Hey guys, I've been purely a sports car driver the last couple of years but my priorities have rapidly changed and I'm going to have to get a truck or SUV to tow my track/race car with. I drove a 1993 Nissan 300ZX both on the street and track until that got hit and totaled, and my new street/track (soon to be track only) car is a 1972 Datsun 240Z so I do feel a sense of loyalty to the brand.
Before I got into road racing, off roading was my main interested so in a way it's kind of nice to be forced back into getting a 4x4. I went off roading a few years back with my cousin in his 2002 Pathfinder and have loved them ever since that. I remember it being extremely comfortable on road and it performed great off. Plus the styling is far better than the competitors in my opinion.
The R50 is going to fall nicely into my price point (looking to spend about $10k or less) and I'm looking at the 2002 and up (or whenever the styling revision was).
What have your experiences been towing with the Pathfinder? I know that it's rated at 6000 lbs. but have found that real world towing experiences can be very different from the max capacity. My track car will probably weigh about 2200 lbs., plus spares, tools, and the weight of the trailer should put it still safely within the towing capacity. I definitely want the Pathfinder over other SUVs even though something like the Tahoe might be better for the towing aspect, because I like the looks and know I'll be happier with the Pathy since it will be my daily driver as well.
I'll be starting likely with an open trailer so the wind resistance shouldn't be a problem, but I know that enclosed trailers are harder on towing and will likely eventually be upgrading to one of those. What seems to be the limiting factor in the Pathy's towing capacity? I'm hoping that by doing some upgrades I can make it a little better at towing. I'll probably do higher performance brakes right away but what else would be helpful in towing with the Pathy like could it use some more power, a transmission and or oil cooler, suspension upgrade, etc?
Sorry guys that post ended up being longer than planned but any input you have is appreciated. Thanks!