2008 NISSAN MAXIMA wheel

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 16 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 could occur.

ENSURING VEHICLE/TRAILER STABILITY
Improper loading, excessive or insufficient trailer tongue/king pin load, overloading, excessive
trailer weight, poorly designed trailer suspensions, crosswinds, and poor maintenance are all
things that can affect the stability of your vehicle and trailer combination.
If swaying does occur, check the cargo load for proper balance and distribution to ensure
proper trailer tongue/king pin load. In addition, check the condition of the suspension and
shocks, as well as the tires, tire pressures, and wheel bearings on both the tow vehicle and
the trailer. If swaying occurs because of high winds or poor weather conditions, wait until
these conditions improve before resuming your trip.
If the swaying continues and you feel your trailer is suitably balanced and within the towing
capacity limits of your vehicle, discontinue towing and consult your Nissan dealer or trailer
manufacturer to determine the problem. Most important, do not tow until the problem is
corrected.


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

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 18 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.

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,

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 19 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 is a good idea to allow more time than usual due
to the engine’s reduced performance.

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

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 21 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 off the engine 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 vehicle owner’s manual for additional information on

overheating.
NOTE – Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, and Titan vehicles have an engine protection mode,
which helps reduce the chance of engine damage if the engine coolant reaches a specified
temperature. See your vehicle owner’s manual for details.


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.

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 22


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.

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 25





2008 TITAN TOWING DATA - WITH OPTIONAL TOWING PACKAGE 6
Engine Type 5.6L V8
Transmission A/T
KING CAB
XE SE PRO-4X LE Model(s)
2WD 4WD 2WD 4WD 4WD 2WD 4WD
Maximum Trailer Weight1,2,4,5 (lbs.) 9,500 9,400 9,500 9,400 9,300 9,200 9,200
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 950 940 950 940 930 920 920
King Pin Load (lbs.) 1,425 1,410 1,425 1,410 1,395 1,380 1,380
Short Wheel Base Gross Combined Weight Rating5 (lbs.)15,10015,10015,10015,10015,100 15,100 15,100
Maximum Trailer Weight1,2,4,5 (lbs.) 9,400 9,200 9,400 9,100 – 9,100 8,900
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 940 920 940 910 – 910 890
King Pin Load (lbs.) 1,410 1,380 1,410 1,365 – 1,365 1,335
Long Wheel Base Gross Combined Weight Rating5 (lbs.)15,10015,10015,10015,100– 15,100 15,100
CREW CAB
XE SE PRO-4X LE Model(s)
2WD 4WD 2WD 4WD 4WD 2WD 4WD
Maximum Trailer Weight1,2,4,5 (lbs.) 9,400 9,200 9,400 9,100 – 9,100 8,900
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 940 920 940 910 – 910 890
King Pin Load (lbs.) 1,410 1,380 1,410 1,365 – 1,365 1,335
Short Wheel Base Gross Combined Weight Rating5 (lbs.)15,10015,10015,10015,100– 15,100 15,100
Maximum Trailer Weight1,2,4,5 (lbs.) 9,299 9,100 9,299 9,100 8,999 9,100 8,900
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 930 910 930 910 900 910 890
King Pin Load (lbs.) 1,395 1,365 1,395 1,365 1,350 1,365 1,335
Long Wheel Base Gross Combined Weight Rating5 (lbs.)15,10015,10015,10015,10015,100 15,100 15,100

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 26




2008 TITAN TOWING DATA - WITHOUT OPTIONAL TOWING PACKAGE
Engine Type 5.6L V8
Transmission A/T
KING CAB
XE SE PRO-4X LE Model(s)
2WD 4WD 2WD 4WD 4WD 2WD 4WD
Maximum Trailer Weight1,2,4,5 (lbs.) 6,500 6,500 7,400 7,400 7,200 7,200 7,200
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 650 650 740 740 720 720 720
King Pin Load (lbs.) 975 975 1,110 1,110 1,080 1,080 1,080
Short Wheel Base Gross Combined Weight Rating5 (lbs.) 12,80013,00012,800 13,00013,000 12,800 13,000
Maximum Trailer Weight1,2,4,5 (lbs.) 6,499 6,499 7,101 7,101 – 7,000 6,900
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 650 650 710 710 – 700 690
King Pin Load (lbs.) 975 975 1,065 1,065 – 1,050 1,035
Long Wheel Base Gross Combined Weight Rating5 (lbs.) 12,80013,00012,800 13,000– 12,800 13,000
CREW CAB
XE SE PRO-4X LE Model(s)
2WD 4WD 2WD 4WD 4WD 2WD 4WD
Maximum Trailer Weight1,2,4,5 (lbs.) 6,500 6,500 7,401 7,300 – 7,101 7,000
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 650 650 740 720 – 710 700
King Pin Load (lbs.) 975 975 1,110 1,095 – 1,065 1,050
Short Wheel Base Gross Combined Weight Rating5 (lbs.) 12,80013,00012,80013,000– 12,800 13,000
Maximum Trailer Weight1,2,4,5 (lbs.) 6,499 6,499 7,101 7,000 7,000 6,799 6,700
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load2 (lbs.) 650 650 710 700 700 680 670
King Pin Load (lbs.) 975 975 1,065 1,050 1,050 1,020 1,005
Long Wheel Base Gross Combined Weight Rating5 (lbs.) 12,80013,00012,80013,00013,000 12,800 13,000

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 27










































Passenger Vehicles – The towing capacity for 350Z Coupe, Altima (Coupe, Hybrid, and
Sedan), Maxima, and Sentra is 1,000 lbs.; the maximum trailer tongue load is 100 lbs.
DO NOT
tow a trailer with 350Z Roadster or Versa.
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.

2008 XTERRA TOWING DATA
Engine Type 4.0L V6
Transmission A/T & M/T
Model(s) 2WD & 4WD
Maximum
Trailer Weight1 (lbs.) 5,000
Maximum
Trailer Tongue Load (lbs.) 500
Gross Combined
Weight Rating (lbs.) 9,658
Maximum Trailer
Frontal Area 60 sq. ft.
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 Requires weight-distributing hitch system when towing over 5,000 lbs. 5 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.
6 The vehicle optional tow package does not include a 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 for trailers with a Maximum Trailer Weight greater
than 5,000 lbs. This ball mount 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
smount. Check local ordinances.
Š A/T – Automatic Transmission, CVT – Continuously Variable Transmission