
 2006 Nissan Towing Guide    17
TOWING  
TIPS                     
 
If you’ve never towed a trailer before, be aware that it does take getting used to. To begin 
with, towing noticeably affects your vehicle’s performance:  
 Š It will not accelerate as quickly — an important point to keep in mind when merging onto 
a highway.  
 Š It will not stop as quickly. Leave more room than usual between you and the traffic 
ahead, and brake sooner when coming to a stop.  
 Š Abrupt maneuvering can unbalance the load and reduce the handling stability of your 
tow vehicle. Plan ahead and make lane changes and turns smoothly.  
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. 
 
REDUCE SPEED 
Drive your vehicle at a moderate speed, and remember to reduce your speed in unsafe or 
less-than-ideal road conditions or weather. The tendency for a trailer to sway increases 
with speed, and such swaying can result in a loss of control. 
 
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 the front of your vehicle and the 
vehicle ahead.  
  When braking, use firm but gradual pressure on the pedal rather than panic braking. 
Applying the brakes abruptly or with too much force can cause the trailer to skid or 
jackknife at its point of attachment with the vehicle. This, in turn, can throw the tow vehicle 
out of control.  
  If equipped with an electric trailer brake controller, follow the recommended operational 
instructions. 
 
PASS CAREFULLY 
As mentioned in the introduction to this section, because of the added weight of the trailer, 
acceleration capability is reduced and you’ll require a longer distance to pass another 
vehicle. Be certain you have sufficient time and space to pass safely. Obviously, never 
attempt passing on hills or when going around curves.  

 2006 Nissan Towing Guide    19 AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL 
Do not use cruise control while towing a trailer. 
 
TOW MODE (IF EQUIPPED) 
Tow Mode should be used when the vehicle and trailer weight is at least 75% of the 
vehicle GCWR. This mode is most useful when towing a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy 
load, particularly when stop-and-go traffic, rolling terrain, or a busy parking lot is involved. 
  Driving the vehicle in Tow Mode with minimal trailer load will not cause any damage; 
however, fuel economy may be reduced, and transmission/engine driving characteristics 
may feel different.  
 
HILLS – UPGRADES 
As the incline increases, shift down to a lower gear to maintain speed and prevent the 
engine from lugging. However, for long and steep grades, do not stay in first gear when 
driving above 35 mph or in second gear above 58 mph.* The added weight of a trailer 
places an increased load on the engine and cooling system, so monitor your coolant 
temperature gauge and automatic transmission fluid temperature gauge (if equipped) very 
carefully. At the first sign of overheating, pull to the side of the road. See IF YOUR ENGINE 
OVERHEATS later in this section for more information. 
 
HILLS – DOWNGRADES 
While going downhill, the weight of the trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may decrease 
overall stability. Therefore, to maintain adequate control, reduce your speed and shift 
to a lower gear.  
  When descending a hill, also avoid long or repeated use of the brakes as this reduces 
their effectiveness and could cause overheating. Shifting to a lower gear instead provides 
“engine braking” and reduces the need to brake as frequently. 
 
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS 
A moderate increase in engine operating temperature is normal when towing a trailer. If, 
however, the coolant temperature gauge reading is abnormally high, or if you are 
experiencing a significant loss of power, or if you hear unusual engine noises,** the engine 
may be overheating and you should immediately take the following steps: 
 
1.  Pull your vehicle safely over to the side of the road, out of traffic. Apply the parking 
  brake, and move the gearshift lever to NEUTRAL (manual) or PARK (automatic). DO 
  NOT STOP THE ENGINE. 
 
*For Murano, see your owner’s manual for information applicable to your vehicle. 
**See your owner’s manual for additional indications that your vehicle may be overheating.  

 2006 Nissan Towing Guide    22
SPECIFICATIONS  
 
TOWING CAPACITIES  
SUV’s, Trucks, and Minivans 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2006 ARMADA TOWING DATA 
Engine Type 5.6L V8 
Transmission A/T 
Model(s)  4x2 4x4 
without optional tow package 6,500 6,500 Maximum Trailer Weight1 
(lbs.) with optional tow package4 9,100 9,000 
without optional tow package 650 650 Maximum Trailer Tongue Load (lbs.) with optional tow package4 910 900 
without optional tow package 12,800 13,000 Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) with optional tow package4 14,600 14,822 
Additional RECOMMENDED 
Equipment4 
Weight-Distributing Hitch Ball Mount (Class IV) 
2006 FRONTIER TOWING DATA 
Engine Type  2.5L  4-Cylinder 4.0L V6 
Transmission A/T & M/T 
Model(s) King Cab 4x2 King Cab 4x2 Crew Cab 4x2 King Cab 4x4 Crew Cab 4x4 
Maximum Trailer Weight1, 3 
(lbs.) 3,500 6,500 6,300 6,300 6,100 
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load3 
(lbs.) 350 650 630 630 610 
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 7,936 11,133 11,133 11,133 11,133 
Additional RECOMMENDED 
Equipment4  Weight-Distributing Hitch Ball Mount (Class IV) 
2006 MURANO TOWING DATA 
Engine Type 3.5L V6 
Transmission CVT 
Maximum Trailer Weight1 (lbs.) 3,500 
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load (lbs.) 350 
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 8,100  

