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dhatcher's avatar
dhatcher
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015

Towing travel trailer with an Xterra

Hi (new member here),

I got here by searching around on google about towing a travel trailer with my xterra. Got here, read the one post I found about someone towing with an xterra but, it seemed they were interested in towing a 25' trailer.

I'm interested in towing a 15' or less trailer with my xterra for camping (and some adventure :) ).

What kind of advice can you give a newbie to towing? Should I get additional cooling setup for my transmission? What about sway control, is that a necessity or just really really nice to have?

2012 Xterra Pro-4x model (4x4)

Thank you all for any advice you can send my way :)

16 Replies

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  • TOOBOLD's avatar
    TOOBOLD
    Explorer
    Mar 09, 2015
    Look inside the frame of the drivers door and it will tell you all the specs for the X especially the CCC. Let me know if you want to know the part number for the trailer lights. Our hitch was placed aftermarket so I don't remember the capacity of the hitch.

    There is a website for X owners called Xterra Owners Club. Lots of good info there, but not sure how many tow trailers.
  • dhatcher's avatar
    dhatcher
    Explorer
    Mar 09, 2015
    hmmm, well a quick look around a local RV place's website tells me a tent trailer is going to be around 1,200lbs with 200lbs hitch weight and a 19' box trailer is around 2,620lbs with a 335lb hitch weight. Both seem well within the spec of the xterra.

    5,000lb max tow capacity

    hitch weights seem to be varying from 400lbs - 600lbs depending on hitch type and weight distribution towing? I'm not quite what that means but, I'm guessing that means a little fancier trailer setup (such as the sway control et all).
  • dhatcher's avatar
    dhatcher
    Explorer
    Mar 09, 2015
    Thanks for the replies everyone! I realize it's not the greatest tow vehicle but, it's better than no tow vehicle :)

    It did not come with the towing package and lights installed. I need to get those installed as well.

    I thought about a tent trailer versus a box trailer but, the stuff I was looking at seemed to end up weighing about the same (maybe 300-500lb difference, if that between tent trailer and box trailer). I thought in the grand scheme of things it didn't seem to be much of a difference.
  • TOOBOLD's avatar
    TOOBOLD
    Explorer
    Mar 09, 2015
    I owned a 2006 Xterra and the rear suspension is horrible and you'll squat with very little hitch weight. Check your cargo carrying capacity as that will limit you on trailer size. I towed jet ski's and a small 20' boat with the X and did well. You might need timbren's on the rear.

    Did your X come with the towing package and lights? Also, if your towing a trailer be ready to stop numerous times on your trip due to a small gas tank. This would not be my vehicle of choice for towing a travel trailer. Good Luck!
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Mar 09, 2015
    No matter how small or large of a TT you choose you will want equalizer and sway control. Short wheel base vehicles make terrible tow vehicles, but you can midigate some problems with a proper setup. Brake controller is also a given. The biggest problem as always is going to be frontal area of the trailer. Have you considered a tent trailer? Might be a far better choice given your SUV.

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