Towing capacities are calculated assuming a
base vehicle with driver and any options required
to achieve the rating. Additional passengers,
cargo and/or optional equipment, such as the
trailer hitch, will add weight to the vehicle and
reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity
and trailer tongue load.
The vehicle and trailer need to be weighed to
confirm the vehicle is within the GVWR, Front
GAWR, Rear GAWR, Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) and Towing capacity.
All vehicle and trailer weights can be measured
using platform type scales commonly found at
truck stops, highway weigh stations, building
supply centers or salvage yards.
To determine the available payload capacity for
tongue load, use the following procedure.
1. Locate the GVWR on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
2. Weigh your vehicle on the scale with all of
the passengers and cargo that are normally
in the vehicle when towing a trailer.
3. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the
GVWR. The remaining amount is the avail-
able maximum tongue load.
To determine the available towing capacity, use
the following procedure.1. Find the GCWR for your vehicle on the
9Towing Load/Specification9chart found
later in this section.
2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the
GCWR. The remaining amount is the avail-
able maximum towing capacity.
To determine the Gross Trailer Weight, weigh
your trailer on a scale with all equipment and
cargo, that are normally in the trailer when it is
towed. Make sure the Gross trailer weight is not
more than the Gross Trailer Weight Rating shown
on the trailer and is not more than the calculated
available maximum towing capacity.
Also weigh the front and rear axles on the scale to
make sure the Front Gross Axle Weight and Rear
Gross Axle Weight are not more than Front
Gross Axle Weight and Rear Gross Axle Weight
on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
The cargo in the trailer and vehicle may need to
be moved or removed to meet the specified rat-
ings.
Example:
cGross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed
on a scale - including passengers, cargo and
hitch - 4,900 lb. (2222 kg) .
cGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label -
5,400 lb. (2449 kg) .cGross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
from “Towing Load/Specification9chart -
9,658 lb. (4380 kg) .
cMaximum Trailer towing capacity from “Tow-
ing Load/Specification9chart - 5,000 lb.
(2268 kg) .
5,400 lb. (2449 kg) GVWR
– 4,900 lb. (2222 kg) GVW
= 500 lb. (226 kg) Available for tongue
weight
9,658 lb. (4380 kg) GCWR
– 4,900 lb. (2222 kg) GVW
= 4,758 lb. (2158 kg) Capacity available for
towing
500 lb. (226 kg) Available tongue weight
/ 4,758 lb. (1994 kg) Available capacity
= 10 % tongue weight
The available towing capacity may be less than
the maximum towing capacity due to the passen-
ger and cargo load in the vehicle.
9-20Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
02/27/07Ðdebbie
X
Remember to keep trailer tongue weight be-
tween 10 - 15% of the trailer weight. If the tongue
load becomes excessive, rearrange the cargo to
obtain the proper tongue load. Do not exceed the
10 - 15% tongue weight specification even if the
calculated available tongue weight is greater
than 15%. If the calculated tongue weight is less
than 10% , reduce the total trailer weight to
match the available tongue weight.
Always verify that available capacities are within
the required ratings.
Trailer frontal area
CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum trailer frontal
area specification may exceed the towing
capacity of the vehicle. This may affect the
towing performance and lead to vehicle
damage.
The trailer frontal area affects the towing load of a
trailer. The frontal area is the total area of the
vehicle and trailer that is affected by air resis-
tance while towing. Do not exceed the maximum
trailer frontal area specification shown in the
9Towing Load/Specification” chart. The frontal
area can be determined by multiplying the width
of the trailer by the height of the trailer. For
example, a trailer that is 8 feet wide by 6 feet tall
has a trailer frontal area of 48 square feet.
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION
US & CAN
2WD 4WD
Towing Capacity*15,000 lb.
(2268 kg)5,000 lb.
(2268 kg)
Tongue Load500 lb.
(227 kg)500 lb.
(227 kg)
Gross Combined
Weight Rating9,658 lb.
(4,380 kg)9,658 lb.
(4,380 kg)
Maximum trailer
frontal area60 sq ft (5.52 sq meters)
*1: The towing capacity 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.
TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional
trailer tow package. The trailer tow package in-
cludes a receiver-type frame mounted hitch. This
hitch is rated for the maximum towing capacity of
this vehicle when the proper towing equipment isused. Choose a proper ball mount and hitch ball
that is rated for the trailer to be towed. Genuine
Nissan ball mounts and hitch balls are available
from your NISSAN dealer.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the optional
trailer tow package, check the towing capacity of
your bumper hitch or receiver-type frame
mounted hitch. Choose a proper hitch for your
vehicle and trailer. A genuine Nissan trailer hitch
is available from your NISSAN dealer. Make sure
the trailer hitch is securely attached to the vehicle
to help avoid personal injury or property damage
due to sway caused by crosswinds, rough road
surfaces or passing trucks.
WARNING
Trailer hitch components have specific
weight ratings. Your vehicle may be ca-
pable of towing a trailer heavier than the
weight rating of the hitch components.
Never exceed the weight rating of the
hitch components. Doing so can cause
serious personal injury or property
damage.
Technical and consumer information9-21
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
02/27/07Ðdebbie
X
