2006 NISSAN XTERRA tow

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 16 VEHICLE SPEED
Some states have specific regulations and speed limits for vehicles that are towing trailers.
Always obey these ordinances. Remember to reduce your speed in unsafe or less-than-
ideal road conditions or weather. When towing a trailer, braking distances increase while
handling agility decreases. Always leave yourself an extra margin of distance to respond to
emergency situations.

PASSENGERS
Never allow passengers to ride inside a trailer while it is being towed. Not only is this
unlawful in most areas, passengers could be seriously injured during sudden trailer
movement or in an accident. In addition, trailers may allow fumes from the tow vehicle to
leak inside. This could result in carbon monoxide poisoning from the engine exhaust.

VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
Vehicle modifications — beyond those required for proper hitch installation, wiring hook-up,
and necessary cooling system upgrading — 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 warranty coverage as well.

TOOL KIT
It is always a good idea to travel with a special tool kit when towing. In addition to tools, it
should contain flares, a flashlight, emergency reflectors, jumper cables, extra fuses, extra
radiator coolant, oil, and easily replaced spare parts such as taillight bulbs. You should also
carry spare tires for your tow vehicle and trailer, as well as a jack suitable for use on the
trailer. Be aware that not all automotive jacks can be used safely on a trailer.

BEFORE STARTING OUT
Before starting out on a trip, make one last inspection of the tow vehicle and the trailer. Are
the tire pressures correct? Are the safety chains/cables securely in place? Is the cargo tied
down securely? Do all the lights work? Is the coupler properly attached over the hitch ball
and secured using a locking pin? Is the breakaway switch hooked up and functioning
properly? Are vehicle and electric trailer brakes working properly?
Make a checklist of key items to be inspected, and don’t forget the basics. When
towing, vehicle engine oil, transmission oil, and coolant should always be checked before
starting out. Finding a potential problem while in your driveway is better than discovering it
miles from home.

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 18 CORNER MORE SLOWLY
Know your vehicle and trailer capabilities. Entering a sharp corner too quickly or abruptly
can “crack the whip,” whereby the trailer can actually pull the tow vehicle off the road.
Therefore, when approaching a relatively sharp corner, begin braking sooner than you
would when not towing. Do your braking in a straight line prior to the corner, and turn
smoothly into it. In addition, remember to make a wider turn than normal to ensure that the
trailer safely clears the inside of the turn.
When towing a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer, do not make sharp turns while driving or
backing as the trailer may contact the vehicle and cause damage to both the trailer and
vehicle. A special extended 5th wheel pin box or sliding hitch may be required to provide
additional trailer-to-truck clearance for tight maneuvering.

BACK UP WITH CAUTION
Backing up with a trailer is a difficult maneuver; however, there is a “trick” that can simplify
the procedure considerably. Simply steer with one hand at the bottom of the steering
wheel. To turn the trailer to the left, first move the steering wheel to the left. To turn 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 block the
wheels on both the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Parking on a slope is not recommended. If, however, you must park on a slope, and your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, there are some precautions you should
take:
Š Have someone block the wheels once the tow vehicle and trailer are in position and
being held by the vehicle’s brake.
Š Next, apply the parking brake, and only then move the gear lever into PARK. If you move
the lever into PARK before blocking the wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage may occur.

HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
An engine will lose about 4% of its performance for every 1,000 feet above sea level that
you travel. If you will be towing in high altitudes, it’s a good idea to allow more time than
usual due to the engine’s reduced performance.

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 20 2. Turn off the air conditioning and, after opening all the windows, turn the heater on to
maximum hot and the fan to its highest speed. The heater core in your vehicle is just
like a miniature engine radiator and will provide an extra cooling surface to help reduce
engine temperature.

3. Run the engine at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm) until the temperature gauge
returns to a normal reading. If the temperature does not drop or continues to increase,
stop this step immediately.

