2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight fromthe 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. cer-
tification 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. certification label - 8,990 lbs.
(4,078 kg).
• 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
vehicle. 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.
Technical and consumer information10-35
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 vehicle and trailer
as described in this manual to deter-
mine the actual vehicle towing capac-
ity. Do not exceed the published maxi-
mum towing capacity or the GCWR or
the GVWR shown on the FMVSS/CMVSS
label. Doing so can result in an accident
causing serious personal 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.
Non-XD models — Crew cab — Towing load specification chart — SAE J2807 Weight Distributing Class 4 Hitch
Axle type 2WD4WD
Maximum Payload 1,580 lbs. (716.7 kg)1,630 lbs. (739.4 kg)
Maximum Towing Capacity *1, *2, *3 9,310 lbs. (4,222.9 kg)9,160 lbs. (4,154.9 kg)
Maximum Tongue load *2, *3 931 lbs. (422.3 kg)916 lbs. (415.5 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 1,620 lbs. (734.8 kg) 1,710 lbs. (775.6 kg)
Maximum Towing Capacity *1, *2, *3 9,320 lbs. (4,227.5 kg)9,200 lbs. (4,173 kg)
Maximum Tongue load *2, *3 932 lbs. (422.7 kg)920 lbs. (417.3 kg)
Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating 15,300 lbs. (6,940 kg)15,300 lbs. (6,940 kg)
10-36Technical and consumer information
XD models — Crew cab — Towing load
specification chart — SAE J2807 Weight
Distributing Class 4 Hitch
Axle type4WD
Maximum Payload 2,430 lbs. (1,102.2 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 2,360 lbs. (1,070.5 kg)
Maximum Towing Ca- pacity *1, *2, *3 11,060 lbs. (5,016.7 kg)
Maximum King pin load *2, *3 1,659 lbs. (752.5 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
installed.
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 information10-37
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 opening. A higher
class drawbar does not increase the tow-
ing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of
hitch for weight distribution 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
performance.
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
Weight Rating or the rear axle weight to
exceed the Rear Gross Axle Weight rating.
For additional information, see “Maximum
load limits” (P. 10-32).
The weight of the trailer should not exceed
the maximum towing capacity for the ve-
hicle. For additional information, see “Tow-
ing load/specification” chart (P. 10-36).
Make sure the trailer design allows for the
correct vehicle to trailer clearances before
purchasing a 5th wheel trailer.
WARNING
• The hitch should not be attached to
or affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
• Do not use axle-mounted hitches.
• Do not modif y the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.
• To reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage if your vehicle is
struck from the rear, where practical,
remove the receiver when not in use.
• Regularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely
mounted.
• When towing with the hitch ball
mounted to the rear bumper, do not
make sharp turns. The trailer may
contact the bumper and cause dam-
age to the bumper or trailer.
• When towing a 5th wheel trailer, do
not make sharp turns while driving or
backing. The trailer may contact the
vehicle and cause damage to both
the trailer and vehicle.
10-40Technical and consumer information