Steps For Determining Correct
Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The com-bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg. or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For ex-
ample, if the “XXX ” amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 X 150) = 650 lbs.)
LTI2320
Example
10-18Technical and consumer information
5. Determine the combined weightof luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the avail-
able cargo and luggage load ca-
pacity calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Con-
sult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, con-
firm that you do not exceed the
GVWR or the GAWR for your vehicle.
For additional information, see “Mea-
surement of weights” (P. 10-25).
Also check tires for proper inflation
pressures. For additional informa-
tion, see “Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label” (P. 8-32).
SECURING THE LOAD
For your convenience, tie down hooks (if so
equipped) are placed at each corner of the
truck box. These may be used to help se-
cure cargo loaded into the truck box.
WARNING
• Properly secure all cargo with ropes
or straps to help prevent it from slid-
ing or shif ting. Do not place cargo
higher than the seatbacks. In a sud-
den stop or collision, unsecured
cargo could cause personal injury.
• Do not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum front
and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts of
your vehicle can break, tire damage
could occur, or it can change the way
your vehicle handles. This could re-
sult in loss of control and cause per-
sonal injury.
LTI2568
Technical and consumer information10-19
LOCATION FOR CENTER OF
GRAVITY
The illustration indicates the recom-
mended cargo center of gravity location.
King Cab®:
Short wheel base models without
bedliner/tailgate liner,L1 = 1,045 mm (41.1 in)
Short wheel base models with bed liner/
tailgate liner (SV/PRO-4X with comfort and
convenience package), L1 = 1,028 mm (40.5 in) Crew Cab:
Short wheel base models without
bedliner/tailgate liner,
L1 = 1,045 mm (41.1 in)
Short wheel base models with bedliner/
tailgate liner (SV/PRO-4X with comfort and
convenience package), L1 = 1,028 mm (40.5 in)
Long wheel base models, L1 = 1,032 mm (40.63 in)
WARNING
Improper loading may be dangerous. If
a load is too far back, it can affect han-
dling characteristics. If a load is too far
forward, the front axle may be
overloaded.
Overloading or improper loading can
adversely affect vehicle handling, brak-
ing and performance and may lead to
accidents.
VEHICLE LOAD WEIGHT CAPACITY
The vehicle payload weight capacity
shown on the Tire and Loading Information
label indicates the maximum total weight
of passengers, optional equipment (air
conditioning, trailer hitch, etc.) and cargo
that your vehicle is designed to carry.
For additional information, see “Tire and
Loading Information label” (P. 8-32).
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm
that you do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR for your vehicle. For additional infor-
mation, see “Vehicle loading information”
(P. 10-16).
Also check tires for proper inflation pres-
sures. For additional information, see “Tire
and Loading Information label” (P. 8-32).
LTI0128
10-26Technical and consumer information
Towing capacities are calculated assum-
ing a base vehicle with driver and any op-
tions required to achieve the rating. 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.
To determine the available payload capac-
ity for tongue load, use the following proce-
dure.
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 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 - 5,185 lbs. (2352 kg).
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label -
5,815 lbs. (2638 kg).
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) from “Towing Load/Specification" chart -
11,133 lbs. (5050 kg).
• Maximum Trailer towing capacity from “Towing Load/Specification" chart - 6,100
lbs. (2767 kg).
5,815 lbs. (2638 kg) GVWR
– 5,185 lbs. (2352 kg) GVW = 630 lbs. (286 kg) Available for tongue weight
11,133 lbs. (5050 kg) GCWR
– 5,185 lbs. (2352 kg) GVW
= 5,948 lbs. (2698 kg) Capacity available for towing
630 lbs. (286 kg) Available tongue weight
/ 5,948 lbs. (2698 kg) Available capacity = 10 % tongueweight
Technical and consumer information10-29
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
between 10 - 15 percent of the trailer weight
or within the trailer tongue load specifica-
tion recommended by the trailer manufac-
turer. If the tongue load becomes exces-
sive, 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 calculated available
tongue weight is greater than 15 percent. If
the calculated tongue weight is less than
10 percent, reduce the total trailer weight to
match the available tongue weight.
Always verif y that available capacities are
within the required ratings.Trailer frontal area
CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum trailer frontal
area specification may exceed the tow-
ing 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 af-
fected by air resistance while towing. Do
not exceed the maximum trailer frontal
area specification shown in the "Towing
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
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.
10-30Technical and consumer information
King Cab® models
Axle type2WD4WD
Maximum Towing Capacity*1, *2, *3 6,720 lbs. (3,048 kg)6,510 lbs. (2,953 kg)
Maximum Tongue Load*2, *3 672 lbs. (305 kg)651 lbs. (295 kg)
Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating 11,427 lbs. (5,183 kg)11,427 lbs. (5,183 kg)
Maximum trailer frontal area 30 sq feet (2.78 sq meters)
Crew Cab – Short wheel base models
Axle type2WD4WD
Maximum Towing Capacity*1, *2, *3 6,570 lbs. (2,980 kg)6,370 lbs. (2,889 kg)
Maximum Tongue Load*2, *3 657 lbs. (298 kg)637 lbs. (289 kg)
Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating 11,427 lbs. (5,183 kg)11,427 lbs. (5,183 kg)
Maximum trailer frontal area 30 sq feet (2.78 sq meters)
Crew Cab – Long wheel base models
Axle type2WD4WD
Maximum Towing Capacity*1, *2, *3 6,460 lbs. (2,930 kg)6,260 lbs. (2,839 kg)
Maximum Tongue Load*2, *3 646 lbs. (293 kg)626 lbs. (284 kg)
Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating 11,427 lbs. (5,183 kg)11,427 lbs. (5,183 kg)
Maximum trailer frontal area 30 sq feet (2.78 sq meters)
*1: • The towing capacity is calculated using the SAE International SAE J2807 test method. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional equipment will a dd weight
to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle's maximum towing capacity.
• All towing above 3,500 lbs. (1,587 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes.
• NISSAN recommends the use of a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg).
*2: The maximum towing capacity when using the Genuine NISSAN step bumper as a ball mount is 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg) and 350 lbs. (158 kg) tongue load.
*3: Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is recommended when towing over 5,000 lbs.
Technical and consumer information10-31