MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent
weight shif ts that could affect the
balance of your vehicle. When the ve-
hicle is loaded, drive to a scale and
weigh the front and the rear wheels
separately to determine axle loads.
Individual axle loads should not ex-
ceed either of the gross axle weight
ratings (GAWR). The total of the axle
loads should not exceed the gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR). These
ratings are given on the vehicle cer-
tification label. If weight ratings are
exceeded, move or remove items to
bring all weights below the ratings.
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading of a
trailer and its cargo can adversely af-
fect vehicle handling, braking and per-
formance and may lead to accidents.
CAUTION
• Do not tow a trailer or haul a heavy
load for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Your engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
• For the first 500 miles (805 km) that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50
mph (80 km/h) and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of your ve-
hicle wear in at the heavier load.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer places ad-
ditional loads on your vehicle's engine,
drive train, steering, braking and other sys-
tems. A NISSAN Towing Guide (U.S. only) is avail-
able on the website at
www.nissanusa.com. This guide includes
information on trailer towing capability and
the special equipment required for proper
towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
the value specified in the “Towing load/
specification” chart found in this section.
The total trailer load equals trailer weight
plus its cargo weight.
•
When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs.
(1,587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.
The maximum GCWR should not exceed
the value specified in the following “Towing
load/specification” chart.
TOWING A TRAILER
Technical and consumer information10-33
The GCWR equals the combined weight of
the towing vehicle (including passengers
and cargo) plus the total trailer load. Tow-
ing loads greater than these or using im-
proper towing equipment could adversely
affect vehicle handling, braking and perfor-
mance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is
not only related to the maximum trailer
loads, but also the places you plan to tow.
Tow weights appropriate for level highway
driving may have to be reduced for low
traction situations (for example, on slippery
boat ramps).Temperature conditions can also affect
towing. For example, towing a heavy trailer
in high outside temperatures on graded
roads can affect engine performance and
cause overheating. The engine protection
mode, which helps reduce the chance of
engine damage, could activate and auto-
matically decrease engine power. Vehicle
speed may decrease under high load. Plan
your trip carefully to account for trailer and
vehicle load, weather and road conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced en-
gine power and vehicle speed. The re-
duced speed may be lower than other
traffic, which could increase the chance
of a collision. Be especially careful
when driving. If the vehicle cannot
maintain a safe driving speed, pull to
the side of the road in a safe area. Allow
the engine to cool and return to normal
operation. For additional information,
refer to “If your vehicle overheats” in
the “In case of emergency ” section of
this manual.
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from im-
proper towing procedures is not cov-
ered by NISSAN warranties.
LTI0161
10-34Technical 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 be-
comes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow
for proper tongue load.
King pin load
When using a 5th wheel hitch, keep the
tongue load between 15 - 25% of the total
trailer load within the maximum king pin
load limits shown in the following “Towing
load/specification” chart. If the king pin
load becomes excessive, rearrange cargo
to allow for proper king pin 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
combined weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue
load and any other optional equipment. In
addition, front or rear GAW must not ex-
ceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label.
WTI0160CA0036
Technical and consumer information10-35
Towing with Weight Distributing Class 4
Hitch
The Class 4 towing capacities shown in the
towing load specification charts are calcu-
lated per the SAE J2807 standards. Addi-
tional 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 mea-
sured using platform type scales com-
monly found at truck stops, highway weigh
stations, building supply centers or salvage
yards.
Towing with Gooseneck Hitch
The gooseneck towing capacities are cal-
culated 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 tow-
ing 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 com-
monly found at truck stops, highway weigh
stations, building supply centers or salvage
yards.
To determine the available payload capac-
ity for tongue/king pin load, use the follow-
ing 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.
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 equip-
ment 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
ratings.
Example:
• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed on a scale - including passengers, cargo
and hitch - 7,804 lbs. (3,540 kg).
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label -
8,990 lbs. (4,078 kg).
10-36Technical and consumer information
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)from “Towing load/specification" chart -
19,450 lbs. (8,822 kg).
• Maximum Trailer towing capacity from “Towing load/specification" chart - 9,200
lbs. (4,173 kg).
8,990 lbs. (4,078 kg) GVWR
– 7,804 lbs. (3,540 kg) GVW = 1,186 lbs. (538 kg) Available for tongue/king pinweight
19,450 lbs. (8,822 kg) GCWR
– 7,804 lbs. (3,540 kg) GVW
= 11,644 lbs. (5,282 kg) Capacity available for towing
1,186 lbs. (538 kg) Available tongue weight
/ 11,644 lbs. (5,282 kg) Available capacity = 10 % tongueweight The available towing capacity may be less
than the maximum towing capacity due to
the passenger and cargo load in the ve-
hicle.
