Towing 5200lbs with a 06 Nissan Pathfinder
Hello all, I am currently considering purchasing a travel trailer and will be towing with my 06 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4x4. The Pathfinder has a max towing capacity of 6000lbs and a max tongue of 600lbs...
Forum Discussion
I have never driver a Pathfinder but I am assuming it is in the similar territory as other lighter SUVS as far as weight, suspension, drivetrain power and braking.
I have towed my TT with many different 3/4 trucks and 1 ton van looking for the right combination but I also had 2 Explorers (98 and 06) that I towed smaller trailers with that I also towed with the bigger trucks. I don't discount the smaller brothers to the 1/2 ton SUV's (Expedition/Tahoe) when they are properly configured and the trailer is within allowable parameters. If you do not exceed the available payload of your truck (GVWR minus actual empty weight=payload), hitch and tire (esp if passenger rated) and frontal surface areas that will be in the owners manual (or towing guide) I think they perform well. Many times for the medium weight and smaller trailer I preferred towing with my Explorers which racked up many miles towing with no issues. I preferred the creature comforts, smaller size and tighter turning radius and with my Explorer with the 4.6L (292 hp) I preferred the acceleration and braking compared to 00 Excursion and E350 both V10's. Funny thing even though I was closer to the limit of my ratings with the Explorer compared to the V10 which was rated much higher the power/efficiency of my drivetrain allowed me better mpg's for the same load.
You mention your tow rating but realize they are calculated for typical trailers like boat, auto or small cargo NOT a TT. Whereas a auto transport trailer that weighs 5,000 loaded might have a tongue weight of 500# (10%) a typical TT that weighs 5,000 might have a tongue weight of 750# (15%) or more if you loaded cargo in the front where they typically have the storage compartment. So for the same trailer weight (5,000#) you will have to deduct an extra 250# (750 vs 500) a 50% increase from available payload as they mentioned earlier you will run out of payload way before you ever get close to your theoretical tow rating in these lighter vehicles with a loaded TT.
I also want to disagree to what was mentioned earlier. WD when installed correctly and used with properly loaded trailers put more weight on the front tires AND work towards leveling the truck (sag) and trailer (tongue sag). Look at the WD hitch ads and videos and you will see they compare a TV and TT without WD with the sag vs with the WD hitch and they are level. That is how mines was installed and how I adjusted it to maintain a close as level stance. And the air suspension can accomplish leveling the vehicle although I prefer WD for the task because it is designed to do that while putting more weight on the front (for improved braking and steering). I had a 03 Navigator that I would turn off air suspension to hitch (it deflates) and I would hook up everything including the WD bars and the tongue weight would cause the deflated rear to sag even more but once I turned on the system it would inflate the rear bags and the truck would be level. I believe by leveling you are not transferring weight to the front but you are not allowing more weight to leave the front from the rear sagging low too. Like drag cars use soft rear springs and shocks so the rear sits low at the point of traction I believe that by sitting low the front looses even more weight. Now on the other extreme my Explorer with the WD installed with my heavy TT still sagged to the ground (don't ask me how I know) because the WD system and suv suspension was not designed for that load.
The only thing I would add is the shorter wheel base might not handle the sway from crosswinds as well so you might want to camp the day the winds are blowing across the highway briskly instead of driving through them. Already mentioned was the headwind and aerodynamic drag slowing them down but it slows me down as well in the larger diesels but with their higher torque they tend to stay in OD but those V8's will downshift more often (higher rpm's) to handle the drag which means to more fuel flow (less mpg's). I think everything is about balance so if you can find a trailer size/weight that fits into your TV limitations you will enjoy the experience.
In my Explorer that had a towing rating of 7.2K that I towed at (and more) I set my personal limit of 5k loaded if I ever bought/towed a TT.
I have towed my TT with many different 3/4 trucks and 1 ton van looking for the right combination but I also had 2 Explorers (98 and 06) that I towed smaller trailers with that I also towed with the bigger trucks. I don't discount the smaller brothers to the 1/2 ton SUV's (Expedition/Tahoe) when they are properly configured and the trailer is within allowable parameters. If you do not exceed the available payload of your truck (GVWR minus actual empty weight=payload), hitch and tire (esp if passenger rated) and frontal surface areas that will be in the owners manual (or towing guide) I think they perform well. Many times for the medium weight and smaller trailer I preferred towing with my Explorers which racked up many miles towing with no issues. I preferred the creature comforts, smaller size and tighter turning radius and with my Explorer with the 4.6L (292 hp) I preferred the acceleration and braking compared to 00 Excursion and E350 both V10's. Funny thing even though I was closer to the limit of my ratings with the Explorer compared to the V10 which was rated much higher the power/efficiency of my drivetrain allowed me better mpg's for the same load.
You mention your tow rating but realize they are calculated for typical trailers like boat, auto or small cargo NOT a TT. Whereas a auto transport trailer that weighs 5,000 loaded might have a tongue weight of 500# (10%) a typical TT that weighs 5,000 might have a tongue weight of 750# (15%) or more if you loaded cargo in the front where they typically have the storage compartment. So for the same trailer weight (5,000#) you will have to deduct an extra 250# (750 vs 500) a 50% increase from available payload as they mentioned earlier you will run out of payload way before you ever get close to your theoretical tow rating in these lighter vehicles with a loaded TT.
I also want to disagree to what was mentioned earlier. WD when installed correctly and used with properly loaded trailers put more weight on the front tires AND work towards leveling the truck (sag) and trailer (tongue sag). Look at the WD hitch ads and videos and you will see they compare a TV and TT without WD with the sag vs with the WD hitch and they are level. That is how mines was installed and how I adjusted it to maintain a close as level stance. And the air suspension can accomplish leveling the vehicle although I prefer WD for the task because it is designed to do that while putting more weight on the front (for improved braking and steering). I had a 03 Navigator that I would turn off air suspension to hitch (it deflates) and I would hook up everything including the WD bars and the tongue weight would cause the deflated rear to sag even more but once I turned on the system it would inflate the rear bags and the truck would be level. I believe by leveling you are not transferring weight to the front but you are not allowing more weight to leave the front from the rear sagging low too. Like drag cars use soft rear springs and shocks so the rear sits low at the point of traction I believe that by sitting low the front looses even more weight. Now on the other extreme my Explorer with the WD installed with my heavy TT still sagged to the ground (don't ask me how I know) because the WD system and suv suspension was not designed for that load.
The only thing I would add is the shorter wheel base might not handle the sway from crosswinds as well so you might want to camp the day the winds are blowing across the highway briskly instead of driving through them. Already mentioned was the headwind and aerodynamic drag slowing them down but it slows me down as well in the larger diesels but with their higher torque they tend to stay in OD but those V8's will downshift more often (higher rpm's) to handle the drag which means to more fuel flow (less mpg's). I think everything is about balance so if you can find a trailer size/weight that fits into your TV limitations you will enjoy the experience.
In my Explorer that had a towing rating of 7.2K that I towed at (and more) I set my personal limit of 5k loaded if I ever bought/towed a TT.
