What does everyone tow?

Postby **disallow** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:16 am

marc515,

You sound like one of those guys from RV.net... "you need an F-550 Superduty ridiculous diesel with duallies to pull anything bigger than a garbage trailer!"

I jest, of course.

Our truck is quite capable. I myself am more concerned about the ability to stop than the ability to drive 90MPH while towing. With the correct setup, stopping is not an issue. WDH and the Airlift 1000 will take the sag out of the back end. Trailer has brakes, just need a good controller.

Keep the GVW of the trailer under 6000lbs, and you are good to go. Might be a touch slower than pulling with the above mentioned rig, and your fuel economy will be horrible, but really, are you going to buy a vehicle just to tow your camper, when you go camping 3-4 times a year?

t

marc515 · Postby **marc515** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:48 am

Well, I am far from an expert.

The tongue weight capacity of the pathfinder As listed on the label on my hitch shows 600 Lbs. At 5,600 Lbs, you are very close if not over, based on a tongue weight of 10-15%. Don't forget to add the weight of the WDH in.

I thought you subtract the people and stuff from the 6,000 Lb towing capacity to compute actual/remaining towing capacity?

As for me, I would not tow what you are towing for any distance or though mountains, it just doesn't look overly safe to me. However, I'm no expert, only trying to learn and be safe.

eluwak · Postby **eluwak** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 11:25 am

People/stuff, hitch and tongue weight are factored into the GVW of the tow vehicle. You don't want to exceed the GVWR of the tow vehicle. You still shouldn't exceed the tow rating/GCWR though.

Postby **disallow** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 11:32 am

marc515 wrote:Well, I am far from an expert.

The tongue weight capacity of the pathfinder As listed on the label on my hitch shows 600 Lbs. At 5,600 Lbs, you are very close if not over, based on a tongue weight of 10-15%. Don't forget to add the weight of the WDH in.

I thought you subtract the people and stuff from the 6,000 Lb towing capacity to compute actual/remaining towing capacity?

As for me, I would not tow what you are towing for any distance or though mountains, it just doesn't look overly safe to me. However, I'm no expert, only trying to learn and be safe.

Wasn't meant as a flame.

I do find it humorous when reading some of the posts on RV.net. They really badmouth the PF as a viable tow vehicle in general.

I am definitely on the outside edge of what I would consider right and proper for the PF, but I don't do mountains, and I don't go great distances either.

t

marc515 · Postby **marc515** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:55 pm

Terry,.....I didn't take it as a flame

I really like the PF as a tow vehicle and chose it over the Explorer which only had a 5,000 capacity, and is built on a truck frame. Albeit, for anything heavier than our current MPG camper, I would more than go up to a heavier vehicle, but that's just me as I like a good margin of safety.

Jegan · Postby **Jegan** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:22 am

I am going to be buying a Travel Trailer in the near future to match my soon to be purchased 2012 pathfinder S. The trailer is going to weigh 4000lbs dry. I am going to be very mobile and move from camp to camp all summer long. The terrain will be mountainous and varied (Quebec). Next year I will be planning a trans North america trip (6 weeks) from Montreal to Victoria and return through the States. I want to make sure that I do this right the first time and not have to go back and re-do things after I buy the trailer.

So I have been doing a lot of reading on this forum and have come up with what I think is a pretty good trailer check list for the Pathfinder. If there is anyone out there with suggestions on make/model for each of these items it would be much appreciated!

Pathfinder S 2012 w/ Towing Kit (Transmission cooler) - Factory

Add-ons: (these I will do for sure)

1. Brake Controller Kit/Box
2. 7 Pin Connector (Is this still available from Nissan?)
3. Airlift 1000 (rear springs)
4. Weight Distribution Hitch w/ anti-sway

The following I am not sure are needed (opinions?):

5. 10" Cooling fan install on Trans. coolant with inside manual switch
6. Trans. Temperature Guage
7. Air Filter Mod. (ie. cone style cold air intake)
8. Higher

performance spark plugs

Anything I have missed or totally misunderstood? Thanks again in advance for everyones help. Take care.

J

Jegan · Postby **Jegan** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 12:12 pm

I don't work for these guys, but this video is excellent and clears up a lot of things for someone who is new to towing or wants to maybe upgrade their setup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2WMeZy07Jg

Take care.

J

Postby **disallow** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:18 pm

Have seen a number of people on the forum that implemented an aux fan for the trans cooler, and it had little to no effect. The only way to improve this is to replace or augment the existing air/oil cooler. However, anything in addition to the current one would increase restriction, and reduce flow. And replacing may do the same thing.

Spark plugs won't make a difference.

Trans Temp gauge is a great idea!

Maybe a bullydog or superchips tuner?

CPLTECH · Postby **CPLTECH** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:46 pm

You may want to read up on the 2013 (R52) section of the forum about the new to PF CVT transmission. Sounds very promising for towing.

Personally, I am not overly enthused with the 5 sp in the PF since the torq converter NEVER will lock up in 4th. It does in 3rd & 5th. Think it has to do with the fact that this is a double clutch trans. Could it be why some mfg use a 6 sp? Hence a lot of heat can build up, especially on long hills. Been there, done that.

I know some here have big trailers compared to my little 3K#, 20ft. I came from a 98 Tahoe 4 sp. Go as light as possible & aerodynamic. Even at that, I get 10-11 MPG. I know that this is a similar setup found in the trucks, but from research, get the impression their trans has slightly beefier components. We got the soccer mom version.

Just my opinion…

Jegan · Postby **Jegan** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 8:57 am

I looked seriously at the 2013 PF and I really like what they have done with many aspects of the vehicle. The concern I have however is that the CVT, design, chassis, hitch and engine are a first year edition. Due to the fact the the R51 version is the last of its kind, all the major "kinks" have been worked out of the vehicle. This cannot be said however for the R52. I guess I am willing to trade off a little Trans. heat for the tried and tested design and the higher towing capacity.

Thanks for letting me know about the 3rd to 5th locking issue, I hope that it does not become a huge issue for me. Yet one has to understand that when you throw a 4000# trailer behind a truck, there are going to be some fundamental differences to the way the machine works.

Another question for everyone out there pulling big rigs:

What is your real world milage looking like? What terrain are you driving on a regular basis? I am trying to get a cost estimate for our summer road trips, if that helps guide your answer a little more. Thanks again. Take Care.

J

Postby **disallow** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:59 am

Thanks for letting me know about the 3rd to 5th locking issue, I hope that it does not become a huge issue for me.

This is why a trans temp gauge really helps. If you see your temps running away, you can do something about it.

What is your real world milage looking like? What terrain are you driving on a regular basis?

I get about 10MPG or less, about 25L/100km

CPLTECH · Postby **CPLTECH** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:17 pm

Here is a site that gives the prices at individual fuel stops. The Cdn map just gives approximations for the given area. Helps to plan your stops…
http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx

Oly 22 · Postby **Oly 22** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 10:16 pm

This is the reason I bought my Pathfinder. 18' Hourston Glascraft, Deep V, had it built for me in 1987 and always had it moored until we had kids. Great salt water fisher.

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volvite · Postby **volvite** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 10:18 pm

Oly,

That picture is old. Your Pathfinder is has been updated since that picture, like super sliders.

Oly 22 · Postby **Oly 22** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 10:21 pm

I know but it is the only picture I have with the boat. New pictures coming soon with the 2" lift.

What does everyone tow?

Towing with the Pathfinder 2012

Very informative video

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