The Nissan Path

So I recently purchased a 2011 Pathfinder 4x4 with 112k on the clock. I'm on orders (military) to move to Georgia in June, and I need to get my 2002 Camaro towed down there. If I did it myself, I would be renting a flatbed trailer, but I want to know if the Pathy can handle the load, or if I should bite the bullet and have it towed by a vehicle towing company? My Pathfinder is 100% stock. Thanks!

As long as the total weight of the trailer and the car doesn't exceed the maximum towing capacity, it'll be fine. If I'm correct, that's 6000 lbs. for the V6 and 7000 lbs. for the V8 models. If you don't have them already, I would highly suggest installing a set of $80 Airlift 1000 air bags to keep the back end from sagging. You'll also need to install a 7-pin towing harness kit, an electronic trailer brake controller and an adapter harness for that to plug into the vehicle's connector.

With what you are towing you should be a bit less weight then the camper I own and my R51 tows my camper just fine. Get the airbags! And the other items SMJ mentioned and you should be fine. Tow out of overdrive unless going downhill or on the flats if the trans shifts all the time in OD on flats then lock it out as the constant shifting will heat up the trans. On long steep hills lock it in to third gear and let the motor spin it will not hurt the motor at all (actually mine seems to run better after a long tow).

Shorten your oil change to like 4,000-4,500 miles as the towing will most likely shear your 5w30 out of grade down to a 20 grade. (Normal for a VQ40 towing)

You may also want to go up a grade on your fuel if you run 87 run 89 or premimum when towing. I always run primumum when towing for fear of low octane spark knock I don't know if it will cause damage but I just don't want to risk it.

Kestral wrote:You may also want to go up a grade on your fuel if you run 87 run 89 or premimum when towing. I always run primumum when towing for fear of low octane spark knock I don't know if it will cause damage but I just don't want to risk it.

I always run premium in all my vehicles anyway. I'm looking into the Air bags right now. And recommendations on where to order the other stuff? And where to get the trailer haha. I'm towing it from DC to Hinesville, GA so about 750-800 miles. My wife is worried that the Pathfinder can't handle the weight but I think it can

CarParts.com has the Air Lift 1000 P/N: 60810 air bags for $81 w/ free shipping.

The subharness to connect the controller to the vehicle is Nissan P/N 24167-7S000. Most online dealers sell it for $20+shipping. Or, $27 w/ shippig on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2011-Nissa ... k3&vxp=mtr

The 7-pin trailer tow harness kit with bracket. Nissan P/N 999T8-XR024. On Ebay for $67.88 w/ shipping:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-2012-Nissa ... ya&vxp=mtr

You may also need a relay and you'll also need to get the controller. Many of the companies that sell controllers also make plug-and-play harnesses so you can plug it directly to the vehicle's connector, so you wouldn't need the $20 controller subharness.