Infiniti TOWING 2006 User Manual

2006 INFINITI TOWING GUIDE

Introduction

Towing Equipment

What’s Right for You

Preparing Your Vehicle

Towing Safety

Towing Tips

Towing Glossary

Specifications

Protection

The Total Ownership Experience®

INTRODUCTION

SAFETY IS PRIORITY ONE

Obviously, your first concern should be safety. Your vehicle was designed to be used primarily to

carry passengers and cargo. Always remember that towing a trailer places additional loads on your

vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, steering, braking, and other systems. Therefore, be certain that your

vehicle can meet the demands of the towing application you have in mind.

Rent or purchase only the highest-quality towing and safety equipment you can find. Reinforced tow

hitches designed especially for FX and QX vehicles are available from your Infiniti dealer. Hitches for

the other Infiniti models should be bought from and installed by a professional supplier of towing

equipment. Finally, it is important to follow the towing capacity limit set for your specific vehicle,

and to ensure that your vehicle is in top mechanical condition; especially the tires, brakes,

suspension, and engine cooling system. See your owner’s manual for details.

NEVER EXCEED THE ESTABLISHED TOWING CAPACITY

Towing capacities vary from vehicle to vehicle. See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide or refer

to your owner’s manual for detailed information regarding the towing capacity of your specific

vehicle. Use this data to help select the proper Infiniti vehicle to meet your anticipated needs, and

refer to it when renting a trailer or other piece of towing equipment.

EQUIP YOUR INFINITI FOR TOWING

The frequency and type of towing should also influence the manner in which you equip your vehicle.

If you plan to tow often, either for recreation or work, select the engine size, transmission type,

suspension, and towing capacity that are best suited to your requirements. This guide can help you

select that equipment.

If, on the other hand, your towing will be infrequent, choose the Infiniti vehicle and equipment that

best meets your day-to-day needs. Then, be careful not to exceed the towing capacity on those few

occasions when you do tow.

READ THIS GUIDE BEFORE YOU TOW

This guide was designed to provide an overview of safe towing practices. In it you’ll find information

on towing equipment, safety, proper loading and driving techniques, towing tips, and much more.

It is also a good idea to discuss your towing requirements with either your Infiniti dealer or

professional supplier of towing equipment before you equip your Infiniti vehicle for towing. Finally,

there are state and local laws on towing that you should review to ensure you comply with all

regulations.

2006 Infiniti Towing Guide

TOWING EQUIPMENT

RENTING

The first thing to keep in mind when renting a trailer is to rent only from professional companies that specialize in towing and towing equipment. More than likely, these representatives will have some experience in selecting and fitting the towing equipment that is appropriate for your Infiniti vehicle.

When renting, make sure you have your owner’s manual on hand so that you can check the towing capacities for your specific vehicle. Never rent a trailer that exceeds these capacities, and make sure that any other equipment you rent is sufficient for your loaded trailer.

While you’re there, ask questions: How much does the trailer weigh? What is the trailer tongue load? How much weight will the trailer hold? What type of brakes is it equipped with? All of these items have an effect on whether your Infiniti vehicle is capable of safely pulling that trailer or piece of equipment.

Make certain that all trailer stoplights, taillights, and turn signals are hooked up and operate correctly, and that all safety equipment is properly installed. Check the safety chains/cables, tiedowns, etc.

Carefully inspect the condition of the trailer and equipment. Are the tires worn excessively? Are the tire pressures correct? Are there broken welds, missing bolts or pieces? All these factors can also affect your safety.

Towing safety should be a high priority when choosing and renting equipment, and this is especially true concerning hitches. Never rent a clamp-on-type hitch. Since Infiniti bumpers are not designed for trailer loads, using this type of hitch may cause damage to your vehicle and could result in trailer separation during towing. Tow only with a permanent-type hitch.

PURCHASING

Purchase towing items such as hitches and hitch balls only from your Infiniti dealer or professional supplier of towing equipment.

If you are intending to use your vehicle to tow a trailer you already own, first determine the trailer’s weight when fully loaded. This will tell you if, in fact, your vehicle is capable of pulling this amount of weight. In addition, it will also help you purchase the right type, style, and class* of hitch and other equipment.

