ElementZero wrote:
Yeah I have the 2014 NV 3500 SL but I can't see the 1000 (or anything for that matter) stamped on the hitch, just that sticker that says look at the manual. I'm not sure if you have a 2013 one (since you talk about downshifting in the pm whereas I would just put on the tow mode) and it used to be stamped on there and now it's not? I also didn't see it listed on the towing package for 1000 - do you have a link (not that I don't believe you but would like to show it to a Nissan guy when I call them so they can't just brush me off - I tried calling them yesterday but just tossed around between sales and the mechanics haha).
And no, they don't have a different listing for non-WD and WD in the manual, something I thought was interesting as well since all the other third-party hitches I could put on the van have that distinction.
I really think Nissan just might be being super conservative and/or taking the easy route by just setting the tongue weight to 10% of the max tow power which should force you into never going past the max towing capacity for multiple reasons *shrugs*.
Yeah, like I said, it's kinda ridiculous / confusing.
Right of the Nissan website for the SL HD package in addition to the SV version ( info trimmed down for space) note upgrade class IV hitch listed:
"Standard towing equipment with 8,700 lb towing capacity
5.6L DOHC 32 Valve V8 Engine
3.54:1 Axle Ratio
Extendable Outside Chrome Tow Mirrors w/ Heat
Front (2) Tow Hooks w/ Tow Mode AT
Class-IV Receiver Hitch
7-Pin Connector Pre-Wiring
Brake Controller Pre-Wiring"
The difference between class 3 and class 4 hitch is really just the addition of bolts securing the center section to the bumper. Class 3 doesn't have those bolts. You can see the mount points to each side of the receiver opening in the hitch you posted in that link earlier.
The manual does talk about calculating tongue load and states to keep it at 10 to 15 % of trailer weight. They go into great detail about how much weight is inside the van and not exceeding the axle weight rating and gives numbers which I think does assume you will carry a good bit inside the van.
I know I found the 1000lb max rating with WDH setup somewhere when I started with my NV because I was also very concerned that I didn't want to overwork the van or tow unsafely, but I can't remember where it was or find the info now.
So yeah, I think they are rating it conservatively. Especially when you compare it to the cargo van version with a payload of nearly 4K lbs / tow 9500, versus the passenger version of 2460 payload and tow 8700.
I know there's 1500 pounds of interior / trim and so on added to the passenger version (although I think those two rear seats saved me 300 pounds by removing them), but the 10 to 15 % tongue load on a cargo van would still be 1000lbs tongue weight, so it's not like it will break the frame in half to go over that 870 tongue weight they list for the passenger version. You just have to watch out for your axle weight.
And I do tow in tow mode - it still shifts through all the gears, just times it differently so you will downshift a gear climbing a hill, but it holds highway speed just fine and has the power to accelerate if need be, even with 7 or 8 K lbs of "house" behind it.
Tow mode also gives you engine braking (startled me the first time that happened - but now I have learned to use it).
I also didn't bother asking the Nissan dealer since towing is not generally thier thing. Nor did trust the RV dealer when they looked up the cargo van specs and said "9500 lbs - you'll be fine - buy this TT!". But I did ask around and checked out a few vans through work (customer work vans and they are very happy with them) and took a bit of a chance it'd be ok when we decided to buy an NV.
