The Nissan Path

Hi!

I'm currently in the market for a good towing vehicule for our family of five and our new camping trailer. It's a 21 feet, 3100 pounds trailer double axle with anti-sway bars. So our plan is to do a big trip from near Montreal, Quebec down to the Keys past Miami in April / May. We know it's a hot place so main concerns are, after reliability of course, comfort and a good AC. We'll probably haul it a couple of times in the New Hampshire White Mountains this spring if we buy it soon enough.

So, I've got eyes on a Pathfinder 2006 with 150 000km, tranny 10 000km. I know about the transmission problem so will assuredly bypass the radiator and install an aftermarket radiator for it. Also, I need 7pin brake controller.

Do you think that this is the right vehicule to fit this bill ? And any particular recommandation on which year is best ? I've got eyes on a pretty cheap 2006 around here so that's why I mentionned it.

Thanks a lot in advance !
Jon

The best Pathfinder years are the last years 2011-2012 since all the bugs were worked out (true with most cars and trucks at the end of there life cycle). On that note when buying used maintenance records are a must with high millage esp oil chance records. If I were to buy a high millage 2006 Pathy and you say the trans was replaced I would make sure the radiator was replaced as well. Other items to check esp going on a long trip are brakes, shocks, coolant, fan clutch operation, check or change all fluids esp brake and rear end gear fluid. Also tires if they are more then 5 years old replace them and for long towing I would not get an aggressive A/T tire. You will have a better ride lower noise and wear with a quality all season tire.

As far as towing I strongly recommend the following with a R51 Pathfinder.

Rear airbags
Weight distribution hitch
Don't tow in overdrive unless going down long downhill
Make sure your hitch camper has some sort of sway control

Hope this helps