Bumper towing
The Genuine NISSAN step bumper has pro-
visions to install a trailer hitch ball and is
designed to tow trailers of a maximum
weight of 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg).
NOTE:
The trailer hitch ball cannot be installed
on the step bumper if the receiver-type
frame mounted hitch is installed on the
vehicle.
To install a trailer hitch ball cut out the circle
in the center of the step bumper
A, then
remove it to install the trailer hitch ball.
Weight carrying hitches
A weight carrying or “dead weight” ball
mount is one that is designed to carry the
whole amount of tongue weight and gross
weight directly on the ball mount and on
the receiver.
Weight distribution hitch
This type of hitch is also called a “load-
leveling” or “equalizing” hitch. A set of bars
attach to the ball mount and to the trailer
to distribute the tongue weight (hitch
weight) of your trailer. Many vehicles can’t
carry the full tongue weight of a given
trailer, and need some of the tongue
weight transferred through the frame and
pushing down on the front wheels. This
gives stability to the tow vehicle.
A weight-distributing hitch system (Class
IV) is recommended if you plan to tow trail-
ers with a maximum weight over 5,000 lbs.
(2,268 kg). Check with the trailer and towing
equipment manufacturers to determine if
they recommend the use of a weight-
distributing hitch system. NOTE:
A weight-distributing hitch system may
affect the operation of trailer surge
brakes. If you are considering use of a
weight-distributing hitch system with a
surge brake-equipped trailer, check with
the surge brake, hitch or trailer manufac-
turer to determine if and how this can be
done.
Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the
weight-distributing hitch system.
General set-up instructions are as follows:
1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level sur- face. With the ignition on and the doors
closed, allow the vehicle to stand for
several minutes so that it can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the
center of the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and ad- just the hitch equalizers so that the
front bumper height is within 0 -
.5 inches (0 – 13 mm) of the reference
height measured in step 2. The rear
bumper should be no higher than the
reference height measured in step 2.
LTI2227
10-46Technical and consumer information
WARNING
Properly adjust the weight distributing
hitch so the rear of the bumper is no
higher than the measured reference
height when the trailer is attached. If
the rear bumper is higher than the mea-
sured reference height when loaded,
the vehicle may handle unpredictably
which could cause a loss of vehicle con-
trol and cause serious personal injury or
property damage.
Sway control device
Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buf-
feting caused by other vehicles can affect
trailer handling. Sway control devices may
be used to help control these affects. If you
choose to use one, contact a reputable
trailer hitch supplier to make sure the sway
control device will work with the vehicle,
hitch, trailer and the trailer’s brake system.
Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the
sway control device.
Class I hitch
Class I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow
trailers of a maximum weight of 2,000 lbs.
(907 kg).
Class II hitch
Class II trailer hitch equipment (receiver,
ball mount and hitch ball) can be used to
tow trailers of a maximum weight of
3,500 lbs. (1,587 kg).
Class III hitch
Class III trailer hitch equipment (receiver,
ball mount and hitch ball) can be used to
tow trailers of a maximum weight of
5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg).
Class IV hitch
Class IV hitches are weight carrying (WC)
and weight distributing (WD) hitches de-
pending on the vehicle and hitch specifica-
tions. Not all Class IV hitches are rated to be
both. See the specific hitch for that infor-
mation. Class IV trailer hitch equipment (re-
ceiver, ball mount and hitch ball) used as
weight carrying are rated up to 10,000 lbs.
(4,535 kg) gross trailer weight (GTW) with a
maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of
1,000 lbs. (453 kg). Class IV hitches used for
weight distributing are rated up to
14,000 lbs. (6,350 kg) gross trailer weight
(GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue
weight (TW) of 1,400 lbs. (635 kg). A Class IV
hitch usually has a 2" square receiver open-
ing. A higher class drawbar does not in-crease the towing capacity of the hitch. To
use this class of hitch for weight distribu-
tion requires a weight distribution system.
Class IV hitches attach to the vehicle frame
only. A weight distributing hitch should be
used to tow trailers that weigh over
5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg).
Your vehicle may be equipped with Class IV
weigh distributing trailer hitch that has a
14,000 lbs. (6,350 kg) maximum weight rat-
ing, but your vehicle is only capable of tow-
ing the maximum trailer weights shown in
the “Towing Load/Specification” chart in
this section.5th wheel/gooseneck
A 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer can be
towed by installing a 5th wheel or goose-
neck trailer hitch. These types of hitches
are mounted in the bed of the pick-up. A
professional trailer equipment supplier
should install these hitches as it is very im-
portant to mount the hitch correctly to dis-
tribute the king pin weight for the proper
load carrying and sway control perfor-
mance.