If you are buying a travel or boat trailer, be sure that your Infiniti vehicle has the towing capacity to pull it. See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide or refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for detailed information regarding the towing capacity of your specific vehicle. Your owner’s manual should ALWAYS be referenced before making any towing decisions.

Naturally, you’ll want to buy the highest-quality equipment you can find for maximum towing safety. And if you plan to tow often, consider convenience. Quick-disconnect trailer light connectors and ratchet-type tie-downs, for example, make the job go faster and easier, and are usually worth the

small extra investment.

*See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide for equipment class information specific to your vehicle.

2006 Infiniti Towing Guide

WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU

TYPES OF EQUIPMENT

Towing requires a variety of equipment, and, depending upon the application, there can be several

types or styles of each piece of equipment. Working with your Infiniti dealer or professional supplier

of towing equipment, it should be relatively simple to determine the proper type of equipment for

your specific vehicle given the intended application. This section explains the most common pieces

of towing equipment available.

HITCHES

Whichever type of hitch you use, it should be firmly bolted to your vehicle, and should be of the

appropriate weight class for the equipment you intend to tow. In addition, keep the following in

mind:

 Do not modify the vehicle’s braking or exhaust systems or its body structure/frame when

installing the hitch.

 Be sure that the hitch does not interfere in any way with the vehicle’s energy-absorbing bumper.  Regularly check to see that all hitch-mounting bolts are securely fastened.  Where practical, remove the hitch when not in use. Your Infiniti dealer can assist you in hitch

removal and reinstallation. When removed, seal the bolt holes to prevent road spray, fumes,

water, and dirt from entering the vehicle.

 For receiver-type hitches using a ball mount, the ball mount should be removed when not towing.

 If you install a hitch yourself, remember that it must be securely attached to the frame or

underbody, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Never attach a hitch or towing device

to the vehicle axle housing. This may damage the housing, wheel bearings, wheels, or tires.

Hitch Types

Bumper Hitch – This is a special reinforced

bumper designed to accommodate a hitch

ball.

2006 Infiniti Towing Guide

Receiver Hitch – A receiver hitch is

bolted directly to the vehicle structure for added

strength and durability. Infiniti bolt-on receiver

hitches are designed specifically for Infiniti vehicles

and include the necessary reinforcements, with

ample clearance around bumpers, frame members,

etc. These hitches allow for the removal of the ball

mount when not towing.

Clamp-On Bumper Hitch – As the name suggests,

this type of temporary hitch clamps onto the bumper

assembly. Infiniti does not recommend the use of

this type hitch for a number of reasons. It may

interfere with performance of the energy-absorbing

bumper. And because the bumper was not designed

to carry this type of load, it could damage the

bumper and bodywork, and may possibly result in

trailer separation during towing. Therefore, tow only

with a permanent hitch.

Weight-Distributing Hitch System – This type of

system uses a “load-leveling” or “equalizing”

hitch. The weight-distributing feature helps shift

the trailer tongue weight to all trailer tires and the

tow vehicle front tires.

Purchase of a Weight-Distributing hitch ball mount

(Class IV) is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED if you own

a QX vehicle and plan to tow trailers with

maximum weight over 5,000 lbs. This ball mount

includes a

for use with the optional tow package.

/16” hitch ball rated for up to 10,000 lbs., and is available through your Infiniti dealer

2006 Infiniti Towing Guide

BALL MOUNT

A ball mount (also known as a drawbar or “stinger”) is a bar that holds a hitch ball and is inserted

into a receiver-type hitch. Ball mounts come in a number of weight capacities (3,500 lbs., 5,000 lbs.,

etc.) and sizes (1

/4”, 2”, etc.), and can

be weight-distributing or non-weight-

distributing.

HITCH BALL

A hitch ball is bolted through a ball

mount or a hitch hole in the tow vehicle’s

rear bumper. The coupler on the trailer

tongue attaches over the hitch ball.

Like ball mounts, hitch balls come in

different weight capacities and sizes.

Therefore, always make sure the hitch ball selected has the proper shank diameter and weight

rating for the ball mount as well as the coupler on your trailer. Using a 1

coupler, for example, could result in the trailer separating from the tow vehicle.

There are different diameters of hitch holes. If a hitch ball with a smaller shank is used in a larger

hole, a bushing should be used to take up the excess clearance. Bushings are often included with

Infiniti accessory hitch balls.

