Nissan Towing Owner's Manual
2008
NISSAN TOWING GUIDE
The 2008 Nissan Towing Guide provides information for currently available 2008
Nissan vehicles. This publication will be amended as new vehicles are introduced.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Towing Equipment
What’s Right for You
Preparing Your Vehicle
Towing Safety
Towing Tips
Towing Glossary
Specifications
Protection
Commitment
For important safety warnings, please read and follow your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
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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 certain Nissan vehicles are available from your
Nissan dealer. Hitches for the other Nissan 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 for the towing capacities of 2008 Nissan vehicles produced at the time of Towing
Guide publication. Use this data to help select the proper Nissan vehicle to meet your
anticipated towing needs, and refer to it when renting a trailer or other piece of towing
equipment.
EQUIP YOUR NISSAN FOR TOWING
The frequency and type of towing should 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 Nissan vehicle and
equipment that best meets your day-to-day needs. 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. Here, 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 Nissan dealer or
a professional supplier of towing equipment before you equip your Nissan vehicle for towing.
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Finally, there are state and local laws on towing that you should review to ensure compliance
with all regulations.
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, specialized
companies hire professional staff that can assist you in selecting and installing the proper
towing equipment for your Nissan vehicle.
When renting, make sure you have your vehicle owner’s manual on hand so that you can
reference the towing capacities for your specific vehicle. Never rent a trailer that exceeds
these capacities, and make sure that any related towing equipment you rent will be sufficient
for the loaded trailer.
While you’re there, ask questions. How much does the empty trailer weigh? How much
weight will the trailer hold? What is the trailer’s tongue load? With what type of brakes is it
equipped (if any)? All of these factors have an effect on whether your Nissan vehicle is
capable of safely pulling that type of trailer or piece of equipment.
Make certain that all of the trailer stoplights, taillights, and turn signals are connected and
are operating correctly, and that all safety equipments are properly installed. Check the safety
chains/cables, tie-downs, etc.
For safer operation, carefully inspect the condition of the trailer and towing equipment.
Specifically, check to make sure the tires are not worn excessively and are properly inflated.
Make sure there are not any broken welds, missing bolts, and that the hitch components are
not damaged.
Towing safety should be a high priority when choosing and renting towing equipment,
including hitches. NEVER RENT A CLAMP-ON-TYPE HITCH. Your vehicle’s bumpers are
not designed for using this type of hitch. Using it will damage your vehicle and could even
result in the trailer separating from the towing vehicle. This can cause death or serious injury.
To avoid this, use only a permanent-type hitch.
PURCHASING
If you are buying a travel or boat trailer, be sure that your Nissan vehicle has the towing
capacity to pull it. See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide or refer to your owner’s
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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 will 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 extra small investment. Purchase towing items such as hitches and
hitch balls only from your Nissan dealer or a professional supplier of towing equipment.
If you are intending to use your vehicle to tow a trailer you already own, you must ensure
that your loaded trailer remains well within your vehicle's towing capacity as specified in the
owner's manual. In addition, you should purchase the right type, style, and class* of hitch and
towing equipment to properly adapt the trailer to your vehicle.
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 Nissan dealer or a
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 impact-absorbing
bumper.
Regularly check to see that all hitch-mounting bolts are securely fastened.
Where practical, remove the hitch when not in use. Your Nissan dealer can assist you in
hitch removal and reinstallation.
*
See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide for equipment class information specific to your
vehicle.
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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.
Receiver Hitch – A receiver hitch is bolted
directly to the vehicle structure for added
strength and durability. Nissan bolt-on
receiver hitches are designed specifically for
Nissan 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.
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Weight-Distributing Hitch System – This
type of system uses a “load-leveling” or
“equalizing” hitch. The weight-distributing
feature helps shift trailer tongue weight to all
trailer tires and the tow vehicle front tires.
For Armada, Pathfinder, and Titan vehicles, a
weight-distributing hitch ball mount (Class IV)
IS REQUIRED if you plan to tow trailers with a
maximum weight over 5,000 lbs. This ball mount
includes a 2
dealer.
5
/
16
” hitch ball rated for up to 10,000 lbs., and is available through your Nissan
Clamp-On Bumper Hitch – This is a
temporary hitch that clamps onto the bumper
assembly. DO NOT USE this type of hitch on
any Nissan vehicle because using it may result
in the trailer separating from the towing vehicle.
This can cause death or serious injury. Use of
this type of hitch can also damage the towing
vehicle.
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5th Wheel or Gooseneck Hitch – Mounted
in the bed of a pick-up and designed for
heavy-duty applications, these types of
hitches are not available from Nissan but can
be purchased from a professional supplier of
towing equipment.*
A 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch is usually
installed and adjusted to meet the
requirements of a particular trailer, but two
basic rules hold true in every case. First, the
hitch should be mounted a minimum 2 inches
forward of the rear axle centerline. Second, it
should be securely attached directly to the
truck frame. This installation should be done
by professionals only, as it is very important to
mount the hitch correctly to distribute the king
pin load for the proper load carrying and sway
control performance.
5th Wheel Hitch
Gooseneck Hitch
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
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 are available in a
Ball
Mount
number of weight capacities and sizes. 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
*
At this time, Titan is the only Nissan vehicle approved for 5th wheel and gooseneck trailer
towing. See your owner’s manual for details.
7
/
8
” hitch ball in a 2” coupler, for example, could result in the trailer separating
Hitch
Ball
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from the tow vehicle.
The diameter of the hitch ball shank must be matched to the ball mount hole diameter. The
1
shank should be no more than
/16” smaller than the hole.
To keep the hitch ball in top condition, a simple maintenance routine is recommended.
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.
TRAILER TONGUE
The tongue is the part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow vehicle, and it also
carries the coupler assembly. Knowledge of the trailer tongue load (conventional trailers) and
king pin load (5th wheel and gooseneck trailers) 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 owner’s manual to view the maximum conventional trailer tongue load listed for your
vehicle.
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.
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.
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
OK
Not OK
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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 Nissan
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 Armada and Titan vehicles. Contact
your Nissan dealer for details.
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 dualfilament bulb for both stoplights and turn signals. The second filament is used for the trailer’s
taillights. All Nissan 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 Nissan vehicle to this type of trailer lighting system,
*
See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide for wiring harness information specific to your
vehicle.
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