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AJ143camping's avatar
AJ143camping
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015

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. Obviously I want to stay as far below that as possible but with what I want on my next TT I might be getting close to the max . I am considering either the Passport 238ml or the Sonic 220BH with the Sonic being my first choice. The car has Airlift bags, and trailer brake controller. I might have to purchase a WDH but only if needed depending on how much it squats with the airlift bags. My concern is that 5400lbs is max on the Sonic. Dry on the Sonic is 4200. Is it realistic to think I will be maxing out the payload capacity of the TT to 5400lbs? It's my wife, my small dog and myself, only bringing what we need nothing extra.

The car is 270hp and 291 ftlbs of torque at 4000 rpms

I'm plan to travel across the country with it.
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  • AJ143camping's avatar
    AJ143camping
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2015
    Thanks for the input. I made an edit on my first post to clarify that the dry wight on the Sonic Trailer is 4200lbs. If I add an extra 1000 lbs I will still be 800lbs below max of my Pathfinder. I have been reading on the forums and a rule of thumb is to take the max towing of the vehicle and only tow 80% of that. if I were to purchase the Sonic and load it to the max I would be at 86.5%. (that is IFI load it to max)
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad II
    Mar 30, 2015
    should you decide to go with the Pathfinder as your TV (and I have no basis for an opinion on that issue), do be sure to find out if a WDH is even ok with the mfg. I know that many European vehicles such as my BMW X5 the mfg says in no uncertain terms "do NOT use any WDH equipment." I'm not sure about the Japanese in general or Nissan in particular. Just trying to make sure you find out before you try to go that route.
  • mleekamp's avatar
    mleekamp
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2015
    I think you'd find the pathfinder to be wholly inadequate to tow 5200 lbs. That weight is dry...no clothes, food, water, etc. For rough estimates, add 1,000 lbs to 5200.

    Either think pop-up camper or a different tow vehicle.

    Bottom line: It may pull it down the road, but SAFELY is the key. I don't think it would do it safely for you, your passengers, or others on the road.

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