A simple maintenance routine for the hitch ball is recommended to keep it in top condition. Coating

it with light grease will minimize wear of both the coupler and hitch ball. Also, by removing the hitch

ball when not towing, or by protecting it with a special cover, you will help prevent rust from forming

on it.

Ball Mount

/8” hitch ball in a 2”

Hitch

Ball

TRAILER TONGUE

The tongue (see illustrations on page 6) is the part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow

vehicle, and also carries the coupler assembly. Knowledge of the trailer tongue load is critical, as it

can have a significant effect on the handling of the tow vehicle. See the SPECIFICATIONS section of

this guide or refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to view the maximum trailer tongue load listed for

your vehicle.

2006 Infiniti Towing Guide

SAFETY CHAINS/CABLES

Always use suitable safety chains/cables between the tow vehicle and the trailer. If the hitch should

break or become disengaged for some reason, these chains/cables will provide an emergency

connection between the vehicle and the trailer.

Coupler

Trailer Tongue

Not OK

The chains/cables should be crossed

under the trailer tongue and attached to

the hitch or vehicle frame. Crossing the

chains/cables under the tongue will help

prevent the tongue from hitting the

ground should the trailer become

disconnected. Also, be sure to leave

enough slack in the chains/cables to turn

corners without binding; however, note

that excessive slack will allow the

chains/cables to drag on the ground.

Do not use S-hooks for attaching, as they

may become un-hooked, and are illegal in

many states. To avoid damage to the

bumper and chains/cables when making

a sharp turn, do not attach the

chains/cables too close to the coupler.

Consult your trailer manufacturer for the proper location of the chain/cable attachment to the trailer.

REAR VIEW MIRRORS

In many cases, a trailer can block your rear vision when you’re using only the standard Infiniti rear

view mirrors. These mirrors were not designed for towing.

“Extended” mirrors specifically designed for trailer towing should be used when your rearward

vision is obstructed. Before using these mirrors, make certain that they comply with state and local

regulations. Telescoping Tow Mirrors are available as an accessory for QX vehicles. Contact your

Infiniti dealer for details.

2006 Infiniti Towing Guide

BREAKAWAY SWITCH

On a trailer with electric brakes, a breakaway switch can automatically activate the trailer brake

system if the trailer becomes separated from the tow vehicle. Should the trailer become detached, a

breakaway switch may help prevent the trailer from wandering into another lane and will bring it to a

safer stop with less damage.

A breakaway switch relies on the power of a trailer battery, so make sure it is not discharged. Never

use the breakaway switch to “park” the trailer on a grade. The battery would eventually discharge

and release the brake, allowing the trailer to roll.

Be sure to leave enough slack in the tether on the breakaway switch to turn corners without binding.

If you do not, the electric trailer brakes will lock-up and not release.

See your trailer manufacturer for proper installation of a breakaway switch that is compatible with

your trailer braking system.

TRAILER LIGHTS

Trailer lights should comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and should be

in proper working order at all times. A trailer’s taillights, stoplights, and turn signals must be wired*

into the tow vehicle’s electrical system. Many trailers use the same filament of a dual-filament bulb

for both stoplights and turn signals. The second filament is used for the trailer’s taillights. All Infiniti

vehicles utilize separate filaments for each function. Direct splicing of this type of trailer lighting

may cause damage to your vehicle’s electrical system and malfunction of the trailer lighting. When

connecting your Infiniti vehicle to this type of trailer lighting system, a 3-wire to 2-wire power

converter** must be used. A power converter of this type creates only minimal additional demand

(draw) on the vehicle lighting circuits to power the trailer lighting.

Always check for correct operation of the turn signals, stoplights, and taillights every time you

connect a trailer for towing. Never replace vehicle fuses with fuses of a higher amperage rating than

the original.

NOTE – Improper or poor quality trailer harness wiring may affect your vehicle’s electrical system.

Use only an Infiniti approved wiring harness, or consult your dealer or a professional supplier of

towing equipment for compatible equipment.

*See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide for wiring harness information specific to your vehicle. **QX vehicles are pre-wired for trailer lighting and do not require a converter.

2006 Infiniti Towing Guide

+ 18 hidden pages

Infiniti TOWING 2006 User Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

TOWING EQUIPMENT