2001 Nissan Pathfinder towing limit 3500

[Wayne Hill]

Good morning,
I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5 V6 auto with a factory stated towing limit of 3500 lbs.
I'm interested in seeing if anyone is using one as a tow vehicle and what they are towing - length and weight wise.

I have installed a 5000 Reese hitch on the Nissan already along with plug in wiring - for the flat four connector. I have also installed something called "The missing link" which is a steel cross member that connects between 2 bolts on the steering and is supposed to stiffen up the frame.

I have just started looking at fiberglass trailers and am interested in knowing roughly how big a trailer I could tow. Years ago,we have had a 15 foot Surfside but I suspect that we would like something a little bigger.

Is there anywhere that actually gives you the weights of the various trailers - when empty?
Wayne

[Brian Van Snell]

Originally Posted by Wayne Hill

Is there anywhere that actually gives you the weights of the various trailers - when empty?
Wayne

Wayne:

You might want to start here:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ing-42610.html

I think you need actual weights when loaded.

Brian

[Mike A]

Originally Posted by Wayne Hill

Good morning,
I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5 V6 auto with a factory stated towing limit of 3500 lbs.
I'm interested in seeing if anyone is using one as a tow vehicle and what they are towing - length and weight wise.

I have installed a 5000 Reese hitch on the Nissan already along with plug in wiring - for the flat four connector. I have also installed something called "The missing link" which is a steel cross member that connects between 2 bolts on the steering and is supposed to stiffen up the frame.

I have just started looking at fiberglass trailers and am interested in knowing roughly how big a trailer I could tow. Years ago,we have had a 15 foot Surfside but I suspect that we would like something a little bigger.

Is there anywhere that actually gives you the weights of the various trailers - when empty?
Wayne

Wayne............I too have a 2001 Pathfinder with the same engine and my owners manual says it has a 5000 pound tow rating. You may want to recheck your manual. I believe you have more towing capacity than 3500 pounds. Good luck.

[Wayne Hill]

Mike A,
You are correct. I deliberately understated the towing capacity to allow for all of the necessary "stuff" that a person hauls.
Water, food, clothing, bedding, bikes and associated goodies add up in a hurry.

Thanks for the update and reminder.

Wayne

[Borden]

Quote "I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5 V6 auto with a factory stated towing limit of 3500 lbs."

Mr. Transmission has a great progressive transmission/transaxle cooler always a good idea. At speed the weight and air being pushed creates drag heating the transmission or transaxle.
2000 plus to 3500 lbs only needs a class II hitch; but electric brakes and a sway bar might also be a good idea.
Dry weight of most 17' bolers ranges from 2000 lbs. to 2560 lbs. depends on installed features. You would have no problems with these or bigger with 5000 lbs stock rating!

Quote: "There are many key features about the 'Escape' which make it lightweight and aerodynamic, keeping travel costs to a minimum. With a dry weight of only 2510lbs, the Escape 19’ has been designed specifically for mid sized vehicles such as SUVs and mid-sized trucks with a V6 engine or a minimum towing capacity of 4000lbs." http://escapetrailer.com/Products/19FootEscape.aspx

We used a Toyota Echo Sport 4 door sedan with a sway bar adapter on the draw bar to pull a small trailer: never loaded over 1000 lbs. for years. Worked fine but trailer brakes would have been a good idea.
Trailer brakes may have made the Echo's brakes lasted longer.

We now have a larger 17' trailer and use a Class III with Weight Distribution and sway bar setup. Car has a 7 pin setup to includes brakes.

[Wayne Hill]

Borden,
I had forgotten about the transmission cooler, thanks for the reminder. This is a " new" vehicle to me, my old one had a factory towing package, as did the last couple of vehicles. I'm starting from scratch with this one.
Wayne

[Borden]

Quote: I have installed a 5000 Reese hitch on the Nissan already along with plug in wiring - for the flat four connector.

I beleave the 4 pin flat connector does not support trailer bakes?

Our new car came with tow package installed; that included a 7 pin connector and installed proportional braking modual.

[Wayne Hill]

Borden,
The 4 pin flat connector does not support trailer brakes. Lights only
My 2001 had nothing. I have a brake controller and will have to wire in a separate brake wire then change or adapt the 4 pin to whatever style of trailer connnector that I chose that will allow brakes to be hooked up.
A lot simpler with factory, but when you buy used....

Wayne

[Bill K]

Wayne,
etrailer has this connector and others . All in one.

Bill K




HM48470
Price: $19.95

Product Summary:
Wiring
Trailer Connectors
Vehicle End Connector
Universal


Product Specs:
7 Blade
4 Flat
5 Flat
Plug Only
Hopkins



This heavy-duty trailer connector socket has an outlet for 7-way, 5-way and 4-way flat plugs. A weatherproof, insulated lids cover the terminals. The cover is also easy to open and extra-durable.

Originally Posted by Wayne Hill

Borden,
The 4 pin flat connector does not support trailer brakes. Lights only
My 2001 had nothing. I have a brake controller and will have to wire in a separate brake wire then change or adapt the 4 pin to whatever style of trailer connnector that I chose that will allow brakes to be hooked up.
A lot simpler with factory, but when you buy used....

Wayne

[Wayne Hill]

Bill K,
Thanks. I'll keep this in mind. Product looks good and is sure adaptable.
Wayne