2020 INFINITI QX50 hitch tongue weight

WARNING
∙ It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area inside a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these ar-
eas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
∙ Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat
belts.
∙ Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a seat belt
properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself
with the following terms before load-
ing your vehicle:
∙ Curb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle) - vehicle weight in-
cluding: standard and optional
equipment, fluids, emergency
tools, and spare tire assembly. This
weight does not include passen-
gers and cargo. ∙ GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) -
curb weight plus the combined
weight of passengers and cargo.
∙ GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat- ing) - maximum total combined
weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer
tongue load and any other op-
tional equipment. This information
is located on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label.
∙ GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - maximum weight (load) limit
specified for the front or rear axle.
This information is located on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label.
∙ GCWR (Gross Combined Weight rating) - The maximum total
weight rating of the vehicle, pas-
sengers, cargo, and trailer. ∙ Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load
limit, Total load capacity - maxi-
mum total weight limit specified of
the load (passengers and cargo)
for the vehicle. This is the maxi-
mum combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo that can be
loaded into the vehicle. If the ve-
hicle is used to tow a trailer, the
trailer tongue weight must be in-
cluded as part of the cargo load.
This information is located on the
Tire and Loading Information la-
bel.
∙ Cargo capacity - permissible weight of cargo, the subtracted
weight of occupants from the load
limit.
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
10-14Technical and consumer information

Tongue load
When using a weight carrying or a weight
distributing hitch, keep the tongue load be-
tween 10 - 15% of the total trailer load or use
the trailer tongue load specified by the trailer
manufacturer. The tongue load must be
within the maximum tongue load limits
shown in the following “Towing
Load/Specification” chart. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow
for proper tongue load.
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW)/maximum Gross Axle
Weight (GAW)
The GVW of the towing vehicle must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
certification label. The GVW equals the com-
bined weight of the unloaded vehicle, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue load
and any other optional equipment. In addi-
tion, front or rear GAW must not exceed the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) shown on
the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.Towing capacities are calculated assuming a
base vehicle with driver and any options re-
quired to achieve the rating. Additional pas-
sengers, 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 mea-
sured 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/king pin 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
available maximum tongue/king pin
load.
WTI0160LTI2031
10-20Technical and consumer information

To determine the available towing capacity,
use the following procedure.1. Find the GCWR for your vehicle on the "Towing Load/Specification" chart
found in this section.
2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GCWR. The remaining amount is the
available 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 tow-
ing 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:
∙ Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed on a scale - including passengers, cargo
and hitch - 4,650 lbs. (2,109 kg).
∙ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label - 4,916 lbs. (2,230 kg).
∙ Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) from “Towing Load/Specification" chart
- 7,320 lbs. (3,320 kg).
∙ Maximum Trailer towing capacity from “Towing Load/Specification" chart -
3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg).4,916 lbs. (2,230 kg) GVWR
– 4,650 lbs. (2,109 kg) GVW
= 266 lbs. (121 kg) Available for tongue weight
7,320 lbs. (3,320 kg) GCWR
– 4,650 lbs. (2,109 kg) GVW
= 2,670 lbs. (1,211 kg) Capacity available for towing
266 lbs. (121 kg) Available tongue weight
= 2,670 lbs. (1,211 kg) Available capacity
= 10 % tongue weight
The available towing capacity may be less
than the maximum towing capacity due to
the passenger and cargo load in the vehicle.
Remember to keep trailer tongue weight be-
tween 10 - 15% of the trailer weight or within
the trailer tongue load specification recom-
mended by the trailer manufacturer. If the
tongue load becomes excessive, rearrange
the cargo to obtain the proper tongue load.
Do not exceed the maximum tongue weight
specification shown in the “Towing
Load/Specification” chart even if the calcu-
Technical and consumer information10-21

TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Your vehicle may be equipped with an op-
tional trailer tow package. The trailer tow
package includes a receiver-type frame
mounted hitch. This hitch is rated for the
maximum towing capacity of this vehicle
when the proper towing equipment is used.
Choose a proper ball mount and hitch ball
that is rated for the trailer to be towed. Genu-
ine INFINITI ball mounts and hitch balls are
available from an INFINITI retailer.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the op-
tional 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
INFINITI trailer hitch is available from an
INFINITI retailer. 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 sur-
faces or passing trucks.
WARNING
Trailer hitch components have specific
weight ratings. Your vehicle may be capable
of towing a trailer heavier than the weight
rating of the hitch components. Never ex-
ceed the weight rating of the hitch compo-
nents. Doing so can cause serious personal
injury or property damage.
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and
weight rating for your trailer:∙ The required hitch ball size is stamped on most trailer couplers. Most hitch balls
also have the size printed on the top of
the ball.
∙ Choose the proper class hitch ball based on the trailer weight.
∙ The diameter of the threaded shank of the hitch ball must be matched to the ball
mount hole diameter. The hitch ball shank
should be no more than 1/16” smaller
than the hole in the ball mount.
∙ The threaded shank of the hitch ball must be long enough to be properly secured to
the ball mount. There should be at least 2
threads showing beyond the lock washer
and nut.
Ball mount
The hitch ball is attached to the ball mount
and the ball mount is inserted into the hitch
receiver. Choose a proper class ball mount
based on the trailer weight. Additionally, the
ball mount should be chosen to keep the
trailer tongue level with the ground.
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 trailers
with a maximum weight over 5,000 lbs.
(2,268 kg). Check with the trailer and towing
equipment manufacturers to determine if
Technical and consumer information10-23

Safety chains
Always use suitable safety chains between
your vehicle and the trailer. The safety chains
should be crossed and should be attached to
the hitch, not to the vehicle bumper or axle.
The safety chains can be attached to the
bumper if the hitch ball is mounted to the
bumper. Be sure to leave enough slack in the
chains to permit turning corners.
Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available power-
type module/converter must be used to
provide power for all trailer lighting. This
unit uses the vehicle battery as a direct
power source for all trailer lights while us-
ing the vehicle tail light, stop light and turn
signal circuits as a signal source. The
module/converter must draw no more than
15 milliamps from the stop and tail lamp
circuits. Using a module/converter that ex-
ceeds these power requirements may dam-
age the vehicle’s electrical system. See a
reputable trailer retailer to obtain the
proper equipment and to have it installed.Trailer lights should comply with federal
and/or local regulations. For assistance in
hooking up trailer lights, contact an INFINITI
retailer or reputable trailer retailer. Vehicles
equipped with the optional trailer tow pack-
age are equipped with a 7-pin trailer harness
connector. If your trailer is equipped with a
flat 4-pin connector, an adapter will be
needed to connect the trailer lights to the
vehicle. Adapters are available at auto parts
stores and hitch retailers.
Trailer brakes
Most states require a separate braking sys-
tem on trailers with a loaded weight above a
specific amount, make sure the trailer meets
the local regulations and the regulations
where you plan to tow.
Several types of braking systems are avail-
able.
Surge Brakes -
The surge brake actuator is
mounted on the trailer tongue with a hydrau-
lic line running to each trailer wheel. Surge
brakes are activated by the trailer pushing
against the hitch ball when the tow vehicle is
braking. Hydraulic surge brakes are common
on rental trailers and some boat trailers. In
this type of system, there is no hydraulic or
electric connection for brake operation be-
tween the tow vehicle and the trailer. Electric Trailer Brakes -
Electric braking sys-
tems are activated by an electronic signal
sent from a trailer brake controller (special
brake-sensing module).
Have a professional supplier of towing
equipment make sure the trailer brakes are
properly installed and demonstrate proper
brake function testing.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
∙ Be certain your vehicle maintains a level position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle
if it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-
down condition; check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes of either condi-
tion.
∙ Always secure items in the trailer to pre- vent load shift while driving.
∙ Keep the cargo load as low as possible in the trailer to keep the trailer center of
gravity low.
Technical and consumer information10-25