The king pin weight should be 15% of the
fully loaded trailer. Make sure the king pin
weight does not cause the gross vehicle
weight to exceed the Gross Maximum
Technical and consumer information10-47
∙ Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure,vehicle tire pressure, trailer light opera-
tion, and trailer wheel lug nuts every
time you attach a trailer to the vehicle.
∙ Be certain your rearview mirrors con- form to all federal, state or local regula-
tions. If not, install any mirrors required
for towing before driving the vehicle.
∙ Determine the overall height of the ve- hicle and trailer so the required clear-
ance is known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle’s behavior, you should prac-
tice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area which is free from traffic. Steering sta-
bility and braking performance will be
somewhat different than under normal
driving conditions.
∙ Always secure items in the trailer to pre- vent load shif t while driving.
∙ Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or lock to prevent the coupler from in-
advertently becoming unlatched.
∙ Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
∙ Avoid sharp turns or lane changes. ∙ Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
∙ When backing up, hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Move
your hand in the direction in which you
want the trailer to go. Make small cor-
rections and back up slowly. If possible,
have someone guide you when you are
backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if you
must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shif t selector to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
3. Af ter the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the
blocks absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake. 5. Shif t the transmission into P (Park).
6. Make sure the
indicator light (if so
equipped) indicates the transfer case is
in 4H, 4LO, or 2H and that the ATP light is
off. If the
indicator light is flashing,
or the ATP light is ON, make sure the
transmission is in P (Park) (A/T) and
turn the 4WD switch to 2WD or 4H. For
additional information, refer to “Auto-
matic transmission park warning light”
in the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion and “Using 4-wheel drive (4WD)” in
the “Starting and driving” section of this
manual.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shif t the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
10-58Technical and consumer information
PrecautionsMaintenance precautions .........8-2
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions .................5-6
Precautions on booster
seats ........1-26, 1-34, 1-40, 1-44, 1-50
Precautions on child
restraints......1-26, 1-34, 1-40, 1-44, 1-50
Precautions on seat belt usage .....1-15
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system .................1-53, 1-68
Precautions when starting and
driving ..................5-2,5-9
Push starting ..................6-15
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio .........4-120
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-57
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player.................4-61,4-67
Steering wheel audio control switch. .4-87
Rain sensor ...................2-52
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test.......................10-65
RearCrossTrafficAlert(RCTA)........5-33
Rearpowerwindows.............2-88
Rearseat.....................1-4
Rearslidingwindow .............2-90
Rear sonar system off switch ........2-69
Rearviewmirror................3-32
RearViewMonitor...............4-10
Rear window and/or outside mirror defrosterswitch................2-53
Recommended Fluids
............10-2
Recorders EventData.................10-65
Refrigerant recommendation ........10-8
Registering a vehicle in another
country .....................10-17
Remote Engine Start ..........3-22,5-16
Reporting safety defects (US only) . . . .10-64
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ........3-9
Child seat belts . .1-26, 1-34, 1-40, 1-44, 1-50
Reporting safety defects (US only) . .10-64
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ......1-4
Front power seat adjustment ......1-5
Seatback pockets ...............2-76
Seat belt Childsafety.................1-24
Infants and small children ........1-25
InjuredPerson ...............1-18
Largerchildren.............. .1-25
Precautions on seat belt usage .....1-15
Pregnant women .............1-18
Seat belt extenders ............1-23
Seat belt maintenance ..........1-23
Seatbelts................1-15, 7-6
Shoulder belt height adjustment . . . .1-22
Three-pointtypewithretractor.....1-18
Seat belt extenders ..............1-23
Seatbeltwarninglight.........1-18, 2-25 Seats
Adjustment ..................1-2
Automatic drive positioner ....3-42,3-44
Frontseats..................1-2
Heatedseats................2-61
Manual front seat adjustment ......1-4
Rearseat...................1-4
Security indicator light ............2-31
Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System), engine start ..........2-49,5-14
Security systems Vehicle security system .........2-48
Self-adjusting brakes .............8-21
Service manual order form ........10-66
Servicing air conditioner ...........4-48
Shif ting Automatic transmission .........5-18
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-22
Side air bag system (See supplemental
side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag
systems) .................... .1-78
Siri® Eyes-Free .................4-89
Smartphone connectivity ..........4-88
Snowplow...................10-61
Spark plug replacement ...........8-18
Spark plugs ...................8-18
Specifications ..................10-9
Speedometer ..................2-8
Speedometer and odometer .........2-7
SRS warning label ...............1-80
Stability control ................5-60
Standard maintenance ............9-8
Starting Before starting the engine ........5-14
Jumpstarting ............6-13, 8-16
11-6