Remember to keep trailer tongue weight
between 10 - 15% of the trailer weight or
within the trailer tongue weight specifica-
tion recommended by the trailer manufac-
turer. If the tongue weight becomes exces-
sive, rearrange the cargo to obtain the
proper tongue weight. Do not exceed the
maximum tongue weight specification
shown in the “Towing load/specification”
chart even if the calculated available
tongue weight is greater than 15%. If the
calculated tongue weight is less than 10%,
shif t the trailer load forward until the trailer
tongue weight reaches 10% of the trailer
weight.
Always verif y that available capacities are
within the required ratings.
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION
WARNING
The towing capacities provided in this
manual are for general reference only.
The safe towing capacity of your ve-
hicle is affected by dealer and factory
installed options and passenger and
cargo loads. You must weigh the ve-
hicle and trailer as described in this
manual to determine the actual vehicle
towing capacity. Do not exceed the
published maximum towing capacity
or the GCWR or the GVWR shown on the
FMVSS/CMVSS label. Doing so can re-
sult in an accident causing serious per-
sonal injury or property damage.
NOTE:
The SAE J2807 Weight Distributing Class
4 Hitch specifications are based on S and
SV grade models . The Gooseneck Hitch
specifications are based on SV grade
models.
Technical and consumer information10-37
Non-XD models — Crew cab — Towing load specification chart — SAE J2807 Weight Distributing Class 4 Hitch
Axle type2WD4WD
Maximum Payload 1,590 lbs. (721.2 kg)1,640 lbs. (743.9 kg)
Maximum Towing Capacity *1, *2, *3 9,360 lbs. (4,248.3 kg)9,200 lbs. (4,177.6 kg)
Maximum Tongue load *2, *3 936 lbs. (424.6 kg)920 lbs. (417.3 kg)
Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating 15,300 lbs. (6,940 kg)15,300 lbs. (6,940 kg)
Non-XD models — King Cab® — Towing load specification chart — SAE J2807 Weight Distributing Class 4 Hitch
Axle type 2WD4WD
Maximum Payload 1,600 lbs. (725.7 kg)1,680 lbs. (762.0 kg)
Maximum Towing Capacity *1, *2, *3 9,370 lbs. (4,253.6 kg)9,250 lbs. (4,197.5 kg)
Maximum Tongue load *2, *3 937 lbs. (425.0 kg)925 lbs. (419.6 kg)
Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating 15,300 lbs. (6,940 kg)15,300 lbs. (6,940 kg)
10-38Technical and consumer information
XD models — Crew cab — Towing load
specification chart — SAE J2807 Weight
Distributing Class 4 Hitch
Axle type4WD
Maximum Payload 2,450 lbs. (1,111.3 kg)
Maximum Towing Ca- pacity *1, *2, *3 10,920 lbs. (4,953.2 kg)
Maximum Tongue load *2, *3 1,092 lbs. (495.3 kg)
Maximum Gross Com- bined Weight Rating*4 17,700 lbs. (8,029 kg)
XD models — Crew cab — Towing load
specification chart — Gooseneck Hitch
Axle type
4WD
Maximum Payload 2,250 lbs. (1,020.6 kg)
Maximum Towing Ca- pacity *1, *2, *3 11,050 lbs. (5,012.2 kg)
Maximum King pin load *2, *3 1,658 lbs. (751.8 kg)
Maximum Gross Com- bined Weight Rating*4 17,700 lbs. (8,029 kg) *1: The towing capacity values are calculated as-
suming a base vehicle with driver and any options
required to achieve the rating. Additional passen-
gers, cargo and/or optional equipment will add
weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle's
maximum towing capacity.
*2: Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is
recommended when towing over 5,000 lbs. (2,268
kg).
*3: The maximum towing capacity when using the
Genuine NISSAN step bumper as a ball mount is
5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg) and 500 lbs. (227 kg) tongue
load.
*4: The maximum gross combined weight rating
for XD vehicles equipped with 20 inch wheels is
16,900 lbs. (7,666 kg).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. Genuine NISSAN ball mounts and
hitch balls are available at a NISSAN dealer. If your vehicle is not equipped with the op-
tional trailer tow package, check the tow-
ing 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 at a NISSAN dealer. Make sure the
trailer hitch is securely attached to the ve-
hicle to help avoid personal injury or prop-
erty damage due to sway caused by cross-
winds, rough road surfaces or passing
trucks.
A hitch used for towing 5th wheel and
gooseneck trailers can also be installed on
your vehicle. Contact a professional sup-
plier of towing equipment to purchase and
have a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch in-
stalled.
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 compo-
nents. Never exceed the weight rating
of the hitch components. Doing so can
cause serious personal injury or prop-
erty damage.
Technical and consumer information10-39
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and
weight rating for your trailer:
• The required hitch ball size is stamped onmost 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. Addi-
tionally, the ball mount should be chosen to
keep the trailer tongue level with the
ground.
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
OA, 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.
LTI2227
10-40Technical and consumer information