4. Being cautious of traffic, step out of the vehicle and, from a safe distance, look for
steam underneath the engine. If you see steam or leaking coolant, stand clear to avoid
being burned. Shut off your engine immediately and allow it to cool. If there is no steam,
open the hood. Never remove the radiator cap when the radiator is hot. If the cap is
removed under these conditions, hot water under high pressure may spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.

5. As soon as the engine has cooled to its normal operating temperature, visually inspect
the drive belts for damage or looseness. A loose belt reduces water pump efficiency.
Be careful to keep your hands, hair, jewelry, and clothing clear of the running drive belt
and other moving parts when inspecting the engine and radiator. Also check to see if
the cooling fan is running, and inspect the water pump, radiator, and radiator hoses for
leaks. Keep in mind, too, that if your vehicle is equipped with an electric fan motor, it
may start without warning any time the coolant temperature is high. If you find leaking
coolant, a loose or missing drive belt, or an inoperable fan, turn the engine off
immediately.

6. If no leaks are apparent and all other components appear to be operating properly with
the engine cooled to its normal operating temperature, check the coolant level in the
reservoir tank with the engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if needed. At
this point, if repairs are required, go to the nearest Nissan dealer. See the IN CASE OF
EMERGENCY section of your owner’s manual for additional information on overheating.
NOTE – Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, Titan, and Xterra vehicles have an engine protection
mode which helps reduce the chance of engine damage if the engine coolant reaches a
specified temperature. The Murano has a high fluid temperature protection mode which
helps to reduce the chance of transmission damage. See your owner’s manual for details.

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 21
TOWING
GLOSSARY
5TH WHEEL
HITCH Located just forward of the rear axle centerline, this hitch uses a king pin to serve
as the pivot point for the trailer.
BALL MOUNT A bar that holds the hitch ball and is inserted into the hitch receiver. Also
commonly called a drawbar or “stinger.”
BREAKAWAY SWITCH A safety device using a trailer battery that automatically applies the trailer’s
brakes if it should accidentally become separated from the tow vehicle. A
breakaway switch may be used with both electric or surge trailer brake systems.
BUMPER HITCH A reinforced bumper designed to accommodate a hitch ball.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKES When the brakes on a tow vehicle are applied, an electric current is sent to an
actuator which applies the trailer’s brakes.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKE CONTROLLER A device that controls the electric trailer brakes.
GOOSENECK HITCH Located just forward of the rear axle centerline, this hitch uses a ball to serve as
the pivot point for the trailer.

GROSS AXLE
WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) The maximum amount of weight each vehicle axle (front and rear) is designed to
safely carry.
GROSS COMBINED
WEIGHT RATING (GCWR) The maximum allowable combined weight of the vehicle and trailer, including
passengers and all cargo.
GROSS VEHICLE
WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including passengers, cargo, fuel,
hitch, trailer tongue load, and any optional equipment.
KING PIN
LOAD The amount of trailer (5th wheel or gooseneck) weight pressing down on the tow
vehicle hitch.

HITCH BALL
A ball that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle hitch and provides the means
by which the trailer pivots during cornering. Available in a number of sizes and
weight capacities, it must correspond to the trailer coupler size, and have a
sufficient capacity rating for the trailer being pulled.
RECEIVER HITCH A frame- or structure-mounted hitch with a receiver that allows removal of the
ball mount.
SAFETY CHAINS/CABLES Provides an emergency connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer,
should the trailer become disengaged for any reason.
SURGE BRAKES
Hydraulic-type braking system activated by inertia. As the tow vehicle begins to
brake, the trailer pushes against the hitch ball, consequently activating the trailer
brakes.
TRAILER TONGUE/COUPLER The part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow vehicle, and also
carries the coupler assembly.

TRAILER TONGUE
LOAD The amount of trailer (conventional) weight pressing down on the tow vehicle
hitch.
WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING HITCH
SYSTEM Type of hitch system that helps shift the trailer tongue weight to all trailer tires
and the tow vehicle front tires. Strongly recommended when towing trailers with
a Maximum Trailer Weight greater than 5,000 lbs.
WIRING HARNESS
Provides an electrical connection linking the tow vehicle’s electrical system to
the trailer’s system.

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