of your vehicle. Plus, it puts increased strain on the engine and drivetrain. Therefore, it is always a good idea to approach towing from the standpoint of safety — whether you are purchasing equipment or actually pulling the trailer. Always make sure your vehicle’s towing capacity is adequate for the trailer you intend to tow. Buy or lease only quality equipment. In addition, be certain that you
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The trailer load should be balanced equally from side-to-side. Unequal side-to-side loading can negatively affect handling and braking. Once in place, all cargo should be firmly secured to prevent shifting. If the load should shift abruptly during braking or cornering, it could quickly affect the handling of your vehicle and cause a very unsafe situation. Finally, do not carry flammable materials, such as gasoline, in your trailer. In the event of an accident, an explosion or fire cou
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VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS Vehicle modifications — beyond those required for proper hitch installation, wiring hook-up, or adding extended mirrors — are not recommended for any NISSAN vehicle being used for towing purposes. Changes to the drivetrain, suspension, exhaust systems, frame structure/unibody, or other vehicle components are not necessary for towing within the limits described in this guide. These changes may diminish the reliability and longevity of your vehicle and possibly void wa
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If possible, before you actually hit the open road, practice towing in a large uncrowded area such as a stadium or shopping center parking lot. Become especially familiar with backing up a trailer — the maneuver many people find most difficult. BRAKE SOONER The combination of your tow vehicle and trailer obviously requires a greater distance to stop. A good rule of thumb to remember is that for each 10 mph of speed, allow yourself one tow vehicle and trailer length of distance between th
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the trailer to the right, move the wheel to the right. All movements of the wheel should be done in small increments. Of course, backing up should be done only at very slow speeds. For large trailers that obstruct your rearward vision, have someone outside the vehicle act as a “spotter” to guide you along. PARK SMART A tow vehicle and trailer can be an unwieldy combination in a small area, so always try to park where you will have a relatively easy time maneuvering. Once parked, always b