 2006 Nissan Towing Guide    23
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
2006 TITAN TOWING DATA 
Engine Type 5.6L V8 
Transmission A/T 
4x2 4x4 
King Cab Crew Cab  King Cab Crew Cab 
WITH OPTIONAL TOWING PACKAGE4 
Model(s) 
XE SE LE 
XE SE LE XE SE LE XE SE LE 
Maximum Trailer 
Weight1, 2 (lbs.) 9,500   9,500  9,200 9,400 9,400 9,200 9,400 9,400 9,200 9,400 9,300 9,200 
Maximum Trailer 
Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 950 950 920 940 940 920 940 940 930 940 930 920 
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 14,650 14,650 14,650 14,65014,65014,650 14,822 14,822 14,822 14,822 14,82214,822
 WITHOUT OPTIONAL TOWING PACKAGE 
Maximum Trailer 
Weight1, 2 (lbs.) 6,500 7,400 7,200 6,500 7,400 7,200 6,500 7,400 7,200 6,500 7,400 7,200 
Maximum Trailer 
Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 650 740 720 650 740 720 650 740 720 650 740 720 
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 12,800 12,800 12,800 12,80012,80012,800 13,000 13,000 13,000 13,000 13,00013,000
Additional RECOMMENDED 
Equipment4 
Weight-Distributing Hitch Ball Mount (Class IV)  
 
NOTE – For Titan, the Maximum Trailer Weight and Gross Combined Weight ratings for 5th 
wheel and gooseneck trailer towing are the same as specified for conventional trailer towing 
(above). 
2006 PATHFINDER TOWING DATA 
Engine Type 4.0L V6 
Transmission A/T 
Model(s) 4x2 & 4x4 
Maximum Trailer Weight1 (lbs.) 6,000 
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load (lbs.) 600 
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 11,133 
Additional RECOMMENDED  
Equipment4 Weight-Distributing Hitch Ball Mount (Class IV) 
2006 QUEST TOWING DATA 
Engine Type 3.5L V6 
Transmission A/T 
Maximum Trailer Weight1 (lbs.) 3,500 
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load (lbs.) 350 
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 8,500  

 2006 Nissan Towing Guide    24
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger Vehicles – The towing capacity for Altima, Maxima, Sentra, and 350Z (Coupe 
only) is 1,000 lbs.; the maximum trailer tongue load is 100 lbs.  
NOTE – For passenger vehicles, the trailer tongue load must be subtracted from the 
GVWR as shown on the F.M.V.S.S. certification label located in the driver’s-side door area. 
 
Other Recommendations and Information – Towing performance and speed are affected 
by vehicle payload, tow weight, road grades, and weather conditions, including high 
temperatures. See your owner’s manual for details. 
2006 XTERRA TOWING DATA 
Engine Type  4.0L V6 
Transmission A/T 
Model(s) 4x2 & 4x4 
Maximum Trailer Weight1 (lbs.) 5,000 
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load (lbs.) 500 
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 9,658 
1    Maximum Trailer Weight values are calculated assuming a base vehicle with driver and any options 
  required to achieve the rating. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional equipment will add 
  weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity and trailer tongue load. 
 2    The Maximum Trailer Weight when using the Genuine Nissan step bumper in this application as a ball 
  mount is 5,000 lbs.; the Maximum Trailer Tongue Load is 500 lbs. 
 3    The Maximum Trailer Weight when using the Genuine Nissan step bumper in this application as a ball 
  mount is 3,500 lbs.; the Maximum Trailer Tongue Load is 350 lbs. 
 4    The vehicle optional tow package does not include a trailer hitch ball mount. Two ball mount options 
  are available through your Nissan dealer: 
  Š Class III hitch ball mount for trailers with a Maximum Trailer Weight of 5,000 lbs. or less.   
               NOTE – A hitch ball is not included with the Class III ball mount. This ball mount can be  
        used with any hitch ball with a shank diameter of 1” or larger. 
  Š Class IV Weight-Distributing hitch ball mount is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED when towing 
trailers with a Maximum Trailer Weight greater than 5,000 lbs., and can also be used with 
trailers under 5,000 lbs. Maximum Trailer Weight. 
                
 NOTE – The Class IV ball mount includes a 2 5/16” hitch ball rated for 10,000 lbs. Smaller  
        hitch ball sizes may be used by following the instructions included in the ball mount kit. 
  NOTES: 
 Š Most states require a separate braking system on trailers with a loaded weight above a specific 
amount. Check local ordinances. 
 Š M/T – Manual Transmission, A/T – Automatic Transmission